Recommended Muslim Character during Inciting Encounters

Recently my family and my friends family had been to shopping centre.  My wife asked the counter salesman to show her few products, looking at 4 or 5 of them, she was not satisfied hence she disliked them, the salesman insisted to bargain, but we declined.  On lot of persuasion, my wife suggested a price pertaining to market value.  The salesman got very angry and was yelling at them moment we left the shop, since my friend who was with us listened to some abusing words the salesman used to insult my wife (though I didn't).  Listening to this abuse my friend retaliated to the salesman, by then I interfered and told the salesman that he was wrong and should not be doing so.  I calmed my friend who very upset and walked away.  Later, we were discussing this situation, and some were of the opinion that I should have revolted and fought with the salesman and that I should not take the abuse and be calm, but fight back (like what my friend was doing)

My question is what should be the character of true Muslims in these situations?

May Allah reward you - Aamin

Nishath Ameen
Saudi Arabia


Answer:

I commend you and fully support your turning away from retaliating to the ignorant shopkeeper's remarks. It is precisely such a situation, regarding which the Qur'an says:

"And [the true servants of God are those, who] when Ignorant people address them [in a provocative manner, turn away from them, and] say: 'Peace to you'." (Al-Furqaan 25: 63)

At another instance, the Qur'an says:

"Good and evil are not equal. Respond [to evil] with what is good; then you shall see that between whom and you there is extreme enmity has become your closest of friends." (Fussilat 41: 34)

My dear brother, Islam does not condone the concept of relative morality. Muslims are not only to do 'good', in response to 'good'; on the contrary, we are to adhere to our moral values, even under inciting circumstances, even in response to immoral behaviour.

May the Almighty reward you for your patience and steadfastness and may He grant us all the knowledge and the wisdom to live a life, which is in keeping with His liking.

Regards,

Moiz Amjad
September 15, 2001

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