#bookread

One of the common dislike people have about the book is the never ending suffering that Jude goes through. And whatever suffering he goes through affects those people around him, his close and dear people whom he was able to collect to his life gradually and with effort.

When the readers hates on the pile of sufferings of Jude, they fail to see that those who have gone through traumas like him will take a long time to get out of it.

Traumas are never easy to find a way out. It's ruinous. It affects your mental state, your relationships, your career, you as a person.

We are always given stories of traumatic people where they get their way out of the trauma; a guiding light in life, perhaps. But some people lives the reality of Jude where they battle the trauma and its after effects life long.

So to me a little life is not just a "trauma porn" but something very raw and painfully unfair, like life can be sometimes.

A.S. Kelly, Evan

The scene that broke me.It has been a long time since I cried so hard that I felt the world was shaking. The helplessness in my core. The trembling of my fingers as I read, blinking again and again and letting the tears fall, afraid that the blurriness might delay the moment. The moment, even after it passed, couldn’t heal the wound. The blood, even though not mine. The pain, even though I would…

Chapter 11: Enmity and Hatred

Why Should We Not Forgive?

Setbacks Caused by Enmity

Imam Al-Sajjad’s Reaction to Those Who Mistreated Him

Why Should We Not Forgive?

Social relations are necessary for the success of people as individuals and for the progress and functioning of society - also being one of the biggest factors related to a person's success in development/progress.

Seldom it is found people of consistent and positive stable natures, most people have slips or make mistakes and forgiveness is key and important for maintaining good relations and a progressive society.

“Confessions are an essential part in everlasting and deep-rooted peace.” (p.151)

The ones who forgive, are the ones practicing a reflection of great strength, courage and strength variations.

Being able to forgive gives one heightened spiritual peace and tranquility, and symbiosis of heart and mind.

Those whose forgiveness excels continuously eventually become a mercy for others or on the earth.

Forgiveness also contributes to the higher chance of transformation by the enemy, “affects the enemy’s feelings, which creates speedy transformation in his thinking and conduct.” (p.152)

“...With forgiveness we are able to defeat our enemies without fighting, and force them to be humble towards us.” (p.153)

Setbacks Caused by Enmity

Hatred and Enmity comes from “the power of anger” (p.153) - it is a disease in the heart and opposite from the goodness, psychological balance and peace of forgiveness.

If one takes action from this great kind of extended anger, they can do something so evil that will take a toll on their conscience and hurt their mind and soul for long runs to come.

Those who get angry easily are not good with receiving feedback, and reflect lack of maturity.

Some suffer from complexes of ‘insignificance’, and get angry easily. This likely had stemmed from childhood trauma or negative experiences. The way for them to abandon the evils of anger and afflicting harm on others, is “the observance of sacred goals in life” (p.155), “Because, he who purifies his soul and manners, and disregards all other goals, will then disregard mistreatment by others.”

Imam Sajjad’s Reaction to Those Who Mistreated Him

The story of what al-Muthanna did, insulting the Imam, and how he referenced 1:134 from the Qur’an to his company followers, and went to the man’s house, asked for him, and when he came, said to him: “My brother! You have come to me and have said somethings. If you have said that which truly lies in me, I seek forgiveness from Allah; and if you have accused me of that which I am innocent, I ask Allah to forgive you!” (p.157). The man who was also a distant relative of the Imam, in response kissed the Imam’s forehead and said: “Indeed I accused you of that which you are innocent of. These words describe me.” (p.158) Eventually he looked to reform, by first softening, acknowledging and seeking forgiveness.

Chapter 10: Oppression

The Role of Justice in Society

The Destructive Flames of Oppression

The Role of Religion in Fighting Oppression and the Oppressors

The Role of Justice in Society

Justice is a word that has inspired many societies over time to stand up against oppression that they may have been facing or under influence of. Despite this, not many have been successful.

Not many societies have been successful to overthrow oppression, as “the secret behind their failure becomes apparent with a little reflection on an important issue. That is to say that a society which looses (loses) track of the natural course of development and becomes accustomed to failure and backwardness will be unable to bear a just system and will be unable to tolerate just order.” (p.141)

“A just law is a basic requirement for any social structure. A just law guarantees the rights of all classes and individuals in accordance with the welfare of the public, accompanied by behavioral implementation of its various codes.” (p.141)

Allah SWT has made everything to be dependent on a just system or justice. The example of the human body and all its different organs is give, where in that order and the body’s functioning there is a just system, thus that concept can be applied to all life and living/existence.

Since humans have been given the capacity to learn, think, and do good, it is a responsibility of humankind to aim to establish justice and order in society; “...it becomes his duty to establish the pillars of Justice in his society”. (p.142)

Justice is the source behind excellence, as well brings peace and serendipity between people.

Beautiful quotes you need to read in this book, and chapter as well.

