The motivation for this post comes from a response I got from a friend when asked why she refused a certain proposal. The response was simple
"میرے سٹینڈرڈ کا نہیں تھا"
Meaning it didn't match her standard.
These words made me think about this widely used term 'standard'. Where do they come from? Who sets them? Why do we follow? Is it necessary to meet standards set by the society? Do they bring peace to our hearts?
I could be wrong but as per my personal observation some self-set standards become a pain for people mostly, they loose peace of mind if ever in life they are not able to meet those standards. Even if they do meet the 'standard' ; then what next? 'Higher standards' is the answer! Hence a continuous struggle which effectively helps us loose our peace of mind.
I am not advocating an attitude of total disconnection with world and worldly pleasures. I am not suggesting to revert to life in caves but I firmly believe that no such standard should become an obsession that does not let us tread His path. We must know we are not going to carry these 'standards' to our graves!
Someone showed extreme astonishment when I showed interest in a dress which was from the previous year, because its against the standard to wear old designs! The 'standard' further says that be the first one and preferably the only one to buy a certain designer item. Pointless objectives!
Personally I would not like to remember my parents as the ones who had such and such big house or such and such car or gave me such and such luxury but the things that persist would be the moral values they left behind. Mothers today do know which school will give their children 'up-to-the-standard' education and english accent, but rarely do they bother to atleast once read the holy Quran with them and explain the translation.
Thankfully Islam releases us from the clutches of false standards and sets only one standard that we have to meet that is 'تقوی' (taqwa: righteousness) A muslim's standards are not about his car, brands , looks or influence but his standards are about his character, morals and dealings with people.
Therefore fact remains; If you ignore the bigger purpose of life you are bound to keep seeking mundane objectives in vicious circles!
So lets set high standards but let them be the right ones!
