42: Caring in an Uncaring World
"Surely, Allah created creation to benefit humanity."
[Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]
In a world seemingly indifferent to caring about others, there is indeed more need for kindness,
care and compassion than ever before.
"In the midst of global crises such as pollution, wars and famine, kindness may too easily be
dismissed as a "soft issue" or a luxury to be addressed after the urgent problems are solved.
But kindness is the greatest need in all those areas ... toward the environment, toward other
nations, toward the needs of people who are suffering. Until we reflect kindness in everything
we do, our political gestures will be fleeting and fragile. Simple kindness may be the most
vital key to the riddle of how human beings can live with each other in peace, and care properly
for this planet we all share." [Bo Lozoff, Human Kindness Foundation]
We live in troubled times where most feel helpless and unable to affect the unfolding events in our present world. And yet many are desirous of uniting their minds, energy and actions in order to create a better world with dignity for all. Some work spiritually, some politically, some educationally, while others socially. Some focus on the poor or refugees, others on human rights, some on religious or social studies and yet others on the politicians who seem to be making the decisions that affect all.
Making a personal Statement
During this crucial period, it is so important that each of us makes personal statement through thoughts words and actions. We do not have the luxury of being selfish, uncaring or indifferent. If we are not part of the solution, then through our apathy, we could be part of the problem itself. Unfortunately many good and loving people like you and I have been too occupied with our small personal lives, ignoring the direction our world has been taking. Remember, all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. [Edmund Burke - British Statesman and orator]
Affecting the world you live in
- How would you like the world to be?
Create your personal vision of the world you would like to live in. Should there be justice, equality, love, sufficiency and dignity for all?
We all seem to know what we want from others and from life. What is often not as clear is if we also want the same for others. It is important for us to decide whether it is important for us that others also have what we so much want for ourselves.
"None of you can attain unto righteousness until you avail for others of that which you yourself love most." [Qur'an 3:92]
Remember, "he who plants kindness (and compassion) harvests love." [Persian poet, Sheikh Sa'di Shirazi]
- Aligning your lives with your highest values
We cannot inspire others to higher values such as peace equality, love and justice; if we ourselves do not embody these inwardly and practically in our lives. We need to align our lives with our highest values and behave in ways that we believe all will need to behave, in order to create the world we want to live in.
Let us seriously consider this age-old wise request ...
" I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day,
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell me the way,
The eye is a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Teachings can be confusing but examples are always clear,
The lesson you convey in words you say may be fine and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons from observing what you do;
I may misunderstand you through the high advice you give,
But there is no misunderstanding how you act and live."
- Co-operate with the good
Alone we seem weak incapable to do anything significant, but united we can do very much. Seek out others who share your ideas, visions and ideals.
"Co-operate with others on that which leads to goodness and righteousness."[Qur'an 5:2]
- Dedication to your cause
Dedicate as much time and energy as you can to the cause you choose - without of course, neglecting your family and work. Our immediate environment has a great need for our positive energy and actions. Do whatever you can, even if it may seem little. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said "the best of deeds are those that are done consistently, though little by little", and as Samuel Johnson said, "He who waits to do a great deal of good at once will never do anything."
Remember, just because we can't do everything should not prevent us from doing something; and though we can't help everyone, we can help someone.
Scottish thinker, Malcom Bane advised: "If you wait until you can do everything for everybody instead of something for somebody, you'll end up not doing anything for anybody."
Indifference and Prejudice is always Detrimental
The Cold Within
Six humans trapped by chance
in damp and bitter cold
Each possessed a stick of wood,
Or so the story is told. -
Their dying fire in need of logs,
the first woman held hers back
For on the faces around the fire
She noticed one was black. -
The next man looking across the way,
Saw one not of his church
And couldn't bring himself to give
The fire his stick of birch. -
The third one sat in tattered clothes,
He gave his coat a hitch,
Why should his log be put to use
To warm the idle rich? -
The rich man just sat back and thought,
Of the wealth he had in store,
And how to keep what he had earned
From the lazy, shiftless poor. -
The black man's face spoke revenge,
As the fire passed from his sight,
For all he saw in his stick of wood
Was a chance to spite the white. -
And the last man of this forlorn group,
Did nothing except for gain,
Giving only to those who gave
Was how he played the game. -
The logs held tight in death's stilled hands,
Was proof of human sin,
They didn't die from the cold without,
They died from the cold within.
What excuse can we offer for our indifference? Do we really not care?
"To care for one another is why Allah created human beings; if it was purely for ritual worship
than He has innumerable angels doing just that."
[Moulana Altaf Hussain Hali]
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest
compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
[Author, Leo Buscaglia]