Page 44 - The Debased Culture of Superficiality

42 THE DEBASED CULTURE OF SUPERFICIALITY

ings of the Qur’an, the ill character acquired from his envi-
ronment will remain unchanged.
Childhood observations play an important role in the
acquisition of character. The culture a child learns from par-
ents, relatives and friends deeply affects him. He remembers
the good and bad things he observed in those around him
during those years. Later, at a certain point, he imitates their
behavior, reacting in the same way to similar occurrences
and adopting the same expressions and manners. Up to a
certain age, his likings, habits and behavior copy what he
observes in others. Even if he is to be taught some new, use-
ful, improved behavior, he may hesitate to follow such
advice, claiming that it is not what he has learned from his
mother, father or anyone else whose culture he has adopted.
Allah tells us in the Qur’an that some ignorant people
insist on following the old practices of their ancestors:
They said, “No, but this is what we found our fathers
doing.” (Surat ash-Shu‘ara’: 74)
When they are told, “Follow what Allah has sent down
to you,” they say, “We are following what we found our
fathers doing . . . ” (Surat al-Baqara: 170)

However, when a person reaches the age where he is able
to distinguish right from wrong and consciously adopts the
Qur’an as his guide, he will realize he is surrounded by a
wicked, debased culture. With his fear of Allah and his
moral understanding, he cannot fit into such a culture. He
could never reflect this culture in his actions and under-
standing and for this reason, rejects being a part of it.
No matter under what conditions he has been brought