The Message or A Cry of Anguish — Page 29
THE MESSAGE OR A CRY OF ANGUISH 29 and continue thus to bring religious benefit to mankind are the ones who have attained salvation. Then in another verse, Allah the Almighty has described both these aspects together, and the verse is (at the end of Al-e-Imrān): يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا وَصَابِرُوا وَرَابِطُوْا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ That is to say, O ye who believe! Be patient in the face of the ene- mies' persecution, yet remain firm against them and keep focused on your mission and fear God so that you may attain salvation. In this blessed verse too, Allah the Almighty enjoins us to turn away from the mockery, scorn, foul words and abuses of the ignorant, and not to waste our time in having them convicted. ² To resist evil with evil is something quite ordinary and has nothing to do with excellence. Human excellence requires that, wherever pos- sible, in contending with abuse, our way ought to be of excusing and forgiving. Bear in mind that the religion of the Christian clergy is the religion of the state. Therefore, decency requires that we consider our freedom of religion as a borrowed one and, to a certain extent, also remain grateful to the Christian priests. If the Government holds them to account, imagine how much more shall we be held accountable. When healthy trees are being cut down, then how 1. Surah Al-e-Imran, 3:201 [Publisher] 2. The memorial sent by my Community regarding the abusive words of Zatalli was not aimed at getting him convicted; rather it purported to expose to the Government and general public the "politeness and de- cency" of those who accuse me of using harsh language. Apart from this, the memorial made no plea for punishment. (Author)