Dichotomies in human life

How can we begin to classify what human life is when it can be seen from two directly opposite points of view?  Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and we all have our own perspective and argue from our own position and experiences in life. The dichotomy is that to some life is an extremely beautiful and powerful experience, while, at the same time, it appears ugly, an unnecessary struggle, containing only pain and daily suffering to others. To many it also means responsibility and arriving at the right decisions, while to others, it is about self-independence, liberty and freedom. Some are oppressors and many others are oppressed. There are free people and there are slaves. Many are spiritual and Godly people while others regard the world as God-free. There is selflessness in the world where people are generous and kind, but there are others who are selfish, hoarders, who use every opportunity to benefit only themselves.

In this world of contradicting characteristics, it is sometimes difficult to find any real purpose for our lives, and even harder to discern what is the right path to take at our most crucial moments. 

Sometimes we are able to take the necessary decisions ourselves, but in moments of confusion we may look for someone to help us decide and show us the way.

Some people kill for pleasure, some for ‘necessity’ and dominance, while others spare life and appreciate it. Humanity is being destroyed by humans. Humans create their paradise and humans create their hell. What a dichotomy of life!

Is there a defined path to walk on or must we continue to carry on as 'normal', shrug our shoulders and attempt to justify our actions by saying 'that’s life'? Is there any moral code in life or must we just abide by a common law system, for the sake of harmony and peace, hoping that somehow we will enjoy a harmonious life for all?

Life easily raises many questions but reaching answers is much more difficult. The answers we do reach need to be accepted without question, otherwise we need to stop thinking about the meaning behind our lives and move on to closure.

This dichotomy of life was predicted prior to the birth of the first man. The Quran says in the surah 2 verse 30: ‘Just think when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Lo! I am about to place a vicegerent on earth, they said: ‘Will You place on it one who will spread mischief and shed blood while we celebrate Your glory and extol Your holiness? He said: ‘Surely I know what you do not know’.

And so the man was created and God says about his creation in the surah 95: ‘By the fig and the olive; and by the mount Sinai, and by this city (of Makkah) a heaven of peace: surely We created man in the best mould; then We reverted him to the lowest of the low, except those who have faith and do righteous deeds, there is a never-ending reward’.

Both of the above surah explain this duality of life from which man must emerge and win the day. The Quran, without mincing its words, explains this human path: ‘O man! You are striving unto your Lord and you will meet him’.

Man will struggle through his pain and suffering, through his right or wrong decisions, through his desire and achievement, until, one day, he surrenders his life to his creator, willingly or unwillingly.

For this very reason, we must not become overeager to get our hands on our ‘achievements’, either by right or wrong decisions. Rushing our lives brings adverse consequences not only to us but to others as well. According to the Islamic teachings, none of our actions and deeds will be forgotten. 

Everything is accountable and will impact on us, both in this world, as no doubt some have already experienced and will have further consequences in the Hereafter. 

The Quran draws our attention to this point by saying: ‘Whoever will come to Allah with a good deed shall have ten times as much, and whoever will come to Allah with an evil deed, shall be requited with no more than the like of it. They shall not be wronged. S6 V160

To help us in arriving at a right decision God granted us ‘wisdom’ and a sense of fairness. Islam also explains the dichotomies of this life to mankind and so further helps us in making decisions.

However, the opposite force, that was created for man to make conscious choices in their decision making, is also very powerful and beautifies the world. The Quran says: ‘Iblis said: ‘My Lord! In the manner You led me to error, I will make things on earth attractive to them and lead all of them to error, except those of Your servants whom You have singled out for Yourself’. S15 V40

To be singled out and become among the righteous servants we all need to avoid this path of error that Iblis promised God he would pursue.

Life is difficult but can be a blessing to man if we accept it with wisdom and with the best intentions of serving both God and man. To avoid the dichotomies of life, we need to pause and reflect, making the right decision and not just do what everyone else is doing.

The Quran says: ‘Human beings! We created you all from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily the noblest of you in the Sight of Allah is the most God-fearing of you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing. All aware.’ S49 V13

Love is a powerful reality in this world, but so too is hatred.   Believing in and loving God is a powerful force in people’s life, but so is disbelief. All our decisions are made according to which of these we take on board. Our world has become a global village. As a result, our expressed attitudes have even further crystallised regarding others. The impact of this is now immediate and the resulting reactions are no longer delayed. Now is the time to decide what is right or what is wrong, what is positive and what is negative, what is a good decision or the wrong one and how we can serve others. In this way the impact of the dichotomies which life brings with it, can be minimised and that same life will get better for rest of humanity.

