Safe Harbour On Both Sides

There’s a real-life story about a young Muslim man who was appointed as the imam of a mosque. This mosque had a bad reputation. No imam ever stayed long. The people paid poorly and didn’t treat the imams with respect. But this young imam had a constructive mindset. He thought: “What my predecessors couldn’t achieve through complaints, I will try to achieve through actions.” He quietly made up his mind. He would not only fulfill his duties—but would go beyond expectations. He began improving the cleanliness of the mosque. Next to the mosque was an empty plot of land. He cleaned it, planted flowers and vegetables, and turned it into a beautiful green space. He also began teaching the neighbourhood boys who used to loiter around. He responded to harsh words with kindness and continued his work despite the people’s attitude. The result? He won their hearts. They increased his salary on their own. He began receiving gifts. People treated him with honour. Eventually, they built him a small residence next to the mosque, so he could bring his family and live there in peace. This is the secret of life, captured in the spirit of Shakespeare’s message: Whatever you want, try to get it with the power of a smile, not the power of a sword.