Uphold the Faith–but with Understanding and Compassion

Uphold the Faith–but with Understanding and Compassion

1987 10 October 17 Uphold the Faith–but with Understanding and Compassion (265) The ninth chapter of the Quran makes it clear that “God and His apostle are free from obligation to the idolaters” (9.3) and that the latter are to be sternly dealt with if their breaches of trust, other evil-doing and in particular, their unwillingness to repent so merit it. But in the same Chapter it is said that “God will show mercy to whom He will” (9.27) and the faithful are advised that “if an idolater seeks asylum with you, give him protection so that he may hear the word of God, and Then convey him to safety. For the idolaters are ignorant men” (9.6). In spite of the iniquities of the iniquities of the idolaters, they are to be treated leniently if repentant, their vulnerability is to be used not to extirpate, but to reform them and their ignorance is to be seen as a mitigating factor in any judgment passed upon them.

The Quran leaves us in no doubt that the negativism of enmity should never be allowed to diminish or destroy the opportunity to bring enlightenment to any of God’s creatures. Although the Quran says, “Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you.” It also says in the same verse, “Deal courteously with them. Know that God is with the righteous” (9.123).

The wise man thinks well before doing anything. The fool acts first and thinks later.

The past and present may lie in ruins, but the future is still safe.

Life can never be free of unpleasantness. One can only strive to make life pleasant by forgetting the unpleasantness.