THE THEOLOGY OF SELF
The culture currently engulfing the world is dangerously toxic.
Humans are not automatically predisposed to imbibe unnatural constructs and thus require indoctrination through subtle and brute force.
Psychologist and behavioural therapist Gabor Maté says the toxicity in the culture is designed not to meet the needs of the people but those in control.
The force behind the social designer and engineer’s strategy to co-opt the soul is The Theology of Self. This philosophy drives psychic and social separation within us, leaving us susceptible to diseases of the mind, body and soul.
God, in His Final Testament, the Quran, warns humanity from falling prey to this condition: ‘Have you seen the one who takes as his god his desire? Do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are like cattle—no, they are further from the path’ [25:43-44].
The primary whisperings and promptings which lead us to this state today reach us through powerful mediums and systems run by the world’s most formidable capitalistic empires. Satan, humanity’s chief antagonist and seducer, drives the same theology to separate us from our Creator: ‘I (satan) will mislead them and incite vain desires in them’ [4:119].
The Theology of Self drives individualism and isolation and is an iteration of the old divide-and-rule strategy. We become like cattle, our heads down, consuming all day, oblivious to the world and others around us. When atomised, we become easy pickings for those who wish to subjugate, control, seduce and abuse us.
But God categorises those given to their lusts as worse than cattle. That is because when we are leagues off-track, we begin to invert the world and meddle with God’s natural order: ‘Satan made their foul deeds alluring to them’ [6:43], and ‘I (satan) will command them to tamper with God’s creation’ [4:119].
The antidote to atomisation and narcissism is to build community, not enmity and cultivate fellowship where we prefer the needs of others over our own in a healthy, non-detrimental way. Community and charity are powerful forcefields which protect us and others from this evil.
The Ansar—Helpers of Madinah are the best model of community for us to emulate: ‘Those who were already firmly established in their homes [in Madinah], and firmly rooted in faith, show love for those who migrated to them for refuge and harbour no desire in their hearts for what has been given to them. They give them preference over themselves, even if they, too, are poor: those who are saved from their own souls’ greed are truly successful. Those who came after them say, ‘Lord, forgive us our sins and the sins of our brothers who believed before us, and leave no malice in our hearts towards those who believe. Lord, You are truly compassionate and merciful’ [59:9-10].
And remember, when satan, his minions, or your desires prompt you, seek refuge with God.
THE VALUE OF CONSULTATION
The human is the planet’s apex creature and also the most foolish.
Our oscillation between the two depends on how well we employ the gift of ratiocination. The Arabs use the term ḥayawān—animals to describe humans. But they say we are ḥayawān nāṭiq—rational animals. Rationality is, precisely, what separates us from other beasts. Abandonment of the same faculty also causes us to flounder to gradations below them.
The Prophet Muhammad (s) is the planet’s apex human being. Many might disagree, but many non-Muslims have concluded the same. Michael Hart, in his book, The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, writes: ‘My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels.‘
Muhammad’s station as God’s Prophet never made him arrogate to greatness and thus need for control. He (s) was a man of impeccable reason but still made consultation the bulwark of his diplomacy and judgements. Whether invoking the Divine or conferring with his wives or companions, the Prophet (s) always consulted to arrive at the most fitting determinations.
Unfortunately, most of us relegate consultation to a narrow strip under the professional category and seldom rely on it outside this scope.
In the Quranic chapter, Consultation, Allah outlines a taxonomy of benefits for those who believe and trust in their Lord. The list contains edicts of the noblest type:
God’s Guidance is indeed rarefied, and since the Prophet (s) was its best proponent, he realised stratospheric heights.
But we, too, can nobly rise, if not as high, if we imbibe his example and follow God’s Guidance.
Truth is often the first to fall victim.
It suffers this fate because it poses a threat to everyone who’s not on a moral or spiritual journey. And even for the ethicist and spiritual practitioner, living honestly in word and deed is a steep ascent. Still, we must traverse the path if the objective is internal peace and just living for all.
Our lives and the world are awash with lies because duplicitousness and propaganda are in vogue. This maligning of truth signifies that a sea of mischief is afoot, and the perpetrators are fighting tooth and nail to self-preserve at all costs.
Every spiritual and ethical tradition calls for honesty. Allah in the Quran is more specific about the subject and extends living honestly to include not mixing truth with falsehood or hiding the truth when you know it. [2:42]
When using the Quranic standard in 2:42, we realise most fall short.
Dishonesty at the individual level is bad enough, but when employed collectively by the state and the Establishment, it is catastrophic.
The entire world is witnessing in real time an Israeli genocide against the Palestinians of Gaza. Amidst the genocide is a foghorn of lies and whataboutery to cover up the horror show and present it as something else. Something, somehow, acceptable. But what is a genocide but a genocide? And how can the slaughter of 35,000 human beings ever be justified?
Another Quranic standard for honesty is to verify information. Allah guides us to say to the claimant: ‘Bring your proof if ye are truthful!’ [27:65]. Thus, those who accept testimony without corroboratory evidence are nothing but liars.
Those who say that Israel is not an Apartheid regime or isn’t guilty of genocide fall into three categories or an amalgam thereof:
I, thus, determine that no other logical conclusion exists.
I’ve put forward God’s model for honesty and justice but a higher more exemplary benchmark still exists.
God’s gold standard demands the pursuit of justice without fear or favour, even if to our detriment: ‘You who believe, uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, God can best take care of both. Refrain from following your desire, so that you can act justly—if you distort or neglect justice, God is fully aware of what you do’ [4:135].
Until next week, InshaAllah
Zaahied Sallie
Author of The Beloved Prophet – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme
Thanks for reading. Every Friday, I share thoughts and ideas to help cultivate the link between Allah, the Prophet and me (meaning YOU). Enter your email now and become part of the link.
| There are no products |