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‘Good’ and ‘Evil’
cannot be equal. Actions which create an accord, balance and harmony in society
and in one's own self, cannot be like deeds which create disparity, disharmony
or dissension.
وَلا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلا السَّيِّئَة
Al-Qur'an, 041.034 (Fussilat [Explained in Detail])
If evil or disorder has
affected the society, the best way to get rid of it is to do what is best, most
appropriate and equitable, i.e. "Repel the Evil' with 'Goodness'". Create an
economic balance and social harmony and the evil and disorder will be no more.
ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
Al-Qur'an, 041.034 (Fussilat [Explained in Detail])
ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ السَّيِّئَةَ
Al-Qur'an, 023.096 (Al-Mumenoon [The Believers])
The righteous works
indeed wipe out the evil works.
إِنَّ الْحَسَنَاتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّيِّئَاتِ َ
Al-Qur'an, 011.114 (Hud [Hud])
The benefit of this
strategy is this that the severe enmity or hatred that has developed between
yourself and the one who was responsible for doing the evil and creating
disorder, would turn into close friendship.
فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ
Al-Qur'an, 041.034 (Fussilat [Explained in Detail])
However to repel 'Evil'
with 'Goodness' is a very challenging task and only those who exercise
Sabr, i.e. patience, self-restraint, steadfastness and perseverance can achieve
it. Those who are endowed with this attribute are certainly very fortunate.
وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ
Al-Qur'an, 041.035 (Fussilat [Explained in Detail])
This quality is
difficult to attain because Satan, impulsive emotions and rogue people always
try to instigate. Hence, if a prompting from Satan stirs you up into anger, seek
refuge with Allah (recalling His admonition immediately).
وَإِمَّا يَنْزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ
Al-Qur'an, 041.036 (Fussilat [Explained in Detail])
Satan is always on the
look-out as to how he may create dissension.
إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنْزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ
Al-Qur'an, 017.053 (Al-Isra [Isra, The Night Journey, Children of Israel])
In order to get rid of
the 'Evil' there might also be cases in which it becomes necessary to give
punishments to those who commit 'Evil'. While doing so, the punishment should
commensurate with the offence committed and in no way should it be excessive. If
on the other hand it is felt that the aggressor is resentful about what he has
done, and it is believed that by forgiving him there is a possibility of him
rehabilitating and reforming, then the committer of the 'evil' may be forgiven.
It is due to this very attitude that the Divine Law produces better and positive
results. Those, who obey the Divine Laws, do not under any circumstances commit
zulm or injustice on any one. In the eyes of this Law, zulm and
aggression are most hateful.
وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِثْلُهَا فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
Al-Qur'an, 042.040 (Ash-Shura [Council, Consultation])
27-07-2005
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