Page 115 - Non-violence and peace-building

Non-violence and Peace-building in Islam

than this world of God’s, for this simply cannot happen
in this world.
God has made this world a testing-ground. Here,
everyone enjoys freedom of action. This is the reason
why the world is characterized by constant competition
between individuals and communities. This
environment of competition can never come to an end.
Now, there are two ways of thinking and responding in
this regard. One way is by being overwhelmed by the
conditions one faces. The other way is by rising above
these conditions. Because this world can never be free
from unfavourable conditions, people whose thinking
is overwhelmed by the unpleasant conditions they
face always think in terms of complaints. They have a
complaining mentality. Their thinking is reactionary,
because they always react—negatively—to unfavourable
conditions. Instead of working positively, to help
themselves and their communities, they simply engage
in completely useless agitations and demonstrations
against other people and communities, foolishly
imagining that in doing so they are doing great work.

In contrast to this, people who rise above the
conditions they are faced with and exercise their minds
soon realize that unfavourable conditions and factors
that they sometimes face are actually in accordance
with the law of nature, rather than as a result of other
people’s oppression or discrimination. This realization
makes them realistic. They accept reality as it is, and
then make realistic plans for their lives. Instead of
ranting and raving against others, they try to succeed
on the basis of hard work.

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