‘everyman’ – bridging the geographical, cultural and religious differences

7/28/2019 EVERYMAN BRIDGING THE GEOGRAPHICAL, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES.

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EVERYMAN BRIDGING THE GEOGRAPHICAL, CULTURAL

AND RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES.

Farrah Diebaa Rashid Ali

Universiti Teknologi MARA [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Everyman is a play written by anonymous Dutch rhetorician during medieval English.This play highlighted the journey that one has to face when death approaches. As this playwas written in a Christian-dominant western society, much of its arguments coincide withthe teaching and belief of the Christian. In this paper, the author tried to unlock the keysthat concealed the similarities shared by Christianity and Islam. Among the six keysdiscussed in this paper are:- (1) Concept of death, (2) Gods judgment, (3) indebtedness,

(4) knowledge, (5) repentance and (6) nature of man. From the above discussion, it can beconcluded that regardless of ones religion and culture Everyman is indeed representingeveryman in this world.

Keywords:Morality literature, comparative religion, belief and ethics.

1.0 Introduction

Everyman is the only play from English medieval time which has survived in written form. It hasbeen translated from Dutch into English and has been part of European theatrical tradition ever

since. It is the most celebrated morality play written by anonymous Dutch Rederijikers(rhetorician) which was encouraged and supported by the chambers of rhetoric a groupinterested in instilling morality, piety, and culture in their communities through drama. This playhighlights the journey that everyman in this world shall undertake. It reminds everyman ofwhat will happen if he does not repent or confess his sins and the consequences of lack of gooddeeds (Coldeway and Streitberger, 2001).

As the aim of this paper is to look at Everyman from an Islamic perspective, it is important toidentify the messages the play is trying to put forward. Thematically, this play is about death andhow man should behave in this world from the point of view of Christianity and it is very muchalike to what the Muslims believe. Therefore, differences that might exist between the two wereneither highlighted nor discussed.

In order for man to be able to see the similarities between the Muslim and Christians concept oflife and death as forwarded in this play, he should first be able to differentiate between a reliableand a non-reliable source of knowledge. He should accept that Al-Quran is a book of Allah, andProphet Muhammad never lied in his saying. Nevertheless, Al Quran and Sunnah are not theultimate source of knowledge and truth, as Al-Nasafi says the causes for knowledge for createdbeings are three: the sound senses, true report and reason. The senses are five: hearing, sight,smell, taste and touch; by each sense, information is given about (the class of objects) for which itis appointed. (Al-Nasafi, trasn 1994).

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Everyman Bridging the

One of the easiest ways to obtain knowledge through senses is by reading. However, the processdoes not end with reading only; one should be able to react either positively or negatively to thenewly acquired knowledge. And it is really important that the first part of this process should notbe omitted, as one should first read and understand the content of the books before jumping intoany conclusion. However, in today society, most people pretend to be a scholar by forwarding

comment and openly criticize others however without first knowing the truth which is written inthose books. Unfortunately, many Muslim are one of them.

It is distressing to note that because of their lack of interest in acquiring varieties of knowledge,these people are unable to see the similarities between concepts or ideas. They are overwhelmedwith the differences as there are easier to be identified. Even though, these differences what mademan a unique individual, most of the time it causes disunity, hatred, and misunderstandingbetween men. Therefore, this paper will focus on the similarities instead of the differencesbetween the Islamic and Christian concepts of life and death as has been forwarded in the play.

However, in choosing from a vast selection of knowledge, Muslim particularly should be able tochoose which knowledge should be first learnt prior to another; and this is known as priority of

knowledge. Priority of knowledge means that one should first learn and understand the Islamicfundamental knowledge or what is known as Fard Ayn. Nevertheless, Fard Kifayah is a must, andthe whole society is answerable to Allah if none of the members of the society possessed suchknowledge. Even so, Muslim should not use this priority of knowledge as escapism for notlearning other knowledge outside the Islamic umbrella. Muslim should constantly remember thatall knowledge come from Allah and it is the responsibilities of all individuals to acquire it and actaccordingly in response to it; practice the good things and avoid the negative acts. And onesdecision of what is right or wrong should be based on Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad(p.b.u.h).

