FROM MAULANA'S DESK

good.” This incident is a beautiful illustration of the fact that if an individual simply refuses to be provoked, he becomes so strong that he can turn any negative situation into a positive one. Then there is a Hadith in Al-Bukhari that tells us the general policy of the Prophet of Islam. Aisha, the Prophet’s wife says, “Whenever the Prophet faced any such situation and he had to choose between two courses of action, he always opted for the easier course, rather than the harder one.” A successful example of adherence to this principle can be seen in the life of Mahatma Gandhi. In the pre-1947 period, India was struggling for her freedom from British rule. At the time, there were two options available to Indian leaders—violent activism and peaceful protest. Gandhi avoided violent confrontation with the British regime and opted to protest peacefully. He was able to achieve great success without any bloodshed. This example set by Mahatma Gandhi is a very good illustration of Islamic principles. In my experience, differences in religion are not an evil but a blessing. We require only an acceptance of these differences with a positive mind, so that we can learn from each other and live as partners, rather than as rivals. Life is all about cooperation and coexistence, and the relationship between different religions must be based on the acceptance of this principle. o Maulana Wahiduddin Khan editor@thespiritofislam.org Healthy Society It is only when the individual is willing to step down in favour of higher principles that society as a whole can benefit. The sacrifice of the individual is the price to be paid for the glory of the nation.