Bridging Circles: The Power of Influence Beyond Concern

Making the circle of influence greater than the circle of concern

Stephen Covey, in his work "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," introduced the concept of?the circle of concern and the circle of influence. The circle of concern encompasses things that individuals care about but may have little or no control over, such as global issues like global warming, the state of the economy, societal problems, or the actions of others. In contrast, the circle of influence includes aspects that are well within an individual's control, where they can directly impact outcomes through their actions and choices.

There are so many things that I deeply care about but have always felt so helpless and weak.?“My circle of concern has always been far greater than my circle of influence”. More so during the recent times amidst all the growing chaos and uncertainty in the world. I have always asked myself this question what can I give and how can I help? What role can I play? How can I move beyond my circle of influence and have an impact far beyond it?OR?should I let things be, anyways I have no control over things that lie beyond my circle of influence.

Before the start of Ramadan, I had all these questions lingering in my head. For most people, Ramadan is all about being thirsty and hungry from dawn till dusk. But it is much more than that. Ramadan provides a framework to make a positive impact not only on one’s life but also on society at large.

Charity, helping others, being kind to and praying encompasses all boundaries. Throughout the year Muslims who have enough money or equivalent (approximately 88 grams of gold or 613 grams of silver) wealth on which one year has passed are liable to pay 2.5% of their total value to the needy. Additionally, before the Eid prayer during Ramadan, Muslims also observe Zakat al-Fitr. But charity is not only about the money, charity is also about greeting someone with a smile, removing obstacles from a path, feeding an orphan, and visiting the sick, Allah’s Messenger Muhammad may peace be upon him said,

There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him.

In essence, this increased practice of charity and kindness during Ramadan transcends all boundaries and goes beyond geographical and cultural boundaries. As Muslims around the world try to increase their spiritual levels, they not only expand their circle of influence but also bridge the gap between their concerns and the needs of others.

The practice of increased prayer and spiritual reflection is central to the Ramadan. Through the performance of daily prayers and supplications, individuals deepen their connection with the Almighty and cultivate a sense of empathy and solidarity with others. They would pray in congregation and stay awake at night to pray in solitude and build a direct connection with the Almighty. The deepened belief that everything is in the hands of the Almighty and all matters are decreed to him.?Kun Faya?kun.(Qur'an 2:117)

When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.

Whenever and wherever I visited the mosque to pray with the congregation the Imam (priest) after the salah (prayer) would raise his hands towards the sky and say,?“O Allah, protect India and grant peace throughout the entire country and the world”. Whenever the Imam would make this supplication, I would start thinking about how my circle of influence increased far beyond my circle of concern. This profound belief in the sovereignty of the Almighty instills a sense of trust and surrender, acknowledging that all matters are ultimately in His hands. The collective supplications for peace and protection, echoed in mosques around the world, reflect a shared commitment to transcending personal boundaries and working towards a harmonious and peaceful world for all.

The butterfly effect.

According to this theory “The butterfly effect” the flutter of a gentle creature i.e. butterfly can set off a chain reaction that can alter the course of the world that we live in. Even a small change in the initial state can bring about a large change in the final state. Irrespective of how small our efforts are, they can create waves of positive change that can go far beyond our immediate surroundings. Each act of charity (smile, zakat, visiting the sick, planting a tree, sadaqah, etc.), act of compassion, kindness, and prayer sends out ripples of hope and healing. Thus, bridging the gap between the circle of influence and the circle of concern, even so overtaking the latter.