The Philosophy of Supplication
By Dr Ali Shariati

My Lord, give me the capability to tolerate an opposing point of view.

My Lord, keep me wise and aware, so that I may not judge someone or some idea right or wrong unless I have understood him/her or it correctly and completely.

My Lord, help me so that I may be aware of the differences between humanity, thoughts, and relationships, and so that I may be capable of distinguishing each of them.

My Lord, inspire me with the piety of rebellion so that I may not stumble in the grandeur of my responsibilities. And save me from the piety of avoidance so that I may not be wasted in the coma of solitude.

My Lord, grant my soul noble worries, troubles and fears. Grant pleasures to your insignificant servants, and grant me honorable concerns and pains.

My Lord, free me from the four prisons of 'nature', 'history', 'society', and 'self', so that I may recreate myself in the form that You originally created me, not as an animal who adapts to the environment, but so that I may make my environment adapt to Me.

My Lord, burn in me the sacred fire of doubt, so that it may burn away every certainty that others have imprinted on me. And then, from its ashes, raise the light of certainty, clear of any fog.

My Lord, liberate me from the poverty of translation, and inferiority of imitation, so that I may break out of the inherited moulds and so that I may resist the new moulding of the West. And so that I may not, like some, wait to move my mouth as others speak.

My Lord, I thank you, as Hardhat Hussein (AS) did, for having chosen my enemies from the fools. For having a few stupid enemies is a mercy that Allah (SWT) grants His special slaves.

My Lord, save me from the friendships and animosities of insignificant and small souls by granting me the friendships of Great Souls such as that of Ali (A.S.), and of Beautiful Hearts in humanity.

My Lord, inspire our 'open- minded' ones who consider economics essential that economy is not the goal, and inspire our clergy and religious ones that economy is also essential.

My Lord, grant me success in struggling

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