THE RELIGION OF HUMANITY: Islam’s Ethical and Spiritual Outlook

CULTURE OF COMPASSION remain patient because patience is a fundamental part of the plan of testing. Without patience, a person cannot fulfill God’s plan for the test. That is why the reward for patience is immense—even greater than that of other actions. The Quran explicitly promises that those who are patient for the sake of God will be rewarded beyond all measure. THE WISDOM OF SILENCE The Quran states that a person will be questioned about their hearing, sight, and heart. (17:36) A hadith says: “The one among you who is most bold in giving legal opinions (fatwas) is the most bold in approaching the Fire.” (Musnad Al-Darmi, Hadith No. 159) Because of this, the companions of the Prophet of Islam were extremely cautious about issuing fatwas (religious or legal rulings). A hadith mentions ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud, stating that He is heavier on the scales than Mount Uhud. (Al-Adab al-Mufrad by al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 237) However, his attitude was characterised by restraint. He was once in Kufa when someone asked him about a jurisprudential issue concerning marriage. They kept returning to him for a month, but he did not give an answer. Eventually, they said to him: ‘Whom shall we ask if not you—when you are one of the prominent Companions of the Prophet in this town, and we find no one else but you?’ So, he answered the question with great caution. (Sunan al-Nasai, Hadith No. 3358)