Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 290
290 MALFUZAT ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF URDU VOLUME IO وَإِنْ جَنَحُوا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا ! Thus, he is commanded to be gentle and kind towards believ- ers and the Muslims. The condition of the Messenger of Allah and his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, is also described to be exactly like this: مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ 2 Similarly, at another place, the Holy Prophetsas has been addressed and directed to confront the hypocrites and the dis- believers firmly. Thus, He says: يَأَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ جَاهِدِ الْكُفَّارَ وَالْمُنْفِقِينَ وَاغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ 3 In short, it is clear from these verses that even God Almighty has shown deference to the ranks of people. Tenderness has been commanded towards the believers and the faithful. However, some among the disbelievers have a disposition that needs harshness just as a competent physician has to resort to cutting and slicing and surgical procedures for some illnesses and wounds. Hazrat Ibn Arabi discusses the reason why God Almighty admonished Mosesas to be gentle in dealing with Pharaoh. The reason in this, indeed, was that Allah the Exalted knew that he 1. And if they incline towards peace, you incline also towards it (Surah al-Anfāl, 8:62). [Publisher] 2. Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. And those who are with him are firm against the non-believers, tender among themselves (Sūrah al-Fat'h, 48:30). [Publisher] 3. O Prophet! strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites. And be severe to them (Sürah at-Taubah, 9:73). [Publisher]