slip-sliding away…..

I watched a beautiful sunrise this morning, which brought to mind a lot.

I was particularly struck by the direct opposite positions of the sun and the moon. She was prominently visible as I came out, just a few minutes before sunrise time. And as I watched the sun come up from behind the hills on the other side, I didn’t notice her fading.

A few minutes later, as he was far greater in strength, I looked back and saw she’d vanished from view.

Still there, yet now hidden. Her role fulfilled for another night, as she was cloaked by daylight and the sun took over to fulfill his purpose.

I remembered Surah Yusuf, and the likening of those natural bodies to the prophet Yusuf (Joseph)’s father and mother. And I think about how each of us have a different yet equally important role to play…not just as parents to our kids, but male and female in society.

Yesterday’s talk at mosque was about gender equality. How in Islam, there is complete spiritual equality between the genders – God gives to both, and both can earn the same reward and status in His eyes… there’s no spiritual superiority of men over women.

Yet men have been given additional *responsibility* – in providing for the family, and trying to be the leader of the household. Not to be arrogant or tyrannical…No. It’s a *burden*. And one we must bear while always being respectful and kind to others.

We, as genders, are equal, but not the same. It’s just the reality…it’s not a judgement or hierarchy. So, please don’t take any offence in the statement.

In the alternation of night and day, and the differing times of strength of the sun and moon, are signs for those who reflect. God shows us, through these natural phenomena, a balance…a wisdom. A perfectly natural order.

Yet why do we insist on acting like we know better?

Submission to His natural order is not a sign of weakness or inability. It’s actually a sign of wisdom. A means by which we attain inner peace, because we are in sync with how He created us….our world…our societies.

There is no superiority of one race over another. Nor superiority of one gender over another. We are all equal, yet we are diverse.

We have different roles. Different strengths and weaknesses.Different responsibilities.

Beyond male and female, or even race, we need to internalise these sentiments on an individual level:

Forget your differences in gender and race, and even culture and geographical location.

Just as a being…a human being: even if you are the same gender or colour, or even culture, as another, are there not variations? Are there not differences?

Some are confident, while others are overwhelmed by self-doubt. Some are quiet by nature, preferring their own company – or that of a few only; while others feed off the energy of large gatherings. Some are genius when it comes to solving logical problems, while others are naturally able to design, fix, or assemble physical objects.

We have different preferences, too.

No two people are the same, despite any outward elements that may suggest otherwise.

We must learn to see each other this way: all of us are unique. We all offer some kind of value to the world…to others; be it a larger group or just impacting a few.

We are all noble, precious beings.

Let us live with respect for each other, and even if we disagree over certain things, simply focus on the positives and the commonalities.

We are all souls within these earthly casings. We all came from the same Source, and we will return to one place.

And when we see each other again on that Day, we won’t care about our differences… we’ll be concerned only with our own states…our own destinations.

So, focus within – while you are still here… while you’re still able to send forward something positive for that future.

This is a reminder to myself, first and foremost.