97: It is what's on the Inside that Really Counts

 

ان الله لا ينظر الى صوركم و لا الى أجسامكم و لكن ينظر الى قلوبكم و اعمالكم Surely, Allah does not judge your appearance, nor your physicality; Allah rather considers the sincerity of your hearts and your actions. [Prophet Munahammad (pbuh)]
How you see the world around you is a product of your thinking and your thinking is a product of your beliefs, which are the products of your life experience which are constituted of those elements which most influence your mind. So, the beliefs, feelings and thoughts that you harbor in your heart and mind colors your perceptions => influences your attitudes => molds your motives => dictates your actions => and eventually dominates your life. How you see the world and which judgments you make greatly determines the life you live. Judging The three axes along which people make social judgments are all dependent upon what they learn from childhood. These include judging between …

Do you ever make the mistake of judging people by the way they look on the outside? How often are our judgments based on prejudice (color, gender, nationality, ethnicity, wealth, social status…) ignorance, stereotype… We need to be cautious how we condition ourselves into a culture of bad judgments and false perceptions. Misjudgment ~ The Example of Color: No person of color actually suffers discrimination because of the color of their skin. The problem is not skin color, but value systems that perpetrate and perpetuate the evil of prejudice against others and then justify that evil by focusing on outward differences. These outward differences, such as color, gender, language ... are just that; differences. In and of themselves they contain no positive or negative value; there are merely biological realities or perhaps cultural necessities. This is evidenced by the Prophetic Tradition,

ان الله لا ينظر الى صوركم و لا الى أجسامكم و لكن ينظر الى قلوبكم و اعمالكم
"Allah does not judge anyone by their physicality nor appearances, but by the sincerity of intention and quality of action." Thus, there is nothing wrong with the color black, brown or white. It is not skin color that forms the basis for discrimination, but the negative meaning and value given to the color of skin; a meaning not inherent in the color nor the skin but in the mental culture that discriminates. We need to realize that color is neutral; it is the mind that gives it meaning; it is not color that is the problem, rather it is prejudicial attitude that is the problem. In A World of Appearances We live in a society pre-occupied with appearances. Americans spend $35 billion a year on weight-loss plans and products [Christian Science Monitor], $ 160 billion on Beauty products [Best Product Media Guide] , $ 80 billion on Cosmetic surgery ... Facelift Surgery, Liposuction, Breast Enlargement, Tummy Tuck, Hair Removal [American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery]. Little wonder the poet questions… No one is ever perfect, but upon outward appearance everything mounts, We live our lives for the mirror. So, is it what’s on the inside that really counts? Beautifying the Inner & the Outer Islam emphasizes the multi-dimensional nature of the human being and promotes the balance between the inner and the outer, between the physical and the spiritual. Body, mind and spirit are all inter-connected, inseparable and an integral part of our being. We do need to realize that the body/physical is very limited, while the spiritual or metaphysical is boundless. That which serves purely the body too is limited and restricted (greed, hunger…) while that which pertains to the spirit is not (love, joy, happiness…). We thus realize that real happiness is not found in our material possessions but in the valuables of life; fond memories, cherished moments, selfless acts, dedication and service, love and affection, lasting and meaningful relationships... all things not purely physical, all things that money can't buy. How true the words
ليس الغنى عن كثر العرض و لكن الغنى غنى النفس
wealth is not measured by how much you possess, but by the contentment of your self/soul [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)] . The internal dimension of the self is therefore the most essential element in one’s life and vital in determining who you really are, what you would really like to do, what you are capable of doing and what you are actually prepared to do. When the best of your internal dimension finds practical expression outwardly, then; and only then, are you capable of reaching your full potential. Even the spiritual aspect of human beings have an inner and outer dimension The Prophet emphasized the harmonious interplay between the inner and the outer when he said; “Successful indeed is the person who is sincere in faith, whose heart is pure, whose speech is truthful and whose character is upright.” We are thus taught by the Prophet (pbuh) to read this supplication when looking at a reflection of ourselves,
أللهم حسَّنت َخلقي فحسِّن ُخلقِي
O Allah! You have made my outer(physical) good, make my inner (character) good as well. This prayer of Sayyedna ‘Ali emphasizes the balance between the inner and the outer, with the focus on goodness being manifest in both dimensions;
أللهم اجعل سِريَّتي خيرًا من علانيَّتِي ، و اجعل علانيَّتِي خيرا
O Allah! Make my inner (secrets) better than my outer; and make my outer to be good. Remember, ليس البر في حسن اللباس و الزَّيِّ ولكن البرَّ السَّكينة ُ والوقارُ Righteousness is neither in dressing up nor in outer appearances, but rather in inner tranquility and self dignity. [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]

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