by Mohamedarif Suleman (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)
Self grooming: Since we are, what is now commonly referred to as, social animals, it is naturally expected that meeting friends, and mingling with acquaintances and co-workers, is a necessary part of our bodily make-up. But just as any other indulgence like food or drink, excessive socialising bears tremendous harm on our lives and personalities. Things such as longing to meet with people all the time, and whiling time away, even when, for instance, the entire purpose of going to the mosque is to engage in worship, are some of the ill effects of this activity. Being around friends perpetually, robs one of an important resource – time, surprisingly at the expense of family time, learning time and time to retreat to the sanctuary of Allah (SWT) in an act of reflection.
If we closely examine the content of this over socialisation, one would discover abominable “fun” practices such as teasing, jesting, gossiping, allegation and mud slinging and other meaningless talk about who is and who is not rich. Over socialising also taxes the pocket of one or more members in a group as they find it mandatory to select expensive and recreational venues that are excellent to visit occasionally, but burdensome to frequent daily. And so several other evils arise out of this insatiable need to talk. Going to the mosque for prayers and finding people, almost consistently “forgetting” to switch off their phones, ringing phones during salaat or majaalis, and severely, actually answering the phone during aamal nights, are annoying and childish, to say the least.
Although the days of mobile arrogance are now over, they have been incessantly replaced by mobile addiction. What else can you say when people carrying large phones in their hands to the mosque are constantly opening chat apps to talk, again. An open but rather honestly daft practice, and one that can be observed is when people living under the same roof or having very close relations, go the dreaded mile of wishing each other on social media, as if on purpose to show off their strong bond. What can one conclude apart from these actions to be about attracting attention, or about displaying love and affection in public? And while these individuals clown around their digital toys, the question remains – how much must you talk in your life?
Has it occurred to us that life is fleeting away, we were brought here for a purpose and there isn’t much time remaining? Talking too much simply takes away a person’s honour and dignity and deprives them of learning opportunities. Let us reflect before too late. Self grooming is an important part of human development
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This initiative is made possible by the kind courtesy of Abu Baseer Eye Clinic, Bande Khuda Sponsors, Highways Car Hire Ltd, Max Fries, Meadows Academy, SD Dental Clinic & Ceramic Lab, SokoniAdvertiser and Xpress Rent a Car
