The Lesson of the Spring

The truth is that violence in itself is undesirable. It never brings about any reform. It only makes matters worse. It is animal-like behavior.—it is inhuman. Violence invariably stems from hatred and enmity. Put an end to thinking based on hatred and enmity and then Satan will never be able to exercise any control over you again: you will be fully safeguarded from indulging in violent acts. The Story of the Queen of Sheba Chapter 27 of the Quran gives an account of the Queen of Sheba, a contemporary of Solomon (932 BC), the latter being both a king and a prophet. Her kingdom lay in the coastal area of ancient Yemen; while Solomon ruled Syria and Palestine. Solomon wrote a letter to the Queen of Sheba asking her either to surrender to him or face his army. In answer to this letter, the Queen chose to surrender, reasoning that “surely, when mighty kings invade a country, they despoil it and humiliate its noblest inhabitants -- these men will do the same.” (27:34) This story of the Queen of Sheba teaches us that whenever one is faced with a situation, in which the options are either destruction or adjustment, then adjustment will be preferable to destruction. In such a situation that would likewise be the Islamic solution. The Queen of Sheba looked at the situation in a purely realistic way. She came to the conclusion that if she opted for the path of confrontation, she would most likely be defeated and in that case her people would be treated just as any conqueror treats the conquered. On the contrary, she said that if she surrendered, her people would be saved from destruction and all their interests would be safeguarded. This incident has a lesson for all those Muslims who are faced with situations such as are prevalent in Kashmir. It indicates what the political policy of the Muslims should be in such situations, i.e. Muslims should clearly save themselves from futile confrontation in order that they may make full use of all opportunities for progress. Their case should not become that of one who loses what is already available, because he is launched on a futile quest for something which is unattainable.