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.

Stranger in The House

Forty years ago Martin Luther King challenged us in a letter from the Birmingham Jail: “Was not Abraham Lincoln an extremist -- "This nation cannot survive half slave and half free." Was not Thomas Jefferson an extremist -- "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." So the question is not whether we will be extremist but what kind of extremist will we be. Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love?

Reflecting on these noble words of a courageous leader I consider the hot headed extremism of the present winter day. This current President may have a lofty vision—to send us to Mars and Beyond—no doubt to corner the market on Martian oil-- but we must ask: what of here and now? The martial spirit of all the powers results in war—and 85 per cent of the casualties around the world are civilians. This means millions of men, women, and children. In its arrogance is the US really a force for Freedom and Justice? And in our weakness and confusion are Muslims perceived and are we in reality forces for love or for fear and hate?

A Muslim society is built by hard work, good example, learning and yes, love. A Muslim society is free from tribalism and interest-based politics. Our struggle towards the ideal of a just society will require patience and maturity. I urge us all to consider the needs of the moment and to be inspired but not blinded by a vision of a perfect world. Those jihadis who seek a Muslim state without a viable Muslim society first are like Bush constructing a false dream. Better to build than to destroy. Our good works to family, friends, neighbors and strangers will insha’Allah light the way through this darkness.

Now the tax records of over 25 of our leading Muslim Charities are to be reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee. We hope that the process will be an honest one, with no mischief from the usual think tank crowd. From their books, from their testimonies, we see who is an “extremist for Truth” and who just an extremist for power.

As CAIR has stated, “The net has been cast so wide that it seems to target all American Muslims as terrorism suspects. Its indiscriminate scope smacks of a McCarthyite witch hunt and creates the impression that the presumption of innocence no longer applies to Muslims.”

CAIR does well to speak out. I hope others will follow their lead in this. It is not a time to be intimidated. It is also time to remember our Adab, and also not to fall into the error of denouncing Kuffar right and left. Let us not throw these rhetorical bombs but be patient and firm, like Sistani in Iraq. Our Islam can embrace the world, unfettered by the grievances of whatever prison or problem we emerge from.

Meanwhile we have mouths to feed, and to listen to. We have homeless at home, we have hunger and helplessness abroad. ICNA Relief has coordinated with Pakistani Doctors to sustain medical care at Bam; with relatively few resources we try to do a lot. Too bad if donations dry up, to ICNA, to other charities. We Muslims have our responsibilities to build a better world. You can’t add water and have an instant Khalifat. You add your sweat drop by drop and the love of your heart. That is true witness.

We have a beautiful community, not a product to package. We must continue to do our Dawah with care without the aggressive amorality of our capitalist society that seduces many an evangelical. We can enlighten and face attacks not like a Martian president but like a martial artist, using the opponent’s energy against him, even like Ali letting gentleness and forgiveness win the contest.

In his own Pakistani State of the Union address, General Musharraf said last week that the vast majority of Pakistanis were "moderates who totally reject extremism." He urged Pakistanis to "wage a `jihad' against extremism." He was greeted with cries of "Down with dictatorship," and "Stranger in the house.” It is not easy to be an extreme moderate! In any case, and in every country, let us Muslims not go far from the extremism of Love.