The Human Being, a Creature Who Gets Used to Everything | Ali Reza Panahian

The Human Being, a Creature Who Gets Used to Everything

What are we getting used to now? Whoever wants to counsel the youth should say, “Don’t do this, or you’ll get used to it!” If he/she answers, “Just one time,” say, “You’re wrong. You’ll get used to it.” Because, getting used to something gradually turns into fondness. And, this will have an effect on a person’s spirit too. Some say the word “Insan” (man) is from the root “Uns” (fondness), because he is fond of things.
A human being is strange. He sticks. He didn’t want to start liking these walls and doors. But, since he has passed by them every day, he is now in love with them. They want to take his life, but he won’t give up his life to the angel Azrael. He is unsatisfied with God because of these doors and walls. “Leave them! They’re just doors and walls.” He says, “I have become fond of them.” In 90% of the cases, when God wants to blame human beings in the Qur’an, He uses the word “Insan” (man). In other cases, when He wants to use a good term, He says “Bashar” (humankind).
It is written, “I am only a ‘Bashar’ like you.” [Qur’an 18:110] It doesn’t say, “I am only an ‘Insan’ like you.” “Surely ‘Insan’ is created of a hasty temperament; being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him.” [Qur’an 70:19-20] “‘Insan’ is created of haste.” [Qur’an 21:37] “Nay! ‘Insan’ is most surely inordinate, because he sees himself free from want.” [Qur’an 96:6-7] Whenever He wants to blame human beings, He uses “Insan.” “Insan” is from “Uns” (fondness). Fondness grips a person’s soul unwantedly. A person gets used to things. Whoever wants to counsel the youth should say, “Don’t do this, or you’ll get used to it!”
I went abroad, maybe 30 years ago. Jaz or this kind of music had just come out. In Iran and our environs this kind of music wasn’t played. But, wherever we went was full of this music there. It really bothered us. Not because I’m that religious! Because of its style. Bang, bang, bang! What is it doing?! I came back to Tehran. A few months later, we were in the car. A car was playing the same kind of music. I was infatuated. Ahhh! It was a memory. What could I do with it? I had become fond of it. Even if I say it’s Haram and I don’t have a spiritual connection with it, what should I do about this fondness? The weather was very good there. It had a Mediterranean climate. I could even feel the weather. That music had this effect.
Therefore, the traditions have said to build a wall between yourself and sins. You shouldn’t even be aware of what’s going on there, because a person gets used to things very quickly. After a person becomes fond of things, it will be impossible to detach oneself from them! Because, getting used to something gradually turns into fondness. And, this will have an effect on a person’s spirit too. Some say that the word “Insan” (man) is from the root “Uns” (fondness), because he is fond of things. Build a wall between yourself and sins. You shouldn’t even be aware of what’s going on there, because a person gets used to things very quickly.