The present article is one of the series of professor Misbahs moral lectures to a group of seminarians. The lecture, which introduces evidences from the holy Quran confirmed by sound rational justifications, considers "heedlessness" as the main source of mans downfall and as an obstacle to mans progress and elevation.
The key factor of heedlessness is mans action, and so when one wants to achieve human perfection, one needs to realize ones self.
In the verse 105 of "The Table", the holy Quran addresses the believers as follows:
"O believers, look after your souls.
He who is astray cannot hurt you, if you are rightly guided."
One who observes ones own faults and criticizes ones self will be subject to the criticism of no one, because observance and alertness cause self - denial to prevail and then, no place will remain for self - alienation.
If one does observe ones self and sternly continues to do so, one will be able to realize the reality of God. "One who has known oneself, has known his Lord" is a lofty status, the attainment of which requires ones true knowledge of ones own soul and ones observance of the reality of ones self. In fact, not all those who know themselves can attain the knowledge of their Lord; the achievement of this goal requires ones true knowledge of ones self.
One of the concepts, which has recently come to us from the Western culture and is closely related to the philosophical and theological theories and concepts, is the term "religious experience." This term has been thoroughly reviewed by the researchers in theology and philosophy. "Experience" and "religous experience" are two relatively new terms, which were first introduced by Protestantism and modern Christanity in Europe.
In this issue is a translation of the ideas which appeared in the essay "Religious Experience", by Willian Alston, one of the authorities on this field with the researchers critical observations on Alstons ideas.
All the heavenly faiths have come from one absolutely pure spring for they have been originated by God, and so Gods beneficence has affected mans spirit.
When evil prevails, it is an outcome of mans action. Let us go over the Divine words in the verse 44 of "The Table":
"We sent down the Torah, wherein is guidance and light; thereby the prophets who had surrendered themselves gave judgement for those of Jewry."
Originally, Judaism is a heavenly faith, which calls man to guidance, but throughout history it has undergone a series of deviations. It is obvious that mans good or evil deeds are attributed to some factors. The Jews, who know very well that crookedness, deception and trickery are inherent in them, have definitely been influenced by certain ideas which made fraud, trickery and usury distinguish them from other nations.
The writer investigates the factors of the Jews hostile attitude towards the world and the worlds uncertain and doubtful opinion about them. He also reviews the reasons why most nations consider the Jews crooked and vague, and comments on the idea whether it is fair to consider all the Jews evil - doers.