and those about whom He has said: ﴿صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ﴾[1]; “They are deaf, dumb, and blind, so they will not return.”

I have talked to many of them; they do not imagine any good in other than what they know and think that there is no truth beyond what they have achieved, while most of what they know is based on conjecture, and much of what they have achieved is not certain, and this means that its falsity is possible, and therefore, it is not rational to be dogmatic about it.

This situation is more evident in some Islamic countries that consist of various peoples or sects and are less developed; as is the case in Afghanistan, where ethnic and sectarian fanaticism has become so entrenched under the shadow of ethnic and sectarian diversity that there is no opportunity for peace, and it is difficult to establish or maintain a single government, and this is what has made the Muslims in that country miserable.

As a result, only one is able to know the truth who is not fanatical about his nation, sect, and party and does not treat his conjectural beliefs as he treats his certain beliefs and has the ability to reconsider them and, accordingly, abandon them if they are not true.

6. Arrogance

Another impediment to cognition is “arrogance” in the sense of self-conceit, which is manifested in considering oneself not in need of cognition of the truth and leads to refusing to accept it; as God Almighty has said: ﴿كَلَّا إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَيَطْغَى ۝ أَنْ رَآهُ اسْتَغْنَى﴾[2]; “No! Indeed, the human being tends to rebel; because he considers himself to be free of need”; because one who considers himself greater than what he is does not realize his need for cognition and, accordingly, does not take action to provide it and considers its provision by others contrary to his dignity and does not accept it;