The Prophet Muhammad A simple Guide to his Life
Sunnah Hudaybiya
~ 156 ~
various reasons, individuals and communities often
clash and come into confrontation with one another.
This verse of the Qur’an guides us as to what course
we must adopt in such situations.
In accordance with this verse, there are only two
possible modes of behaviour in such controversial
situations, for individuals as well as for nations –
one being based on godliness and the other on
ungodliness (an insolent attitude). Success is
reserved only for those who adopt a god-fearing
attitude on such occasions. For those who are
fearless of God, nothing but failure awaits them in
this world.
What would an ungodly attitude be on such
occasions? It is called
(hamiyat-e-jahiliyya
in the
Qur’an. The truth is that people generally become
provoked in a controversial situation. Negative
feelings within them are activated. They are not in a
position to look at the matter with a cool mind and
arrive at a settlement solely on the basis of
principle. Those who give in to such a negative
attitude fall prey to
hamiyat jahiliya,
as the Qur’an
calls it.
