Salahdiin Ayyubi is said to have said,
"If you want to destroy any nation without war,
make adultery or nudity common in the younger generation.
In the past, families in Western societies were considered relatively strong and stable. At that time, nudity was less prevalent in society and adultery was not a common practice among most people. However, things have changed significantly over the years.
Some argue that as nudity has become more accepted and visible in Western culture, it has led to a rise in adulterous behaviors. With adultery now much more widespread, divorce rates have increased dramatically. This has created instability in many households in Western civilizations.
As families have broken down, with more divorces and separated children, it has taken a huge mental and emotional toll on society. Many individuals are suffering from increased stress and mental health issues as a result. Relationships that were once stable seem to constantly fall apart.
It is suggested that this trend began as nudity and adultery became normalized parts of society. Without strong, intact family units, some say people have turned to pets like dogs and cats for companionship instead.
The dynamics of relationships and how younger generations connect through social media are complex issues influenced by many factors. For many youth today, social media plays a significant role in shaping behaviours and desires. Seeing peers and older acquaintances engage in unethical or casual relationships online can make similar conduct seem appealing.
From a scientific perspective, puberty brings biological changes as dopamine levels fluctuate during development. In particular, dopamine receptors demand greater stimulation for the same feelings of happiness and satisfaction as children mature.
In the past before widespread internet access, sources of dopamine were often real-world accomplishments. However, today there are abundant virtual dopamine triggers readily available through activities like scrolling feeds, binge watching, and showing off possessions or experiences online.
Chasing fleeting feelings of superiority by having something others lack can provide powerful instant gratification for developing minds. Meanwhile, meaningful achievements requiring sustained effort seem relatively difficult. When easy dopamine sources proliferate, it is natural for youth to pursue those avenues, including emulating peers' social behaviours.
Another common source of the dopamine rush many seek is intimate physical affection before marriage. In some circles today, publicly displaying such behaviour has become a way to gain status.
When discussing this topic, the concept of "gairat" or honour is relevant. In a climate where instant gratification is often prioritized over deeper virtues, some argue this diminishes the importance placed on principles of honour and conscience.
From a religious viewpoint, pre-marital intimacy is traditionally viewed as forbidden across faiths, with some modern interpretations being more permissive. However, upholding such standards requires sufficient guidance.
A major factor potentially contributing to the situation is inconsistent parenting due to societal pressures. As many parents dedicate extensive efforts to financial success for their children's sake, some suggest this can undermine providing strong moral upbringing or "tarbiyat."
With inadequate guidance regarding virtuous decision-making, the analysis presents that youth may be more vulnerable to sacrificing honour by indulging fleeting temptations instead of focusing on higher principles and long-term well-being. Overall, a multifaceted discussion is warranted on this nuanced topic.
Often, youth seek advice from older peers/seniors regarding romantic/sexual relationships and cultural practices, as they feel too shy or embarrassed to discuss such topics with parents. However, some seniors do not provide proper counsel to younger individuals.
Rather than discouraging casual or inappropriate behaviours, some seniors endorse and encourage such conduct. When youth approach seniors for guidance on cultural/religious values or relationships, seniors should take the time to discuss issues thoughtfully.
They could explain concepts like honour, modesty and virtue in a relatable manner, instead of simply condoning risky actions. Effectively steering youth towards strong principles requires patience and leading by positive personal example. Unfortunately, the lack of suitable direction from some seniors contributes to wider social issues seen today regarding relationships and cultural norms.
Guiding new generations necessitates that those in advising roles provide caring counsel focused on long-term well-being, not short-term indulgences or flexing status.
"When easy dopamine sources proliferate through casual displays of affection and a lack of modesty, it becomes difficult for youth to prioritize virtues of honour and character"
Now what is "GAIRAT"?
The term "gairat" refers to the concept of honour and self-respect. It involves safeguarding one's dignity and maintaining a sense of pride.
Gairat is closely tied to cultural norms, particularly in South Asian societies. It encompasses ideas of protecting one's reputation through modest behaviour and adherence to traditional values.
In Islamic teachings, developing gairat is encouraged as a way to promote virtue. It is viewed as an important part of a believer's character that demonstrates commitment to living according to Islamic principles.
Gairat reflects the importance placed on upholding standards of conduct to maintain honour. When gairat is diminished, it can result in actions that compromise one's dignity.
