We recently had the good fortune of going on our honeymoon to Italy and France. Fantastic countries with great food, usually friendly people and amazing sights. One of the interesting things I noted were the number of beggars in the streets. There were far more than we are familiar with in Canada (though admittedly far less than I've seen in Tanzania and other parts of the world). However, one experience in particular stood out for me.
I saw a man sitting on the ground smoking contentedly on a cigarette... casually put out his cigarette and then ask for money.
This was interesting for me because it led me to examine the morality of the decision. Now, in Islam we are encouraged to give to the needy and the poor, however there is also the deep belief against harming the self and the intellect. I personally cannot stand cigarettes and know that this individual asking for money is subsidizing the tobacco industry, so I feel that giving in this circumstance is not correct morally, by doing so I would be giving some money to something I feel is wrong.
What about other cases? How many people who are begging are going to use the money they gain from begging on personal expenses that the giver would feel are wrong or unwarranted? Does it matter? Or rather, did it matter? Because when I think of that I wonder - the issue of misuse of donations had to have occurred even during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), yet still, the Prophet urged Muslims to give to beggars and the needy. How would he expect individuals to discern which beggars were going to use their gains in a positive manner and which would use it frivolously?
When I think about it... maybe it doesn't and didn't matter. Maybe the gain from giving to a needy person is simply meant to be enjoyed by the giver and the consequences of the action lie purely in the hands of the receiver. This doesn't mean that I personally can condone giving to someone whom I know will spend the money on alcohol or drugs or cigarettes, rather if one does so with a full heart and intent focused on helping another - The good far outweighs the bad.
Maybe I'm not blessed enough, maybe I'm too cynical... I couldn't do it. I can't do it... yet. However, I hold out hope that someday, I'll believe in my fellow human beings enough to be able to give to a person who asks without questioning their motives or what they'll do with it. I'm sure that's what our Prophet had in mind with the revelation of Surah 93 Ayat 10 of the Qur'an, "and for he who asks (begs/petitions), do not repel (him)"
To giving with a full heart.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Finding God
Rabrindranath Tagore wrote an interesting short story about a man who was searching for God which I've slightly modified. Now the man looked everywhere for God and eventually became completely engrossed in his search.
One day, the man saw a signpost saying, "This is the house of God." with a long set of stairs nearby. The man ran up the stairs until he reached a house. He removed his shoes and approached the door carefully... and froze with fear.
The man began to think, "What will I do with God? I've been searching for God for years, but I don't remember why. What will I talk to God about. What can I do once I've found God?" The man quickly walked backwards, grabbed his shoes and ran as fast as he could, afraid that God would hear him and come out. Since then, the man has once again been searching for God, looking everywhere except for the house with the sign.
This story is very interesting on many fronts. On first read, a part of me said, "but God is everywhere, He does not reside in a single house." but then I began to think on the messages embedded in the story. God does reside everywhere but there are some places where it is easier to access the Divine. One of these places is within the self through meditation and love... and what about the key question the man cannot answer? Can I answer that question? What will I do if I find God?
It's a very tricky question and a scary one too. Upon finding God, if one is so fortunate, does one lose their sense of self? Are thoughts of "what will I do?" moot? Does the finding of God render knowledge to the individual? Will one simply know? It's truly a tricky thought, because it can act as a barrier or as an inspiration.
At the end... does it matter? Does one need a reason or a purpose to search for and find the Divine? Will a reason hasten the search?
The answer lies beyond the door, all we have to do, is open it.
One day, the man saw a signpost saying, "This is the house of God." with a long set of stairs nearby. The man ran up the stairs until he reached a house. He removed his shoes and approached the door carefully... and froze with fear.
The man began to think, "What will I do with God? I've been searching for God for years, but I don't remember why. What will I talk to God about. What can I do once I've found God?" The man quickly walked backwards, grabbed his shoes and ran as fast as he could, afraid that God would hear him and come out. Since then, the man has once again been searching for God, looking everywhere except for the house with the sign.
This story is very interesting on many fronts. On first read, a part of me said, "but God is everywhere, He does not reside in a single house." but then I began to think on the messages embedded in the story. God does reside everywhere but there are some places where it is easier to access the Divine. One of these places is within the self through meditation and love... and what about the key question the man cannot answer? Can I answer that question? What will I do if I find God?
It's a very tricky question and a scary one too. Upon finding God, if one is so fortunate, does one lose their sense of self? Are thoughts of "what will I do?" moot? Does the finding of God render knowledge to the individual? Will one simply know? It's truly a tricky thought, because it can act as a barrier or as an inspiration.
At the end... does it matter? Does one need a reason or a purpose to search for and find the Divine? Will a reason hasten the search?
The answer lies beyond the door, all we have to do, is open it.