Islam Rediscovered
13. The Shariah and Its Application
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persecution patiently. In God, let all the faithful put
their trust.” (14:12).
That is, they had to adhere to the way of patience
and forbearance regardless of the injustice and
oppression of their opponents.
In this way, by timely guidance, the believers learnt
what their policy should be in whatever
circumstances they found themselves in. They
understood fully that even if the other party was
guilty of injustice, they had unilaterally to maintain
an attitude of patience.
Then the time came when the Prophet and his
companions migrated to Madinah, leaving their
hometown. The circumstances changed. The
injunctions too changed according to the new
circumstances. Earlier the guidance given was to
exercise patience on being persecuted, now the
guidance to deal with persecution changed. The
command given in the Quran on this occasion was:
“Permission (to take up arms) is hereby given to
those who are attacked.” (22:39)
