Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume I — Page 257
! ! 257 carefully to the entire issue, but they still await ed my instructions. I was taken aback by their r esponse for I had told them of all sorts of projects , and still they asked me what to do ! However, now I have observed that they are growing in their understanding of how to work and they have begun their activities with great enthusiasm. Yet, they should remember that disagreements are inevitable in such matters, and they should develop the habit of tolerating differences. A nation, which does not tolerate differences , excepting disagreements on those issues which are fundamental , and a nation which does not integrate people who disagree with them and instead forces them to break away, such a nation will never progress. A major reason for the downfall of Muslims is that they sideline whoever disagrees with them. In fact, if something is not a fundamental disagreement , and does not violate the system or strike at its foundation , then it is necessary and should be accepted. Of course, if the dispute is over principles and strikes at the roots, then it is necessary to separate the person who causes such disagreement s because doing so is comparable to the severing of a limb which develops an infection , which in turn will destroy the whole body. Following this, I turn my attention towards an incident , as alluded to in this address, which occurred here at the slaughterhouse. I will speak to Lajna [about it]. Among the Lajna Ima’illah [present here] , such women are not present here who have children or who have grown up childre n , except for a few. Yet, as th e women present here are the representatives of other women , I will draw their attention towards the responsibilities enjoined upon the women of this era. Make y our Children Brave a nd Strong O ur Jama'at has remained peaceful in the current time , I t is peaceful now and will remain peaceful in the time to come. However, th is does not mean that we abandon our rights upon being forced to do so and it does not mean that we should refuse to safeguard our rights. The most peaceful person in the world was the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa , but the latter part of his life was spent in fighting battles.