Humanity is a vast and infinitely diverse entity but regardless of the many differences, there have always been teachers. There were always people who inspired others, young and old, to pursue a higher standard of life. Whether it is a mother or a welder or a tutor, humanity has always valued those people who possess knowledge and skills.
Long before the sciences blossomed or the arts truly reached their peak, the most revered teachers were the Prophets. These were the Chosen Ones, come with a universal message of virtue which in essence laid the foundation for society.
Forgiveness: The first was Adam, who was also the first man on Earth. Through him and his wife’s experience in eating the forbidden fruit, we learnt that actions are good or evil. But most importantly, we learnt that seeking redemption is the road to forgiveness for all sins.
Patience: There was Nuh (Noah), who faced a people who made his life difficult. But his patience through that difficult time when all seemed lost resulted with him and his followers’ salvation on the ark.
Trust: Ibrahim (Abraham) is described as “the best of creation.” He taught humanity the priceless lesson of trust. When God commanded him to first leave his family, then to sacrifice his son, he trusted in the Lord’s Plan and was subsequently rewarded with a safe, shelter for his family in Makkah and a ram from heaven in sacrifice.
Love: In the life of Yusuf (Joseph), there is the lesson of love regardless of a person’s fault. He was the youngest of twelve brothers, many who were filled with jealousy. But years later, Yusuf sill loved his brothers and helped them in their time of need, thereby showing them the power of love to look beyond a person’s faults.
Knowledge: Musa (Moses) was a prophet whose thirst for knowledge led him on a journey across the seas. He travelled for days with a man who he was told was wiser than him and eventually realised that a wise person’s actions must be done thinking not only of the present benefit, but of the greater long-term good as well.
Courage: The bravery of Dawud (David) is legendary, as he was the youngest soldier in King Saul’s army. Yet he took on the much-larger enemy, Goliath, and felled him with a few pebbles when all others had failed. He demonstrated that bravery knows no age or size limit.
Piety: The ability to be a devout person and do only good deeds is almost impossible, but Esa (Jesus) did exactly that during his lifetime. He performed miracles and gave blind people sight, or cured people of leprosy, yet remained humble and wary of claims of power. And so it is fitting that he was raised up to the Heavens until the day he returns to Earth.
Peace: Through Muhammad, humanity was taught to live with one another in serenity. His life was an example of lessons which taught the high value of neighbours, of family, and most of all of community. Through him the people were taught to live alongside others who differed from them in countless possible ways.
These are but a few short examples of the lessons that can be drawn from these historical figures. The lessons that their lives offered are things that we will gain much benefit from applying in our day-to-day lives. In such a busy world as ours, take a moment to think which of these lessons you value most, and what other virtue can you draw from someone else’s life?
Maryam Baksh is a student at the University of British Columbia, and lives with her family in Vancouver
You can read more articles on our interfaith blog, Spiritually Speaking - HERE
*This article was published in the print edition of the Times Colonist on Saturday Nov 9 2013
