Page 124 - The Debased Culture of Superficiality

122 THE DEBASED CULTURE OF SUPERFICIALITY

alities and shows those who act this way to be ignorant and
shallow. For example, anyone who behaves naturally says
what he wants to, simply and directly. If he wants some-
thing, he states it clearly. But a shallow person, in his
attempt to be refined, cannot say what he wants to. He goes
off the track and goes on at great length. Especially when he
wants something from someone, he is easily embarrassed
and acts unnaturally. This overly refined manner is seen not
only in his manner and conversation, but also in the way he
sits, stands, eats, holds things and in many other ways.
Everyone who sees him knows that such a person cannot
live that way for 24 hours a day, because such behavior is so
obviously unnatural.
Overly refined behavior may also stem from formality
and remoteness. If a person speaks always in a refined man-
ner with someone else, it’s a sign that he is not that person’s
friend; but that they remain strangers. These people do not
feel the need to be so refined with their families or close
friends. They trust these people and so can act comfortably
with them, showing their natural side. On the other hand,
those with whom they feel they must strike a refined pose
are people from whom they want to hide their real person-
alities. Unlike what some may think, those who act in a
refined manner do not act that way out of respect for others,
but on the contrary, out of a lack of sincerity.
Instead of hiding their shallow character by acting in an
overly refined manner, those people should abandon and be
saved from superficiality. Only this way will their behavior
become normal again and of a high quality. This is possible
by living fully according to the morality of the Qur’an.