Why do some people run away from the truth?

The question of why some individuals flee from the truth is one of the most profound topics in understanding human psychology and the divine path of guidance, a subject extensively addressed in the Holy Quran. The Quran not only reveals the truth but also meticulously identifies the obstacles to its comprehension and acceptance. These impediments often stem not from an inability to understand, but from conscious or unconscious choices that divert individuals from the path of righteousness. Let us delve into these reasons from a Quranic perspective to gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon and perhaps discover a way to overcome them. Firstly, and perhaps most crucially, is **arrogance (kibr)** and self-importance. The Quran repeatedly highlights this reprehensible trait as a primary cause for many individuals turning away from the truth. Arrogance prevents a person from seeing themselves as needing guidance or from accepting the truth from any source, even if it comes from someone seemingly 'lesser' or 'different'. Pharaoh serves as a stark example of this arrogance, for despite witnessing clear miracles, he refused to accept the truth presented by Moses (peace be upon him). Allah says in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 146: “I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right; and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it; and if they see the way of consciousness, they will not adopt it as a way; but if they see the way of error, they will adopt it as a way. That is because they have denied Our signs and were heedless of them.” This verse clearly illustrates how arrogance hinders the perception and acceptance of truth, even causing individuals to mistake falsehood for truth. Arrogance traps an individual in a bubble of self-deception and illusory power, preventing the light of truth from penetrating their inner being. Secondly, the reason lies in **following one's desires (hawa) and the love of this worldly life (hubb al-dunya)**. Many divine truths necessitate abandoning fleeting worldly pleasures, changing one's lifestyle, and adhering to moral principles that may conflict with human carnal desires. When an individual takes their own desires as their god, there remains no room for divine truths. The Quran states in Surah Al-Jathiyah, verse 23: “Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?” This verse demonstrates how following desires can lead to spiritual blindness and the rejection of truth. Humans sometimes become so entangled in the pursuit of material desires, fame, wealth, or power that their ears become deaf and their eyes blind, preventing them from seeing or hearing the truth, which is a path to liberation and eternal peace. They flee from the truth because it places the heavy burden of responsibility and the effort of change upon them, preferring to remain in the bubble of self-indulgent pleasures, lest their false comfort be disturbed. They perceive truth as a threat to their current status quo and choose to ignore it rather than confront it. A third factor is the **hardening of hearts (qaswat al-qulub)**. This state usually results from repeated sins, heedlessness of divine signs, and persistence in the path of falsehood. Hearts that become rusty and hardened due to distance from the remembrance of God and committing transgressions no longer accept the light of guidance and remain impervious to the influence of divine words. This condition is akin to dry, hard ground upon which the rain of mercy falls but cannot penetrate. Allah refers to this in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 74: “Then your hearts became hardened after that, being like stones or even harder. For indeed, there are stones from which rivers gush forth, and indeed, there are of them that split open and water comes out, and indeed, there are of them that fall down for fear of Allah. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.” The hardening of hearts extinguishes the ability to perceive and be affected by truth, transforming the individual into an unfeeling entity regarding spiritual realities. This state profoundly impairs an individual's capacity to hear, comprehend, and respond to the divine call. One whose heart has hardened will deny or turn away from the truth even when it is clearly presented before their eyes because they possess no sensitivity towards it. Fourthly, there is the **fear of consequences and the repercussions of accepting the truth**. Sometimes individuals grasp the truth but refuse to accept it because they know that embracing it entails significant changes in their lives. These changes might include losing social status, friends, deeply ingrained habits, or confronting responsibilities that the individual fears or finds daunting. The Quran clearly states that many people recognize the truth but deny it for the sake of worldly benefits or fear of losing power and position (for example, the People of the Book who recognized the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but denied him to maintain their status and interests). They prefer to embrace a familiar and comfortable lie over an unpleasant and challenging truth. This fear of loss often stems from an intense attachment to the material world and a lack of faith in divine promises. Fifth, **blind imitation of ancestors and social pressures** also play a role. Some individuals refuse to accept the truth due to their fanaticism for the traditions and customs of their forefathers, or out of fear of being ostracized by society and family. Even if the truth becomes evident to them, they prefer to conform to the majority lest they become singled out and separated from their respected community. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 170, we read: “And when it is said to them, 'Follow what Allah has revealed,' they say, 'Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing.' Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?” This verse illustrates how fanaticism for erroneous traditions can hinder the acceptance of divine guidance. These individuals shy away from intellectual freedom and independence in choice, preferring to remain in the relative security of the group, even if the group is upon falsehood. Finally, **Satanic whisperings (waswas al-shaytan)** also play a significant role. Satan is a clear enemy to humanity and constantly strives to distort the truth in one's eyes, beautifying evil and making good seem undesirable. He misleads individuals from the path of truth with false promises and by instilling fear of poverty or imaginary consequences, making the path of falsehood appear alluring. The Holy Quran refers to Satan's whisperings and misleading of humans in numerous verses (such as Surah Fatir, verse 6: “Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze.”). Through deception and allure, Satan encourages people to flee from the truth and creates an illusion of comfort in the path of sin and heedlessness. In conclusion, fleeing from the truth in the Quran has deep roots in an individual’s internal choices—ranging from arrogance and desires to hardened hearts and worldly fears—as well as external influences such as social pressures and Satanic whisperings. The Quran offers the path to overcoming these obstacles through self-purification, reflection on divine verses, repentance, remembrance of God, and seeking help through patience and prayer. The Quran’s goal is to invite humanity to the truth so that they may be freed from the chains of misguidance and misery and attain eternal peace and happiness. This is an ongoing process that requires vigilance, self-awareness, and a strong will to confront one's ego and Satanic temptations. No one is forced to flee from the truth; the path is always open for return and acceptance of the light of truth, provided the heart and mind are ready to receive it. This is an internal struggle that every individual must experience to achieve salvation and liberation from the bonds of ignorance and heedlessness.