In this age of information technology, we hear a lot about digital things. As a result, it appears that numbers have assumed great importance in our lives. We tend to measure everything with the help of figures and percentages. So much so that we have started overlooking those values and principles of life which are quite important. No one knows where our society is heading. Respect, dignity, commitment and obligation ... all are being measured in numbers.
Of late, we have started quantifying everything in life from the numbers’ perspective. It seems that man is not evolving and instead the process of juggling with figures is on the rise. We ignore the fact that man is not a numerical wonder. He has been endowed with something called conscience.
One example of the obsession with numbers can be seen when most of us try to remember our past against the yardstick of figures and discover that our future was not free from the shackles of numbers. These days people, especially in the stock business, pay special attention to certain numbers which they think are auspicious. Many people put off plans of their children’s education process if the numbers are not sacred enough. Bearing this in mind, guardians mistakenly calculate a certain ‘auspicious’ time period for their posterity and plan their children’s lives according to that time.
In our society, inter-personal relationships are also seen in the same light. We keep track of how many times we have called our friends and relatives and so try to keep the point-scoring game going when others fail to reciprocate the feeling. We even extend invitations to others and then judge a person as to how he responds to that offer. If he doesn’t turn up, we score certain points without listening to the other person’s excuse. This equation is devoid of warmth.
The social status of a person is gauged by his earning and the way he spends his money. Money is the real thing with which one impresses others. A man boasts of his clout by virtue of the social circle he moves in and the number of people he is connected to. All of this becomes a standard in the social order. He hangs out with big shots or important personalities and riding on such relationships he tries to impress people around him.
Religion is no exception. Devotees take delight in numbers. They keep numbers in mind even while praising God. Though God’s praise is not limited to numbers, people feel safer using big numbers, not thinking of the real spirit of the Ibadat. The universe undoubtedly has mathematical connotations; nonetheless, it works in accordance with a grand value system chalked out by the Almighty. This fact is not appreciated by worshippers who believe in numbers. When Allah ordains five times’ prayers, it means that a believer should achieve the objective of virtue in life. On the contrary, we divide ourselves in numbers, classes and tribes even when it comes to faith. We try to thrive by virtue of these numbers to justify our acts and feel secure from heaven’s wrath. The episode of Karbala signifies the importance of adhering to one’s values. At present, we are so taken in by materialism that even our charity is accounted for in numbers, devoid of any sense of humanity.
Numbers should not be allowed to overtake our lives. Today, all our conscious efforts get exhausted in trying to create wonders out of numbers. We have unwisely relegated our endeavours to these numbers.
Whenever we are in trouble, we take refuge in numbers by reciting holy verses. They too definitely have an impact when coupled with deeds, but we always shun deeds. This has turned our society into something that takes solace in its own misfortune. Because whenever there is a disaster we attribute it to our innumerable sins. But at the same time we fail to realise that we have forgotten about the values that nourish a healthy society.
Numbers are not an important factor in life. Numerical figures are always subservient to core human values. Life cannot be dictated by numbers. The sum of values is what makes life better not a grand total of numbers. Life’s core values are irreplaceable. Whether we find strength in numbers or in values, it is up to us.
In this age of information technology, we hear a lot about digital things. As a result, it appears that numbers have assumed great importance in our lives. We tend to measure everything with the help of figures and percentages. So much so that we have started overlooking those values and principles of life which are quite important. No one knows where our society is heading. Respect, dignity, commitment and obligation ... all are being measured in numbers.
