Introducing Islam a Simple Introduction to Islam
Humility—The Foundation of Unity
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HUMILITY—THE FOUNDATION OF
UNITY
The basis of unity is humility. If everyone puts
others before himself, then the question of friction
does not arise, for disunity stems from everyone
putting himself first and wishing that he and his
utterances should be given supremacy, no matter
what the circumstances. If no one considered
himself superior, what would there be to quarrel
about?
Clashes of interest and outlook are bound to occur
in a society where people live in close contact with
each other. When this happens, superiority
complexes are apt to surface. Everybody tends to
feel sure that his own opinion is correct, that his
rights supersede others’, and that his own interest
must be protected at all costs. Considerations such
as these alienate people from one another, which
results in disharmony, and if all parties remain
adamant, friction can do little but escalate. If,
however, one of the parties to a dispute adopts a
humble attitude and is willing to stand down, then
discord will vanish automatically, and harmony
