The World is Not a Box

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

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