Drawing The Line

In a world of exaggeration, accountability feels cheap. Men in power getting away with violations of other human beings with little to no consequences. People killing senselessly, with no good reason when asked why. We ask ourselves, where’s the morality in society anymore? Where’s that’s line that’s supposed to get drawn? 

Muslims are blessed with a frame of reference for morality that transcends any political climate, any geographical location, and any period of time. While the society we live in may loosen its grasps on what’s acceptable or not, causing upheavals of many sorts, Muslims should rather dig deep into the faith to stay grounded through the turmoil. In this age of uncertainty and doubts, identities begin to blur, yet Muslims, with so much to be proud of, have to stand strong and stay firm, and this all begins with strengthening our self-control. 

You’re thinking, “Get outta here… what’re you talking about? Self-control… like you’re about to tell me to go hit the gym? Uhhhh no thanks!” No gym – I promise, though I’m proposing that we have to be conscious of our every single move. To gain control of our actions we must have control over our words and to do so, we need to be in control of our thoughts. 

Let me give you an example: you stub your toe against the leg of a table and “#%@&, that hurt!” comes out of your mouth. You whack the table – the stupid thing was in your way. Seems like a fairly harmless experience but every action, word, or thought affects us spiritually/emotionally/mentally in some way. This expression uttered unconsciously fills you with negative emotions, riles you up with anger and frustration. Hitting the table hurts you more than it affects the table so it seems like a silly thing to do, but it allows for a release of those built up negative emotions. Perhaps it seems like I’m making a big deal over a little thing but it’s small habits and behaviours that build up one’s character. By resorting to an immediate negative reaction, we grow impatient and entitled… we can’t even bear the smallest of challenges that Allah puts in our way without complaint. 

The solution to all of this begins with paying attention to our innermost thoughts, those that play within our heads that no one else knows of. But no one else hears them anyways so why should we care about them? We should care if we are wishing to better ourselves for the Sake of Allah SWT because those innermost ideas come from the heart and the heart is where our faith lies. 

Start by overriding that little voice from within and take on what I like to call the “Du’a Challenge”. What you do is mentally pick a person who you spot in your surroundings, whether you know them or not, and make a genuine Du’a for them. For the bubbly baby in the stroller… “May Allah always keep that child happy and healthy, and allow them to find the mercy of Islam,” or that cool-looking lad walking with a beat in his steps and tattoos down his arms… “I pray that God illuminates his heart to the Truth and always keeps that oomph in his steps.” It’s not a hard exercise, but if done genuinely, over time it softens one’s heart by making them merciful to Allah’s creation, and in turn we hope Allah bestows His mercy upon us as well. 

The good in our heart will reflect as goodness in our words and subsequently, our actions. Now the Du’a Challenge isn’t going to magically make us stop swearing or react in a negative way if something comes up, but if we are in the mindset for personal growth and are conscious of our every thought, word, and action, we’ll be able to catch ourselves if we slip up. Making the change is simply overriding the negativity with better thoughts, words, and actions. Let’s run through the scenario again: you stub your toe against the leg of a table and “SubhanAllah, that hurt!” comes out of your mouth. You move the table to the side – wouldn’t want anyone else bumping into it. 

To better a community, each individual has to be committed to bettering themselves first. This begins with little changes that really do go a long way. In everything we do in life, we are trying to please our Lord, and in trying to perfect of our every action, word, and even thought, we are actively seeking His pleasure. How empowering it is to give every second of our days a purpose.