Amid the Chaos...Our Gifts, Gratitude, and the Golden Rule

The Golden Rule is not just a kind gesture that we are to bestow on others, it is a guideline on creating a better world for ourselves and our loved ones. As a fundamental ethical guideline, expressed in various forms, the Golden Rule is found in many cultures and religions around the world, many of which have found home here in Troy and surrounding cities.

The most well-known version is perhaps found in the Holy Bible as a teaching of Jesus (peace be on him), in Matthew 7:12 (NIV): “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

The Platinum Rule, to ‘treat others as they would like to be treated,’ was introduced to supposedly improve the Golden Rule, but only if one reads the Golden Rule very superficially. Since we want others to treat us according to our preferences, the Golden rule already implies that we should treat others according to their preferences.

Regardless of which shiny name we give this ethical principle, its luminous spirit lies in creating a world of kindness, empathy, and respect for others with the assumption that it is the kind of world we want for ourselves.

A famous quote extracted from writings of the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi presents a similar idea: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The principle of cause and effect, known as Karma, taught in faiths such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, as well as Taoism, is a closely related concept.

The assumption of reciprocal desire for wellness goes hand in hand with the Golden Rule and is key to establishing a peaceful society. The natural outcome of not treating others with the same kindness, empathy, and respect we desire for ourselves is a world of pain and suffering which will inevitably encroach on any walls we may think surround us for protection.

As humans we are inclined to reciprocate. When we receive a gift from someone, we find occasions to return the favor. The most precious gifts we possess, however, of life, love, faith, family, health, peace, security, and countless others are not only priceless but the Bestower is not in need of anything from us. We are primarily to show gratitude by acknowledging the gifts and offering thanks.

The element of reciprocity of the Golden Rule applies here as well, but with a beautiful twist. The Bestower of these countless blessings wants us to treat His creation the way we would like Him to treat us. He takes our treatment of His creation very personally. This concept is captured beautifully in an account which may also be common to more than one faith tradition.

In a paraphrased, Islamic version of it, it is narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be on him) said, “On the Day of Judgment, God will say, ‘I was hungry, and you did not feed Me. I was thirsty, and you did not give Me water. I was sick, and you did not comfort Me’. Those being addressed will ask in surprise, ‘O our Lord, when was it that You were hungry, and we did not feed You? When were You thirsty, and we did not quench Your thirst? And when were You sick, and we did not comfort You?’ In reply, God Almighty will say, ‘A servant of Mine was suffering, and you did not show any compassion or kindness to him. To show love to him would have been to show love to Me.’ To another community, Allah (God) the Almighty will say, ‘I commend you for showing love and compassion to Me. When I was hungry, you fed Me. When I was thirsty, you quenched My thirst. And when I was sick, you comforted Me.’ Those addressed will ask, surprised, ‘O our Lord, when did we serve You in this way?’ In response, Allah will say, ‘When you showed love and compassion to a servant of Mine, you, in fact, manifested your love for Me’” (Book of Hadith: Muslim).

Let us acknowledge the blessings we continue to receive, without earning or deserving any. Let us show true gratitude by extending our kindness, empathy, and respect for all of God’s creatures, including our own species. It is something we as humans have surprisingly and spectacularly failed at, even though it is directly related to the world we are creating for us and our dear ones.

Applying this to the current international crisis which has polarized so many, let us also acknowledge that the murder of non-combatant civilians is wrong and unacceptable, on whichever side of whichever border they may be. Calling such acts to be wrong for others is what legitimizes the sanctity of our own lives.

The Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad has been urging politicians over many years, to apply the principles of universal justice to foster peace. His Holiness has recently made urgent calls for concerted prayers while warning of a looming world war, being catalyzed by the complicity of world leaders with their unjust policies, fanned by western media’s bias in the coverage of the Israel-Palestine war.

Firstly, reminding Muslims of the Islamic injunctions, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Even in a state of war, Islam does not permit the killing of women, children, the elderly, and innocent civilians. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) gave strict instructions against doing so… In this recent escalation of the war, Hamas made the first move and attacked Israeli citizens. Leaving aside for a moment the fact that innocent people have been unjustly killed by the Israeli army, Muslims should ensure that they always adhere to the teachings of Islam.”

Secondly, his Holiness has emphatically condemned the scale of Israel’s response to the October 7th attack by Hamas. Israeli bombardment in recent weeks has destroyed homes, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure.

As of November 26th, in Gaza, at least 14,854 Palestinian civilians have been killed including 6,150 children and more than 36,000 have been injured (75% of them are children and women), and in the occupied West Bank at least 237 Palestinian civilians have been killed including 52 children, and more than 2,750 have been injured.

Regarding this utter disregard for human life, His Holiness said:

“Israeli government officials say, ‘Hamas killed our innocents; hence we will seek revenge.’ This ‘revenge’ has now exceeded all limits...If their aim is to eliminate Hamas, as they so claim, then they should directly combat them. Why are they killing women, children, and the elderly? They have also deprived people of water, sustenance, and medical care. This is where all claims to human rights and rules of warfare cease to exist when it comes to these governments.”

His Holiness outlined the clear bias in western media coverage of the war between Hamas and Israel, saying: “True justice requires presenting all affairs. Let the world determine who the oppressor and oppressed are, to what extent this war is warranted and at what point it should end.”

Thirdly, warning of the risk of a global war, His Holiness said:

“The rate at which the state of war is escalating, and how the Israeli government and other major global powers are adopting certain policies, it is apparent that a world war is staring us in the face. Now, even some leaders of Muslim countries have begun to openly state, as have Russia and China, and so too, Western analysts have begun to write and proclaim that the scope of this war seems to be expanding. If wise policies are not immediately adopted, the world will face devastation.”

His Holiness criticized the lack of justice and courage of the leaders of Western powers in calling for a ceasefire or condemning atrocities, saying, “For as long as [world leaders] do not courageously strive for a ceasefire, they are invariably responsible for taking the world towards destruction.”

We, as tax paying citizens and residents of this country, with the rights afforded to us by its democratic values, should raise our voices to compel our elected officials to call for an end to this ongoing indiscriminate violence and merciless killing which international organizations have called out as a textbook case of ethnic cleansing and genocide. Should the atrocities continue, the outcome will neither be good for the warring parties and their neighboring countries, nor for our part of the world.

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Disclaimer: This post represents my personal views and research and is not in representation of anyone.

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For questions to/about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, please directly contact the local mosque, Masjid Mahmood, in Rochester Hills at (248) 293-0072.