SEEK THE PROOF
‘Do not blindly follow what you do not know to be true: ears, eyes, and heart, you will be questioned about all these’ [17:36].
Actions tempered by intelligence and understanding are more just than those given to tradition, emotions, presumption, and guesswork. The metanarrative of justice in the Quran, whether towards the self or others, is built upon sound knowledge. Allah reminds us: ‘How can those who know be equal to those who do not know? Only those who have understanding will take heed’ [39:9].
Historical literacy deficiency is due to a lack of curiosity and critical thinking.
We should ask ourselves, ‘Why am I not interested in historiography, especially in those conventions and constructs that affect my world but of which I’m illiterate? Why do I accept a narrative without checking its veracity? Why are things the way they are? Why does the world function in a particular narrow set of constructs? Are there no other ways of being in the world, whether teaching, learning, living, earning, trading, growing, governing, or co-existing, or are the prevailing narratives fixed? Is this it? What was before this, and if so, why has it changed? Has it changed for the better, or is it worse?’
A thought experiment we can employ is to search for the origins of systems that govern our lives and ask, “Would I plot a course from then to now and build the same systems (financial, labour, political, education, religious, health, environmental, and technological) of the present? Or would I change them if I were the architect? If it’s the latter, then the next question should be, ‘Why don’t I change course?'”
To join the conversation, we must at least develop a basic knowledge of the subject, followed by an appetite to deepen it. And I don’t know of any better way other than to consult books. If we don’t, how can we ever know if we are in step with the truth or if a course contrary to popular culture exists that may interest or suit me more?
When we don’t deconstruct, we leave things unexamined and accept the status quo and often its discrepancies. However, to be historically curious is to be a truth-seeker.
We live in an age of the proliferation of information, with ideologues, often the mouthpieces of the establishment, vying for our subordination. These are the people who benefit from things staying the way they are.
The Quranic paradigm charts the course for those whose ears, eyes, and hearts take heed: When you make a claim, accept information, or follow a course, be sure to have proof [27:64].
Acquiring proof and intellectual knowledge impressed by this verse opens a gap, albeit slightly, to breathe new expression into our lives and society. It enables us to dismantle structures through organisation and mobilisation, if necessary, and provides us with a hazmat suit to navigate the world.
VIRTUE ETHICS
His weaning shared between the bosoms of two
Transferred their names to his character; it is true
The son of Āminah became al-Amīn
The foster son of Ḥalīmah became the Ḥalīm
This stanza is from The Beloved Prophet (s) – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme and demonstrates the importance of women in engendering sound character during child-rearing.
Muhammad (s) gained the appellation of al-Amīn—the Truthful—long before he was a Prophet. Everyone, including his enemies, used this title when addressing him.
The People of the Book believed that Ḥalīm—forbearance—was a condition for Messengership, and many tested Muhammad (s) for this trait to verify his claim of Prophethood.
Ensuring that his two mothers possessed the feminine names of these features vital for Prophethood was part of the All-Encompassing Divine Plan.
Unlike the People of the Book, Muslims believe in the ismah—infallability—of the Messengers. From this, we understand that it is Allah’s sunnah to develop the character of His chosen before giving them the mantle of Prophethood.
We thus observe that character building precedes the assignment of leadership, for it acts as a countervailing force against the corruption of power.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CORPORATION
A corporation is a legal entity that can exist continuously as a person and with extraordinary rights but limited liability.
A corporation did not always enjoy such rights. It used to exist temporarily for its utility and often only until the end of a project. The privileges of personhood came in the late 19th century, not through legislation but conferred via lawyers and courts.
Fast forward to the 80s, when US President Ronald Reagan, during his two terms in office, advanced the capitalist profit-mongering agenda through financial deregulation and tax reform. By doing so, he put tremendous power in the hands of the private sector and altogether removed decision-making from the public. Henceforth, corporate wealth would influence all and ultimately become the Masters of the World.
Now, a corporation can devour everything and everyone in its path and reach immortality status. According to the doctrine of Milton Friedman, the leading economist of the neo-liberal movement, a corporation’s sole responsibility is to enrich itself.
Hence, a more accurate definition of a corporation is a tyrannical and unaccountable system that can propagandise and exploit, similar to a totalitarian state.
An interesting question then arises: ‘If countries operated as corporations do, would the citizens of the world revolt?
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Below is a list of excellent resources on economic injustice:
Books
Interviews & Lectures
Until next week, InshaAllah
Zaahied Sallie
Author of The Beloved Prophet – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme
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