Return Good for Evil

Returning good for evil is the path to success. It means countering anger with forgiveness, provocation with silence, war with negotiation and hatred with love.

In chapter 13, the Quran, mentions the qualities of successful people. It describes them as “those who are steadfast in seeking the favour of their Lord and pray regularly and spend secretly and openly and ward off evil with good. Theirs shall be the final abode.” (13:22)

When evil insinuates itself into social life, it cannot be brought to an end by another evil. Evil cannot be countered by evil. This is the law laid down by God for this world. No one can change this divine law.

When darkness envelops the earth at night, it does not take more darkness to remove the darkness of night. On the contrary, what the universe does is bring the bright sun before it, then on its own the darkness disappears.

This is the law of nature. To be successful, a person should adopts this way of nature in his life. If he wants to remove evil, he shall have to do good in return for evil. This is the only way. No other way is practical in this regard.

If anyone speaks bitter words, reply to them with sweet words. Then the other person will find it embarrassing and will fall silent. Sweet words in return for bitter words means solving the problems indirectly, and in this world change is better effected indirectly rather than directly.

Anger has to be countered with forgiveness. Provocation has to be countered with silence. War is not to be ended with more war but with negotiation. The answer to hatred is not hatred but love and compassion. Honour must be returned with honour.

This is the only way to success in this world. Other paths will only lead to ruination and extinction.