The Unity of Muslims — Page 17
17 ‘Yes,’ said the saint. ‘Why did you break it?’ The saint replied, ‘The Holy Prophet s as has said that if you see evil—and have power and authority— remove it with your hands. When I heard him playing the fiddle, I felt a sense of disapproval. Thinking he would not retaliate against me, I took action. ’ ‘Then why did you not break my fiddle, too?’ The saint said, ‘Prophet Muhammad s as also said that if you lack authority, then forbid the evil with your tongue. ’ ‘But you did not speak against it, either. ’ The saint said, ‘The Holy Prophet s as said that if you cannot voice your displeasure, at least dislike it in your heart. By God, I have been despising it since entering this court. ’ In short, this is another kind of difference the Holy Prophet s as commands us to uphold. The Holy Quran also acknowledges and accepts differences, as exemplified in one verse: ٍ ۡ ؕ اِن َّ فِی ۡ ذٰلِک َ لَاٰیٰت وَمِن ۡ اٰیٰتِہ ٖ خَلۡق ُ السَّمٰوٰت ِ وَالۡاَرۡض ِ وَاخۡتِلَاف ُ اَلۡسِنَتِکُم ۡ وَاَلۡوَانِکُم 9 َ لِّلۡعٰلِمِیۡن God says, observe the variety of ways He manifests 9 And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are signs for those of knowledge ( Sūrah Ar-Rūm , 30:23). [Publishers]