Serve the creation for the sake of the Creator
“The worshippers of the Universally Merciful are they who walk modestly upon the earth; and if the ignorant address them, they say, ‘Peace.’” (Qur’an 25:63)
As a Muslim we are called to always be humble and kind to every soul we come across. Our kindness should never be based on the actions of others because then who we become would be dependent on others instead of ourselves. As a Muslim we are called to be a reflection of God on Earth for all people without discrimination. Just as the sun does not discriminate when it shines we are called to shine on all people regardless of race or religion, never making separation between God’s creations. This does not mean we do not hold people accountable for their wrongs, but rather it means that we do not let the wrongs of others affect our state of mind and heart. This is why the Qur’an calls us to address those who approach us with hurtful words and ignorance with peace.
We are called to be kind and to humbly and peacefully walk away from those who attempt to cast their hatred upon us because we are not called to engage and entangle ourselves with those who are ignorant. Allah calls us to mirror our character not based on those who have hurt us, but based on the prophets and lovers of God who modeled love even when they were met with hate. This is beautifully articulated in the following poem by Mother Teresa: “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”