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.