So Which Is It? Each generation is less than, or each generation gets better, on the road to peace.

I am being brave in writing about this. To cover this inspired thought I should really have a degree in Middle Eastern Politics, or at least a History Degree. I have none of these things, but I will do my best to express the problem and express what I believe could be the flip side, a solution.

What do you know about Muslims?

I know that I do not know enough. Realizing this, I decided to do a bit of reading.

The two factions that tend to get quite a bit of media play are the Shiites and the Sunnis, and they do not agree about some things. One of the main disagreements between these two groups is that their leaders come from different generations, or caliphs. The 1st caliph being from the 1st generation, the second caliph being from the second generation and this continues on. I wish I knew a Muslim that I could discuss this with so I could understand better, without having to get a History degree.

What I did learn is that Sunnis believe that the companions of Muhammad were the best of Muslims, and there was divide about whom they thought their Muhammad successor should be. This belief is based upon prophetic traditions such as one narrated by Abdullah, son of Masud, (deemed a prophet) in which Muhammad said: "The best of the people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them." Support for this view is also found in the Quran, according to Sunnis.[17] Sunnis also believe that the companions were true believers since it was the companions who were given the task of compiling the Quran. Furthermore, narrations that were narrated by the companions (ahadith) are considered by Sunnis to be a second source of knowledge of the Muslim faith. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2010 and released January 2011[18] found that there are 1.62 billion Muslims around the world, and it is estimated over 75–90% are Sunni.[19]

This is all the facts that I have for you, stating the problem. The tough part is over. Breathe.

Now before I start to delve into a possible thought based in solution I would like to say a few things. First off does it matter who is in charge? Why cant there be two successors? And really if one back in the day was the rightful successor why was the other one presented? How is that fair? How do we know? Ok some unanswerable questions there, so I will return to a solution...based only on the story I understand.

Another thing I wanted to mention before I dive into to deeply is that I believe there are many Muslims that live in the New World, the Westernized World, that just want to get along, that realize these old fights are what is causing these huge problems. Power and control is not only killing their cultures, but ours as well, and they would like peace. I have met a few of these young people striving, even dying at the hands of the old ways, for a chance at a life of freedom from restraints, judgement and religious dogma, aloud to worship a highpower of their choice, and the belief that they are equal to one another.

ll. Not necessarily better but just equal.

Now a possible different way of thinking about the above facts, that could possibly be a solution. I do understand that this may be offensive to some. Someone such as myself daring to interpret something a Muslim prophet said. Please forgive me, please do not be offended. Really as I write this not only am I seeking solutions for us, but inwardly for the battle that rages within myself. I just want some peace. I want the need for control and power to cease. I am weary.

The part in the above paragraph that is in quotes I found quite interesting, " The best of the people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them." (All of this is gathered from the Internet, please google quotes for more intel, I unfortunately lost my direct references, computer issues.)

When I read this what comes to mind is something my mother used to say to me. How does one jump from something a prophet said to something a parent said? Are all parents not prophets, or at least our leaders for a time in our lives, if we are lucky? I was lucky.

When I read the prophets quote, I could hear my mother gently whispering from the heavens, "All a good parent hopes for is that the next generation does better than the one before." She did not use this line often, only once or twice, when we had been fighting, there was no resolution, and we were both feeling defeated.

Is that not where the world is today? We have been fighting on a Global scale for over a century now. I know my soul is tired is yours not? In moments even in victory I know if I lift the veil their is a part of me that feels a tad defeated, only because I want to know...why? Why are we still arguing?

I believe now, granted the wisdom of time, that she would look deep within herself, reach to those gone before and ask for words of wisdom. These were the words she would share with me, as the battle of mothers and daughters rage. I want to say and believe that it is something my grandmother said to her, or at least thought and prayed for.

So, " The best of the people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them.", something said by the prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa-sallam, how come we can not interpret it to mean, "All a good parent hopes for is that the next generation does better than the one before." Or just combine the two together and concede a stalemate. We are all equal in the eyes of the truth and justice. To be measured equally, with gentleness, empathy and understanding.

I do not wish to throw a conundrum into a very old interpretation, and really how could I, being myself of little consequence. This being said, what if, just what if Mohamed really meant was with each generation we will only continue to get better, no matter the successor. We will never really know. Humanity is left with the free will of interpretation and the consequences of our cumulative actions.

I, if only for a moment, want to believe that we as a global society, a species, have the ability to open our minds to interpretation. Could those of us in the world who are actively at war, are actively bothered by another and are choosing to react. Could we take two steps back, allow them, us, ourselves to catch our breathe. Take a moment to pause, and open our minds to interpretation, to empathy, to love for one another, so that we can find some understanding amongst us, and maybe for a moment, with the utmost of what I believe is true honor....Stand Corrected.

God lives within each us I believe, divinity is never far away, if we allow ourselves and each other to stand autonomously.

To be considered equal in the eyes of the Universe is all I have ever wanted for myself, and asked for others, and this is what I wish for the people of all faiths around The World. Then maybe just maybe we could stop killing each other.

From The Prophets, The Elders, and our parents that have gone on before us, let us listen to their words of wisdom, and evolve into the global society we are meant to be.

Thanks For Taking The Time....Liv