TRUE MARK OF BELIEF

Litmus Test

ACCORDING to a Hadith narrated by Anas Bin Malik, a Companion of the Prophet, God’s Messenger said, ‘None of you can become a true believer until he has reached the stage where he likes for his brother what he likes for himself.’ (AI Bukhari and Muslim).

This Hadith demonstrates unequivocally what the attitude of a Muslim should be towards other human beings, i.e. what he aspires for himself should be what he aspires for others as well.

No one is fond of insolent conduct. Everyone appreciates being addressed politely. This very fact should serve as a main guideline. One should never be harsh, but should invariably speak with concern for others’ feelings.

Similarly, if a man is denied what is rightfully his, he will resent it immensely. Why should we not bear this in mind, and always remember to give others their due? We should not deny anyone what is his by right.

When a promise is not kept, the person to whom the promise was made feels hurt. There is a lesson in this for everyone. We should never, for any reason, go back on our promises, but should always do our utmost to keep them.

If a person’s interests are hurt, he becomes upset. This is something which he should remember when dealing with others. He must ensure that others’ interests never suffer through any fault of his. He must, on the contrary, strive to promote others’ interests to the same extent as his own.

A believer, by nature, is a delicate and sensitive man. It is this sensitivity which compels him to be the type of man he wants others to be in their dealings with him.

The most excellent struggle is for

the conquest of self.