Page 40 - Non-violence and peace-building

The Quranic Way of Conflict-Resolution

to all sorts of problems that Muslims might face is to
obey the Quran. Muslims can and will gain protection
by following the commandments of the Quran. This is
a sure way for them to save themselves from all sorts of
trials and afflictions.
If you ponder on the Quran, you will discover a basic
guiding principle—that good and evil are not the same,
and that in a seemingly difficult situation, one must
respond using the best possible method. As a result of
this, your enemy will turn into a dear friend.

As the Quran (41:34) puts it:
Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil
with what is better; then you will see that one
who was once your enemy has become your
dearest friend […]

Elaborating on this Quranic verse, Ibn Kathir
1
2
reports that Abdullah ibn Abbas said:
God has commanded Muslims to exercise patience
when they are angry, to express tolerance in the
face of others’ ignorance, and to exhibit mercy
in the face of something that is wrong. When
people act accordingly, God will save them from
Satan, and He will soften the hearts of the enemy
for them, so that they become friends.

1 Ismail ibn Kathir (1300—1373) was a scholar of Quranic exegesis
and as well as a historian.
2 Born in 618-19 C.E., Abdullah ibn Abbas was a Companion of the
Prophet and is regarded as one of the most authoritative commentators
on the Quran.

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