In the same boat

There are all kinds of people on earth. There are those who are good and those who are bad just as there are those who are a bit good and those who are a bit bad. But despite this diversity, we are all in the same boat. People who are in the same boat cannot be indifferent to the problems of people who are travelling in the same boat as them. There must be the concept of cooperation. Everyone must try to solve the problem of the next person just like everyone must act in such a way that he does not disturb the well-being of the next person, otherwise he will harm himself and he will make others suffer.

Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) gave an example to demonstrate this idea. According to a Hadith, this is like a boat that has two compartments; the upper deck and the lower deck. If those who are at the bottom start to dig a hole on the floor of the boat to draw water and those who are on top remain indifferent to this, then the people of both compartments will drown. It shows that if something bad is taking place in the society, then it’s the problem of each and every one. Otherwise, everyone will pay the consequence.

A person must not think that he is free to do what he wants because his freedom can be harmful to others. Contemplate for a moment if every driver who is driving believes that he has the freedom to drive his car at whatever speed he wants and on whichever side of the street he wants, then what will happen? A sane and an intelligent person will never tolerate this. And it is a principle which is accepted by everyone internationally. Therefore, a person is free in his movement and his activity as long as it is not detrimental to others.

Based on this same perspective, a person is not free to commit sins because sin invokes Divine calamity. And when it falls, it does not only fall on the person who committed that sin. It is just like a person who makes a hole in a boat, then it is not only the person who committed this imbecility who will drown. Everyone on that boat will drown. Thus, no one must feel free to do what he wants. One must always have consideration for others.

[English version of "Dans même bateau" – Al Jamiat – Vol.5 No.9]