“Were the truth to follow their desires, the order of the heavens and the earth and those who dwell in them would have fallen into ruin. Nay, the fact is that We have brought something that is conducive to their honour, and they are turning away from that which will bring them honour.” (Al-Qur’ān – 23:71)
This ayah is of great importance. It is customary for the foolish to become angry with those who speak the truth. Such people wish to hear whatever best suits their interests rather than what is true and what accords with the facts. Such men tend to forget that the truth remains the truth regardless of whether people like it or not. Even if all people combine to negate a fact or change a truth into a falsehood, they will fail to do so.
When such is the case, how can facts and truths be so altered as to make them conform to the wishes of an individual? Alternatively, how can facts constantly conform to a myriad of mutually conflicting wishes? The foolish fail to appreciate that if there is any discordance between their wishful thinking and reality, it is their wishful thinking that is to blame rather than reality. In denying reality, such people cause no harm to it per se, instead they harm themselves.
This immense system of the universe is based on well-established realities and inalterable laws. Living in the framework of such a universe, it is imperative that man strive to bring his thoughts, wishes and conduct in conformity with reality.