Some historians assert that Tariq ibn Ziyad (the one whose name is given to the Strait of Gibraltar) ordered his ships to set ablaze when he crossed the strait and entered Spain. This command aimed to eliminate any thoughts of escape among his soldiers. It is even said that they kept only enough provisions for 24 hours and burned the rest. This created a sense of urgency among his troops, compelling them to fight with greater motivation for their own survival. Despite being significantly outnumbered, they emerged victorious, and this might have been one of the reasons for their success. Alongside this, other tactics such as sowing discord among the enemy forces were also mentioned as contributing to their triumph.
Now, imagine if Tariq had said to his soldiers, “Since there is a possibility of casualties, you are all free to go. I won’t stop you,” or if he had stated, “Even the enemy won’t hinder your path, and the way is entirely open.” What would have happened? Or, for instance, if he had declared, “The certainty is that all of us will die. If you are afraid, if you have doubts, if someone is standing in your way, if your wealth and possessions are left without purpose, or for any other reason, you can go.” Would anyone have remained in his army?
Consider an individual intending to change the current government and establish a new one, accompanied by a group of supporters and allies. Is it possible for them to constantly give excuses to their companions along the journey and sow doubt in their minds about continuing on this path? Could a commander besieged by the enemy, on the night before a battle, tell his soldiers, “I will turn off the lights so that you can make use of the darkness of the night and go?”
If a leader and commander were to do such things, what reasons would they have for their soldiers to stay and engage in an unequal battle? Is it logically consistent for them to consciously choose defeat and death?
Choosing difficulty is a complex matter, and one might think it is far-fetched. Has humanity become so weary of life that it willingly surrenders itself to death without reason? According to the principle of self-love (previously mentioned), all humans choose actions they believe are in their favor. Even those who commit suicide believe that it is better for them. When we perform an act for others, an “altruistic” deed, we genuinely believe that it contributes to our personal growth.
So, if history tells us that such a commander existed and surrounded by such companions, we must acknowledge that they knew their deaths were in their own interest. Their deaths were not for establishing a government but for conveying the message of truth to the world, and such deaths are a victory in themselves. The commander had faith in his words like the brightness of the day. Thus, he told his companions, “You can make use of the darkness of the night and go towards another path.”
To distance oneself from the truth, excuses are always abundant and readily available. “Truth” values only “conscious choice.”
