The are just too many theories nowadays, some might be useful while others may be a waste. Among the many that I have learned is Behaviouristic theory by B.F. Skinner. Owh..he is ‘someone’ in the world of education where his theory is actively and widely used in this field.
When I first began reading his theory,I had so many questions in mind and one of them was “How could we use this theory when is it tested on animal?” Because to me, it is irrelevant to compare the habitual action of animal to people. Animals act a certain way and so do people. We have mind (‘aql) to think, to generate ideas and to rationalize while animals are lacking in certain aspects like they may have no idea why they did such thing. For instance, dogs poo around people’s house as they want. What about man?
After few years of trying to make sense of the theory, my view has changed. I can’t simply put aside the theory because there is some part of it that is true. Behaviouristic theory is acceptable to me, for the time being, yet I dare not stand solely with the approach because no theory is perfect that they should all be incorporated.
What does Ramadhan has to do with this theory?
I am sure those who know about it will be able to relate Ramadhan and Behaviour. The concept is very simple. Behaviouristic believe in drilling, where as Ramadhan too plays the role of drilling ourselves. We are drilled to fast during the days, to be patience at all time, to taste the sufferings of the unfortunate (do we?), to infaq, to pray congregationally, to stay up for Qiam etc.A month full of drilling. (Penat?)
Ramadhan has trained us to develop the positivity in ourselves. Training of nafs so that Muslims become better people. However, how far has the training course successfully touched us is a question.
Writing this entry is not to preach but I am to remind myself and hopefully the others.
We are given free training by Allah, Himself, so that we become better people. But hey, like any other human being, we take things for granted. When Ramadhan is over, we leave almost everything behind. All the bad habits start creeping out.
Ramadhan trains us for 29 or 30 days with all the positive attitudes- wake early in the morning, reciting the Quran, infaq etc. It should have manage to make us accustom to the daily activities that we do, just like drilling from the behaviouristics approach. A situation is set so that we may be automatized. Yet, Ramadhan is more than behaviour (the physical) because it trains our spiritual aspect too where we make ourselves dedicated to Allah through our fasting. If in the month of Ramadhan we can do it, why is it so hard for us to perform in the other months?
In one of the kuliyyahs, the ustaz said, “ Cube kita lihat antara Ramadhan kali ni dengan Ramadhan yang lepas atau yang akan datang. Ade perubahan tak pada diri kita?” Ramadhan is a step of making a man a MAN. It is not a seasonal training, but it is a continuational effort. To become a common man is easy but to become a good man is hard. Got to work for it, gradual should be fine. Keep refining.
Why is it important to become a good man?
Because Allah says in the Quran, “ Every soul shall taste of death. Then unto Us ye will be returned.” (Al-Ankabut: 57).
Which would you prefer? Return as a good man or vice versa? Pilihan di tangan anda. =P
Eid Mubarak. Selamat menghayati Aidil Fitri.
Lots of love,
Maryam A’dilla Bt Zainudin
29th Ramadhan 1430H