“...Justice is the basic element in an organized social life.” (p.143)

The Destructive Flames of Oppression

Oppression indisputably destroys societies “ruining behavior, and violating social security”. (p.143)

Recount of the story of an oppressor, Muhammad Ibn ‘Abd al-Malik, who would torture innocent people in a horrid way, and who eventually died the same way by the torture machine he had built.

Oppression is not limited to a certain position or class; “Any person in any position who intentionally or unintentionally attempts to exploit (the) life of others for his own sake, or tries to go beyond the limits of the laws of reason or legislation can be classified as an oppressor.” (p.144)

Modern day oppression has reached new peaks.

The Role of Religion in Fighting Oppression and the Oppressors

Verse 59, of Surah 18, Surah Al-Kahf: And (as for) these towns, We destroyed them when they acted unjustly and We have appointed a time for their destruction.

“According to the Holy Qur’an, the conduct of the leaders of religion is an important factor in awakening people against oppression” (p.145) - reference to verse 25 of surah 57, Al-Hadid: Certainly, We sent our apostles with clear arguments, and sent down with them the Book and the Balance that men may conduct themselves with equity.

The ultimate goal of Islam is collective justice as the book mentions; and perhaps the main part of our purpose on this earth, as in how we will act, what we will do.

To see in the Holy Qur’an: 5:8, and 4:58.

The rights of being just to one’s children is brought up, and parents being just to each other in front of them. 

Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.h.f.) has been quoted in Nahj-al-Fasahah, p.66: “Be just to your children with gifts if you would like them to be just to you in kindliness.”

Chapter 9: Conceit

The Light of Love in the Horizon of Life

Conceit Leads to People’s Resentment

Our Leaders and Modesty

The Light of Love in the Horizon of Life

Man’s spirit and expansiveness of life comes by love.

disappointment, loneliness take heed if “we extinguish the light of love from the horizon of life” (p.129)

socialization is a part of our nature and makeup, and preference for loneliness or seclusion stems from “mental imbalance” (p.129)

soul requires love

(the intensity of) difficulties are repelled by the light of love in one’s life

“Indeed it is true to say that there is no cure for pains, sorrows and hardships except through love.” (p.130)

We gain the ability to love others by being generously kind, and by understanding the responsibility we have towards others, to be kind, “to grant them love and affection” (p.130).

Conceit Leads to People’s Resentment

Self-love is a basic human instinct and essential.

However maladies also stem from excess of self-love, such as extravagance of it or further, conceit.

“The most fatal danger to happiness and the worst enemy of mankind are conceit and exaggerated self-confidence.” (p.132)

Those who are limited to loving themselves cannot possibly be fair in their relations or judgement and become overwhelmingly selfish and essentially conceited; making it difficult to understand other people and their feelings as well.

There is also an inappropriate expectation by the conceited on for other people’s respect, book terms it specifically as "stubborn anticipation” (p.132)

Other side evils of conceit are pessimism and suspicion, which seems to be validated when people resent the individual due in fact to their initial conceited behaviour.

These all have negative consequences that add to each other, taking more peace from the individual suffering/exhibiting.

“A brief review of the world’s history reveals that it is the conceited ones who have always resisted the calls of Prophets and Messengers” (p.133)

“Most conceited individuals are delinquents who were brought up in unstable homes and were able to obtain position in the society.” (p.133)

Genuinely distinguished individuals do not look to assert themselves by arrogance or conceit, also understanding that is not where real respect, life, happiness, etc. comes from.

Our Leaders and Modesty

Modesty is one of the best ways leading to excellent morals.

There is a difference between modesty and self-abasement: “Modesty is the manifestation of a noble trait of a great and self-confident character, while self-abasement arises from moral lowliness and loss of self-confidence.” (p.134).

Luqman advises his son, with the ayat from the Qur’an re conceit, 31:18.

“And do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about in the land exulting overmuch; surely Allah does not love any self-conceited boaster.” (31:18, Holy Qur’an)

Conceit makes even ill actions of the conceited seem good to them, because their conceit “embellishes” the act, as described by Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (A.S.) in Wasa’il al-Shiah, vol. 1, p. 74.

Conceited people suffer from weakness of the mind.

“He whose mind is weakened, his pride is strengthened.” - Imam Ali (A.S.) - Ghurur al-Hikam, p.651

Chapter 8: Envy

An Enigmatic and Corrupt Desire!

The Envious Burn in the Fire of Failure and Deprivation

Religion versus Envy

An Enigmatic and Corrupt Desire!

Hope brings happiness and light in one’s life, against the waves of struggles (or tests) of life.

Individual desires are related to the spiritual and psychological integrity that individuals attain; “and rescue us from hardships and miseries” (p.117).

Misery comes from instincts such as conceit, stinginess and envy.

Envy involves the inability to see others in states of happiness; and reflects a deeper deficit in understanding as well the bounty of Allah (swt); i.e. one person’s happiness or wellness does not deter another person’s.

Envy is a negative energy and it consumes the one who feels it.

“Not only do the envious lack the title of humanitarian, but they are lower than animals. For he who does not care about the pains of others cannot be a real manifestation of humanity”. (p.118).

