Service

Service to mankind is something that many of us are encouraged to do. I would argue that at times, we are driven by ourselves to work for the benefit of others... but what is true service?

When I think of service, I think of selflessness. I think of working for the benefit of others, regardless of the net benefit or gain that you receive.

This, however also means that the principle of service supercedes the audience receiving that service... what does this mean? It means that even when one hates the individuals one is expected to help, even if the crowd one is serving is bigger or smaller than expected, even if it means that you have to deal with a situation that is unpleasant or unwanted... the true principles behind serving others needs to be foremost in the mind of the individual who wishes to serve.

The principles behind service lie in the root of being a human being. As a human, we are all gifted with the ability to be altruistic. We can work purely for the benefit of others, not for any personal gain at all. I believe that this principle plays an important role in what we view as service. Other entities in creation do not often work for the benefit of others if it is detrimental to them... however, as human beings, as creatures that have a spark of intellect, we are able to work for others, even when that hurts us.

Service also brings with it the basic principle of humility. When we serve others, we serve God... we serve God as He appears in that other individual... what do I mean by this? Service to mankind, is truly service to God. When we see an individual who is struggling, when we see someone that needs help, most people want to help that needy person. I would propose that the desire to help another, particularly in their time of need, may derive it's impetus from evolutionary grounds (working in a joint social environment does drive that sort of behavior), however, the lengths to which we can go to help another in need can be astounding. People can sell all of their belongings, give away everything - simply to help strangers.

What could this be, but humility? Knowledge that we live as simple creatures, and we will die as simple creatures. The only thing that we can put on this Earth that will last, are our actions and deeds.

Service, in this way, is the truest expression of humility there is, for when we serve, we are bowing ourselves to God, because we see God in everything and everyone we serve.

By the Book

There was once a man who was chosen by God. Chosen to receive a message, and given the mission to transmit this message. The first word that Allah revealed to the holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) was IQRA. A word that carries multiple meanings. However, the 2 commonly cited meanings are to "read" or to "recite". God states further that He has taught man, using words/books, taught man what he knew not...

So, books, language and speech come from God.

These words that you are reading, originate from God. Now, a discerning person will of course state that everything does come from God, everything has it's origins in God. I wonder though... if these words come from God, if everything comes from God, and everything will return to God and in fact, nothing is ever separate from God...

Then did I play any part in writing this?

Of course I did, that's the true paradox here and it is a paradox that has been created by us. If I did not play a role in writing this page, then I am exempt from blame for any errors made on it. That is a tempting thought isn't it? Whatever you do, you are truly blameless. You cannot be held accountable for doing anything

That's also incredibly dangerous, but isn't it true?

No, it isn't. It cannot be.

I was playing a video game, where everything is made as realistically as possible, an entire world, created so that one can live within it. The only thing was that characters are driven to make unethical choices in order to progress quickly. If you live within your current ethical guidelines, you'll be stuck and won't truly get to enjoy the many pleasures of the world... and your reward? Absolutely none.

If our world played the same way, I may agree that we truly are not accountable.

However, it doesn't. Those who cheat do wind up ahead many times, those who make unethical choices do gain more toys it seems at times. However, the opposite is also true. Living a good, ethical life carries so many rewards. Living a life filled with goodness, doing good for others, living for others and serving others brings so much joy and happiness.

If there was truly no accountability for our actions, there would also be no rewards for them. Being good to others would not bring joy. Service for the weak would not elevate some deep, innate part of the self. Waking up at 3 in the morning to meditate would not benefit the self and would only steal precious hours of sleep.

We are given rewards while we live on this world, so that we become aware of some of the proofs of God's existence. It can be argued that these bits of joy, happiness are actually from our evolutionary history where altruism and working for the good of the community was encouraged to further survival... and this is likely true, but doesn't it seem like an awfully convenient situation?

I don't really believe in coincidences, I choose instead to believe in a benevolent, invisible, all-powerful force that guides and nurtures everything that is good within me and within others.

After all is said and done, I think I'll go by the book on this one.