Questioning Ourselves
From time to time, you would like to get away from the atmosphere of the issues on the agenda and write something introverted. This is at the same time forces the necessity to face and question yourself. I benefit from the conversations with the distinguished Fethullah Gülen in friendly meetings. Since I long for these conversations, I miss Mr. Gülen dearly. I would like to share - as much as I can - the pleasure I felt and the horizons I tried to gain with my readers as well.
A person looks at himself the least. That's why we should look at the mirror now and then and question ourselves.
It is very important to be ourselves to maintain our stance. As a matter of fact, if we are aware of our position, then there would be no one better than us from the aspect of being open to favors or being receptive to good deeds. There would be no greater dynamics than the spirit of devotion to Allah, nation, country and future generations.
However, can we say we spend time 'fixing' ourselves as much as we 'fix' others? For example, do we see that the more we ascend, the more dangerous it becomes and the distance increases? Can we accept the fact that ego can never be trusted? Do we know that each person has a monster inside and we do not know how and when this monster will act?
The endless treasury is to be ourselves, because this is the only way to inspire the world and our environment with confidence. That is, being ready with the enthusiasm of representation, sensitivity and honor. We can listen to our pulses for a quarter century as an individual or a community, to find an abnormality, a trust-shaken difference and to love, and also to dwell on dialogue and tolerance and ethics and character. This is the touchstone of acceptance.
There are other measures as well. Jealousy is as dangerous and harmful as an enemy. Nobody should feel uncomfortable for the service rendered to others. And nobody should be jealous. What should cause discomfort is not appreciating them as necessary. OK, jealousy is in human nature, but we can overcome it with our willpower.
The new generations are more innocent and envy-prone. They are more affective. Collective work, taking actions through consultations are both attributes and a must. We do not lose anything if we show respect by listening to opinions we are one hundred percent against. We can even benefit from ideas that seem nonsensical.
Those, who force their opinions, pretending as if they are consulting and asking questions, lose their self-respect. Our Prophet never said to his friends: 'Gather around me, I will tell you the strategy.' He mixed the problems with the general issues and never used his position to enforce anything.
Dialogue should not be squeezed into certain days and ceremonies. It should be taken seriously, internalized and maintained in spite of everything.
The Islamic world has three weaknesses like, the lack of intellectuals, weakness in practicing the faith and a loyalty crisis. In addition to this, it is also important for Muslims to be able to question themselves. Do we feel sad due to the torture and misery that the Islamic world is subjected to, as much as we feel when we have a problem in our homes, jobs or daily lives? As long as we are relieved by lies, no problem can be solved.
There is a possibility of doing something with nothing. But those who think their wrong actions are right, have no possibility of doing anything right.
ZAMAN
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