If an engine driver is to set his locomotive in motion, he has to stand before the fire and endure its fierce heat. This huge and complex machine, built up of so many parts, will remain immobile unless he is prepared to do so. The same goes for society. It will not function unless the individuals who have to make all its parts work are prepared to sacrifice something of their own and are ready to endure difficulties, if not actual hardship. And just as all the moving parts of a locomotive have to be kept regularly oiled, if they are not to be worn out with friction, thus bringing the machinery to a standstill, so tolerance must be a feature of society, if it is to function as a harmonious whole. Tolerance is the oil which will let the wheels go round. There can be no teamwork without it.[Highlight1]When people work together in groups, it is inevitable that there should be disagreements and that complaints should be voiced. However well-intentioned the individuals concerned may be, such negative feelings are bound to surface sooner or later. How is it possible then to work together in harmony? There is only one way, and that is to make a considered decision to remain united in the face of disagreement. It is a question of individuals being conscious of the necessity for harmony, and willing themselves to take complaints in their stride, if they are unjustified, and to start the process of self-examination, if the grounds for complaint have any validity in even the smallest measure. This is not asking for the impossible. Who does not do exactly this in his family life as a matter of good sense and practicality? When family members are living in close proximity, grievances do arise and tempers often flare up. But family cohesion is not destroyed because of this, for blood relationships prevent such feelings from getting out of hand. Grievances are swept away by mutual love, and tempers are cooled by words of regard and affection. And so the unity of the family remains intact. The home, indeed, is a microcosm of social existence. It provides a day-to-day working model of social harmony unflawed by grievances or disagreement.The feelings of love which cement family life can be brought into being in social life through conscious deliberations. Unity can spring from a human awakening to its ultimate necessity.Where family life is governed by the heart, social life is governed by the will. There is nothing that cannot be endured for the sake of unity, provided there is the will to achieve it.
Related Articles
Article
At a seminar on 'Religion and Humanitarianism' held under the auspices of the Zakir Husain Institute of Islamic Studies, at the Jamia Millia Islamia, in New Delhi in 1993, one of the speakers, Dr Bishambhar Nath Pandey…
Article
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | The Speaking Tree | May 3, 2015On April 25, 2015, Nepal was jolted by a severe earthquake that shook almost the whole Himalayan nation. Nepal alone was not able to cope with this massive…
Article
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | Teachings of IslamAccording to Islam, all human beings have been created by one and the same God, and for this reason belong to one great brotherhood. So far as their earthly origin is…
Article
There is no denying the fact that cultural conflict does exist in reality. However, this is a blessing in disguise. Conflict between different cultures has always existed in human history. The only thing new about this…
Article
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | ST blog | May 14, 2018The United Nations held the year 1995 as the year of tolerance. In a declaration signed in 1995 by 185 member nations, 16th November was dedicated as International Day for…
Article
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan I Hindustan Times I May 23, 2003Having studied all the major religions, I can say with conviction that peace and harmony are the greatest concern of all religions. The goal of each is to develop…