Muslims and Positive Thinking (2/4)

If defects originate externally in the course of co-existence with one's brother, as is known to happen, then (here arc many tools for external correction, among which are the following:

1. Mutual recommending of righteousness and patience.

2. Use of the psychological mirror. A Muslim is always his Brother's mirror. ‘Umar lbn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "May Allah have mercy on those who guide me to my defects."[1] 

3. Praying for others in their absence,

4. Giving presents.

5. Advice.

6. Recommending good deeds and forbidding bad deeds.

7. Reward and punishment.

8. Gentle desertion, as mentioned in the Words of Almighty Allah, “...and keep away from them in a good way.”

9. Isolation, as was practiced by the Prophet (peace be upon him) with the three men who did not join the army for the Battle of Tabuk. He did not imprison them, but left them at large among their community, while ordering the members of that community to isolate them until Almighty Allah granted them an accepted repentance. Almighty Allah says, “And (He did forgive also) the three, till for them the earth, vast as it was, was straitened and their own selves were straitened to them, and they perceived that there is no fleeing from Allah, and no refuge, hut with Him. Then, He forgave them that they might beg for His pardon. Verily, Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful."[2]

When a believer is subjected to harm or injustice from another person, he should empathize with the offender, keeping in mind the divine blessing of being in the right. There is however a price to pay for that guidance, namely that one must guide others to the straight path. It is said that the only response to someone who disobeys Allah against your benefit is lo obey Allah to his benefit. This is achieved through forgiveness. Because Almighty Allah forgives people who forgive others, such are valuable moments in which to gain the profit of forgiveness and benevolence.

Forgiveness is a process of diverting energy inward and converting it from loss to profit. If a person understands the concept which slates that every vessel releases what is inside it, he would stay away from disappointment with the offender who has been unjust to his very own self before being unjust to the victim of his offence. Therefore, we should feel nothing but pity for the offender who can only be described as broke or bankrupt.

As such, offence represents a golden opportunity for investment, through which one can enjoy the immediate benefit of being defended by Allah, “Truly, Allah defends those who believe ...”[3] Conversely, a person who does no good and offends others is in total loss, “Whosoever dons a good dead, it is for his ownself and whosoever dues evil, it is against (his ownself). Then to your Lord you will be made to return.” [4]

A person who pardons others converts his negative self-energy into positive, in other words, from actually taking revenge to pardon, so that he can proceed with his pursuit of productivity and self-control. So how should pardon be defined? It is the inner power that cures diseases of the heart. It is also self-control to overlook the faults of others and win their hearts in order to become the master of the situation. It is said that a person who forgives has the supreme power. In fact, a person who forgives is an investor who converts trouble into gain. Among the positive aspects of pardoning is increased productivity and establishing the best possible atmosphere between members of the group.

The end result is that the stronger one's ability to pardon is, the stronger one's faith becomes, which in turn improves one's rank before Allah.

The difference between pardoning and self-degradation

Pardoning is to prefer to abandon revenge, though one is able. It is also a desire for benevolence and noble manners, as expressed in the Words of Almighty Allah, “And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly, be from the things recommended by Allah.” [5]

We find this expressed in the words of Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him) to Allah, as is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, “If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You, are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [6]

On the other hand, self-degradation is servility, humiliation and disgrace to oneself; sacrificing oneself for the sake of this world or any of its cheap trivialities.

What is the difference between revenge and seeking victory?

Seeking victory is for the Sake of Allah and His rights; while revenge is for the sake of the evil inspiring self. Almighty Allah says, “And those who, when an oppressive wrong is done to them, take revenge.”[7]

What is the source of the power of pardon?

The source of that is self-control, which converts the negative to positive, by appointing a lawyer to defend the defendant (the person who offended yon). This lawyer analyzes and studies at least seventy excuses, hoping to find a legitimate excuse for the offence. If he fails to find one, he will turn around and say, "Your brother has presented you with seventy excuses, and you have rejected them all. The problem is in you, not in him!" For that Imam Ash-Shafi’i said, "A person who rejects all attempts to reach accord is a devil."

It is not the function of the lawyer in your internal self-organization to defend you, because you are wandering in the kingdom of your evil-inspiring self. Rather, it is only fair to retain a lawyer to defend your brother who is the defendant before issuing the sensible decision to the benefit of justice in all human relations.

Following that, comes the power of benevolence; it develops through three positive emotional powers:

1. Feelings of pure revenge for one's own sake.

2. Feelings which are immersed in pity for the offender.

3. Feelings of responsible love for the Sake of Allah.

It was the opinion of lbn Al-Jawzi (may Allah be merciful with him) that the reason for the setting of one person against another is one of the following:

1. Because of a misdeed from one's own self. Almighty Allah says,

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much."[8] This is also reflected in the traditional supplication, "And set not upon us, because of our sins, someone who fears You not and has no mercy for us,"

2. Atonement of sins. Abu Hurayrah was reported to have said, "If Allah intends good for a person, then He expedites his punishment in this world, but if He intends to harm hi in, he will reserve his sin to be punished on the Day of Resurrection.”[9]

3. To elevate one's degree. Almighty Allah says, “And be patient; verily, Allah wastes not the reward of the good-doers.”[10]

4. Testing his patience. Almighty Allah says, “...and We have made some of you as a trial for others: Will you have patience? And your Lord is Ever All-Seer (of everything)”[11] The Prophet also said in this regard, "Any anxiety, grief, or sorrow that a believer suffers, even the prick of a thorn, atones for some of his sins."[12]

(Continued)