Inside Out – The Power of The Three ‘Sights
Today, some would say, the world is on the threshold of reaching its prime in information and technological advancement. Some may claim, communities have never been more cohered, countries more connected, continents closer than they ever were. Some would say, humanity has evolved exponentially, that faces are more visible and voices are higher in volume. They may portend, that human beings are becoming versatile in the world they live in, more varied in the way they are in the world, vast in their knowledge of the world.
Yet, as a possible parallel to these positions are also valid propositions that; the human experience has never been more complex and confusing, that rules of engagement in the world we live in today changes so rapidly that we seem to be in a constant state of disorientation and disillusion.
If we are doing the naming, nominating, narrating of these claims and propositions, these complex dichotomous realities of the times, what are we doing, what can we do, to negate, neutralize and normalize the worlds inside and outside of us?
“Indeed Allah does not change the condition of a people unless they change what is within themselves” – Surah Ar-Rad,13:11
Change inside and outside. Change inside out. Change changes. To change things, we must change things.
This divine call is clear and complete in its message. Allah the Exalted Has set us out for us paths to self-reflection and awareness, personal and collective responsibility, empowerment and efficacy from self-reliance and social cohesion, and Tawwakul; trust, hope and dependence on Allah.
These pathways may be conceivable in our thoughts yet seemingly unachievable in tangible and measurable outcomes in our beliefs and behaviours.
In order to find truths and treasures in these times despite the trials and troubles of the times, there are three things we must seek and strive for.
Follow The Model
Everything we are, everything we seek to do has been designed in a super structure of Islam. It is a way of life that; is corroborative to our natural humanity, corrective of our human excesses and transgressions, comprehensive in its ideology for us as humans, consistent in its message sent through all the Prophets through time, and complete as a system of life that covers the dimensions and diversity of the human race, experience and the universe as a whole.
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” – Al-Maidah 5:3
Allah Has given us a perfected model as taught to us in the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). Thus, what we do with the model is to continuously strive to understand its workings and seek to work with it despite what the times may bring of challenges, conflicts and at times very confusing circumstances. Our conviction should not be in question, our consciousness of what is required of us and our contexts are what we must question, seek answers to and strive to apply.
Follow The Best Model
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow…” – Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21
“I have been sent only as a teacher to you.” – Muslim
The Prophet (SAW) was the best of Messengers (AS), the best model, the best of men, a man that lived as a man like every other, yet a man like no other, lived like no other ever will.
“Say (O Muhammad) ‘I am only a man like you…” Surah Kahf 18:110
We have been given a human model for life, for any life, a model relevant through life, relevant no matter what age and or times in life. We will not know, nor understand everything we know and how to apply what we do know about the Prophet (SAW) in our own complexities and everyday realities.
What we do know, is that he was borne of a woman and that he lived and died a man (SAW). Hence we can only learn and live like the man he (SAW) was and by the depths and heights of wisdom with which he lived, led and left us.
Follow And Be A Model
As we have stated clearly, implied throughout this piece, we start with us. We power the worlds inside and outside of us with the powers of ‘sight’; Insight, Hindsight, and Foresight. We live from and with reflection and awareness; awareness of self, others and the world in which we live, of the signs and similitudes of Allah, conscious and intentional choices, striving for and achieving excellence in the little and the big and submitting and serving with sincerity and faith.
Ali (RA) said; “Whosoever knows himself knows his Lord.”
When we know our Lord, we have everything we need to face the vicissitudes of the times, to become valiant and to step into our God-given role as vicegerents on earth.
“On the earth are Signs for those of assured Faith; as also in your own selves: will you not then see?”- Al-Dhariyat 51:20 – 21
This article has been published in the Podium Magazine https://podium.productions/
