HATE NONE IN THE WORLD

 

HATE NONE IN THE WORLD

          We are not born as devils, villains, enemies, fighters, haters, criminals, strangers, adversaries, opponents, antagonists, and  combatants.

            The English poet James Kirkup (1918-2009) writes:

Remember, no men are strange, no countries foreign,

Beneath all uniforms, a single body breathes

Like ours; the land our brothers walk upon

Is earth like this, in which we all shall lie.  

 

            If it is so, then why should we hate anybody in the world?

           

            Complexions differ, dresses differ, languages differ, faiths differ, religions differ, beliefs differ, foods differ, but not our relationship with God the creator of the world.

 

            The God who sent us into this world gave us similar bodies.

 

            When we were just babies our smiles were angelic; our eyes were full of love; our hands were tender; and we  were non-violent in every respect.

             

            As adults some of us do become combative and violent. They turn wicked, disdainful, aggressive, destructive and what not as vicious. Hatred and repulsion take the place of love and affection. It is because of such persons that  the world becomes ugly and hellish.

 

            Look at the following poem titled ABOU BEN ADHEM written by the English poet, critic and essayist Leigh Hunt (1784 - 1859) to know how much important it is in the eyes of God to be a person who loves his fellowmen.

 

                        Here is the full poem:

 

“Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight in his room,

Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold:—

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And to the presence in the room he said,

"What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head,

And with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."

"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"

Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,

But cheerly still; and said, "I pray thee, then,

Write me as one that loves his fellow men."

 

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night

It came again with a great wakening light,

And showed the names whom love of God had blest,

And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.”

 

                                                *******

G.R.Kanwal

31 May 2026