Hey Steemians,
So I have been having discussions with @roleerob on the blockchain about life and our views on it all. We have been touching the topic of religion, which most people don't talk about to play it safe. But as always I'm not about playing it safe.
A difficult question to answer
So a while ago @roleerob posed the following question to me.
How does a practicing Muslim today view those in your faith who don't appear to the outside world to have a religion of peace?
I have been mulling this over for weeks. Its pretty hard for me to answer. I cannot answer for a whole nation of people from different walks of life. And it's also boxing a subject that cannot be isolated. We have to unpack around it.
The broader picture
To begin the attitude of judging others regardless of their religion or beliefs is not taught in Islam. In fact its not a habit any person with a good heart will teach or practice.
Of course we are all human and we are bound to pass judgment. But looking in from the outside on another person's life whom you don't know, making assumptions about them and categorising them and myself is not something I do. As onlookers, we don't know what lies in the hearts of individuals nor the demons they struggle with. There are obviously so many factors that influence behavior. It's not related to a religion but rather a type of person.
Every faith or way of life have good and bad individuals. Saints and hypocrites. Saviours and the broken. Sometimes people are hurt and confused and act out in harsh ways. But these same people might reform and become humanitarians and give back ten fold in comparison to what they damaged.
People might seem violent, but are they really. Others might seem peaceful and silent but are their intentions pure? We don't know what are in any individuals hearts, so how can we judge them.
Again the question is not an easy one to answer. But that's because I think it's the wrong question. Humanity needs to stop segregating and compartmentalising to microscopic levels.
The problem is bigger. Judging people and not standing together is what Seperate humanity in the first place.
The People of the boxes
Canadian singer song-writer, Dawud Wharnsby says it perfectly. And is probably the best answer I can give you @roleerob. Here is a snippet of his song called: The people of the boxes
Listen to the track above if you like, it's much more charming with a tune.
There were once some people
Who all saw their lives like empty boxes
They looked around the world
Collecting up the things they liked.
They filled their lives and boxes
With the goodies that they gathered
And they all felt in control
Content and they all felt alright.
They climbed inside their boxes
They settled with their trinkets.
They neither looked nor learned much more
And closed their lids up tight.
Once they fastened up their boxes
They smiled there inside
And they all thought in their darkness
That the world was clear and bright.
But the world is not a box
There's no lid no doors
No cardboard flaps or locks
And everything in nature
From the clouds to the rocks
Is a piece of the puzzle of the purpose of man
It's a piece of the peace of Islam.
Along came a wandering wiseman
Whispering such words of truth
He stumbled on these boxes
So separate side by side
He knocked upon the first one saying
Please come out and feel the day
An answer came from deep within
You're not of us please go away
He approached the second box
And tapped twice on the lid saying
Peace to you inside
Shall I show you a new way
Someone peaked out from a crack and said
You may just have a point
But it's so comfy in my box
In my box here I will stay
But the world is not a box
There is no lid, no doors
No cardboard flaps of locks
And everything in nature
From the clouds to the rocks
Is the piece of the puzzle of the purpose of man
Is the piece of the peace of Islam
He stood before the final box
A hiding face peaked out to him
And much to his surprise
He said I recognise those eyes
I see you and you see me
Why not come out and be free
Faith and flowers wilt and die
If they are hidden from the sky.
Cause the world is not a box
There is no lid, no doors
No cardboard flaps of locks
And everything in nature
From the clouds to the rocks
Is the piece of the puzzle of the purpose of man
Is the piece of the peace of Islam
Now the centuries lie between
All the prophets and you and I
Civilisations are born and die
Each and everyday
We see good and bad and happy, sad
And mad mistakes we wish we hadn't made
In our attempt to try and live up to their ways
But if we hide ourselves away
Afraid to grow and learn
We might wake up in the flames
Of the ignorance that burns
And we'll never be much more
Than only casualties of war
In a struggle we can't win
If we have no faith to begin
We've got to tip the lid
And let some sunlight in
Cause the world is not a box
There is no lid, no doors
No cardboard flaps of locks
And everything in nature
From the clouds to the rocks
Is the piece of the puzzle of the purpose of man
Is the piece of the peace of Islam.
~ Dawud Wharnsby, People of the boxes, 2003
Source: musixmatch.com
Simple answer
I am not perfect. It's not my place to judge others. I just pray that we can all make peace with our demons and try our best to be good and kind to others. If you can strive to be one thing, strive to be kind.
Freedom Tribe Truth Challenge
This is most definitely a powerful and thus my entry to the @FreedomTribe's truth challenge. More here
Much Love,
@mimismartypants