Islam Rediscovered
11. Non-Violence and Islam
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companions from their home-town. They had taken
possession of Muslims’ homes and other properties,
and spared no effort in disseminating negative
propaganda against Islam.
Given this state of affairs, there were only two
options before the believers. One was to attempt to
put an end to tyranny and launch an outright war
on the other party in the name of securing their
rights. The result of such a move would certainly
have been further loss in terms of lives and
property.
The second option was to remain patient in the face
of immediate loss, be it political or material, and, in
spite of the losses avail of whatever opportunities
are already available. The Prophet Muhammad,
may peace be upon him, and his companions chose
this second course. The result was that the entire
history of Arabia was revolutionized in just a few
years time.
The same state of affairs is widespread in modern
times. Although today Muslims have suffered great
losses, political and material, at the hands of other
nations, however there still exist a great number of
