Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | The Sunday Guardian | July 30, 2017The policy of avoidance simply means refraining from wasting time and energy in a futile conflict. By following this course, one gains the respite to prepare oneself adequately for future action. It provides the opportunity to become so strong and dominant that no one would dare do any harm to one. In the event of attempted injustice, there would be enough accumulated force to effectively repulse any wrongdoer.The approach of patience, tolerance and avoidance is undoubtedly one of the most important principles of Islam. By temperament, all men and women differ from one another in many ways. Everyone has experienced the disagreeable situations, arising from such differences. In social life, be it inside or outside the home, it is but natural that unpleasantness should occur from time to time. This is unavoidable. [Highlight1] Now whenever any negative situation arises one way of dealing with it is a head-on clash, i.e. an attempt to solve the problem by direct confrontation. Such attempts are abortive as they only aggravate the problem. In no way will they improve matters.Islam tells us that on such occasions instead of behaving violently and fighting, we should opt for the course of tolerance and forbearance; instead of combating violence with violence, we should adopt the policy of avoidance; remaining united in spite of differences.According to Islam, it is not only a point of social behaviour but also an act meriting great reward. Living with people, and observing their principles are acts which would deserve a reward in normal circumstances, but when one continues to be well-behaved in spite of differences and grudges, by curbing negative sentiments, then the reward is increased manifold. God will count those who sedulously avoid friction among the possessors of a superior character.
Related Articles
Article
Delivering a speech at a public function in New Delhi Admiral S.N. Kohli (1916-1997), former Navy Chief once said, “Success is wholly a thing of the mind. When one has the will, one will find ways and means to achieve…
Article
People often point out that the world is beset by numerous problems such as economic debt, oppression, genocide, inequality, lack of opportunities, and poverty and that these problems cannot and should not be passively…
Article
Alexander Isayevich Solzhenitsyn, a Russian novelist who was deeply moved by the trials and tribulations of his people, gave a concrete shape in his stories of their unenviable existence. He inevitably incurred the…
Article
Waking up in the morning to the noisy chirrup of the birds, a man noticed a broken egg lying on the ground. It had obviously fallen from a nest built by sparrows just under the ceiling of his modest dwelling. Wearily he…
Article
The American space shuttle, Challenger, built at a cost of one billion dollars, was launched into space on January 28, 1986. But within one minute after its lift-off, it exploded violently, reducing itself and its…
Article
Mr. Ram Ratan Kapila ran a refrigerator and air-conditioner business by the name of Kapsons, with its offices at Asif Ali Road in New Delhi. Requiring a captivating name for his firm, he advertised for one in the…