In this chapter of life where time has perhaps never felt so nebulous, this past Saturday a gigantic clock was reset in New York’s Union Square. Known as the Climate Clock, this timer effectively counts down how long humanity has “to curb greenhouse gas emissions enough to give the Earth a two-thirds chance of staying below 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming, as compared to pre-industrial times” (cbsnew.com), essentially avoiding utter devastation. As of typing this editorial, the clock reads seven years, 99 days, seven hours, 43 minutes, and three seconds (https://climateclock.world/).
This is certainly not the first bit of future-challenging news you have heard this year, and it is perfectly reasonable to look around and get frustrated with your current situation. What’s the point of studying, of reading and writing and watching Zoom lectures, when the world is on fire right outside the library window?
In Islam, seeking knowledge is considered a religious priority. According to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), “Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.” (at-Tirmidhi 2646). Some scholars believe this to apply particularly to knowledge that brings us closer to God. For others, it might be knowledge that brings them closer to some sort of moral center or purpose. We don’t know what the future has in store. We never do. And if you feel like you lack the capacity right now to give 100% to your studies, it is very understandable. If you want to slam your laptop shut until further notice work fulltime putting pressure on corporations to reduce their carbon emissions, God bless. And if you want to be a student right now, that is also good work. Whether it’s about making yourself a better-balanced individual or equipping yourself with the tools to fight today and make the best of whatever situation you find yourself in next week, next month, next year, or even seven years from now, there is a point to what you’re doing right now.
Iman Jafri
Associate Chaplain for Muslim and Interfaith Life