What have I learnt today?

Aside from the anatomy of the abdominal wall, its arterial supply and inguinal canal; a great deal.

I stay in halls of residence. Now and again I go and visit another Chinese medic on the floor above mine. I visit this evening and as we chat, his roommate enters. The latter, has had one too many 'special brews' and engages in conversation with us both. However, this story isn't going where you think its going.

Although the roommate makes a few remarks about Jews, seemingly to provoke me, he manages to talk with reasonable sense. He points out that Abrahamic religions are quite similar and then asks 'why do they have so much beef with each other?' with specific attention to the argument between Jews and Muslims. I point out what the Qur'an tells us about the Children of Israel and their dealings with their (and our) Prophets and how they seemed to know of the truth but not act upon it (See Qur'an 5:78-81). On reflection, I think this shouldn't be a reason for Muslims to dislike Jews. The accounts of the Jews dealings with the Prophets are there to serve as a reminder and a warning to the Ummah. The hate created between Muslims and the Jews is simply weakness and failure to comprehend the purpose of these accounts on the part of the Muslims. The hate is the fault of both sides though. Allah (SWT) says with reference to the Jews "... Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it..."(5:64), such is the mercy of Allah (SWT)

He then asks why Muslims and Jews are still arguing to this day. I point out the Israel-Palestine conflict, however, in this case 'the beef' is between Muslims and Zionists. Its just that Muslims are conflating Zionists with Jews. The only problem I personally have with the state of Israel is its creation of settlements in Palestinian territories. However, the bad sentiment for each other on both sides is likely to linger for some time, even with the removal of these settlements. Its sad the human race can't forgive very easily, made even worse that pride prevents us from even asking for it.

This encounter reminds me of another, where I was walking back to halls one night. Eyes firmly fixed to the ground in front of me, I'm startled when some passing middle-aged woman in the middle of the street suddenly asks me ' Excuse me, are you allowed to talk to woman?' No, that isn't a spelling mistake, she had a foreign accent. I sidestep to maintain a cautionary distance, as I smell the drink in her breath, and reply 'Yes, but what exactly do you want?' She herself, is a Christian. She tells me not to become an extremist (assumption upon seeing the beard I guess) she hates the use of religion as a tool to commit acts of violence. Conversation developed from there, and I was surprised at how much I agreed with her. She even went to the point of saying that ' when I am sick, I hope I am in your hands'. I like to think that's not the drink talking.

So what have I learnt? Not to be judgmental. Just because someone had a tipple, doesn't mean I should brand them or assume they are of decreased intellectual capability. I hope I can apply this to my future practise; where I don't judge smokers, drug takers, rabbit chasers (?) or any person by their habits or lifestyle.Anything else? People questioning your faith shouldn't immediately instigate some defensive approach. If you give their questions thought, be assured that Islam has the answer. Perhaps there is a confidence issue in our own faith which Muslims need to address that causes some to go on the counterattack. I pray that Allah (SWT), المتين (The Firm, The Steadfast) instills within Muslims firm faith. Ameen.