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We’ve been ruled by the politics of fear since 9/11. Now coronavirus is inciting even more fear. Is there an antidote?
This show features R. Michael Fisher discussing his book Fearless Engagement of Four Arrows with Robert “Rafiq” Lewis, who just reviewed that book.
R. Michael Fisher is the founder of The Fearology Institute, Founder and Senior Editor of the International Journal of Fear Studies, and author of The World’s Fearlessness Teachings, Philosophy of Fearism: A First East-West Dialogue, Fearless Engagement of Four Arrows: The True Story of an Indigenous-based Social Transformer, Fear, Law and Criminology: Critical Issues in Applying the Philosophy of Fearism, and India, A Nation of Fear & Prejudice.
To tame “fear”, the muslim with a decent amount of spirituality, ought to constantly remind himself that :
“Whatever will happen, has already happened – in the realm of spacelessness and timelessness – as Allah (swt) Has Decided and Decreed.”
Consequently, no worries, no drama, no tears and cries and no fear will change anything in this realm. So the best one can do, is to be calm and serene, while riding the wave of one’s Destiny. Like a professional surfer riding the wave under his surf board : while he has no control over the wave, he is using his skills to maintain his balance.
_ Quran [009:51] :
قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَانَا وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
“Say: “Never can anything befall us save what God has decreed! He is our Lord Supreme; and in God let the believers place their trust!”” (as translated by ‘Mohammad Asad’)
_ Quran [057:22-23] :
مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ لِّكَيْلَا تَأْسَوْا عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا تَفْرَحُوا بِمَا آتَاكُمْ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ
“NO CALAMITY can ever befall the earth, and neither your own selves, unless it be [laid down] in Our decree before We bring it into being: verily, all this is easy for God. [Know this,] so that you may not despair over whatever [good] has escaped you nor exult [unduly] over whatever [good] has come to you: for, God does not love any of those who, out of self-conceit, act in a boastful manner.” (as translated by ‘Mohammad Asad’)