PEACE IN PLURAL SOCIETIES — Reflections

His parents do not wait for their neighbours to come to their house and scold their child. In any case, even if these people do come and scold their child, it will not reform him, though a parent’s admonishment might. It is a psychological reality that one generally takes the critique or admonishment of people whom one considers one’s own in a positive way, and, accordingly, reforms oneself. On the other hand, one generally takes the criticism of people one does not know or whom one considers as the ‘other’ as an insult to one’s honour, and so it does not have a positive impact. With regard to the issue of communal harmony, it is very necessary to keep this bit of practical wisdom in mind. o No need to speak aloud for God to hear People asked the Prophet: “Is our Lord close? Can we address Him softly? Or is He distant? Should we address Him loudly?” Then this verse of the Quran was revealed: “When My servants question you about Me, tell them that I am near. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls to Me.” Abu Musa says that when some people raised their voices in prayer during a journey, the Prophet said, “Control your­selves, for you are not praying to one who is deaf or absent: you are praying to one who hears and is close. He is nearer to you than the neck of your mount.”