I am a lucky prisoner, who receives so many letters from Pakistani and Kashmiri teenagers born in the UK.  Most of them have never met me.  Nor have they any close family relationship with me.  Yet, they and their families view me as a member of their own families of which I am grateful.  Children of every age and time are naturally curious and inquisitive.  They usually ask funny questions.  Sometimes some of their questions and suggestions are serious.  For instance, many a time, these children encouraged me not to loose heart in Prison.  They said the so-called free world is also like a prison because of a lack of peace and happiness in our households and Community.  These children subsequently ask me “uncle, there is everything, but no peace and happiness and what do you think is the reason?”  I knew these children were indicating too much cohesion and control by their parents and a lack of understanding with them because of two different cultures (Pakistani and British).  I knew my letters must be read by the parents of these children.  So, I avoided being blunt in case they were embarrassed.  Some of the children then suggested to me to write something on the lack of peace and happiness out of my experiences and knowledge as a reader in psychology.

As a Muslim, I believe that the biggest psychologist in the world is the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and the most reliable book is the Holy Qu’ran.  Every word of the Holy Qu’ran and hadith is unchallangeable and inimitable.  Of human conflict, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once said wealth will be the cause of conflict in my Ummah.”  Our experiences and observations suggest that this is very true.  Some if not most people feel closer to each other if they lack money, but as they financially improve, they fight and forget each other.  They don’t want to share but compete out of jealousy and dominance, which the Prophet (PBUH) described as some of the causes of disharmony.

A while ago, one of my acquaintances came to England from a European country.  He was from my village.  I knew that the financial circumstances of one of his uncles back home were very bad.  I told this young and rich man that when he was a child, his poor family was supported by his uncle and it was his and his families turn to help him.  Sad to say, the young man started moaning of his limitations and difficulties.  I said “you have just told me you have come to do shopping from South Hall.  The four of you have come to England by air.  If you could afford this, you can certainly afford to help your uncle.”  I then added had he done shopping were he lived and travelled by train, instead of air, he could have saved enough money to help his uncle.  The chap said to me that I had been too long in prison and the world had changed since my days as a free man.  I retorted, “yes, but you have changed more than the world has.”  I haven’t seen this guy since.  Insecure people spend unnecessary money to feel good and important.

The Prophet (PBUH) also advised people to avoid back-bitting, but nowadays, when people get together, they waste their time gossiping about other than sharing useful ideas, but useful ideas emerge from great collective aims.  Still, I would say to the said children that out culture is not as bad as they think.  I was thrown into prison just 4 weeks after I cam to England about 16 years ago.  I didn’t know any of these Pakistanis and Kashmiris, who are now members of my GREAT EMPIRE OF FRIENDSHIP. 

Quayyum Raja
HMP Long Lartin, Evesham