THE WISDOM OF AVOIDANCE

be considered a mediocre writer and, at worst, an unremarkable wordsmith. If we ignore his book, I am confident it will disappear naturally.” (The Times of India, 9 November 1988). If Muslim leaders had followed the Quranic injunction in this matter and pondered on it before taking action, they would have undoubtedly realized that the appropriate response to this book is guided by a statement from the second caliph, Hazrat Umar Farooq, who said, “Destroy falsehood by remaining silent about it.” (Abu Nu’aym al-Asfahani, Hilyat al-Awliya, Vol. 1, p. 55) This statement by Hazrat Umar Farooq carries great significance. It signifies that even if something appears false, engaging in a confrontation or fighting against it to eliminate it is unnecessary. Therefore, even if something is incorrect, there are times when it is essential to remain silent. Proving falsehood to be false is more significant than killing the liar. This unique advantage is found in ignoring falsehood, as it inflicts a greater punishment on the perpetrator. However, ignorant individuals are unaware of this wisdom. They are accustomed to noise and fail to understand the language of silence. The Prophet of Islam endured various hardships, yet he never commanded the killing of anyone who insulted him. The Quran frequently mentions persecution, but it never prescribes the killing of those who inflict it. Instead, the Quran encourages ignoring their hurtful words and placing trust in God (33:48).