WINNING HEARTS

Good behaviour in return for bad behaviour wins hearts. Revenge only increases a problem, while the way of winning hearts solves it.

When the Prophet of Islam began to communicate the message of monotheism, he met with stiff opposition in Arabia. As a result, violence was used against him and his Companions. However, the Prophet did not take any retaliatory measures. On the contrary, he behaved well with his opponents so that he might win their hearts.

The Prophet’s hometown was Makkah. The people of Makkah subjected him to so much oppression and violence that he was forced to leave the town. Then, a time came when he entered Makkah as a victor. After that, Makkah came under his control. Many of his inveterate Makkan antagonists were brought before him at that time. They had stiffly opposed him, but he did not decree any punishment for them. Rather, he freed them unconditionally. The result of this positive behaviour was that they accepted Islam.

Similarly, the Hawazin tribe rebelled against the Prophet and attacked his people. The Prophet was then forced to fight with them. In Islamic history, this is known as the Battle of Hunain. The Prophet was victorious in this battle. Many people of the Hawazin tribe were arrested and brought before him. With them as well, the Prophet did not take any revenge. On the contrary, he released all of them with honour. This sublime demonstration of ethical behaviour was so powerful that the whole tribe accepted the Prophet’s message.

Taking revenge is not the way of Islam. Instead, good behaviour is presented in return for bad behaviour that can win a person’s heart. Moreover, there is no other way more powerful than winning hearts.

The way of revenge turns the entire society into a jungle of harmful activities. In contrast, the way of winning hearts produces an atmosphere of virtue in society. This is because revenge only increases a problem, while the way of winning hearts solves it.