24/11/2022
*‘Survival of the fittest’ or ‘Survival of all’*
Our perspective of life has made us believe that it is all about competition. I remembered during one of my biology classes on adaptation, the teacher made us to understand that in animal kingdom, it is all about “the survival of the fittest” in Charles Darwin evolutionary theory. Some literature argued that the originator of the statement is English, sociologist and philosopher, Herbert Spencer. Although, the phrase has multiple meanings, depending on the theoretical context in which it is used.
Youths of current generation interpret this to mean competing with fellow humans to survive in life. This interpretation has turned some people to devils. They are ready to dent or tarnish the image of their fellow human being, conspire against their colleagues or even take their lives, all in the name of survival. This cankerworm affects all set-ups ranging from home, educational setup, elites and the worse; political elites.
Our educational system, right from basic school to tertiary institution indirectly inculcates this ideology in our mind; “to pass someone must fail”. This reminded me of what was depicted by one of the major characters of the movie “3 idiots”, Viru. During the student’s orientation, he narrated the life of eaglets, where the older, and larger eaglet often tries to dominate or even kill its sibling. In the same movie, Chatur ‘Silencer’ is seen distracting others during examination with phonographic pictures. This, to him, will make them fail and he will pass. Although, the movie depicts the situation in Indian educational system, Nigerian system too is not far from this.
The situation is the same in our public and private entities, where people work towards the downfall of their colleagues out of envy or in order to get promoted. We have heard of incidents where a colleague hired assassins to terminate the life of a fellow in office to pave way for his promotion.
We can go further to other setups and realize the same bad situation. But the root cause of this lies in our mindset and belief. Those who truly believe in destiny will not be found culpable of this. Allah (The most glorified) says in surah Nisa verse 32: “And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you to excel others. For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned, and ask Allah of His bounty. Surely, Allah is Ever All-Knower of everything.” This verse depicts that Allah’s bounty is abundant that He can give everyone without one stopping the other. In Hadith 24 of An-Nawawi’s collection, Allah says through His prophet; “O My servants, if the first of you and the last of you, and the humans of you and the jinn of you, were all to stand together in one place and ask of Me, and I were to give everyone what he requested, then that would not decrease what I Possess, except what is decreased of the ocean when a needle is dipped into it.” The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) once advised Abdullah Ibn Abbas and then said; “And know that what has passed you by [and you have failed to attain] was not going to befall you, and what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and hardship with ease.”
In conclusion, depressing statements, such as “Eat or be eaten”, “My win is your loss” and “Second place is the first loser” should be out of our discussions. It is pertinent to know that our survival is not a function of others downfall and “Our vision controls our perception which becomes our perspective - and thus our reality.”
Mohammed Mahmud Katun (Abu Isa)
Inspired by a TEDx Talk; “Celebrate What’s right with the world!” by Dewitt Jones.