Two democracies and two approaches

Liberté, égalité, fraternité, or liberty, equality and fraternity is the famous French slogan representing the fair treatment of all of its citizens equally, with freedom, dignity and human rights. What more could a citizen wish for from its government? What else could be needed to make its people feel proud of their country’s constitution?

France is a great and beautiful country, albeit a secular one, with a proud history, and has every right to protect its citizens, defend its people against any attack or against those seeking to breach the peace. Such a great country is also expected to act in an appropriate manner and not descend to the same level of behaviour as of those who may wish to harm it.

The many brutal attacks that have taken place in France, against both its people and its infrastructure, have been condemned by all sane and sensible persons. Indeed, Muslims all over the world expressed their outrage at these attacks, carried out as they were, so we are told, by so called Muslims of the so called Islamic State. Any attacks on the innocent civilians of any country and of any faith or non-faith are, without doubt, unsanctioned and unlawful by Islamic Law and teachings.

We, therefore, find ourselves aghast at the news that the French police were seen to be enforcing a ‘burkini ban’ on a woman, apparently a Muslim, on a beach in Nice, where a recent attack took place. No one, apparently, sees any connection between the Islamist's open announcement of threats to France, in retaliation for the French involvement in the war against them and this ‘burkini ban’.

Muslim women, like their non-Muslim counterparts, would like to enjoy a day out on a beach with their families, while respecting the prescribed codes of dress for them presented in the Islamic framework for personal dignity. Is there a French law which says that all women have to conform to a particular code of dress if they wish to visit a beach? If there is, by stripping any woman, Muslim or not, of her rights and, indeed, her clothing and by not allowing her to enjoy a day out as she wishes, surely such a law must be seen as unconstitutional? Hopefully, we will hear that France’s highest court agrees when it delivers its decision regarding this ban.

Nice’s deputy mayor, defending the banning of burkinis, said that it was a ‘necessity’ following the deadly jihadist attack last month, but no one understands why it became a ‘necessity’ and what, if any, was the connection between the two. One can only assume that, if no Muslim woman wears a burkini, there will be less chance of any further attacks!!! The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) has rightly expressed its concern at the direction the public debate is taking.

We all understand the urgent need to find a solution to the political extremism that radical militant Islamists present and that we must all cooperate if we are to minimise and eliminate the dangers that the innocent citizens of any country face. However, using such attacks as a pretext to suppress the human rights of innocent Muslims, in particular Muslim women, is counter-productive and will carry no advantage in any campaign against Islamist terrorism. If a Muslim woman chooses to don her Islamic spiritual dress, to safeguard her dignity and not for the display of any extremism, then it is the responsibility of the country of which she is a citizen to defend her right to do so. The French motto seems to be failing the Muslim citizens of France and  ‘égalité’ appears to only apply when it used as a tool to forcefully integrate them into the wider secular culture of the state.

Happily, in other democracies, there exists a completely opposite view and recently came news that most of us found refreshing in the honouring of human rights. The Royal Canadian Mounted police, known as the Mounties, is to allow women in uniform to wear the ‘hijab’. Government spokesman, Scott Bardsley, said the move reflects the diversity in Canada’s communities and that it intends to recruit more female Muslim officers. 

A decade ago, the Metropolitan Police in London approved the hijab as part of its uniform. It was never thought this would encourage Islamic extremism or adversely affect integration of the communities. Recently, Police Scotland has also formally made the hijab part of the force's uniform. Police Scotland said it is working to make the force ‘representative of the communities we serve’.

Muslims feel that despite all the dangers of extremism and the history of past attacks in UK, the Muslim community here has been given space in which to live in dignity, with their human rights intact. We are able to thrive and flourish as citizens of this country and not become stigmatised or stripped of our clothes by ‘enforcement police’ or rather ‘state police for the enforcement of a certain “morality”.  It is realised that such actions do not create confidence in people or foster partnerships with other communities.

However, two very different mindsets and approaches exist in the two great European countries which formerly colonised and ruled the world. One maintained the indigenous people’s cultural heritage in its colonies, while the other forcibly eradicated them and replaced them with its own, all in the name of Liberté, égalité, fraternité! 

Most Muslim citizens of France, who now number more than 5 million and have come, mostly, from the countries colonised by France, are law abiding citizens. They should be seen as an asset to their country and the majority unquestionably are. Very few women here and few women there, who wear the burkini or the hijab, pose any danger to the overall civil and cultural codes of French dress. 

Enforcing the intended French ban, on an official level, will create a bad image, lower the reputation of France in the eyes of the rest of the world and demean its motto of Liberté, égalité, fraternité.