The later parts of this paper will further discussed on the concept of life and death as forwarded inthe play from an Islamic perspective. These concepts will be discussed under six sub heading

which are; concept of death in Islam, Allahs judgment is based on how one spends their life,concept of indebtedness in Islam, concept of knowledge, concept of repentance and theforgetfulness nature of man.

2.0 Concept of Death in Islam

This play is about the journey led by Everyman in searching for accompany who is willing tocome with him either to heaven or hell. It emphasizes on two characteristics of death which areunexpectedness and inevitability (it will happen to every one). However, the wordunexpectedness here does not mean that man does not know at all that one day he will die andall his deeds will be judged by God. Man does know that one day he will return to the first stage

of creation which is nothingness. As in this play, the messenger has made an opening remark bysaying The story saith: Man in the beginning Look well, and take good heed to the ending, Beyou never so gay! (Coldeway and Streitberger, 2001) which indicates that man has beeninformed that one day he will die but he has not been given a specific time for it.

It is very much alike in Islam, as all Muslims know that one day we will return to our creator,however Allah has not prescribed us with the specific time and place, when and where its goingto happen (this will be further discussed under subheading 5.0 Concept of Knowledge). These

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two characteristics of death; the unexpectedness and inevitability have also been highlighted inIslam, for instance in surah Al-Imran, verse 185 Allah said:

Every soul shall have a taste of death (Al-Imran: 185)

Verily it is We Who give Life and Death; and to Us is the Final Goal. (Al-Qaf:

43)

According to Hassan Ayub in his book Islamic Belief, every living things including man willdie at their appointed time as Allah says:

Say: I have no power over any harm or profit to myself except as God willeth.To every people is a term appointed: when their term is reached , not an hour canthey cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance (it in anticipation). (Yunus:

49)

3.0 Allah judgment is based on how one spends their life

In the play, only Good Deed is accepted by God to accompanied Everyman as good deed whatmade a person. Others; friends, relatives, wealth, physical characteristics, knowledge and fivewits were not counted. The argument for this, one may have pious friends and relatives, howeverit does not confirmed that he is pious too. He may be good looking, but it has nothing to do withthe number of good deeds he did while living. He may have knowledge, however, he did notpractice the good one but the bad one instead.

From the play also, we understand that it is Good Deeds who recorded Everymans deeds asGood Deeds says Your book of accounts full ready had be. In Islam, Allah has appointed twoangels to record both good and bad deeds of man. This is from surah Al-Qaf verse 17 and 21, andSurah Al-Infitar verse ten until fourteen.

Behold, two (guardian angels) appointed to learn (his doings) learn (and notedthem), one sitting on the right and one on the left (Al-Qaf: 17)

And there will come forth every soul : with each will be an (angel) to drive, andan (angel) to bear witness. ( Al-Qaf: 21)

But verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you, - Kind and honorable writing down (your deeds): they know (and understand) all that ye do. As forthe Righteous, they will be in Bliss; And the Wicked they will be in the Fire,

( Al-Infitar: 10-14)

In Islam, when a Muslim died he will be separated from everything except three things which areprayers from his faithful children, knowledge which has been practiced for the benefit of oneselfand others and wealth which has been spend for the sake of Allah. Every deed shall be evaluatedand counted by Allah as in Surah Al-Zalzalah verses seven and eight:

Then shall anyone who has done an atoms weight of good, see it! And anyonewho has done an atoms weight of evil, shall see it (Al-Zalzalah: 7-8)

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Later, in surah Al-Qariah Allah mentions that one whose has done more good deeds than baddeeds will enter the paradise and those who has associated himself with evil deeds will enter thehell. And this is in agreement with the play, as Everyman was first subjected to hell for his baddeeds, however, he was later accepted in the heaven after he has done his confession.

Then, he whose balance (of good deeds) will be (found) heavy, Will be in a Life

of good pleasure and satisfaction. But he whose balance (of good deeds) will be(found) light,- will have his home in a (bottomless) Pit. And what will explain to

thee what this is? (It is) a Fire blazing freely. ( Al-Qariah: 6-11)

Allah in His book has given us the picture of heaven and hell, for instance in surah Muhammad,verse 15;

(Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it arerivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes;

river of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In itthere are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord. (Can those in

such Bliss) be compared to such as shall dwell for ever in the fire, and be given,

to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces)? ( Muhammad:15)

4.0 The concept of indebtedness in Islam

Good Deed is the most important character in this play as he is the one who directedEveryman to confession and knowledge which enable Everyman to free himself from sins. Inaddition, Good Deed is the only one who is willing to accompanied Everyman in his journeyof death. The reason why Good Deed has been given a lot of attention in this play is because theChristians believe that God owns everything on earth including mans life. As the Christiansbelieve that human was born with the sins of forefather, it is their duty to perform good deeds inorder to pay back their debt to god and in order to free themselves from the sins of forefather.

