Spirit of Islam · TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

Spirit of Islam, December 2016, p. 29

By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.

Whenever some differences arise between two parties, they should be resolved within the limits of peaceful dialogue. According to a Hadith report contained in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad, the Prophet Muhammad is said to have declared that it is greatly beneficial to exercise patience in the face of things we do not like. Success goes along with patience. Along with difficulty, the Prophet added, there is ease. It often happens that when people are faced with a difficult situation or undergo a bitter experience, they get very worked up. In such cases, they may even take to violence. But this sort of reaction is contrary to nature. The fact is that the law of nature always supports those who are firmly established in truth and justice. Such people, if they act with patience will inevitably be successful. In most cases, those who fail are those who act hastily, driven by their emotions. On the other hand, those who are patient are inevitably crowned with success. According to the Quran (46: 35), the opposite of patience is haste. This means that a person who behaves in a patient manner acts according to the pattern of nature. In contrast, someone who acts hastily goes against this pattern—and because of this, he can be sure that it is impossible for him to succeed. No To Conflict The Quran tells us: Let them not dispute with you on this matter Call them to the path of your Lord. (22: 67) From this verse we learn that whenever some differences arise between two parties, they should be resolved within the limits of peaceful dialogue. We must never let these differences go out of hand and turn into violent conflict. In this world, it is but expected that tensions will arise between individuals or groups. This sort of tension is something quite natural. It happens everywhere, and under all sorts of conditions. However, we should make sure that these tensions or differences do not go beyond certain acceptable limits. They must remain within peaceful limits and not turn into confrontation and violence. Differences themselves are

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