Based on
Oprah Winfrey's speech on women's sexual abuse:
REMINDERS
FROM GOD IN A WORLD OF ABUSE: A CALL TO CONSCIENCE
Epigraph:
"Indeed,
this is a reminder, so he who wills may take to his Lord’s way."
— Qur’an 76:29
⏱ Estimated Reading Time: 6–7 minutes
SEXUAL
HARASSMENT & ABUSE
Back to
basics!
The word
‘reminder’ is defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as:
"something that calls a memory or thought to the mind".
Divine
guidance by God is declared a reminder. Qur’an (76:29):
"Indeed, this is a reminder, so he who wills may take to his/her
Lord’s way."
The human
race is born with an innate sense of good and bad. On top of that, God's
guidance comes as a reminder. God claims in the Qur’an (91:8):
"...by the soul and Him that moulded it and inspired it with
knowledge of sin and piety: blessed shall be the one who has kept it pure, and
ruined one that has corrupted it!"
God
reminds men to restrain their eyes from lewdness. Menfolk are
addressed first. And God reminds that He is All-Seeing and
All-Knowing.. The Qur’an (24:30) reminds us:
"Enjoin believing men to turn their eyes away
from temptation and to restrain their carnal desires. This will make their
lives purer. God has knowledge of all their actions."
Men
and women differ in their attributes. That is why God reminds us not to envy
one another, but to ask for His bounty.. Another reminder comes
in Qur’an (4:32):
"And covet not the thing in which Allah hath made some of you excel
others... (Envy not one another) but ask Allah for His bounty. Lo! Allah is
ever Knower of all things."
Yes—the
abundance of evil might impress us, but God reminds us to fear Him.. Qur’an
(5:100) reminds us to focus:
"Say, 'Not equal are the evil and the good, although the abundance
of evil might impress you.' So fear Allah, O you of understanding, that you may
be successful."
The first
forbidden thing listed? Shameful deeds—whether public or private. And
another powerful reminder in Qur’an (7:33):
"Say: the things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful
deeds, whether open or secret..."
Why does
the human race need reminders? Because we are forgetful. We all
forget—regardless of status. Reminders serve the very purpose their meaning
implies. That is why Divine religions have weekly reminders:
- Jews have the Sabbath.
- Christians go to Church.
- Muslims gather for Friday
prayers.
God’s
reminders are refreshed weekly—this rhythm suits human nature. The Qur’an calls
itself a reminder.
HOLLYWOOD
STORIES: WHEN WOMEN STOOD TALL
Let me
share two true Hollywood stories of women’s triumph:
- Hidden Figures:
Three Black women in 1960s America helped NASA put a man on the moon. In an era of racial segregation and male dominance, these women worked without abuse. - Saving Mr. Banks:
Ms. P.L. Travers, author of the Mary Poppins series, is shown being treated with respect by Walt Disney himself. No sexual abuse. She was honored for her creative vision.
LET ALL
PAY HEED TO GOD’S REMINDERS
To the
men of the world—producers,
actors, CEOs, directors:
Pay heed to the reminders of God. Become true servants of God so you may be
blessed in both this world and the next.
To the
women of the world—aspiring
entrepreneurs, actresses, designers, lawyers:
Pay heed to God’s reminders. Become true servants of God so you may be blessed
in both this world and the next.
CLOSING
REMINDER: NEVER DESPAIR
God most
graciously states in the Qur’an (39:53):
"Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by
sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all
sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'"
And again,
in Qur’an (25:70-71):
"Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous work. For
them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good... Indeed, Allah is
Forgiving and Merciful."
Men and
women (including myself) who
have wronged their souls—lend me your ear. Seek God's forgiveness, and
seek forgiveness from those whom our actions have hurt.
God’s
Book—the Glorious Qur’an—is a reminder for having
our moral compass realigned with God's expectations.
Regards,
Aamir Yazdani
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