NO EXIT 04

In his play “No Exit” Jean Paul Sartre presents three characters locked in endless conversation in a room for all eternity. Each one knows himself or herself only through the comments of others, and is therefore never understands the Truth – that is, all of us are imprisoned in human subjectivity. The play concludes with a definition: “Hell is other people."

Though we all may have shared this sentiment at one time or other, this does not seem a valid reason to blame others for our own limitations. Surely there is enough blame to share. With Allah’s help, conscious interaction with others may even offer us a way to freedom. But how successful are we at conscious interaction?

I have just come from a strange bus ride back from Boston. During the five hours I did not observe one person speak to their neighbor, except two women who came together. Most of the passengers were students, and younger than I. From my vantage point I could see and hear the whole bus. I also had no seatmate, but in the crowded bus almost everyone else did—yet they sat in dead silence.

It seemed shocking to me that all these probably nice young people were so disinterested in each other. Is reliance on technology part of the problem? I saw earphones shine like haloes around the heads—black and silver, encircling dreadlocks and crewcuts and every sort of haircut. Was diversity a challenge? Certainly it would not be an obstacle to Hajjis or other pilgrims, at least I hope not. So why, at the end of winter break, are the young people so quiet? Is it only the prospect of returning to school or work?

I began to fear that Mr. Bush had actually gotten funding for his new space ventures and that I was in a rocket to Mars, surrounded by people in suspended animation.

After a brief rest stop I expected some conversation to begin—but nothing. I noticed that people did not even recognize their seatmates when they returned. Then, after a while, I began to hear voices—aha—were they finally connecting and speaking? Well, but not to each other, only to cell phones.

If we are becoming dehumanized (by cars, cell phones, class bias and other factors) we will not need other humans to lock us into eternal subjectivity. We can entertain ourselves in the void. We will then have single character plays.

As a Muslim I wonder--how does one communicate with people who are so disconnected? This is not just an American problem. But I think it is an increasing problem. Would a group of people from the Prophet’s time behave this way unless forced by extreme fear or shame? I cannot imagine such indifference and lack of curiosity, much less the absence of fellow-feeling. Will the Shariah make any sense to people who are not even in touch with their own nafs? It may be necessary to wake people first.

The three different drivers who ran over the young women in Corona, Queens last week continued on without stopping. Here we see lack of fellow feeling to a greater degree. But passive unresponsive passengers may also drive with similar unconcern.

Of course much chatter is meaningless. It needn’t be, however. Insha’Allah we will speak truly in the Name of Allah the Compassionate and Merciful. Insha’Allah we will speak with humanity intact.

To reach diverse, and especially young, people Muslims may need to adapt the many modes of art and music –as Islam has done in the past. This will not be for individual entertainment. Nor will it be for group indoctrination. We do not need “a herd of original thinkers”. But when individuals enter Islam as a way of understanding they may see and deeply feel the unity within our many human differences. We will share a greater sense of civic and human communion. Perhaps we will once again hear on the bus the communication of the commuter intuitive. Then maybe those who are journeying will finally begin to arrive.