We need to fight all acts of terrorism together and protect our populations from any harm, but we can only do that when a real sense of fraternity, the often stated constitutional aim of that great country, finally exists. The wearing of the hijab is often felt as a personal and spiritual need, offering its wearers protection and we need to respect its use as a human right.  The hijab is not going to harm anyone, but being able to wear it will make some people feel more pride in their citizenship and create harmony and real sense of equality and liberty, and of course fraternity!  

Paradise is closer than your bootlaces

In a very famous Hadith, narrated by Imam Bukhari, our Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, draws our attention to a very important concept that we all tend to disregard in our lives. The hadith says: ‘The Paradise is closer to you than your bootlaces and so is the Hellfire.’

The purpose of Allah’s guidance in this world is to encourage our belief in Him, recognise His infinite mercy, to find our own paths to His Paradise and avoid the errors that lead us into Hellfire.

It is a very concise and meaningful guidance for us all. Unfortunately we sometimes regard the smallest of good acts as unimportant and similarly disregard the smallest acts of wrongdoing, thinking that neither will have any impact on our lives.

However, Islam encourages all men to do good and whether we recognise it or not, no act of goodness, however small, goes to waste in the sight of Allah. Islam also warns people to avoid wrongdoing and even if such acts appear trivial or are regarded as negligible in the eyes of men, everything is accountable in the Law of accountability by Allah.

The Quran puts this rule of accountability and recompense in these words: ‘So, whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it. And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it’. S99 V7-8

This rule applies equally to our life in this world and to the life in the Hereafter.

Ibn al-Jawzi, commenting on the Hadith says: ‘The hadith explains that attaining the Paradise is easier when the intention is purer and the purpose is to obey Allah. In the same way, the path to the Hellfire gets easier if we choose to follow our vain desires and disobey Allah’.

Life offers many opportunities for us, whether we offer goodness to people or we limit our ability to be charitable to others with an intention of pleasing Allah and getting rewarded by Him. Indeed, life is described in the Quran as a continual trial as to whether we are seekers of goodness or we pursue a path of evil and wrongdoing.

The Quran says: ‘Every living being shall taste death and We shall subject you to ill and good by way of trial, and to Us shall all of you be eventually sent back.’ S21 V35

People are placed on this earth to make personal choices as to the manner in which they wish to live their lives. Some of the decisions we take will affect not only the person making them but will affect the lives of others as well.

The Quran further says: ‘Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion of the universe, and Who has power over everything; Who created death and life that He might try you as to which of you is better in deed, He is the Most Mighty, Most Forgiving’.

Many of us appear to be oblivious, most of the time, to the effects of our own actions on our daily lives, but even worse, some of us fail to recognise the consequences of our actions, large or small, on the Day of Judgment and on our life in the Hereafter.

In a hadith, authenticated by Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet Mohammad said: ‘There is no one from amongst you but your Lord will speak to him, without having any interpreter between you. He would look to his right side and all he would see is what he has sent forth, and would look to his left side and all that he would see is what he had sent forth. And he would look in front of him and all that he would see is hellfire in front of him. So save yourselves from the hellfire even be it by a piece of a date, and if anyone doesn’t find a piece of a date then by  (speaking) ‘good word’.

The advice from the Prophet is to take every opportunity to safeguard oneself from the Hellfire, even by donating a small piece of date, not even a whole date, as such a small act of charity will help people to enter Paradise and be saved from the Hellfire. The Prophet further elaborated the point by saying if a person is deprived of a piece of date he should speak a good word, a word that is comforting, reassuring, respectful, raising the morale of a person. A good word has a positive impact and provides a nurturing factor in the life of a suffering person.

Hafiz ibn Al-Hajr says: The hadith encourages charitable deeds, be it large or small, and no one should ever look down on his charity as the smallest act of charity could save the charitable person from the Hellfire’. 

Charity is not just the distribution of wealth. Indeed, Islam equates the charity by wealth with the charity of good words and both are rewarded by Allah. A good word creates happiness and hope in the hearts of people. It can change their life for the better and in turn may create a chain of life changing events for many other people.

Islam is keen that we take every opportunity to earn rewards from Allah and no one should look down on even the smallest act of goodness. We should continually look for opportunities in the society in which we live or within the circle of our own family and friends when seeking to offer our assistance to others.

Islam also directs us to avoid all negativity in our lives and abstain from any idleness that bears no goodness. An evil deed results in an evil outcome no matter how insignificant that deed might appear. We all should cultivate a positive mindset, embracing the service of Allah and humanity, becoming more aware and alert as to the consequences of our actions and deeds and to what we can offer and contribute to the lives of others. The hadith affirms that Paradise is as close to us as our bootlaces. It also forewarns us that the Hellfire is just as close!  It is our duty to be aware and alert in everything we do.