And this is quite similar to the concept of indebtedness forwarded by Syed Naquib Al-Attasexcept the part that Muslims are not born with the sins of his forefather. In Islam, it is importantto highlight the relationship between the understanding of the concept of indebtedness andperforming good deeds.

In surah Mukminun verses 12 until 14, Allah mentions the stages of human creation; startingfrom clay molded into shapes, drop of sperms, changes into zygote, than it grows up and becomea fetus. Out of this fetus, Allah has developed bones and clothed the bones with flesh. Finally,Allah completed it by determined it to be male or female. Clearly from this verse, we areconvinced that we owed Allah for our existence Whom has created us in the best way

(A-Tin: 4).

In Surah Al-Araf, verse 172 ; all human being has affirmed to Allahthat He is our Lord who cherishes and sustains us. During alam al-ruh, there are five things whichhave been appointed by Allah for us which are our life, our sustenance, our tomb, our marriage,and our happiness or misery. And these are added to the list of things that we are indebted toAllah.

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Once, we are aware that we are indebt to Allah, and we own nothing to pay Allah. It is our duty toperform ibadah; both specific and sunnah in order to pay our debt as ibadah is the purpose of ourcreation. Allah said:

I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve me ( 51:56)

Our performance of ibadah and realization of being indebted to Allah will prohibit us from vicesand will promote virtues in our daily life.

5.0 Concept of knowledge

In this play, Knowledge plays an important part as he led and accompanied Everyman meetingConfession at the House of Salvation. In the Islamic reference, knowledge means marifahwhich derived from the root arafa which means to know. Al-Jurjani in his book Al-Marifat hasdefined Marifah as:

Knowledge is the perception of something as it exist in the reality and before

handed by ignorance

However, the word marifah is not mentioned in the Quran, but the root word arafa is mention inseventy one verses of the Quran among which are:

They recognize the flavors of Gods; then they deny them; and most of them are

(creatures) ungrateful (An-Nahl:83)

Thou will see their eyes overflowing with tears for they recognize the truth

(Al-Maidah:83)

Based on these two verses, Al-Imam Al-Asfahani said that the Quranic definition of Maruf andknowledge is:

The perception of something as exist in reading with contemplation thinking on

its trace and consequences

Knowledge in Islam is divided into two categories which are absolute and perfect knowledge andsecondly, relative and limited knowledge or as Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas named it asGods knowledge and knowledge of man about God, religion, the world, things sensible andintelligible, spiritual knowledge and wisdom.

The first category of knowledge which is the absolute and perfect knowledge or Gods knowledgehas been forwarded in the play in the first scene where God tells Death that it is time forEveryman to return to Him. This type of knowledge refers to the knowledge of Allah whopossessed knowledge of everything and His knowledge is absolute and perfect. On the other

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hand, the knowledge of man or relative and limited knowledge has been clearly mentioned byAllah in surah Al-Baqarah verse 255:

He knoweth what (appeareth to his creatures as) before or after or behind them.Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge as He willeth(Al-Baqarah:255)

It is clearly stated in the Quran that certain knowledge is limited to Allah only and it isunattainable by man. For example, the knowledge of time and place man will die;

Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with God (alone). It is He who sends downrain, and He who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does any one know what it is that hewill earn on the morrow. Nor does anyone know in what land he is to die (Luqman: 34)

Therefore, this verse explains why Everyman has never expected that Death will approach himso soon as man does not possess such knowledge. Even though God has warned him at thebeginning of his life that one day he will die and he should be prepared to face it.

6.0 Concept of repentance

In the play, Confession helps Everyman to free himself from sins and let his Good deeds tostand up and accompanied him through the journey of death. Even though, the concept ofsalvation and repentance in Islam are not in agreement with each other, it is clear that both Islamand Christianity has its own way for its followers and believers to free themselves from sinswhich they have committed intentionally or unintentionally.

