So many issues we are dealing with in our everyday lives — no wonder we see a decline in mental health.

The sad thing is that people inflict pain on one another, and needlessly so. We bully, lie, steal and commit such atrocities against each other without blinking an eye.

We are ungrateful to each other and show no appreciation towards one another. This is my general opinion but I’ve lived long enough to say there is a very large percentage of people who fit into what I call, “the unscrupulous habitants”.

Bob Marley was so right when he sang:

Man to man is so unjust

Children you don’t know who to trust

Your worst enemy could be your best friend

And your best friend your worst enemy.

My mantra for the most part is that “only God could love people”.

On the other hand, you can experience pure love, joy and genuine people; people who are angels sent by God. I guess, this is the balance to indicate that not all hope is lost among mankind. The key is to know the difference and to be mindful of the people in your circle.

There is a Hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah:

“The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘A man follows the religion of his friend. So, each one should consider whom he makes his friend.’”

Elders are always speaking and mostly chastising the youth on not showing respect to them. This is certainly true, youth must respect age, however it is a double barrel matter as the elders must too show respect, guidance and gratitude to the youth.

There is no room or place for bad behaviour between each other. In Islam there are many ahadith that speak of mutuality when it comes to respect and treatment of one another. Iyad ibn Himar reported: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), said, ‘Verily, Allah has revealed to me that you must be humble towards one another, so that no one oppresses another or boasts to another’.”

Humility means avoiding the destructive sin of arrogance and haughtiness. What’s wrong with saying “thank you” to persons younger than you or who — for whatever distorted reason — you consider not to be of your “esteemed” status!

Who do you think you are? We need to walk this Earth in meekness and humility because nothing is of ourselves. Allah, most gracious is our Sustainer. All that He gives us can be taken away in the twinkling of an eye. So we best be humble, grateful and appreciative to one another; that goes for leaders, parents, managers, supervisors, preachers, imans, chief executives, teachers. and the beat goes on as none of us is above the rest of us.

Thanking people is gratefulness to Allah.

Abu Huraira reported: “The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘Whoever does not thank the people has not thanked Allah’.”

We must speak out against injustice, disrespect and bad behaviour as, to say nothing condones unhealthy actions thus making one a guilty participant. This Hadith from Qays ibn Abi Hazm, who said, “I heard Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) say, ‘O you people! I hear you reciting this verse: Oh you who believe! Worry about your own selves. If you follow the (right) guidance and enjoin what is right (Islamic monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbid what is wrong (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), no harm can come to you from those who are in error.’” (5:105)

He went on to say, “But I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) say: ‘Indeed when people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from (doing evil), it is likely that Allah will punish them all.’”

Simply, this means speak out against what is wrong, it is incumbent on us to do so as to avoid punishment too. Remembering that silence condones. The family plays an important role in reminding our relatives to do the right thing: be kind, fair, grateful and appreciative to one another.

Mothers advise their children to exercise good manners and spouses too, should remind each other to do the same.

Society blames the parents for the bad or good behaviours of their children. Also it is said that behind every great man is a great woman. Wives are pivotal in shaping their husbands to be the best they can be. Spouses are very influential in this aspect, especially if your spouse is in a role of leadership or in the public eye. Undoubtedly we are watchdogs of each other, ever pulling one another’s coats to do what is good and pleasing to Allah, the most gracious.

Let us do away with mean spiritedness, unkindness, discrimination, disrespect, bullying and just plain ugliness towards each other.

“The true Muslim is the one who does not defame or abuse others; but the truly righteous becomes a refuge for humankind, their lives and their properties.” A saying of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) reported by Allah bin Amr, Al-Hadis, 1:123.

Let’s always do in our affairs that which is pleasing to Allah, the most gracious, most merciful, most compassionate.

Bermuda, enjoy a week of love, fairness, harmony and peace among each other.

As salaam alaikum.

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam