The other day, I received a mild shock when I saw this "Dear Brother" address form in one of the letters -- nameless, impersonal, distant, almost cool, if not cold.

EVEN THOUGH, Allah bless them, the writers generally -- or let me say, "perhaps" -- do not mean any of this.

But the shock came from the thought that one of "our people" -- those who work with us in this business of "Working for Allah," was using it.

Then I realized it was NOT them really. Even though we are all part of the same work and same human and Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood.

And it was a relief.

Alhamdulillah.

Other people have an excuse -- all kinds of excuses -- to speak to people that way, but we don't. Not those of us who have committed to work with people for Allah.

MORAL OF STORY:

Take the trouble to find out who you are talking to. Then address that person by name, and in a personal way, and with a great deal of warmth and respect.

How much time and effort will that take?

Those are our traditions and culture. That is what we gave the world -- and will do so again.

So, always try to reduce distances among people.

Small and simple things. But, Allahu Akbar, how important they could be!

A most simple thing indeed. But it's likely impact and implications could be significant.

END

© 2012 Syed Husain Pasha

Dr. Pasha is an educator and scholar of exceptional 
talent, training and experience. He can be reached at DrSyedPasha [at] 
AOL [dot] com or www.IslamicSolutions.com.