I am recently going through a phase of re-educating myself, rediscovering the beauty of a sound intellect as I delve into the writings of great thinkers. Once again, with the grace of God, I have found the beauty of a meticulous blend of reason within faith, which humbles me before the worlds of Allah.
The impact is profound, yet subtle.
Marching towards peace, with your lungs shouting “Enough is enough,” should be the beginning of an intellectual endeavor.
What I have come to believe is that, although the killing of children should not be a complicated matter for us to recognize as wrong, it is naïve to think that solving a problem involving 80 years of bloodshed, a century of political movements, wars, genocides, and capital investment could be simple. It is like trying to untangle a knotted earphone—there may be a solution, but the complexity requires effort to untangle.
The untangling of the situation is needed.
I must say, for the sake of my own sanity, that the way these words are composed makes me uneasy. There is a part of me that wants to shout at the top of my lungs, saying “enough is enough.” But I am aware, with a certain naiveté, that such an outcry alone will fall short of solving the deeper issues of society.
For the sake of my sanity, I must also acknowledge that any actions we take toward peace, any efforts we are blessed to make, are merely means through which God brings change according to His will. We are simply His agents, judged by the actions we perform to the best of our abilities.
At least, that untangles some of the complexity of life.
Now, let me return to the point—how I perceive this situation. With faith, God gave us the tool of reason. A tool meant to be used so that we can uphold the profundity of faith and the dignity of humanity.
I must be explicit: the oppressors were successful in raising $37 billion from major donors for their startups. The slayers succeeded in investing in militant power that is used to kill children and entrap the young in political delusion. The occupiers were successful in subjugating people by feeding us the diet of information through the modern weapon of screens.
They were successful in using reason and intellect for sinful acts.
But, like a knife that can be used to prepare a delicious and healthy meal, or to kill, its usage must be with care.
We need to use the reason and intellect God gave us—not violent solutions to our problems—avoiding bloodshed, yet establishing a solid foundation of power that can negotiate diplomatically and economically.
Chanting slogans, marching lineups, and opposing power are the beginning of our actions. Now, we need reason that can transform tangled atrocities into manageable tasks, digestible by society.
We lack this; we need it.