The writings of Anne Brontë (1820-49), an English writer, reflect realism. ‘One of her sayings is: ‘There is always a ‘but’ in this imperfect world.’

This is a wise saying. The present world is devised for the purpose of human trial. That is why the ideal state is not achievable here. Different kinds of limitations mark this worldly existence. Here, man being free in his speech and actions, there are repeated clashes of interest. That is why no one is able to achieve a friction-free life. Here one is always faced with a ‘but’ in one’s way. It is therefore essential for man to take ground realities into account in planning his activities. If he fails to do so, he will be a miserable failure.

You are free to drive your vehicle at top speed on the street. But you do not have it in your power to free the street of all the vehicles heading towards you from the opposite direction. You are free to make a bid to stop an oncoming procession, but you do not have it in your power to keep the armed police from interfering. You can hold rallies and processions for any issue concerning your own community, but it is impossible for you to stop counter-reactions among the rival group. On the issue of denial of your rights, you can launch fiery movements in protest, but you do not have the means to change the law of the world that man can receive only that which is commensurate with his abilities.

There are barricades of ‘buts’ everywhere in this world. Acknowledge that such barricades exist and plan your actions accordingly. If you overlook this factor, then nothing but destruction will await you.

Describing an incident in the life of the Prophet Moses, the Qur’an states:

The elders of Pharaoh’s nation said: ‘Will you allow Moses and his people to commit evil in the land and to forsake you and your gods?’ He replied: ‘We will put their sons to death and spare only their daughters. We shall yet triumph over them.’

Moses said to his people: ‘Seek help in God and be patient. The earth is God’s; He gives it to those of His servants whom He chooses. Happy shall be the lot of the righteous.’

They replied: ‘We were oppressed before you came to us, and oppressed we still remain.’ He said: ‘Your Lord will perchance destroy your enemies and make you rulers in the land. Then He will see how you conduct yourselves.’ (7:127-129)

We learn from these verses that the Israelites, subjected to too much cruelty and injustice, complained about it to Moses, the Prophet of their time. Yet the Prophet Moses did not tell them to solve their problems through protest and demand and confrontation. He told them rather that it was all God’s doing and that they should, instead of complaining, turn to God in patience and prayer.

The Israelites reacted by asking what use it was his being a prophet. They had thought that with the emergence of a Prophet amongst them they would be blessed with power and honour. But this had not happened, and while the very reverse was happening to them, they were simply asked to remain patient; Moses then told them that the wielding of political power also demanded patience. This was because, by granting power to man, God intended to see how he would behave when invested with power.

The actual problem for human beings in this world does not relate to having or not having power. The actual crux of the matter is how good a performance man puts up in any given set of circumstances.

The present world is one of trial and the next world is that of reward. As such, man must focus always on maintaining the highest standards of behaviour regardless of the external circumstances.