AFTER working for more than two decades in peace-building and conflict resolution in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro, I have come to realize that I need to let go of personal things at some point or another.
This sort of career can bring you abroad for work, or to a permanent job in the government, or even to simply accept and live a simple life. For all these options, however, the task ahead of us remains a lifetime commitment to working for peace.
The Bangsamoro peace process is a moving object. It cannot be easily put in one corner and described it as it is. New people come along, and with that, new paradigms come to mind. Hence, we need people who are willing to work for a lifetime and accept the challenges they face every step of the way.
It takes time, courage, and experience to learn to accept certain things in life. But, to arrive at a point where we can completely let go and allow ourselves to look to the bright future can be difficult. And, most of our friends in the peace-building work have the tendency to focus on the past. They idealistically hold on to it, as if it had everything our people ever wanted.
The problem with this mindset is that it causes us more suffering, disappointments, and endless negotiations. This ultimately leads to more unresolved conflict.
Dealing with the past and having it control our future does not encourage growth. It leaves us stuck in a certain period of time. Our leaders in the two Moro fronts have to learn how to find the balance between addressing historical injustice and the present situation; we must focus on where we are now and what we can and want to achieve for the Bangsamoro.
There is a verse in the Holy Qur’an that says, “If one really loves God, whatever comes from Him must be welcomed It is very difficult to perceive the wisdom and good or God's purpose in some events. Sometimes what is good for us is hidden in bad happenings: It may be that you dislike a thing although it is good for you, and love a thing although it is bad for you. God knows, but you know not (2:216)”.
This verse is connected to the concept of Rida (resignation) or “rila” (local term for letting go). According to Muslim scholars, rida means “showing no rancour or rebellion against misfortune, and accepting all manifestations of Destiny without complaint.”
In Islamic belief, rida is a Divine gift that can be acquired only by an individual's conscious decision to exercise free will at the beginning of their journey in life. This can be done through “depth of belief, solemnity in religious actions, and profound consciousness of worshipping God as if seeing Him.”
Moreover, “To be favoured with the rank of resignation, one also must transcend the ranks of reliance, surrender, and commitment. It is extremely difficult to attain the rank of resignation by free will, God Almighty did not order it; He only advised it and highly praised those who attained it.” (Al-Qushayri, Al-Risala)
Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Excellence is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for although you do not see Him yet He certainly sees you. (Source: Sahih Muslim 8, Grade: Sahih)”
However, a Muslim cannot appreciate rida without reaching the highest spiritual excellence, known as ihsan. Ihsan is the highest level of righteousness and faith a Muslim can achieve. It is the state of being when a Muslim perfects his worship of Allah and his good character towards people.
Muslims are encouraged to not be content to simply perform the minimum requirements of Islam, but rather, we should strive towards spiritual perfection.
As a peace advocate, we must remember that tomorrow is another day.
Peace-building is not a destination; it is a spiritual journey where we need to balance the present world and the world hereafter.
As we face another battle in Congress for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), we must remember that even though it may seem hopeless, know that with each day brings the opportunity for us to worship Allah (SWT) and serve Him by helping not just the Bangsamoro, but all humankind.