The Role of Patience In Resolving Conflict

In the earlier incident, the Prophet of Islam did not get angry with the person who insulted Abu Bakr. But when Abu Bakr spoke harshly, the Prophet became angry. The Shariah establishes the principle of avoidance for animals (like donkeys), and for humans, the principle of enjoining what is good. Generally, people consider responding to be self-defense. If someone causes harm, they immediately confront the person, thinking they are defending themselves. However, a greater defense is remaining silent in response to aggression. Instead of confronting the aggressor, you adopt the principle of avoidance. Silence is not inactivity; in fact, it is the greatest action. When a person engages in retaliation, they rely only on their own strength. But when they remain silent after being wronged, they align themselves with the entire system of Nature to respond. Personal defense is a weak defense, while the defense of Nature is much stronger. God has established a system in His world where, whenever something impure appears, countless bacteria gather and begin to decompose the substance to eliminate it. Similarly, when a person wrongs another, the entire system of Nature is activated to bring about their reform. In this sense, silence is a form of waiting. When a person remains silent in the face of aggression, they are, in effect, putting themselves in a state of waiting. By giving the global conscience a chance to work, they wait for its outcome.