saving lives…with manners
"Manners require time, as nothing is more vulgar than haste."
A new study found in the New England Journal of Medicine (one of the most prestigious medical journals) found that following a checklist during surgery saves lives and reduces complications (click here for the original article).
From my experience in the OR (operating room), this is very important.
However, one that is not done, and I think is very important, is introducing all the team members in the room and their roles. People assume that the person holding the scalpel is the surgeon, the one behind the curtain is the anesthesiologist, etc.
But I have been mistaken for a doctor before! I don’t think the patient would like me operating on them! Really…people don’t know each other in the OR. They yell commands in “hey anesthesia…” or “hey med student…”, like I am an IT, not a human! What is so hard about learning my name and talking to me nicely!
That is what I love about Islam. We can be skilled professionals, but we never lose our social skill of being kind to each other. We are required to greet each other. We are to respect each other. Human communication is so vital that we can’t live without it. And now, it is associated with saving lives. That is why the internet, phones, etc. are the most consumed products!
This verse in the Qur’an (from Chapter 4, verse 86) shows a person’s manner in greeting each other:
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَسِيبًا
When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with a greeting more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy. God takes careful account of all things.
When I say “Assalamu alaikum,” you say “Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah.” God will record even your good greetings so that they will be heavy in reward. And in the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (may God’s peace and blessings be upon him), Abu Hurairah narrated:
The Prophet (may God’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: ”Six are the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim.” It was said to him, “Oh God’s Messenger, what are these?” Thereupon he said, (1) “When you meet him, offer him greetings; (2) when he invites you to a feast accept it; (3) when he seeks your council give him; (4) when he sneezes and says ‘All praise is due to God,’ you say ‘May God show mercy to you’; (5) when he falls ill visit him; (6) and when he dies follow his funeral procession. (Saheeh Muslim, Book #026, Hadith #5379)
These are the rights we have on each other. I will do my best to implement them and I expect the same from you. We need each other!
Don’t turn your head away from me next time I see you! Say hello…I don’t bite!
