be a part of the solution
People are quite sensitive. I have to say, I think quite a lot about what is happening to Muslims all over the world, especially the ones that have a large media coverage. But I am very careful to avoid pictures, as what's seen is hard to be unseen. ⠀
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What's seen causes hurt. What's seen causes fear. What's seen causes anger. All of a sudden the pain I feel for the victim transforms into hatred and anger towards the bully. And I get stuck within the anger.⠀
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The other day, I ran into the 'seen' on Instagram and I couldn't help but feel the need to unfollow the account that posted it. I am not being insensitive to what is happening. In contrast, I often think about it and how I can help, but I don't want to see the aching pictures because they cause emotions that are opposite of productive. ⠀
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I wish accounts, instead, would post about what people are doing exactly to help and how I can pitch in to their bucket. I want to know how I can help. What is happening to them is bad and I am hearing all about it, but I want to be blind to the pain. Their pain in paralyzing. Fear. Aching. Hatred. I want to hide. I get stuck within the hatred.⠀
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But reminders of how I can help are empowering, energizing, productive... tell me how I can help. I am open to it. I may not do everything you suggest, but I will do what I can. I want to be a part of the solution.⠀
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Same with iman. So often we focus on hell, punishment, putting people through shame and imposing guilt. We focus on the crime of sin. And so often, this mindset is paralyzing and unproductive. ⠀
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We pray 5 times a day and not once do we recite anything about sin and punishment. What we focus on is how exalted Allah is and how forgiving he is. We focus on requesting guidance. We focus on dua. We focus on characteristics of Allah. We focus on blessings to the Prophets. We focus on forgiveness and hope. Everything positive. ⠀
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Stop with the fear, anger, frustration, etc. Focus on what you can do to make things better. Be a part of the solution - however you possibly can. And I mean this both inside and out: both iman and world crises. ⠀
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DON'T HIDE. Both your iman and the world need you. DO RESPOND.
⠀
What's seen causes hurt. What's seen causes fear. What's seen causes anger. All of a sudden the pain I feel for the victim transforms into hatred and anger towards the bully. And I get stuck within the anger.⠀
⠀
The other day, I ran into the 'seen' on Instagram and I couldn't help but feel the need to unfollow the account that posted it. I am not being insensitive to what is happening. In contrast, I often think about it and how I can help, but I don't want to see the aching pictures because they cause emotions that are opposite of productive. ⠀
⠀
I wish accounts, instead, would post about what people are doing exactly to help and how I can pitch in to their bucket. I want to know how I can help. What is happening to them is bad and I am hearing all about it, but I want to be blind to the pain. Their pain in paralyzing. Fear. Aching. Hatred. I want to hide. I get stuck within the hatred.⠀
⠀
But reminders of how I can help are empowering, energizing, productive... tell me how I can help. I am open to it. I may not do everything you suggest, but I will do what I can. I want to be a part of the solution.⠀
⠀
Same with iman. So often we focus on hell, punishment, putting people through shame and imposing guilt. We focus on the crime of sin. And so often, this mindset is paralyzing and unproductive. ⠀
⠀
We pray 5 times a day and not once do we recite anything about sin and punishment. What we focus on is how exalted Allah is and how forgiving he is. We focus on requesting guidance. We focus on dua. We focus on characteristics of Allah. We focus on blessings to the Prophets. We focus on forgiveness and hope. Everything positive. ⠀
⠀
Stop with the fear, anger, frustration, etc. Focus on what you can do to make things better. Be a part of the solution - however you possibly can. And I mean this both inside and out: both iman and world crises. ⠀
⠀
DON'T HIDE. Both your iman and the world need you. DO RESPOND.
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