Page 68 - Passivity in Religion

PASSIVITY IN RELIGION

favor, cannot feel love or attachment to them. This type of indi-
vidual can see no purpose in allying himself with another who
will bring him no material good.
No matter how hard these individuals try to hide their lack of
affection behind their lies, their cold and detached expressions,
and their refusal to enter into sincere dialogue with Muslims, re-
veal their real intentions. Indeed, their coldness, insensitivity and
remoteness give Muslims an important clue as to their real char-
acter. Instead of warm, loving and sincere friendship, commonly
found among Muslims, these individuals are of a personality that
is cold, contrarian and remote. Because they are unable to show
love; they do not understand the warmth and friendliness in oth-
ers. On the contrary, they look at Muslims with suspicion and
condescension, with strange, formal and unfeeling expressions,
that reveal their lack of understanding. There were examples of
these in the days of Prophet Muhammad (saas), in the way some
people looked at him while they were listening to the Qur'an:
Those who disbelieve all but strike you down with their
evil looks when they hear the Reminder and say, "He is
quite mad." But it is nothing less than a Reminder to all
the worlds. (Surat al-Qalam, 51-52)
Because of their coldness of character, such people are unable
to establish close bonds with the Muslims, and have no one they
can call a true friend. Later in this book, we will examine the
friendships established by these people, and will see that they
seek out people as weak as themselves, trying to get on their good
side, ultimately, to influence them into passivity. Allah informs us
in the Qur'an that those with a sick heart know and protect one
another:
When they passed by them, they would wink at one an-
other. When they returned to their families, they would
make a joke of them. (Surat al-Mutaffifin, 30-31)

66