Double Standards

Double Standards

1991 5-6 May-June 20 Double Standards (311) Compared to Kuwait, with its area of 6880 square miles, Iraq, with its area of 168878 square miles is a very large country. Having spent most of its oil revenue to build up a massive military potential, and taking advantage of the fact that Kuwait had virtually no army, President Saddam Hussain of Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait on the 2nd of August, 1990. After annexing it by force, he called it the 19th province of Iraq.

The UN’s response was prompt. The Iraqi invasion was condemned by most countries of the world, the USA going to the extent of sending a huge task force to impose sanctions against Iraq. This stopped the outflow of oil, from which 95 per cent of the latter’s revenue comes, and sealed off the import of arms, food and other essential supplies. Iraq has no industry or agriculture worth the name. What followed was rhetoric and invective from the ruler of Iraq, President Saddam Hussain, against the U.S. Rejecting the proposal to negotiate with the U.S.A., he tersely asked, “Is Kuwait the 52nd State of the U.S.A.

This kind of question was aimed at side-tracking the issue. It is obvious that Kuwait is neither the 52nd State of America, nor the 19th province of Iraq. Saddam Hussain was blaming America for what he himself was guilty of.

Such double standards are most prevalent today. But people should realize that only such utterances are acceptable as have true value in the eyes of God. In any case in the life to come, words will lose all meaning. The true believer is one who sets as little value upon mere words today as they will have in God’s divine Court. Faithful is he who accepts most willingly today what he will be forced to accept in the Hereafter. For, by that time, it will be too late.

One does not lose by giving.

1991 5-6 May-June 20 One does not lose by giving. (33) Abu Hurayrah reports this saying of the Prophet: “Charity does not decrease anyone’s wealth while forgiveness only increases a man’s honour; God raises up one who abases himself before his Lord.”

(Muslim, Sahih)