Show No Dogs Fear!
Oman Observer Link -
As has appeared on Sunday August 1st 2010 –
http://main.omanobserver.om/node/18066
Also posted at
http://www.betweenusonly.com/?p=303
http://www.majidbooks.com/?p=696
SHOW NO FEAR – DOGS WILL NOT HEAR.
OR SHOW NO DOGS FEAR.
At the age of 8 years old, four decades ago when we were residing in Mafia Island in Tanzania, my father and I met some wild dogs when we were moving about the island. My late father (died 12 years ago – PBUH) cautioned me to hold on to his hand ‘and show no fear, because dogs easily smell fear’.
But if you act brave and show no fear, they either leave you alone or move away’. At first I did not believe this was to be possible, but the dogs did exactly like dad said they would, and left us alone-despite a lot of initial ‘hard’ barking earlier on.
Later on, I used to play with some puppies after getting over my initial fear of dogs. I did not know then that dogs were considered as ‘unclean animals and to be avoided in touch especially’ – because the puppy had followed me to the Masjid (Mosque). Yet I wanted to pray in the congregation – and someone told my late Father – Sheikh Said, your son Majid was playing with the puppies – and yet he wants to pray now with us!
I got such a beating that I have never forgotten it to this day. You cannot blame the puppies – because for them a Masjid looks just like another building from their side – and it is up to you to keep them away – and actually not play with them in the first instance!
At times in life, one meets with a lot of situations like above when you are called upon to make difficult and hard decisions and choices. Life is full of making tough decisions and choices. One option is to do nothing and pretend that the problem is not there, the other is as is being said ‘to catch the bull by its horns’ when you have to act – sometimes fast too!
Sometimes you make decisions in life which at the time may seem right, only to find out later that you should have acted otherwise. Or you leave an option which you think is wrong, only to find out later that it was the better idea and choice. But the saying always holds true-‘those who dare-actually win’! Those who never try, never win’! Or as they say – the birds fly – because they know they can – or you you can never know how far you can go; till you have tried first!
Sometimes situations force you to behave in a way that you would not normally behave otherwise. This I had found out recently very difficult to pursue, but in the end I did so despite my own personal first inclinations and feelings – that my sanity, integrity and respects must first come first and foremost – so I quit the place after a long goodbye. I would have eventually been the loser, and those adversaries and those against me from the outset as the winners.
My late father used to advise me from the incident of the dogs. He used to tell me ‘if you show fear, or run away, the dogs like it more- because you are condescending yourself to their own level-and they will chase you for sure’.
My late father used to advise me from the incident of the dogs. He used to tell me ‘if you show fear, or run away, the dogs like it more- because you are condescending yourself to their own level-and they will chase you for sure’.
He also advised us his children – If you are in a dhow (boat) where everyone is One-Eyed – including the Captain – close one eye – otherwise they will come and take out one eye in their fits of envy and jealousy – and you never know because they could blind you completely in their eagerness to take out one eye so you can be like them!
They also say – do not bang your head against brick walls – only you have your head hurt and swollen in the process – and the brick wall is not even touched! You simply cannot remove people’s bias and dim-witted subjective individualistic views – so why try at all!
It is also said by the Romans that those that the gods want to destroy they make them lose their senses – and make them not see, hear or speak too in the process.
So why fight the system and the situation. There is no point or added use or advantage. You become the victim of circumstances by your own hand by showing you are different from others – and for making a stand and for being forthright and firm in your stand – views, focus and determination! Go with the tide – even if all the fish are dead – act dead also!
There are more important things in life than to be listened to and to be heard your case and situation. Even our own Great Prophet PBUH met the same experience from the idol worshippers in Mecca! And the hypocrites that pretended to go on – when they were actually against our Great Prophet PBUH. People destined for doom and destruction cannot be saved – especially when they do not want to be saved – so move along – let it go – let it pass!
The Chinese have this expression that I really like – If you are digging a grave for your enemy; dig two – and keep one for yourself! This saying speaks volumes in itself! Don’t you agree?
There is also this point as in our Religion. Do not ask for any help or favours from human beings – because you lose your standing, respects and esteem by doing so! Ask only your Allah SWT – God Only – because He likes to be asked – and to give!
It then made me convinced that I MUST GO ON NOW before it is too late! Especially for myself – because no one knows how long we shall live (leave?) in this world!
In one of the scenes in The Film – Moses –The Ten Commandments – The Great Prophet (PBUH) is seen to lament why he was chosen to lead his people and was asking God why it was so – and had not left him alone to be just a simple normal person without this heavy burden and load on his shoulders.
In our Islamic Holy Book – The Holy Quraan – in Surat (verse) Ad Dhuha – The Glorious Morning Light – our Great Prophet PBUH is told 3 – Your Guardian Lord Has Not Forsaken You, Nor is He Displeased… 6 – Did He not find you an Orphan and Give you shelter and care? 7 – He found you wandering And he gave you guidance – 8 – And He found you In need, and made you Independent – 9 – Therefore treat not the orphan with harshness 10 – Nor repulse him who asks (needs) – 11- But the Bounty of The Lord Rehearse and Proclaim!
In this Surat (verse), the vicissitudes of human life are referred to, and a message of hope and consolation is given to man’s soul from God’s past mercies – and he is bidden to pursue the path of goodness and proclaim the bounties of God. It talks about the usual scorn people have of people who come forward to ask for help and assistance – and are ignored – and their losing faith aspects.
It talks about being kind to such people – though helping people is by choice and is most encouraged in Islam. If need be, turning away such needy people has to be done with kindness and gentleness – and not harshness and or ugly cruel cutting approach – because it is the same God that gave you and also facing you – and that needy person who wants help from you now!
One of the people that I greatly admire is Gandhi. On the subject this is what he said – You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. He further said – I look only to the good qualities of men. Not being faultless myself, I won’t presume to probe into the faults of others.
There is also this expression in Swahili – Anaye kunyima maharagwe, ana kupunguziya ushuuzi! Those who deny you red kidney beans – just deny (reduce) you the gas (farts)..
During this difficult choice, I had, my late father had come to me in my dreams to remind me of this incident (or was it by telepathy?). I am determined to win – with God’s Grace and Blessings I am convinced that I will win Inshallah Amin God Willing. It is not how many times you fall – but how many times you get up – and keep going. I have had many falls in the past – but I got up – and went on.
By
Majid Al Suleimany
July 27th 2010.
Muscat – Oman.