Posted by A human being is a social animal. When we take the name animal, we ask ourselves, if we have any traits which resemble animals. The answer for me is a big, YES. Upon calling a human an animal, a sense of awkwardness is observed. We humans always infer ourselves as supernatural beings when we compare ourselves with animals. From the discourses of our sages, we often heard that at times humans are more awful than animals. The harm a human can cause is irreparable. The adverse effects of human’s behaviour are having a prolonged effect. e.g.; the wreckage caused by the drop of an atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is still showing its effects. I don’t have an example from the animal kingdom which comes near, to the loss created by the above-mentioned devastation. The consequence of human’s bad behaviour leaves a non-waning ripple. On the contrary, what humans are really capable of in the positive sense; we can say that they are equipped with specialised behaviour. They are having the sense of helping others. They are also bestowed with the exceptional power of contemplating which can yield remarkable results. Humans can swim, fly, sing, cure, build, etc.(and the list becomes never-ending). But what makes the humans drop themselves from their exalted status? There are innumerable reasons for that. Let’s stick to one reason only; the whims and the inclination towards hoarding any mortal thing are the main cause of human’s ethical degradation. The lion doesn’t attack when satiated. But human’s saturation level is never reached. On the contrary, the wicked person attacks more when satiated.
What still makes humans exceptional?
The current hives of honey bees don’t have any difference compared to the hives which were created by them centuries ago. Moreover, the hive honey bees use to make in any continent of the world, doesn’t have any exception or a vast difference. The honey extracted from any hive though has different beneficial proportions, but none of their honey has any harmful effect. However, the habitant of humans is constantly evolving. Not even for a couple of years, it remains unchanged. And not for any place does it remain stagnant. For humans, stagnation or inertia is death, and constant variation and transformation is life. Human’s growth is measured by wealth and mortal acquisition. While bees value is marked with the power of their honey generation. America’s power is measured with the nuclear power America is possessing. So, the predefined parameters are hindering us to make the earth a place where everybody can have a peaceful environment. I personally think that at this point it becomes of utmost importance for us to set a parameter where oppression can’t be entertained. Human’s nature is more fascinated with the oppression and possession of mortal things. While the truth is, the human’s creation is having a lofty stature; that is to serve mankind which is the true meaning of Allah’s worship and ebadat.
What do humans need to realise?
No religion is imparting hate and bigotry. Or, it’s more proper to say that religion is nothing but love and affection towards mankind. To tyrannize humans under the name of religion is nothing but personal hatred and surrendering to personal whims. As the dawn of the New Year will illuminate the earth on 1st January the only change observed will be a few resolutions for personal favours.
Mother earth is the crib for all living beings. While providing resources, the earth doesn’t make any partiality. Allah Ta’ala has not fixed any amount of sustenance for any creature on earth. The more one uses it for good the more it is made available.
The intriguing part for humans is that they can retrospect, and decide not to repeat failed or unaccomplished attempts. Animals don’t improve in this way. Their lives are always monotonous and mechanical. Humans have the potential to make tweaks in their mechanical life which animals can’t do by themselves. If we are humans according to the fundamentals explained in our revered Islamic and other religious text we need to introspect and find out something NEW for the New Year resolution.
Apart from losing weight, reading more, cutting calories, limiting social media cravings, eradicating sugar from the diet, and the list is so on, do we find out something more innovative in a broader perspective? If not, then we will definitely bring comfort to our life but we will lose the trust to enjoy it. The main joy is to bring the change in somebody’s life which is a more important resolution than making the change in our lives.
Why do we make the resolutions?
We think that the life we are living right now is not proper for us. We think that if we will accomplish a few things for us we will be happy and contended. However, the bitter truth is the list of acquisitions is never-ending and the contentment seems never to be achieved. The gist of the real equilibrium lies in lending the helping hand to others.
Let’s take an example to understand the above notion. If a woman is willing to grab the coveted title of the world championship in badminton singles, and she fails to attain it for herself, for any inevitable reason. Her fire for the title will become dormant for some time. And again the seed to obtain the title will start growing when she will find any competent aspirant for the said purpose. And this seed will start growing once this aspirant will be watered by the former incumbent. If the latter aspirant wins the title, then the delight of triumph will be more for the mentor than the winner.
Why can’t we select this type of New Year resolution for us? I have a solution for the people having the same profession as mine; I have seen people expressing distress for not accomplishing memorization of al Quran al Kareem, I have a suggestion for them. There are so many aspirants who are seeking a mentor or an assistant who can help them to accomplish the memorization of al Quran al Kareem. The beauty of this accomplishment is, it will not only help others to accomplish their feat but even those who failed in their earlier attempt can also have a high chance to fulfil it.
Best of luck and have a prosperous New Year.
