Introducing Islam a Simple Introduction to Islam
Abstaining From Baseness
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ABSTAINING FROM BASENESS
A believer makes mistakes, but does not stoop to
baseness. Mistakes are often made in sudden fits of
emotion, but, when the passion cools, one becomes
conscious of the error and feels ashamed of one’s
own wrongdoing. The next step is to seek out the
wronged person, beg forgiveness and make
amends. If compensation can be given, well and
good. If not, one prays: “Lord, forgive my mistake
and accept this salutary prayer from me on behalf
of the person I have wronged!”
A mean person would behave in quite a different
way, for meanness is a permanent state of mind
rather than a temporary condition. A person who
has stooped so low feels neither shame nor any urge
to make amends for what has passed. In fact, he
would be happy to see his opponent suffer more. If
he has a grievance against someone, he is not
satisfied merely with a severance of relations, but
does his utmost to lay that person low. He makes
slanderous accusations and concocts vicious plots
against him. He does not just point out a person’s
errors; he seeks to discredit that person completely
