Avoid falsehood and vanity [25:72]

Continuing with our series of exploring some of the characteristics of the Ibadur Rahman, verse 72 from Chapter 25 [Sura Furqan] says:

And they who do not bear witness to what is false, and when they pass by what is vain/idle talk, they pass by nobly. [25:72]

Another two qualities of the sincere servants of the All Compassionate is that

1) they do not testify falsely or give false evidence, and not do they take part in anything which implies falsehood or fraud.

Scholars explain that to witness no falsehood has three meanings, all of which are implied in this passage: (1) firstly not to give evidence which is false by lying or bearing false witness and (2) secondly, not to assist in anything which implies fraud or falsehood or lead to deception in any way. And (3) not to participate or attend situations or gatherings where there is falsehood.

2) the second quality mentioned in this verse is that when they encounter either falsehood or frivolity or obscenity, they have no time for it, they do not get involved in it and they gracefully withdraw.

This is the most natural outcome of their conviction that Allah [swt] in that they are not affected by the environment. If it is distasteful, or frivolous, they pass it by. These are people who are proactive, constructive and goal oriented, they use their time wisely and do not involve themselves in that which will not bring a good outcome.

And they avoid or pass by such matters with “kiram” an attitude of dignity, that also carries the sense of nobility, generosity, and high-mindedness. It is interesting that the word kiram also contains within it a hint of humility: they pass by not with contempt or arrogance but with an “honourable avoidance”.

We can use this verse to remind ourselves to protect ourselves, our psyche and our souls from situations and events which will impact our souls in ways that we do not even often recognize.

It is common today for us to become more and more de-sensitised to all sorts of perversions since they have become so common place that we do not even recognize them as such. What we watch, listen to and expose ourselves to has an impact on us even if we do not recognize it.

I like to remind myself of the fable of the boiled frogs, a version of which is below:

Once upon a time, in a lush green valley nestled between two mighty mountains, there lived a community of frogs. These frogs were content, hopping about in their pond, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the water. Life seemed perfect for them until one day, a curious event occurred.

A group of frogs, adventurous and eager to explore, stumbled upon a pot left by a passing traveler. Intrigued by its contents, they peered inside to find it filled with lukewarm water. Unbeknownst to them, the pot was placed on a slow-burning fire, gradually heating the water.

At first, the frogs found the water comfortable. It was a pleasant change from the coolness of their pond. They swam around, enjoying the novelty of their discovery. But as time passed, the water grew warmer, imperceptibly so.

The frogs, however, failed to notice the gradual change. They became accustomed to the increasing temperature, adapting to it without realizing the danger lurking beneath the surface. Slowly, the warmth turned into heat, and still, the frogs remained in the pot, oblivious to the peril they were in.

Eventually, the water reached a boiling point. By then, it was too late for the frogs to escape. Their bodies had grown too weak from the prolonged exposure to the heat. Tragically, one by one, they succumbed to the boiling water, their lives lost to their ignorance of the danger that had surrounded them.

The tale of the boiled frogs serves as a poignant metaphor for the human condition. It illustrates how individuals can become desensitized to gradual changes in their environment, whether it be social, political, or personal. Just like the frogs in the pot, people may fail to recognize warning signs or dangers when they occur slowly over time.

This story emphasizes the importance of awareness and vigilance in our lives. It reminds us to pay attention to subtle shifts in our surroundings and to remain mindful of the potential threats to our value system, no matter how small they may seem at first. By staying alert and responsive, we can avoid the fate of the boiled frogs and navigate life's challenges with greater choice and wisdom.