Islam: A compassionate perspective

Today France is holding the funeral of Fr Hamel, 85, brutally assassinated by two people claiming allegiance to the so called ‘Islamic State’. It is outrageous that a person like Fr Hamel was callously murdered by having his throat cut in front of his congregation. By Islamic standards it was an appalling and totally un-justifiable act and has, quite rightly, outraged Muslims and members of all other faiths, alike, worldwide. No Muslim, who upholds the Islamic teachings above any political interest, would approve or condone it.

Outrageous as this act undoubtedly was, I am glad to see, through the many comments published in the worldwide media, that, at last, people have begun to recognise these kinds of events for what they are. They are not religion versus religion or one religious community versus another. The Pope’s comment on it was most interesting to read. He said: ‘It’s war, we don’t have to be afraid to say this … a war of interests, for money, resources. I am not speaking of a war of religions. Religions don’t want war. The others want war’. 

It is heartening to see that such acts of terrorism are no longer being seen a war of religions by the Catholic hierarchy or any others and should not be perceived as such. All Muslims must do their very best to ensure that this kind of evil is not perpetrated in their name or in the name of their religion.

A spokesman for the French Muslim Council told the French newspaper Le Figaro: ‘We, Muslims of France, can only insist on the need for national unity in opposing this misfortune which has afflicted us and which attacks indiscriminately’.  

This is a right approach and it was refreshing to see that Muslims all over France attended a Catholic Mass on Sunday in a gesture of solidarity and compassion. We must continue to act together in our condemnation of such disgusting acts of violence and realise that they are harming the relationship between all religious communities.

I understand that there are still considerable doubts and suspicions being expressed by the many sceptics who continue to see actions such as this as part of a worldwide Islamic conspiracy, but, as we all know, this is not the case. Both religions seek to retain their distinct religious identity, while promoting a good mutual relationship and both call for all to stand shoulder to shoulder in furthering the wider cause of humanity.

The Quran lays down the foundations for such harmonious relationships between communities. It says in the Surah 3 verse 64: ‘Say: people of the Book! Come to a word common between us and you: that we shall serve none but Allah and shall associate none with Him in His divinity and that some of us will not take others as lords other than Allah. And if they turn away (from accepting this call), tell them: ‘bear witness that we are the ones who have submitted ourselves exclusively to Allah’.

 Further, in the Surah 29 and verse 46, the Quran says: ‘Argue not with the people of the Book except in the fairest manner, unless it be those of them that are utterly unjust. Say to them: ‘we believe in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to you. One is our God and your God; and we are those who submit ourselves to Him’.

This very clear and fair formula for mutual engagement was laid down by the Quran right from the beginning of Islam. The Quran is full of these kinds of verses. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, was always keen to promote dialogue with the ‘people of the Book’; Jews and Christians alike and indeed formed an inter-communal pact between all the citizen of Madinah for a peaceful co-existence. By setting out sets of rules that everyone who was resident in the city should abide by, he created the very first One Nation approach. This pact was accepted by all parties.

In stark contrast to this, the prevailing militant Islamic perspective presents a picture of Islam which is not engaging and has nothing to offer to others. Its intentions are to create conflict rather than seek conflict resolution based on Islamic principles of humanity and compassion.

What is of greater concern is that it is using disenchanted people from the Muslim community, who have never in their lives been committed to Islam intellectually or practically, to perpetrate such crimes. This is a crime in itself. If this is a war with a political purpose, then let there be a political party, without an Islamic identity.  

Islam is described as' mercy to the world' and the Quran says: ‘We have sent you forth as nothing but mercy to people of the whole world’. S21 V107 

The prophet speaks further about his mission in these following words: ‘I am sent to accomplish the noblest of human characters’.  Narrated by different narrators and authenticated by Al-Albani

The rules of war and the battlefield are laid out clearly, as halal and haram were made clear to the people for practice and guidance.

The sanctity of the human soul is greatly emphasised so that no one should act wrongly. The Quran says: ‘Therefore We ordained for the children of Israel that he who slays a soul unless it be (in punishment) for murder and for spreading mischief on earth shall be as if he had slain all mankind. And he who saves a life shall be as if he has given life to all mankind.’ S 5 V32

Much more can be written on this issue as it is one of the most important aspects of Islamic law, but in this turbulent world where the ‘interests’ of a person or a group now appear to be paramount, it is easy to become blinded to religious guidance or even make sensible decisions.

All we can hope is that the spark of sanity we now see continues to grow and that religious teachings are not further maligned for personal and political gain. Good people must stand together and faith communities must not be disheartened or lose faith.  There is great strength in an enduring faith.