Result-Oriented Action

One’s actions must always be result-oriented. When a particular course of action is expected to yield a desired result, it should be pursued. Otherwise, one should refrain from undertaking such a course of action.

The Prophet Moses appointed his brother Aaron to be responsible for the Children of Israel and went to Mount Sinai for some days. It so happened that, thereafter, the Children of Israel began worshipping a calf made of gold. Aaron tried to stop them, but seeing their insistence, he later kept silent. When Moses returned, he destroyed that golden calf, threw it away, and punished the culprits.

Here, it is interesting to ponder why there was this difference in action between Moses and Aaron. What was the reason that Aaron tolerated in practice an issue of what was open shirk (association of something with God), while Moses acted very differently, by destroying it?

The reason is that Aaron realised that had he taken practical action, one group would support him and the other group would remain with the worshippers of the calf in the form of an idol. In this way, the community, getting divided into two groups, would fall prey to internecine conflict. But this apprehension did not exist in the case of the action that Moses took. Moses enjoyed a dominant position in the community. On account of this, it was possible to enforce the decision he wanted on the community.

From this incident one can learn that action must always be result-oriented. If by engaging in a certain action a desired outcome will result, one should do so. But if there is an apprehension that by taking a certain step the situation will worsen and an additional evil will arise, one should desist from engaging in such action.