Advice for those suffering from the challenges of modern times

THE world today has many challenges that didn’t previously exist.

Bad things can and do happen to good people. When bad things happen, it makes some ask, why? At this time it is vital to have context and not create thoughts and voice opinions that may be wrong.

The world today has many challenges that didn’t previously exist. A few decades ago we had no laptops, no internet or social media and the TV had three channels. Crime and murders were rare. Now 22 000 are murdered annually and it is not even often discussed in our Parliament.

With progress in technology, came challenges that were previously less obvious. Today, many suffer from mental and related conditions. A lucrative industry was built just on stress, anxiety and depression. On the extreme side is suicide and few want to discuss this due to religious inferences.

This letter is an effort to remind parents who have endured this horrid experience to remember that keeping context is vital and nobody really knows what happens in the mind of another human.

What happened cannot be undone and torturing oneself with the past is physically, mentally and spiritually unhealthy, as the past cannot be changed. What is vital to note is the Creator tests people for whatever reason and that test can be hectic.

Also, we must remember the Creator tested others before us and we must consider how they reacted under conditions that were exceedingly difficult.

For example, the son of Prophet Adam was Cain and he killed his own brother Abel. Noah preached for nearly a century but could not save his own son, who rejected guidance. The wife of Prophet Lot was defiant and turned into a pillar of salt.

Overcome by jealousy, the sons of Prophet Jacob sold their brother Joseph into slavery. The wife of Prophet Amos publicly cheated on him. Jesus the Messiah was betrayed and denied by his disciples and Prophet Muhammad’s own relatives tried to kill him.

These were persons chosen by the Creator for vital work and yet the Creator tested them hectically.

Sadly, those closest to us tend to hurt us the most.

What is needed is strength and patience and submitting to the knowledge that the Creator is most merciful and everything will come to an end.

To parents whose kids are addicts and whose kids died under grim circumstances, it is very difficult and painful but keep the faith. Everything that has a beginning has an end, even pain. Remember, in 100 years, 99% of us will be forgotten and everything that seems critical today will not matter.

Only our good deeds continue to have any value.

| Cape Muslim