The Importance of Appreciating Others: Avoiding Oppression through Balanced Perspective
It is common to feel underappreciated at times, and in those moments, it is important to be aware of our own biases. When we feel this way, we tend to focus on the negative aspects of others and fail to recognize the efforts they make on our behalf. We become consumed by our own thoughts and complaints, without realizing the sacrifices others make for us. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the blessings in our lives, including good friends, family, extended family, and even kind strangers.
Complaining about others can be a form of ingratitude towards Allah. If we only focus on the negative traits of others, we overlook the blessings they bring to our lives. For example, if a friend has one negative quality but ten positive ones, focusing solely on the negative trait is ungrateful towards Allah, who has bestowed a blessing upon us through that friend.
Recently, I watched a speaker on YouTube who made me realize the privilege I have as a Muslim man to pray anywhere I want, unlike women who often lack a designated prayer area in many local mosques. This made me reflect on the importance of recognizing and appreciating the positive aspects of situations and individuals, even if we have complaints about them.
It is also essential to strike a balance between acknowledging positive and negative aspects of any situation or person. For example, while it is true that music can have a positive impact, such as helping people relax and achieve success, it can also contribute to negative outcomes such as violence, crime, and hate. Therefore, we must recognize both sides of the argument and appreciate the positive aspects while acknowledging the negative.
In conclusion, it is important to recognize and appreciate the positive qualities of others while acknowledging negative ones. By doing so, we can avoid becoming oppressors ourselves and perpetuating a cycle of negativity and oppression. We must strive to be grateful for the blessings in our lives, including the people who bring positivity into our lives, and acknowledge the challenges that others face. Remember that we are all going through our own struggles, and recognizing the good in others can help us build stronger relationships and lead a more fulfilling life.
