Page 131 - Quranic Wisdom - New.indd

Quranic Wisdom

that in both the places the same ethical norms are required—in
the present world as well as in the world hereafter.
So every man and woman must be very cautious in this regard.
You must understand that when you create a nuisance for others,
it is not simply a problem for those others but is also a great
problem for you, because such behaviour will certainly prevent
you from being included in the list of those who will enter
Paradise. No one can afford to indulge in this kind of behaviour.
How should we define ‘nuisance’? Any part of your behaviour
that is found undesirable by your fellow beings is a nuisance.
You cannot say that you did not act in this manner for the sake
of creating a nuisance for others; it is not your opinion that
determines what is a nuisance and what is not; it is your fellow
beings who have the sole right to determine what is a nuisance
and what is not.

One quality required of the people of Paradise is the
ability to refrain from creating a nuisance for others,
i.e. the ability to live in society in complete peace and
tranquillity.

In this situation, you have no excuse; you have no right to say
that your intentions were good. In this case, good intentions and
bad intentions are not relevant; the only thing that matters is the
reaction of your fellow beings. If your behaviour is acceptable to
your fellow beings, then it is not a nuisance and if your behaviour
is not acceptable to your fellow beings, then it is certainly a
nuisance. ‘Nuisance’ is obviously not a sin. But it is as bad as a
sin, because when you hurt the sentiments of your fellow beings,
your actions in terms of their results are certainly a sin.

130