Short satirical reflections on faith, society and the uncomfortable truths we avoid. First published in the Jumadah thani/Rajab 1434 AH (2013) print edition of The PEACE Magazine.

By Abdulfattah Abdussalam

Senegalese, Gambias don’t die on roads

Daily, particularly in Nigeria, where the sanctity of human life does not have much meaning, many die on the roads, via accidents and other factors. On average, at every 10 kilometers on Nigerian roads, there is one accident or the other. Similarly, for every stretch of 25 kilometers, accidents that claim lives or cause disability are recorded. Evidence suggests that, we are prone to accidents because of our recklessness and disregard for road signs. Contrary to our experience here; the Senegal- Gambia high-ways are free of motor accidents. There, it is almost a rarity. A recent tour on the highway from Banjul to Kaolack City in Senegal was an eye-opener. For instance, a journey of almost 300 kilometers (including boat/ferry transportation) unlike ours; where the roads are always completely overtaken by burnt and damaged vehicles were accident free. The secret is that, the drivers there are careful and do not speed more than 80 kilometers per hour. Imbibing a lesson from the Gambia-Senegal experience might help us to live longer and reduce the rate of accidents on our roads.

Just a Loaf

Ibrahim ibn Adham (RA) was a rich but pious man from Khurasan. While he was looking down from the terrace on the courtyard in his palace, he saw a poor man holding a loaf of bread and eating it. When he finished eating, he lay down and slept. Ibrahim said to his boys, “When he wakes up, bring him to me.” When the poor man came along, Ibrahim said to him; Were you hungry “when you ate the loaf?”, The man said Yes, Did you satisfy your hunger, Ibrahim asked again. The man replied, “Yes” Then Ibrahim asked him: “Did you sleep well?” He said: “Yes.” Then, Ibrahim reflected upon this and said to himself: “What would I do with this abundance when it takes so little to satisfy oneself?”

Wants to be Happy?

I bet you want to be a happy and successful Muslim. Then you must: Submit to none but Allah: keep your trust in Him and seek His forgiveness, Barakah, and Rahamah. Believe in the equality of human beings irrespective of caste, race, or creed. Hold every man and woman worthy of respect and humane treatment. Do not be ashamed to admit your foibles and errors and never put blame on others for your failings Pray regularly and strive to uplift the basis of your spiritual life. Be benevolent, not to seek fame or earn gratitude, but for the worship of Allah. Uphold justice always and never delay in imparting fairness.

Editor’s Note: Truth Is Bitter is a weekly reflective and satirical column drawn from the “Front of the Book” pages of PEACE Magazine. It seeks to provoke introspection, not hostility; reform, not ridicule.