Issues of Ijtihad

egotism. In contrast, the path of peace is based on modesty. In this world, those who let their egotism dictate their behaviour are bound to face destruction, while success is for those who adopt the path of modesty. This is expressed in the form of a hadith, according to which the Prophet said that God will raise high those who behave modestly. (Musnad Al-Shihab, Hadith No 335) Peaceful Citizens Explaining who a true believer is, the Prophet is said to have remarked, so we learn from a hadith report, that people’s blood and wealth are safe from such a person. (Sunan At Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2627) There are two ways of living in society. You can live peacefully with others, or you can choose to keep quarreling with them. The hadith referred to here indicates that the way of a true believer is to live along with others as a peaceful citizen. Such a person lives without creating any problem at all for other people’s lives, property and honour. Under no conditions whatsoever does he engage in violence. What way of life can protect the members of society from one another’s excesses? It is to maintain a balanced attitude even when one has cause for complaint. A person should contain his grievances within himself and refrain from pouring the fire of his resentment onto others. One should