Defense Through Tolerance

The famous companion of the Prophet of Islam, Abdullah ibn Abbas, said, “Defend the ignorance of the ignorant through tolerance.” (Tafsir al-Qurtubi, Vol. 15, p. 361) According to this view of Abdullah ibn Abbas, one of the proper methods of defense is to refrain from retaliation.

It happens again and again in the world that man has to face the actions of the ignorant. The method of tolerance stops such action at the very first stage. On the contrary, if we opt for the way of reaction, their evil will continue until it gets out of control.