The Danger Of Personal Opinion; Submitters Perspective August 2023

The dictionary defines opinion as a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge; the beliefs or views of a large number or majority of people about a particular thing. Conjecture is defined as an opinion or conclusion formed based on incomplete information.

The Quran tells us: [34:53] They have rejected it in the past; they have decided instead to uphold conjecture and guesswork.

[53:28] They had no knowledge about this; they only conjectured. Conjecture is no substitute for the truth.

We all have opinions, that’s human. The danger is putting opinions above what God has given us. According to Quran, the people who persist in following opinions and conjecture are those who: disbelieve (54:3), have gone astray (5:77), are not guided by God (6:56), lack knowledge (6:148, 30:29, 45:24), follow their parents (2:170) or traditions (54:3), are full of doubt (45:32) and the majority (6:116).

These are not people we want to be associated with.

[7:176] Had we willed, we could have elevated him therewith, but he insisted on sticking to the ground, and pursued his own opinions. Thus, he is like the dog; whether you pet him or scold him, he pants. Such is the example of people who reject our proofs. Narrate these narrations, that they may reflect.

They insist on their own beliefs and no matter what truth you offer, they continue blindly on their way, just like the dog. They love their opinions more than the truth. [43:78] “We have given you the truth, but most of you hate the truth.” And God cautions us not to be misled by those people. [20:16] “Do not be diverted therefrom by those who do not believe in it—those who pursue their own opinions—lest you fall.

We have a good example of David in the Quran (38:21-26). When the two men asked him to judge concerning the 99 versus 1 sheep, David gave his verdict. But then he worried that he might be following his opinion and he asked God to forgive him. As the footnote says: Are we this careful?

What are the things that can convince someone to follow their own opinions and conjecture?

The most common and influential thing is our ego. It convinces us that we are wonderful, smarter than the rest, obviously right all the time. Most people have no clue that they are being led around by their ego.

[25:43] Have you seen the one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate?

[45:23] Have you noted the one whose god is his ego? Consequently, GOD sends him astray, despite his knowledge, seals his hearing and his mind, and places a veil on his eyes. Who then can guide him, after such a decision by GOD? Would you not take heed?

It creates an arrogance in a person that is difficult to break. We are told early in the Quran that we must kill our ego (2:54). But if they choose not to kill the ego, then God will send them astray, placing a veil though which they can no longer see the truth.

We are easily swayed by sheer numbers. It seems safe to join the majority. They are the most so they must be the rightest! But God tells us otherwise.

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