Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, was a guest on TRT Radyo 1’s İftar Özel broadcast. In the program hosted by Adem Karabey, Tarhan made evaluations regarding tolerance in Islam and the COVID pandemic; “Currently, many values are being redefined, and your importance and priorities are changing. Instead of focusing on the negative, one needs to focus on the positive. If you approach a problem positively, the problem reveals itself to you. If you approach the problem negatively, the problem closes itself off. We need to assign new meanings to what we are currently experiencing.” he said.
“Hoşgörü and Müsamaha Have Different Meanings”
While speaking about hoşgörü (tolerance) in Islam, Prof. Dr. Tarhan, who first examined the word etymologically, stated that it would be more appropriate to use the word ‘müsamaha’ which fully corresponds to this concept, instead of ‘hoşgörü’. Tarhan; “The word hoşgörü does not fully correspond to the concept of müsamaha in Islam. There is no sincerity in hoşgörü; there is only enduring the other party. There is no effort to understand the other party in hoşgörü. In the word müsamaha, however, there is sincerity, acting gently and tolerating the other party from the heart. In müsamaha, there is a horizontal relationship, while in hoşgörü, there is a vertical relationship. Even if insincere, hoşgörü is not bad; it is good. If there is a horizontal relationship, there is no problem with hoşgörü either.” he said.
“In an Altruistic Person, the Sense of Right is Also Directed Towards the Other Party”
“Tolerance is not just doing good to the other party, but also doing good to ourselves.” said Tarhan; “This is called mental flexibility. A person takes their past experiences, makes plans for the future, and makes decisions accordingly. While making this decision, they also consider the needs and feelings of the other party. Altruism is a part of this. Selfishness (Hodgamlık) is a feeling of anxiety about oneself and is a narcissistic trait. A person's sense of right is only directed towards themselves. In an altruistic person, the sense of right is also directed towards the other party. They consider the rights, needs, and feelings of the other party, but do not lose sight of their own feelings.” he stated.
“Excessive Preoccupation with Computers Has Started to Create a Problematic Generation”
Tarhan stated that some skills have not developed in children who could not socialize during the pandemic; “Since the digital generation is constantly in front of computers and doesn't use many of its skills, it doesn't develop motor skills, social skills, and skills related to the five senses. This is called learned autism. Excessive preoccupation with computers has started to create a problematic generation. The solution, if COVID ends quickly, is to go out into physical environments and use social and motor skills. Especially children who currently have peace at home, a warm atmosphere, and a safe home environment are lucky. They chat and share at home. During this period, the child sees their parents much more than ever before, and this situation causes the child to acquire many skills. However, if everyone withdraws with a computer in hand, our chances of losing that child are very high.” he said.
“Individuals Should Also Be Tolerant of Themselves”
“If we want to raise good children, we first need to develop ourselves and learn to manage our desires and impulses.” said Tarhan; “We all have malevolent and benevolent emotions within us. Firstly, it is necessary to be able to self-criticize. This is called self-awareness, which means knowing oneself. Secondly, self-management, which means managing oneself. And thirdly, social consciousness, empathy, altruism, balancing the rights of others with one's own rights. Some have a strong sacrifice schema; they always give, and the other party always gets used to receiving, becoming upset if they don't give one day. In this situation, one should not be unfair to oneself and needs to be tolerant of oneself. This is a balance. Psychological resilience means balance and measure.” he continued.
“If You Approach a Problem Positively, the Problem Reveals Itself to You”
Tarhan stated that existential philosophy has changed the definition of freedom; “What brings forth the creative activity within a human being is selfishness, boundless freedom, and one’s ambition related to it. Such a system gave rise to the capitalist system. There is global inequality and injustice in the world. As Üsküdar University, we published the Well-Being Manifesto. There should be no despair during the COVID process. We have compiled well-being formulas for the Post-Corona era. Currently, many values are being redefined, and your importance and priorities are changing. The word 'danger' in Chinese is formed by combining the symbols for 'threat' and 'opportunity'. There is a threat and opportunity dimension within danger. When we listen to infectious disease specialists, we think in a threat-focused way, and anxiety rises. Instead of focusing on the negative, one needs to focus on the positive. If you approach a problem positively, the problem reveals itself to you. If you approach the problem negatively, the problem closes itself off. We need to assign new meanings to what we are currently experiencing.” he said.