My Compass
If you asked me 10 years ago to turn left because it was the ‘right’ thing to do—because someone might cause an unnecessary scene—I would have probably said… no. Still would.
Rebellious? Maybe. Well, that was really what I was labelled at one point.
Culturally, we were always told we had to ‘go with the flow’ so we didn’t upset others or cause a scene, even if it wasn’t the right thing. This was taken so far that an individual could lose their sense of ‘self’ and no longer have a personality or existence—especially in relation to those who were bold, and somewhat rude, in taking advantage of a good heart.
Going with the flow shouldn’t be encouraged. It shouldn’t be accepted—on our behalf, on others’ behalf, or for our children. Going with the flow does not make it a conscious decision.
God didn’t create us to ride down the river without gear. If God had intended that, then He, The Hadi, wouldn’t have left us with Prophets (p), Imams (a), and the Holy Qur’an.
For God left us with guidance: “O people, I am leaving among you that which, if you hold on to it, you shall never go astray: the Book of Allah and my kindred, my household.” (Hadith al-Thaqalayn)
It’s important to recognise the evidence here. So gear up, and use the tools provided in the best possible way, to receive the best possible outcome.
Now, I ask you—if you were to see a young child being told to give up his seat for another child, so the parent of the other child doesn’t cause a scene—would you?
It may seem irrelevant in relation to God’s guidance, but believe it or not, it all begins with the little ideologies that the human ego starts to mould. What are we teaching? Are we nurturing the seed to blossom, to grow strong thorns, or to store water?
We should, in fact, be doing all three. But in this case, that little human has now been belittled in front of another little human. These little humans will grow, and one will always take the seat—no matter if they are correct politically, spiritually, or faithfully. They will rule the world. The other little human was told that if they didn’t move, the world would fall apart. And so the world is what it is, because we continue to allow the wrong to take positions they are not entitled to.
Yet… imagine that little human, who was sitting in that seat first, being given their right to sit. Simply to sit—or perhaps to share it, shuffling just an inch. They both would have ruled the world, with no arrogance and no hatred. For neither would have learned that they are better than the other, and neither would have felt shamed or developed hatred.
The compass built within a human is real. It makes us feel the right from the wrong. It does not lie. So when your ‘right’ is not given, your inner compass becomes confused—spinning frantically as forces of magnetic energy pull in various directions.
Nurture this inner compass. It’s okay to say “no” politely. It’s okay to refuse indecent trends. It’s okay to voice your knowledge and education about a topic that is being contaminated and handled incorrectly. (It is not merely your opinion—evidence is required.)
The Imams stood against oppression; their role was to ultimately protect the truth. The Holy Prophet (p) and the Qur’an were sent to complete the religion of Islam and remove any contradictions that were fabricated.
Imam Ali (a) teaches us that doubt has four aspects: absurd reasoning, fear, vacillation and hesitation, and unreasonable surrender to infidelity—because one who has accustomed themselves to unreasonable and absurd discussions will never see the Light of Truth, and will always live in the darkness of ignorance. Ignorance will always take good for evil, and evil for good.
The inner compass does not lie. It sits on the edge, waiting to set your heart to fly in the right direction. Educate yourself and use it to rule with truth—for the beautiful butterfly within your heart loves the truth.
