THE STOIC
Moderns view stoicism as antediluvian. Today, being adroit seems like a more valuable currency.
But is it, really?
Kicking stoicism to the curb is not the least bit adroit—not to my mind. Instead, it speaks to a decline in moral, spiritual, and emotional intelligence.
Modern society’s axis tilts forcefully toward comfort and convenience. Hence, adroitness focuses on building systems that can deliver products and services hassle-free. However, this philosophy comes at a steep price: enslavement to one’s desires while dulling the edge of husbandry with ruthless efficiency. It is not freedom having the means to satisfy nearly every whim at the push of a button.
Epictetus, a Roman Stoic slave, said, ‘A man is not free who is not master of himself.’
I would argue that if Epictetus were alive today, he would have believed he was freer than most.
Stoicism is about surrendering to natural higher law and observing steadfastness, forbearance, and patience to its decrees. It is essentially the art of being Muslim in every moment and seeking and aligning with Allah’s decree and, by extension, the laws of nature. Because behind the natural world lies the Hand of God, Al-Khaliq, the Creator.
Allah’s Sacred Writ, the Lauh al-Mahfuz, the Book of Decrees, is the great balancer of life. It is also a comforter, for it frees those from anxiety who submit to it: ‘No misfortune can happen, either in the earth or in yourselves, that was not set down in writing before We brought it into being–that is easy for God. So you need not grieve for what you miss or gloat over what you gain’ [57:22-23].
For every reader, these verses are incredible equalisers at a time when equanimity and mental balance are in steep decline.
AN EXCELLENT PARTNER
We desperately want to drive good habits and make them stick, but often let ourselves off the hook after a while and relapse into old, tired behaviours.
We can circumvent these lapses by setting consequences and asking someone to hold us accountable. Adding an immediate cost for failing to execute and having to own up creates just enough pain and shame to think twice about failing on our commitments.
A simple tool we can use is a habit contract between you and your accountability partner.
Knowing that someone is observing you is a powerful driver. Fortunately, for Muslims, this understanding is foremost in our creed.
The concept of accountability partners is an old idea. It is also a Muslim idea.
Adab al-Ihsan refers to the ethical and moral conduct of excellence in Islam, emphasising the highest standards of virtue, kindness, and sincerity in one’s relationship with God and others. It originates from the Hadith of Jibril (Gabriel, peace be upon him) established during a dialogue between God’s two Messengers. Gabriel asked the Prophet (s): ‘What is ihsan (excellence)?” Allah’s Messenger (s) replied, “To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion, then you must consider that He is looking at you.”
There exists no higher accountability system than the Adab al-Ihsan. However, this maxim is not only for establishing and maintaining habits. That’s the lesser of its prizes. The higher reward in cultivating it daily will help us gain and grow a sincere partnership with God.
Connection, we all crave it.
The surest way to connect the heart to Allah is through His ayat (signs and verses), the hikam (wisdom) of His verses, the sincere and merciful service of His creation and the natural world.
Today, begin the art of self-reconstructing the heart by asking: What is tethered to my heart that I must unchain, and what is unchained from my heart that I must tether?
Until next week, InshaAllah
P.S. Remember to write weekly to the President
Zaahied Sallie
Author of The Beloved Prophet – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme
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