The article suggests that poor upbringing of children's religious and moral development, or "deen", is closely linked to weak development of their sense of gairat. Insufficient guidance regarding Islamic principles and values makes youth more vulnerable to behaviours that disrespect cultural norms of honour.
The concept of "gairat" in Islam is closely tied to another principle known as "geerah". Geerah involves protecting one's modesty and preventing private areas/attractions from being exposed or seen by strangers of the opposite sex.
Specifically, it is considered that a man should lower his gaze and avoid direct observation of unrelated women, while a woman should dress and present herself discreetly to avoid attracting unwanted attention from men.
Sometimes women may misunderstand a husband's reminders regarding proper Islamic dress code or interactions as overly restrictive or controlling. However, the article explains this is actually a display of "gheeraah" or protectiveness on his part.
As the man is more aware of inappropriate behaviours some men may exhibit, limiting unnecessary interactions or exposure of one's wife/sisters helps ensure their honour and safety from potential harassment or advances. Allowing close female relations to engage freely with strangers in a way that invites attention undermines the principles of geerah and modesty in public settings. In essence, only immediate male family members have a right to engage with a woman without boundaries.
When seniors condone acts that gairat cannot bear
And parents to money give all, values they don't share
With none to teach right from wrong at virtue they scoff
Young hearts then fall prey to desires that honor scar
Explanation:
The couplet explores how a lack of proper guidance from both peers and parents can weaken a sense of "gairat" or honor in youth.
The first line suggests that when older individuals endorse behavior contrary to principles of honor, it has negative influence.
The second line depicts parents who focus solely on financial success without imparting strong moral/religious upbringing.
With no one to instruct youth in distinguishing right from wrong, as mentioned in the third line, they come to dismiss virtue.
Lastly, without gairat to check them, young hearts then easily succumb to tempting desires that damage their honor, as the couplet's conclusion expresses.
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Angels' veil
Gaudy, flowery flamboyance hides correction. Be Love, yet be Simple. This is no poetry, nor epic, of a word, uttered - This is
(a)
Poem.
Do not make my dress Ephemaere another glamour to hide thy sin'd!
Or surely, I Shall WED Thee to a farmer,
And you may rest with the pigs & hay,
Choosing thy Abode.
Diadems for the Diaphanous,
And not for the flourishing,
Feinting.
Take cover not to take, to sell Spirit for wares, to cash & whore Me - BRAHMA, The Holy Spirit, You - out.
FOR I AM THE WIND ;
My Name is, CHILD,
And My Nature Is,
FATHER.
I Am the Breath,
And I will feign no other
breath of the wind
of the rotten
copse.
| On Insecurities, veils, fronts, self-defense mechanisms, ego shells, avoidance, healing, deal with your shit
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Sad
Yes, language is constantly changing and evolving. And these ships either have already sailed or are weighing anchor and casting off. Nothing I can say or do will change that. But all the items in this list—mispronunciations, misuses, ungrammatical formulations, misspellings, lost distinctions, etc.—make me sad.
Something else that also makes me sad: because modern dictionaries are descriptive rather than prescriptive, you probably won’t be able to check any of them unless you have a very old dictionary.
Lawn-ja-ray instead of lingerie
Nitch instead of niche
For-tay instead of forte
Bayed instead of bade
Click instead of clique
Resta-ron-toor instead of restaurateur
Shayz lounge instead of chaise longue
On-ja-noo instead of ingenue
Fore-head instead of forehead
Con-doo-it instead of conduit
Air instead of err
Barbeque instead of barbecue
Alright instead of all right
Has gone missing instead of is gone, is missing, is lost, has disappeared, has vanished
Out of pocket instead of not at home, not in the expected location
Begs the question instead of asks the question
Lay instead of lie, laid instead of lain
Is comprised of instead of comprises, is composed of
Swathe instead of swath
Disinterested instead of uninterested
Nauseous (or naw-shus) instead of nauseated
Bored of instead of bored with
Enamored with instead of enamored of
Momentarily instead of in a moment, right away, immediately
To her and I instead of to her and me
Very unique instead of unique
Decimate instead of annihilate, wipe out, destroy, ruin
Warrantee instead of warranty
He graduated college instead of he graduated from college instead of he was graduated from college
A couple X instead of a couple of X
Abide the rules instead of abide by the rules
Step foot instead of set foot
Light on fire instead of set on fire (“light” is transitive)
Loan instead of lend
Healthy instead of healthful
Flaunt instead of flout
Shined instead of shone
Here, here (in toasts, etc.) instead of hear, hear
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