Lonely Reader

The Lonely Reader called today. He is my philosopher friend, who keeps in touch from time to time. He told me recently someone asked him about why his friends-who-do-evil are being promoted and he not (perceived unjustness from God). My friend told him to be grateful he was born with two legs, two arms etc. The Lonely Reader is like that. He believes in the eternal phrase from Kaal Ho Na Ho - "From your point of view what you have is very less, but from someone else's view you have been given a lot".

I ofcourse told him to tell his friend to suck up to his boss, make resumes and search for better jobs and generally to get off his lazy bum. Which is why I think the Lonely Reader and I could start up a Upodesh Kendro (for those who saw the Bangladeshi series Bohu-prihi you know what I am talking about). He is more into the spiritual and philosophical side of things, I am more into the practical.

Have you heard of the 90%-10% principle? It seems a good strategy. The link is here. Basically the gist of it is 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.

I am also reminded of a few Islamic hadith (sayings of the last Messenger of Allah peace be upon him).

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The best of you are those who are slow to anger and swift to cool down...Beware of anger, for it is a live coal on the heart of the descendants of Adam." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1331.

In another narration it is mentioned, ‘The one who becomes angry while standing should sit down. If his anger has still not cooled down, then he should lie down’. (Ahmad, Tirmidhi).

'He who can overpower others in wrestling is not really a strong man. True strength is in that individual who can control himself at the time of anger.’ (Bukhari).

How beautiful and true are the statements of Islam - 1400 years ago.