REPRESENTATION IN ACTIVITIES
REPRESENTATION IN ACTIVITIES
Members of the Quraish tribe of Makkah decided to rebuild the structure of Ka’aba, the first ever place of worship on the face of earth. They removed the stones. Among the stones was the historically famous ‘Black Stone’ (Al Hajar al Aswad). When the rebuilding works began, there arose the dispute as to who will lift the Black Stone and place it on the structure. There were scores of local chieftains and aristocrats. Finally they came to a conclusion that whoever entered through the Ka’aba’s gate next, he would carry out the task.
It was Mohamed (pbuh), the grandson of the Qureishi great Abdul Muthalib and son of Abdulla, the one who first entered Ka’aba through the gate at that time. This incident happened before Mohamed had attained prophethood. He used to be known as Al Ameen (the trustworthy) thanks to his clean and unblemished lifestyle.
When they told Mohamed about their decision, he asked them to bring a large piece of cloth. He placed the Black Stone in that cloth and asked all the eminent persons to hold the cloth. Together they lifted the stone and brought it to a corner of the Ka’aba and then Mohamed and all others jointly placed the stone at a spot suggested by him.
Though a very silly matter prima facie, it encompassed some very important theories and messages. For, the Arabs who fought bloody wars decades for very insignificant issues, this matter was solved amicably without creating any friction. To be recognized and honoured is an inborn trait of human being and an inevitable necessity as well. When denied consideration, man gets mentally unsettled. It will lead to even lawlessness. That everything should be done by me to be perfect, is a false notion incited by the devil. Egoism is its basis. God might have given some or other skills to every individual. This kind of attitude is due to the unwillingness on the part of the human being to admit that others have several other potentials which he doesn’t have. The hesitate to participate others even in very simple activities. Very often they might behave like autocrats. We can find many persons with such attitudes around us in the contemporary world. The human history is witness to this.
Those who think that they take the entire burden solely by them, will be subjected to various pressures. They will suffer from physical and mental illnesses. They will not be able to manage their anger and thus will be prone to taking unwise decisions. Isolation from their colleagues and a lonely life will be the ensuing consequences. All human beings are the servants of God. Skills and capabilities are nothing but the blessings from the Almighty to individuals. Hence every one is equal. The criterion of greatness is how far one obeys Allah. This include qualities such as forbearance, steadfastness, broadmindedness, consideration, harmony and mutual respect. The message of holy Quran which implies this is the cure for such false egoism. When such false feeling disappears, will appear the truth and with that will come due respect for others. Giving maximum consideration to the deserving is the charm of life. This is what Prophet Mohamed (pbuh) had taught us through the incidence of the Black Stone. And the holy Quran also reminds us that the earthly life of the mankind is nothing but the practical demonstration of a treaty of representation
