FRIDAY, JULY 13: “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.
There will be beauty in the character; there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world”, says an ancient Chinese proverb.
Isn’t the above proverb beautiful? Imagine if wars and rumours of wars would cease and prevailing peace could stem out of a heart of righteousness.
It seems so simple that righteousness would and could solve all of the conflicts that exist.
Hey, I think I need a dose of righteousness and would like to hand out a dosage to a few friends and family as well.
So just what is righteousness? In researching different versions of the noun righteousness, the definition I liked the best is: “righteousness is adhering to moral principles; impeccability – the quality of being exempt from sin or incapable of sinning; rectitude, uprightness – righteousness as a consequence of being honourable and honest, piety, piousness – justice, justness – the quality of being fair.”
Yes, righteousness seems to be very cool and I can see how it can solve world conflicts. Righteousness is mentioned several times in the Quran. The Quran says that a life of righteousness is the only way to make it to Heaven.“We will give the home of the Hereafter to those who do not want arrogance or mischief on earth; and the end is best for the righteous” — Sura 28(Al-Qasas) Ayat 83.
It seems that without righteousness mischief is caused on the earth — hmm, and does not mischief abound — must be a lot of unrighteous folk roaming around Bermuda and of course the globe.
False accusations, lies and darn right meanness towards one another seems to be the order of the day. We truly need to pay attention and get on the righteous path. How do we then achieve or strive to attain that of being a righteous person?
The Quran 49:13 advises us to be familiar with other nations and have good relations with them: “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”
Satan’s whispers
To strive for righteousness one must adhere to the commands of Allah and not give in to the whisperings of Satan.
It is therefore abundantly clear that to obtain righteousness we must set for ourselves high moral standards and adhere to a high ethical code of righteous deeds covering every aspect of our lives.
Allah asks us to adhere to justice and honesty, to truth and commitment, love and respect for parents and other human beings, and to helping the poor and needy.
We have been advised as well to refrain from shameful deeds which can lead to self destruction and invite the displeasure of Allah such as greed, arrogance, fornication, adultery, suspicion, lies, gossip, backbiting, addiction to intoxicating drinks, gambling and many things which our spirit tells us is wrong.
We are inherently born to know what is right and what is wrong, and we often make a concerted effort to shy away from our naturally good selves.
So, friends and family, in fact all of Bermuda, let us shine with the goodness and sweetness of being that group of righteousness people that Allah has promised peace on this earth and in the hereafter. If we would but obey. What a different Bermuda we would see. It can be done — one you at a time.