A Simple Introduction to Islam

AT THE TIME OF DIFFERENCES

A Simple Introduction to Islam — Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Badges mark quoted or attributed material (Qur'an, hadith, another author, an opposing view). Unbadged passages are Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's own words.

Contents (51 chapters)
  1. Foreword
  2. TAWHEED:Oneness of God
  3. WHO ARE ANGELS?
  4. WHO ARE THE PROPHETS?
  5. PROPHET MUHAMMAD
  6. LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD
  7. THE TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET
  8. QURAN: Word of God
  9. HADITH: Traditions of Prophet Muhammad
  10. ISLAM: Submission to God
  11. IMAN: Belief in God
  12. THE TRIAL OF MAN
  13. CREATION PLAN OF GOD
  14. ACTIONS DEPEND UPON INTENTION
  15. CONCEPT OF HEREAFTER
  16. PARADISE AND HELL
  17. RABBANIYAT: Islamic Spirituality
  18. TAQWA: God-Consciousness
  19. SHUKR: Gratitude to God
  20. ZIKR: Remembrance of God
  21. SALAT: Prayer Instills Modesty in a Worshipper
  22. SAWM: Fasting Teaches Restraint
  23. ZAKAT: The Law of Almsgiving
  24. CHARITY: Well-Wishing of Others
  25. HAJJ: Piligrimage to Makkah
  26. THE SIMPLE PRINCIPLE OF MORALITY
  27. SABR (PATIENCE): The Superior Solution
  28. SPEAKING THE TRUTH
  29. FULFILLING PROMISES
  30. THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEANLINESS
  31. TOLERANCE LEADS TO RESPECTING DIFFERENCES
  32. JIHAD IN ISLAM
  33. AVOIDANCE OF CLASH
  34. AT THE TIME OF DIFFERENCES
  35. A GOOD NEIGHBOUR IS A GOOD HUMAN BEING
  36. A BELIEVER’S DUTIES TOWARD HUMANITY
  37. SERVING HUMANITY
  38. ISLAM AND HUMAN EQUALITY
  39. HUMAN BROTHERHOOD
  40. GOD-ORIENTED LIFE
  41. PRAYER: Expression of Heartfelt Attachment to God
  42. PRAYERS REFRESH THE FAITH OF THE BELIEVER
  43. MORNINGS AND EVENINGS IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER
  44. TAWASSUM: Spiritual Nourishment From Everyday Events
  45. HOW SHOULD ONE LIVE IN THE FAMILY?
  46. BEAUTY IN SIMPLICITY
  47. DIVINE WAY: MOVE WITHIN YOUR SPHERE
  48. THE PURPOSE OF WEALTH
  49. LOSS AND GAIN
  50. CONCEPT OF SALVATION
  51. CONCLUSION

AT THE TIME OF DIFFERENCES

What is evil is man not dealing with differences in an appropriate way. Differences are not evil. Going in fear of God despite there being differences is a great Islamic act.

Differences are part of life. Differences continually arise among people, be they religiously inclined or not. Their inevitability has to be accepted. They can seldom be glossed over or summarily eradicated. Nevertheless, right-minded individuals are capable of adopting the correct attitude to them, however intractable they may seem.

A true believer is one who does not make an issue of differences. He does not take them as necessarily ill-intentioned. Moreover, differences should be limited to the sphere in which they have arisen. And treating others as being wrong on every count or as having double standards, or being ill intentioned, or insincere is a totally un-Islamic course to take.

Breaking off a relationship because of differences is not right. In such cases, serious discussion should take place and mutual relationships should be kept up.

In the present world everything exists or happens so that one may be put to the test. Differences are also meant for the purpose of testing an individual. One ought to be extremely prudent on the occasion of differences. One should continually strive to avoid any reaction which would not be approved of by God.

Adhering to justice whenever differences occur is without doubt a difficult proposition. But the reward for this is very great. In Islam every good deed is a form of worship. It is a form of worship when a person faced with differences and conflict prevents himself from being consumed by feelings of enmity and revenge. Only by doing so is he able to adhere to the way of justice, even when differences seem overwhelming.

Differences are no evil. What is evil is a person not dealing with differences in an appropriate way, such as would ensure his passing the divine test. Going in fear of God despite there being differences is a great Islamic act. Not going in fear of God at the time of differences is grievously un-Islamic.