"Look at that boy," Selim continued. "He took only what he needed. He didn't know we were watching. He wasn't performing for a reward in the afterlife. He acted with 'morality' because he understands the social contract—the shared human experience."
When Murat walked back, shivering, Selim looked at Demir. "Murat doesn't believe in a Scale on Judgment Day. Yet, he jumped into the rain without a second thought. Is his morality 'impossible' just because it has no religious label?" The Shared Ground Allah’sız Ahlak Mümkün Mü? Bedava
Demir watched Murat wring out his jacket. "Perhaps," the teacher conceded, "the seeds of morality are planted in the heart of every human by the Creator, whether they acknowledge the Gardener or not. You call it 'humanism,' I call it 'Fitra' (natural disposition). But we both call it good." "Look at that boy," Selim continued
"You see that, Selim?" Demir said, gesturing to the bread. "That is the beauty of faith. Uncle Hasan does that because he knows Allah watches every crumb he shares. Without that fear and love of the Divine, why would anyone give anything for free?" He wasn't performing for a reward in the afterlife
The two watched as a young man, tired and dusty from travel, stopped at the hook. He looked around, saw no one watching (or so he thought), and took only one loaf, leaving the rest for others. He didn't offer a prayer aloud; he just ate with a look of immense relief.
Selim, a philosophy student visiting home for the summer, leaned against the stone wall. His neighbor, Demir, a retired teacher known for his devout faith, sat beside him.
Their debate was interrupted by a sudden, heavy downpour. As they ran for cover under the post office awning, they saw an old woman trip, her groceries spilling into the muddy gutter.