Muslims pray at the Masjidul Quds Institute, also known as the Gatesville Mosque, situated in Balu Parker Blvd, Gatesville, Cape Town. File Picture: David Ritchie/African News Agency/ANA
by Yagyah Adams
The wise suggest wisdom is achieved when knowledge and experience culminate and the lessons of the past allows a mature person to think before responding. This does not apply to everyone.
Thus, mature people are gentler and less likely to partake in activities that are needless or that will lead to confrontation. Life teaches that it is better to avoid futility.
Historically, prophets said people would be led to hell-fire and would ask the angels why they were damned.
Understanding this is vital as many wicked people believe they are decent humans.
What am I talking about? You may be the type of person who prays, fasts, gives charity and so on, but you have some dangerous qualities that prevent your good deeds from benefiting you. For example, when you enjoy the pain and suffering of others or partake in making life difficult for others, you have a serious problem.
It might seem small but often, the results of an individual’s behaviour has far-reaching effects that they are not entirely aware of.
For example, you work in a government department where people need consent to do a job and earn a legitimate income. It could be a building plan or something as simple as permission to lower a curb or construct a carriage way or install a water connection.
All you must do and get paid for is sign a document. However, for some reason, you delay permission without explanation and thus everyone’s work awaits your approval.
Often, since you believe in your own self-importance, you believe others must wait for you without giving a logical reason. This is common in South Africa where pedantic officials find relevance in making others suffer, needlessly.
Th officials who hide behind the red tape of the administration must understand that their behaviour is not limited to their day job or work ethic.
According to the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, we will all be questioned in the grave even before Judgement Day.
A specific question that will be asked is: How did you earn your income/living? Since we have angels recording our deeds, our good deeds are used to balance out bad deeds. Although you might pray, give to charity, fast and so on, your work ethic harms others and thus, you will have a problem in the grave.
The point is simple: when you are paid to do a job, do it as fast and efficiently as required. Do not waste other people’s time, energy and money since you do not know their health or financial condition.
When you can, voluntarily help whosoever. The good deeds will cancel out your bad deeds. Do not be among those, shocked or confused on Judgement Day; just do as much good for as long as you can.
* Councillor Yagyah Adams, Cape Muslim Congress.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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