Page 67 - Passivity in Religion
P. 67

The Characteristics of the Passive

             Passivity in Showing Love and Respect

             Another factor to help in recognizing these individuals, who,
          though living among Muslims, try to create their own faction ac-
          cording to their own interpretation, is that they do not mingle
          with the believers.
             Believers hope to live with one another into eternity in the
          world to come; this expectation unites them, and fills their spirits
          while in this world. Allah tells us that believers are "those who
          fight in His way in ranks like well-built walls" (Surat as-Saff, 4)
          and that, among those of faith, there is fondness, sincerity and true
          friendship. In the Qur'an, Allah describes this strong bond be-
          tween Muslims:
             The believers are brothers. (Surat al-Hujurat, 10)
             Hold fast to the rope of Allah all together, and do not sepa-
             rate. Remember Allah's blessing to you when you were en-
             emies and He joined your hearts together so that you
             became brothers by His blessing… (Surah Al ‘Imran, 103)
             This strong bond between Muslims, arising from their faith in
          Allah, unites them to one another in love and respect. But, this at-
          tachment between them is not like the temporary and ill founded
          love found among the unbelievers. The Muslims' love is founded
          solely on their love and fear of Allah, and it is through this love
          and faithfulness, that they feel towards Allah, that they love one
          another. If they see signs of a deep-felt faith in another person,
          they respond to that person with equally deep-felt trust, love and
          respect. Allah advises us in the Qur'an that being affectionate is a
          very noble quality:
             We gave him [Yahya] affection and purity from Us... (Surah
             Maryam, 13)
             But, those who do not assess others in the light of faith, and
          who cannot appreciate a Muslim's sincere desire to win Allah's


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