How we relate to those different from us is essential for a progressive Malaysia.

AFTER many years of reading, deep contemplation and practising my faith, I have come to the conclusion that the true path to spiritual enlightenment lies in how we relate to people who are different from us. And we need such spiritual enlightenment to create a strong brotherhood of citizenry that will help build a progressive, successful nation.

For me, there are three types of spiritual values that are the most important to cultivate. When these values are practised and entrenched in our hearts, they will help us rebuild this nation into a better and more meaningful one.

We all need each other

One of the most fundamental facts about spirituality is the clear realisation that we need others from all sorts of races, faiths and cultures to help us in our daily lives.

Think of our teachers, our doctors, our employers or our childrens employers. Think of the mechanic who fixes our cars or the person who takes care of the airconditioning units in our homes. Who are they? Are they all from our own race, our own faith and culture? Certainly not.

Shockingly, I have heard some clerics telling their flock not to frequent that laundry or barber or shop, etc, run by those of a different race or faith to prevent any pollution of their faith. For me this is not spiritual thinking, and it certainly fails in nation-building where the forging of ties in trust, dignity and compassion must cut across these divides.

The fact that we depend on others shows our vulnerability, it reminds us that we are all human, and we sometimes need help. Humility in showing weakness and vulnerability is an essence of faith in God and helps strengthen the brotherhood of citizenship in a nation.

I have written before of how the Prophet Muhammad had asked for help from a Christian king from Yemen to protect the first Muslims emigrating there and who were under threat of annihilation from the non-Muslims of Mecca.

We all share the same blood

I have also written before about how when I was bleeding internally and required a transfusion to save my life, I had joked with the doctor about whether the blood was from Muslims or non-Muslims he smiled and said that he did not know because it came in types of A, B, AB or O and what not. I, of course, did not mind, but I know many who would.

Ive also shared the story of the time I needed a heart bypass and the doctor recommended I get blood donated in preparation. Six young Chinese men, friends of my students, gave blood willingly, without any compensation.

This biological need, as opposed to the previous socioeconomic needs mentioned, is in our DNA to simply show that we are all one, that we are all one family. There are no two or three separate seeds of birth, only one.

And Ive noticed over the years how children with Down syndrome generally share the same look whether they are Malay or Indian or Chinese or even Western. I take it to understand the spiritual truth that we all came from one set of parents.

This, then, is another great spiritual truth: that our blood is one and that we can give life to each other even if we are of different faiths, races and cultures. Organ transplants are also a reminder that what is in us can belong to others different from us.

Once a non-Muslim woman who was a prisoner of war was brought before the Prophet as she said she was his milk sister. It was the tradition at that time for rich Arabs to give up their sons to a tribe that lived outside Mecca to be nursed by their women so that they would be strong and healthy as well as learn the ancient traditions. The Prophet Muhammad was given to Halimah, who had children of her own and the woman prisoner was his sister. The Prophet realised that the blood that ran through this non-Muslims veins was also his. He then gave her provisions and had her escorted to freedom.

Treat everyone with respect

To be a family that has trust in each other and compassion for all, there must be dignity in how we treat each other. We must all respect others even if they are not of our faith, colour, lifestyle and race. I have seen how some educated professors, high-ranking politicians and clergy treat those of other races and faiths with contempt, and it makes me sad.

Once the Prophet Muhammad said to his Companions: Do not insult or say bad words to your dead parents.

The Companions were shocked for in the Arab tribe parents are held in the highest regard. When they asked him what he meant by that statement, he replied: If you insult the parents of others, they in turn will insult your parents and this is how you have insulted your own parents.

The message here, to me, is to treat others as how we wish to be treated.

Buddhist teacher Ajahm Brahm taught me that the most important person in the world is the person in front of you at any time in your daily life. Whoever you deal with, you must give them your respect.

Once a person came to the Prophet Muhammad and said that his non-Muslim mother had come to him to help. The Prophet told him to help her and treat her with respect. Thus, treating others with respect is an extremely great act of spirituality, for if we treat all with respect then perhaps we can hope that God will treat us with some.

For nation-building, respecting others is a core value that must be entrenched if Malaysia is not to fail as a country.

These three values need to be taught in our houses of worship, in universities and in schools to change the political narrative from being a toxic one of mistrust and malice towards each other to one of kindness and acceptance of all. These values are not only the keys to spiritual fulfilment but also the basis on which we have to reforge relationships to realise the (almost lost) dream of Malaysia as a united, free and prosperous nation.

Prof Dr Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi is Professor of Architecture at the Tan Sri Omar Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Studies at UCSI University. The views expressed here are entirely the writers own.

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Spiritual values in nation-building - The Star Online