Photograph by waqar bukhari
We, not one of us know another’s intention and yet we judge. How we judge! What is in another’s heart and mind, the workings of their thoughts - how do we know such thing? We don’t. Many times we don’t know our own heart and mind and not knowing our own we pass judgment on that of others.
Why we do what we do? What demons, what desperations, what fears, what desires push and probe us? Actions that appear cold makes us out to be colder still, and yet what are those emotions, what realities that drives us in our cause? Senseless and heedless of all else. Blinding us to the world and the world blind in turn.
Our intentions are our own and between ourselves and a higher being than mankind, which is so incapable by its own willful blindness of knowing that which lies within. We are so often unable to understand much less acknowledge our own intent and purpose detached as we are from ourselves – how can we then presume to know others and their hearts and minds?
- Raatkiranii (K.F.S)
"The Oxford History of Islam" by John L. Esposito (Editor)
"O wave! Plunge headlong into the dark seas,
And change thyself with many a twist and turn;
Thou wast not born for tile solace of the shore;
Arise, untamed, and find a path for thyself."
- Allama Muhammad Iqbal
well put! i really like how that is read. its very deep. good job!
Thank you for your kind words and dropping by. I’m glad you liked it.
Who amongst us is perfect……however we continue to pass judgement on others. Much is expressed in good faith and spirit for there is some nobility in all people, but, as you say, we cannot understand all, far less our own intent.
All intentions are not noble, some are just shallow veneers of prejudices and our own insecurities.
Be that as it may, I do believe honest, objective insight shared with someone, can be truly beneficial and one can absorb much from such sharing. No place of grace comes from passing judgement.
Certainly not to the deliverer, but perhaps to the receiver if of noble heart and mind.
Something I personally need to work on….
How does one come to such a place of grace?
Very profound…….and well said.
Thank you for sharing your thoughs and words.
Perhaps we may never reach this place of grace, but by at least trying we may allow others and ourselves an equal chance to represent ourselves. And yes, I agree objective insight is more than helpful, for it is not a judgement but observations made to deeper one’s understanding of one’s self and others.
Thank you for your thoughts upon my thoughts. They are always welcome.
Peace Raatkiranii,
Yes. A true post indeed. Allah! And a beautiful blog too.
God bless you always.
Abdur Rahman
[...] Bazm-e-Tasavurat: How We Judge! [...]
Welcome and Peace be upon you as well Abdur Rahman. Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
I think it is far more important to understand someone than to judge them. Understanding another person enriches us, but judging them isolates us.
“Understanding another person enriches us, but judging them isolates us.”
True, so very true, Paul!
Very interesting topic. Someone I read somewhere says that most of our harsh judgements are made against ourselves and projected onto others. By judging others, we actually judge some fault within ourselves. My experience tells me there’s a lot of truth in that, but it is not the whole truth.
The real injustice in judging those close to us is that our judgement becomes a cause for them to continue. By saying, “you’re this or that”, we condemn them to that label and encourage them with almost commandment suggestion to continue the behavior that brought the judgement. In a sense, it’s in our nature to earn those judgements and deserve the condemnation. You find it in children a great deal of the time, especially those who have been verbally and emotionally abused (all too often in the name of some faith or other).
We should judge. We should judge each others’ behavior. HOWEVER, it is more virtuous to condemn only the behavior - and to reinforce and bless the person. The behavior is passing; the person is eternal. We have the responsibility to judge behavior, AND we have the responsibility to refrain from judging the person. Judgement of persons is the domain of higher powers.
Thanks for sparking this conversation. Peace and Blessings.
David
David, thank you for bringing up the different aspects of the topic. You’re right to observe that when we judge others we are really judging a fault within ourselves. We may know that that fault is our own but still deny it and upon seeing it or thinking to perceive it in others we pass harsh judgments, which really reflects on us.
Also, I agree that we ought not to judge a person but rather certain behaviors. Behaviors can change, better or worsen, but a person, his essence and soul are, as you said, eternal. Passing judgment on something so scared can be damaging and we have no right to cause such damage.
Thank you again for your thoughtful comments and for dropping by. I hope to converse with you more in the future.