Factors Leading to Deviation in Worldview

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The more means and more effective ways one uses for understanding, the greater and deeper knowledge and insight he will achieve. But what is important is that he should also identify the obstacles in the way.

The different between divine and materialistic worldviews is that materialists fail to use all of the means and factors in acquiring knowledge and their knowledge is therefore flawed.

Recognizing the obstacles to understanding and knowledge is not only beneficial but also necessary because it answers the question of why some people go astray and lose the path. There are many obstacles to understanding and knowledge, including the following:

1- Temptations and Desires of the Nafs (self)

“And who is further astray than he who is led by his desires without guidance from Allah!” (Verse 50 of Surah l-Qasas)

2- Wrong Traditions Passed Down from Forefathers  

“They will say, "Lord, we obeyed our chiefs and elders and they caused us to go astray.” (Verse 67 of Surah Al-Ahzab)

3- Prejudices and Biases

“They say, ‘Our hearts are covered against and our ears are deaf to whatever you (Muhammad) invite us to. There is a barrier between us and you. So act as you please and we shall act as we please.’” (Verse 5 of Surah Fussilat)