ভূমিকা

The likeness of disbelievers (in hearing the truth) is the likeness of a person who is called upon but perceives naught save shouting and yelling. They are deaf, dumb, and blind and are void of reason.” [^1] The beliefs of humans are of two types: Theoretical views and beliefs which without an intermediary are unrelated to action, such as mathematics and the supernatural.

Practical views and beliefs which are linked to action without the need for intermediaries, such as principles regarding proper behavior. The way to attain the first type is to follow knowledge and certainty which lead to proof or ‘feeling’. Regarding the second, the means is to adhere to things that lead to a goodness, which either entails human prosperity or promotes it, and also to abstain from things that either lead to adversity or harm prosperity.

Belief in the truth of something that one has no knowledge of (in the first type) and also belief in something, the good or evil of which is indeterminate (in the second type) are called superstitious beliefs. Indeed, humans are lead by their fitrah. Fitrah examines the causes of phenomena and encourages humans to follow the path leading to their true perfection.

In accordance with this principle, humans do not humble themselves before a superstitious view that has been adopted through blindness and ignorance. It is the case though that feelings and emotions aroused by imagination are many and can cause a person to believe in superstitions. The majority of these feelings consist of fear and hope. Imagination depicts mental forms linked with fear or hope.

These feelings preserve their related forms and do not let them become concealed from the fearful or hopeful self.