The Envious Burn in the Fire of Failure and Deprivation

Envy takes space in one’s being and not only blocks the heart from goodness, but destroys good that is already in it - as envy is not reflective of truth, or love, kindness and compassion for others.

Envious people become deprived naturally because they cannot enjoy the feelings of kindness and cooperation, or simply wanting good for others.

Envious people, if they expose their traits publicly, will also receive rejection or “waves of hatred and public resentment” (p.119).

Envy brings upon inner sadness.

Reference to the story of Cain and Abel; how Cain was envious of his brother’s sacrifice being accepted. Envy deprived Cain of the brotherly feelings he could have felt towards his brother; all that kind of goodness was replaced with evilness and falsehood that deterred him further from the right path.

“According to Schopenhauer: Envy is the most dangerous of human feelings. So it is necessary that man considers it as his arch enemy, and works to eliminate it from the path of his happiness.” (p.120).

Societies that suffer from envy are drowning in problems, and instead of seeing other members of society with integrity, they see them as “obstacles”, (and I would add, perhaps, competition).

Religion Versus Envy

Verse from the Qur’an (4:32): 

“And do not covet that by which Allah has made some of you excel others; men shall have the benefit of what they earn and women shall have the benefit of what they earn; ask Allah of His grace; surely Allah knows all things”.

Quote of Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (A.S.):

“Envy originates from the blindness of the heart and the refusal of Allah’s blessings (glory be to Him) which are (the two factors) two rings of infidelity. It is with envy that Adam’s son fell victim to the sorrow of eternity and became afflicted with eternal damnation from which lie shall never be rescued.”

One of the elements that cause envy is ill upbringing at home.

Be fair in gifts towards children - as advised by Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.h.f.).

Envy deteriorates the body - as taught by Imam Ali (A.S.).

“Safeguard yourselves against envy for it ridicules the soul.” - Imam Ali (A.S.) (Ghurar al-Hikam, p.141). (p.124).

“Compete in desirable traits, great hopes and exalted ideas and your rewards will become greater.” - Imam Ali (A.S.) (Ghurar al-Hikam, p.355) (p.125).

Chapter 3: Pessimism: The Bright and Dark Points in Life; The Negative Effects of Pessimism; Islam Versus Pessimism

The Bright and Dark Points of Life

Life is composed of pain and comfort, however it is greatly on our thoughts how this will play.

Often the problems we complain about are not the actual problem, but our way of approaching or perspective of the matter.

“Yet, after we come to realise the deep meaning of this life, we can direct our vision towards the beautiful side of existence and cast away the ugly entities which tarnish the fact of life in this vast universe;...” (p.51)

We choose our thinking, to focus on the positive and dwell on the bounties of purpose of existence, for each creation, and our own, or dwell on the negative, which does not have much but gloominess.

It is important to choose, choose positive, and practice self-control, or “Otherwise, we may face irreplaceable loses, or even fall victim to the typhoons of misfortune”. (p.51)

“Optimists never abandon the borders of modesty, restraint and patience.” (p. 53)

A segment of a quote mentioned by one unnamed scholar: “...and if you are merciful and truthful, you will find people around you who will love you and open the treasures of love and respect of their hearts to you.” (p.53)

Pain is also a bitter reality of life, however it helps us to reach our spiritual potential. This is in reference not to that humans should cause challenges for others, but the God given life challenges that come naturally.

The Negative Effects of Pessimism

“Pessimism is a painful misfortune that tortures the human soul and leaves incurable defects on man’s personality which cannot be erased.” (p.53)

Pessimism can be a sort of revolt in the face of challenges, one needs to accept, embrace and go through challenges, not disvalidate them.

If we are pessimistic we “cannot comprehend conduct of innocent individuals clear of evil aims” (p.54).

Pessimism affects not only the soul of course, but the body as well, naturally as it is connected to the soul.

Pessimism causes people to “destroy their abilities to develop and advance” (p.55)

“If we examine any sector of human society, we will find that backbiting and gossip stem from suspicion that is paired with a lack of examination and reflection.” (p.55)

Islam Versus Pessimism

“O you who believe! Avoid most suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin.” (Holy Quran, 49:12).

“A Muslim is sacred to another Muslim: his blood, his property and (it is prohibited) for one to think negatively of another.” - Jami al-Salah of al-Tirmidhi, ch. 18; al-Sunan of Ibn Majah, ch. 2; al-Sahih of Muslim; ch. 32, al-Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, vol. 2, p.277 and vol. 3, p.491.

Multiple quotes are shared regarding suspicion, and for example, having suspicion of a doer of good, is even considered oppressive.

“Sometimes suspicion diverts the suspected persons from the straight path and leads into corruption and lowliness.” (p.57)

Lack of self-confidence leads to being easily inflicted with negative memories by minor setbacks, which feeds, often unknowingly, into weighty, burdened souls or attitudes, i.e. more easily depressed or suspicious. (p.59).