Page 31 - Non-violence and peace-building

Non-violence and Peace-building in Islam

both started quarrelling over it. Each claimed that the
land belonged to him. The contractor perceived that
he could not manage to get his way by himself, and
so he approached some people of his community and
instigated them against the Muslim man. Soon, an
angry crowd gathered outside the Muslim man’s house,
making a great hue and cry.
The Muslim man stepped out of his house, aware that
the crowd was bent on creating trouble for him. He knew
that if he got even slightly provoked, the crowd could
easily kill him and burn down his house. Addressing
the men, he said: “Who is your representative? Please
come forward so that we can talk.”

Four or five leader-like men stepped out. The Muslim
took them into his office. When they had comfortably
sat down, he said to them, “This is a very small issue,
and it can very easily be solved. As you know, the rightful
ownership of a property is indicated in the official
documents. By examining the relevant papers, you can
find out who the rightful owner of any bit of land is. I
will hand over my documents to you, and you can also
take the contractor’s documents. Please examine both
sets of documents, and after that I would be ready to
accept whatever decision you arrive at.”
On hearing the Muslim man speak like this, the
leaders of the crowd suddenly completely forgot their
anger. “This is a very reasonable man!” they remarked
in surprise. “He has allowed us to decide the issue on
our own!”

The men spent the next few days examining the

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