In the Quran, Allah said:

And the Garden will be brought nigh to the Righteous, - no more a thing distant.( A voice will say : ) This is what was promised for you, - for everyone whoturned (to God) in sincere repentance, who kept (His Law). (Al-Qaf: 31-32)

Again will God, after this, turn (in mercy) to whom He will: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al - Taubah:27)

This play emphasizes on the importance of confession / repentance. As long as we realized andadmit our sins and faults and beg for Allah forgiveness sincerely, we will be forgiven. However,in order to be able to have the intention to repent, one must first realize that what he has done iswrong and sinful. In order to know this, one must be knowledgeable on what is right and wrong.Here is where the importance of knowledge comes in, just like in the play it is Knowledge wholed Everyman to Confession.

7.0 Nature of man Forgetfulness

The purpose of Allah created man and appointed him as a khalifah on earth has been longforgotten by many people especially those who believes that the world belongs to them.According to Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas (1985), Mans purpose is to do ibadah to God(51:56), and his duty is obedience (taah) to God, which conforms with his essential nature

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(fitrah) created for him by God (q.v. 30:30). But man is also composed of forgetfulness(nisyan);.

Indeed, man is called insan because, having covenanted with Him, he forgot(nasiya)

(narration from Ibn. Abbas)

Therefore, this play was initially written with the objective to remind everyman about theirshort life and duties. Drama was selected as a medium to remind people of what they haveforgotten (Coldeway and Streitberger, 2001).It is similar to the concept of dawah or al-tadhkir(reminder) in Islam (Abdullah Muhammad Zin, 1991) as Prophet Muhammad said:

He who sees indecency and has power to change it with the force of his hand,he must change it. But if he has not the power, he must do it by his tongue, and ifhe has not the power , he must deprise it in his heart, and this is the lowest stageof religious belief.

(An-Nawawi, Riyad al-Salihin, hadith 189)

8.0 Conclusion

In discussing a piece of literature originated from the land where Christianity conquers, it doesnot mean that we as a Muslim should draw a definite conclusion that it is highly secular orunIslamic. The Muslim communities do not need another narrow minded person who refused tolook at the similarities between the two bodies of knowledge by focusing only at the differences.The Muslim world needs Muslim who is objective; who is able to see both similarities anddifferences based on a complete understanding of a subject. It does not mean all that come fromthe west or other religions are bad. It is depend on how we interpret and give it an appropriatemeaning based on Quran and Sunnah .

ReferencesAbdullah Muhammad Zin (1991) Islamic Dawah (Mission) The Definition, Conception

& Foundation. Kuala Lumpur:Pustaka Antara.Al-Nasafi, al-Aqaid al-Nasaffiyah inIslamic Creeds: A selection, trans. W. M. Watt.

Edinburgh.Ayub, Hassan.( n.a )Islamic Belief. Delhi: Hindustan Publication.Coldeway, John. C. and Streitberger W.R. (2001).Drama - Classical to Contemporary.

New Jersey: Prentice Hall.Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas (1985)Islam, Secularism and the Philosophy of the

Future. New York: Mansell Publishing Limited.Fethi Jamaa Ahmed (2000) Class Notes for Basic Themes of Quran. IIUM Matriculation

Centre.

Quranic ReferencesThe Holy Quran Text and Translation (Abdullah Yusuf Ali (1994), Kuala Lumpur:

Islamic Book Trust.Al Quran dan Terjemahan (head by R.H.A Soenarjo S.H.(1971), Jakarta:

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About the authorFarrah Diebaa Rashid Ali (Ms) received both her Master of Human Sciences (TESL) and

Bachelor of English Language and Literature (Hons.) from International Islamic University

Malaysia. She has been teaching proficiency English, MUET, and ESP for few years. Currently,she is working as a lecturer at the Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA,

Pahang. She has attended and presented in several international conferences. She co-authored

several books among other; The Goblins of English Grammarpublished by McGraw HillEducation Asia (2009) and The Quranic and Historical Approaches to Inter-faith Discoursepublished by ABIM (2010). .

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‘everyman’ – bridging the geographical, cultural and religious differences

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