A NATURAL SHIELD
In 1973, there were about 1,800 tigers in India’s forests. Later, Project Tiger was launched to increase their numbers. The project succeeded, and now the number of tigers has risen to over 4,000. But with the increase in tigers, the danger also increased. In Uttar Pradesh’s Terai region lies Dudhwa National Park, and between India and Bangladesh are the Sundarbans. In these places, tigers often come out and kill villagers’ cattle.
However, it is rare for a tiger to attack a human. Even when it does, the attack usually comes from behind. The reason is that the tiger fears the human face. A report states that in the Sundarbans forest, people who enter the tiger’s territory out of necessity put a mask on the back of their heads, so that a human face can be seen both from the front and from behind. The reason for this tactic is that tigers rarely attack a person from the front. “Those that do enter the buffer zone of the Sundarbans wear masks on the back of their heads because a tiger seldom attacks a man from the front.” (The Times of India, 11 December 1988)
The human face naturally carries an aura of authority. Just as this aura restrains animals, it restrains humans as well. A tiger is overawed by the human face and does not dare to attack it directly. A tiger attacks only when, through carelessness, a person gives the impression of weakness. The same is true between humans. In normal conditions, one person is overawed by another’s presence. This awe disappears only when some incident breaks the natural balance.
A hadith says: “God created Adam in His own image” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 6227). The human face is indeed the most dignified thing in the known universe. It carries a natural greatness.
God has made your face and personality an undefeated shield. You can use it whenever needed. But your success in doing so depends entirely on the image you have built in the eyes of others.
If you have created the impression that you are shallow and worthless—that you only know how to fight meaningless quarrels, that you make bold claims but retreat at the first threat—then when you appear before others, your presence will carry no weight. At that time you will be like a broken shield, providing no protection.
In contrast, if you have built the impression that you are serious and weighty, that your good character has won people’s respect, then the moment you appear, people’s eyes will lower before you. Your presence will have the same effect as the saying:
“He came, he saw, he conquered.”
Your human face is a powerful shield. A person dares to strike at you only when, through your own mistake, you give the impression of weakness. Maintain your human dignity with wisdom, and no one will dare to strike at you.
