We have
all become selfish in our own ways! I recently reached this disturbing
conclusion.
In a world where there is constant chaos and devastation, we find more and more
people heading toward selfishness, nursing their own selfish desires at the
expense of others. And there seems to be no escaping from people concerned with
their own interests. Our hearts have become so heedless that we simply don’t
care anymore! Compassion, kindness, and selflessness have become foreign to our
vocabulary. As a result, it has become harder and harder to behave in a friendly
manner nowadays. If we are nice, people use or manipulate us for their own
personal gain, and if we are not nice, then we displease God. Either way we
lose! Sadly, I have come to realize that even Muslims have lost patience to the
point of selfishness.
It’s disappointing, sometimes frustrating, to watch people, making demands and
expecting immediate response without seeing the effects on the other person. And
if their demands are not met satisfactorily and quickly, they relentlessly
pressure the person, careless of the problems he or she may be facing in his or
her own life.
I recently experienced the above occurrence by a Muslim woman, who was
depressed, and whom I had met only once. She would call me practically every
other day 6, 7 times a day as if we were two teenagers with no life. If I didn’t
answer her call, she would leave a message and then keep calling back every two
minutes until I returned her call. Agitated as I was at her for abusing my time
especially during the blessed month of Ramadan, I tried to be patient because I
figured she was depressed and in need of compassion. Eventually, I brought it to
her attention that if I didn’t answer the phone, I was either out or in the
middle of praying. Apparently, my explanation did not satisfy her because she
continued her obsession of calling day and night. I got so fed up with her
thoughtlessness that I stopped answering or returning her calls. Finally, she
left me alone. I guess in her mind, this woman thought she could use me to get
over or alleviate her depression! Whatever the reason, I found her action
extremely selfish and un-Islamic, especially at the time when I was dealing with
my own personal issues.
The above scenario reminds me of Michael Jackson’s song, ‘Leave Me Alone’, where
he says:
So Just Leave Me Alone
Leave Me Alone
(Leave Me Alone)
(Leave Me Alone)
Leave Me Alone
(Leave Me Alone)
(Leave Me Alone)
(Leave Me Alone)
Leave Me Alone-Stop It!
Just Stop Doggin' Me Around
(Just Stop Doggin' Me)
Question is how do you tell someone I’m not interested in you, even worse,
you’re getting on my nerves – Just Leave Me Alone? Why cannot people take no for
an answer? Don’t people have any sense of pride or dignity anymore?
Conclusion: "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just
might be the world" – Lijoe Chakiath writes on his website, http://chakkys.com.
A wise saying only if we’re considerate of the other party. After all,
overwhelming as life has become, we all feel the need for compassion, someone to
talk to from time to time. And, indeed, helping a fellow human being, Muslims
and non-Muslims, is a rewarding and satisfying experience, but we must take care
not to impose our problems or demands on others. Every life is precious and
should be treated with respect and thoughtfulness.
May Allah heal troubled hearts all over the world!