It's Not My Problem

I'm sure that many of us have experienced a situation where we're in dire need of help, so we reached out to those around us, but instead of receiving help, we get an "It's not my problem" response. I have, too. And it got me thinking - am I a needy person? Is it wrong for me to reach out for help?

It's natural for me to reflect on myself when I face such reaction. I thought that how people react to me, must be due to me. I was blinded by the fact that people generally react or response in a certain way because of their own reasons, not simply due to external factors like other people.

Our response or reaction towards a certain situation is made up of the many years we've spent living, experiencing, observing, interacting, learning, and other -ings. Much of our default responses were learned while we were growing up, while others were formed  later during growth and maturation. It's a complex process, and it would be a fallacy to think that there's only one single reason why someone would react in a certain way.

So going back to the question, why do people generally refuse to help others? Why is it such a challenge to find someone who'd be able to help us when we need help?

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that the modern way of life has shaped us somewhat to become uncaring, uninterested to help others. We grew up to compete, to perform well in school and in our jobs. We climb the ladder, and the competition is about the survival of the fittest. Whoever is at the top wouldn't care about those at the bottom. And whoever is at the bottom would sometimes dehumanize those at the top. "They have an easier life than I do, therefore they don't deserve my help and should help themselves."

Astaghfirullah... let's pause for a second & take a deep breath. Let's go back to why Allah created us in the first place, which is to test us. 

Who, among us, would do good for the sake of Allah?

Who would be truthful in their worships?

Who would help each other in times of adversities?

Who would spread the truth and cut off falsehood?

Who would stand by the Words of Allah, even when the people are mocking & slandering them for doing so?

Who would still stand up despite being hated for defending the truth?

Who would do something for the sake of Allah's pleasure, not the people?

Not many.. definitely. So are we going to be among the majority or the minority? When good is considered strange, and bad is considered normal, are we still going to try to fit in, just so that people would approve of us? Or are we going to be real with ourselves, look deeper and realize that Allah's approval means so much more than people's. People will hate & turn against us anytime. But Allah will always be by our side - even while we're sinning & regretting it.

So the next time we see someone in need, are we going to say "It's not my problem", or are we going to try with our might to lend a hand?

May Allah guide us so we could make the right choice. Amin...