The World and its People

The World and Its People

The World that we inhabit contains essentially two types of people. And it is the answer to the question of "who they are?" that determines "who we are?" and our futures.

Because it is the way that we see our World that makes our approach to our lives, and then what we ultimately do and become!

Some concrete examples of how people have answered that fundamental question are:
· Marx/ Stalin who saw a "Rich- Poor" divide.
· Hitler who promoted an "Arian and Semitic" divide.
· And more recently Blair & Bush who have both promoted a "the West, and the Muslim" divide.

The CUP.
But is there not a better way that does not divide the World along anthropological lines?

In fact throughout all types of people, and all times, there is a singular behavioural trait that determines their approach to life. It is the difference between a half full cup and a half empty one.

This means of perception cuts across all divides that divide us by the colour of our skin, or our nationality, or our religions.

And at its root determined how the people reacted to the true Messengers when they came to them; either with arrogance or with humility.

For arrogance is born not of power or wealth, but of a fear of loss of that power and wealth(*1). It is a fear of a possible loss of means, a lack of trust in providence and ultimately a fear that there are things that are out of your control (2).

Moses, Jesus & Muhammad (as).
So it was when Moses (as) came to Pharaoh and Pharaoh feared. He feared an empty cup. That Moses (as) was trying to take what was his Kingship (in the Muslim tradition Moses (as) was the foster brother of Pharaoh). He feared that these were things out of his power. And so he became arrogant and disbelieved.

So it was when Jesus (as) came to the Children of Israel. They feared. They feared that the Kingdom of God was slipping away from the ken of their power and knowledge. They feared the empty cup and they disbelieved.

So it was with Quraish when Muhammad (saw) came to them, they feared. They feared lest their standing amongst the Arabs would be diminished. They feared the empty cup and they became arrogant and disbelieved.

Each of them thought that there Prophets brought with them portents of doom. But their doom belonged with them, and it was their seeing only an empty cup.

In contrast the believing men and women from all of the nations; Judaic, Nazarene and Muslim; saw only the good (*3). And even when they suffered trials and tribulations they only said "This is what GOD, most gracious, has promised us" and it only increased them in patience, in doing good to their fellow man, and in faith.

This was the case of the people to whom the Messengers were sent, and is in point of fact the case of all people, at all times.

The Blessed.
Those that ever see a full, brimming cup. Who take the best, and make the most, even from the worst of times. Who learn knowledge from the ignorant, patience from the impatient, and then share it with all (S. Asr). They are the ones who are blessed, whoever they may be, wherever they may be.

And this sentiment is at once both a Unifying and Uplifting force for the whole of Humanity.

It is a sentiment contained in the timeless words of Muhammad (saw), the Messenger of GOD, "The best of people inside the religion, are the best of people when they are outside of the religion". And "No Arab is superior to a non-Arab" famously said without condition on his farewell pilgrimage. And in his saying that "belief is Yemeni" by which he (saw) meant that civility, being kind and considerate, doing good to the people and making them happy are all aspects of true belief, irrespective of who or what you are.

And it is this unifying and uplifting sentiment that is the cornerstone of Qur’anic commentary. For we are told that when GOD intends to do good to a man or woman "HE expands their chest", causes all that is narrow therein to be extinguished and causes us to see an overflowing cup. And then causes belief to enter therein.

So that even when we are tried in this life with loss of means, or health, or life of us or those whom we love... We cry and we mourn but we do not lose hope, nor do we stop doing the good in the hope of earning HIS good pleasure.

The Muslims.
It is these sentiments that have ever guided the Muslims.

After Badr did they not give to their captives, who had been bent on snuffing them out, bread whilst they ate only dates. A rich man’s food they gave to those who had once tortured them in Mecca, and even then came out to kill them at Badr with a superior force.

Did they not always honour their treaties, irrespective of consequence.

Did they not always incline to Peace, when the other inclined to Peace, in accordance with GOD’s commands contained in the Qur’an. Whilst knowing and accepting that such actions might be strategies and deceptions.

These have ever been the sentiments of the Muslims, at one and the same time, both unifying and uplifting.

Believing in the goodness of people, trusting them and sharing with them the good that they have been given!
For notes see comments...



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