WISDOM IN RETREAT — Farsightedness

Collective existence is a very delicate affair. If you think only in terms of offensive action, opposition and confrontation with others, you can be sure that you will never succeed in bringing about any social reform. This is because collective life is another name for multiple voices and views and for all sorts of conditions and circumstances. That is why for collective living, you cannot lay down one single rigid criterion. You need to properly understand the multiple forces that face each other in society. You also need to properly gauge your own and other people’s conditions and then chalk out your plan of action. This requires great insight, as well as a mind free from psychological burdens. To step back is not always cowardice. It can also be wise pragmatism. Sometimes, when it comes to facing opposition from others, you need to remain confined solely to working for the spread of the ideology you champion. This was reflected, for instance, in the first 12 years of the Muhammad’s life as a prophet in Makkah. At other times, conditions may demand that you have to accept your opponent’s challenge on the battlefield — as was the case of the Battle of Badr between the Prophet with his followers, on the one hand, and the polytheist Quraysh of Makkah on the other. At other times, in order to obtain long-lasting results, you need to save yourself from directly clashing with one’s opponent, even if this means unilaterally accepting the opponent’s demands — as was the case of the Treaty of Hudaibiya. Patiently bearing a difficult situation also becomes politically wise and necessary. That is also something that Islam teaches us. This is also what we learn from Imam Hasan’s example. Only that person can act successfully who knows the secret of successful retreat. To step back is not always cowardice. Rather, as Imam Hasan’s example exemplifies, it can be wise pragmatism. Avoiding a clash with the ruling authorities is not synonymous with tolerating oppression. Rather, it is a wise means to develop the strength necessary to uproot oppression. To abandon politics is not political suicide. Rather, it can be a means to promote other factors and resources in society. To avoid protesting is not to ignore a problem, but, rather, a way to focus one’s resources on positive and constructive work instead. o