If the Cap Fits, Wear it

If the Cap Fits, Wear it

1989 4 April 15-16 If the Cap Fits, Wear it (482) An ornament which appears to be made of gold gives general satisfaction until, applied to the touchstone, it is found to be a clever imitation. Then, although still pleasing to the eye, it is cast aside as a worthless trifly, not worthy of being kept, let alone cherished.

Human beings too can have this aura of genuineness about them – until they are put to the test. Then, all too often, these ‘worthies’ are found to be false friends, bad neighbours, dishonest businessmen, sham politicians, wolves in sheep’s clothing, not to speak of their being sanctimonious hypocrites in matters of religion. Why is it that, throughout their careers, such people are trusted so implicitly? It is because they take care to show the same pleasing exterior as imitation gold, the same outer coating which is impenetrable to the honest gaze, and the same honeyed lustre that bedazzles the innocent and the unwary.

This feat of dissimulation is achieved by the glibness with which they proclaim themselves the benefactors of the public and the servants of God, while indulging in blatant injustice, cruel exploitation and Unmerciful oppression. Fine words and the adoption of saintly attitudes conceal their ravening greed, unbridled selfishness and the most unscrupulous rapacity in attaining their worldly ambitions. When, for example they are at prayers, they are the very picture of piety and humility, but the moment they step out of the house of worship, their thoughts and actions are once again dominated by pride and malice. When they fast, they take care to be seen to abstain from food and drink, but let them find themselves in a situation where it is to their advantage to lie, cheat and steal, and they will behave as if they do not know the meaning of self-restraint.

Religion, for them has become a mere topic of discussion or dispute; it is no longer something to be practised with sincerity and zeal. And what, after all, is their ‘religion’? It is lipservice to a set of lifeless dogmas and the mechanical performance of empty rituals. If their dogmas are ‘lifeless’ and their rituals ‘empty’, it is because they themselves have no inkling of how to breathe life into them. Religion, for them, is a man made creed, and not the inspired guidelines revealed by God to urge man on to nobler thoughts and deeds.

They have even invented a “God” – one that they need not fear, and their choice of a prophet is one who will successfully intercede for them in the divine court so that they need not have a bad conscience about their misdemeanours here in this world. They even have the effrontery to talk about their dawah work, when all they seek to do is consolidate their own worldly power and prestige.

Getting to know the real man is like biting through the sugar coating to the very bitter pill inside.