Be Like Adam's Son: Changing a Government and Changing Ideas

So you see I do not crave, as most Muslims do, to see a change in governments. Nor does it thrill me to see a change there, unless it is the end result of changes in our mindset. I see things in the light of the verse, "Let there be no compulsion in religion; Truth stands out clear from error." (2:256) It is through persuasion that a government must change and not through violence and compulsion.

I am not aware of anyone having viewed things from this vantage-point. But can it become a common approach? Will a group declare that it will not attempt to cause change to happen without any resort to violence? Do some study history and learn from its lessons? Is it not enough that we have tried and tried for fourteen centuries, and have always failed to change things to the better through resorting to violent means? Are we not primed yet for a more mature way? Why have others succeeded in having sense while we have not?

It is charming, however, to realize that God's laws have no favorites, and no nation is exempt from the law of God. All human beings must answer to the verse, "You are but men." (5:18) But those who rise above others would not have the laws that apply to others apply to them. About such people the Lord says, as we see in the Qur'an, "Those who behave arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right – I will turn away from My Signs; Even if they see all the Signs." (7:146) Have I at least got the message over, at least to some individuals? To win over only some would raise my morale.

The problem with people is that they find the other barbaric to commit violence, an unacceptable crime; but their own violence seems justified. Do not do it, man! Do not place yourself as above God's laws! Nor try to deny how your passions and desires control you. Remember how prone you are to sin or stumble or err! Neither I nor you are immune to trespassing.

We need to learn from the physician who deals with his patient as in need of help, not in need of elimination. This is something we need to apply to human failings, without contempt, without slandering or backbiting. With the required knowledge at your disposal you do not need to compel the other or to force his hand. You can give him content, and make him feel you have mercy for him, tolerance and equanimity. People are not opposed to knowledge; it is only the style that alienates them.

I do realize that I have more words of complaint than words of solution. I know that I am not equipped to provide convincing examples. And there are enough examples in life. It is only my ignorance that I can plead as the cause of my wordiness and thin writing. I can only turn to the good reader to bear with me, and look through all this, in case he can find some insights here and there.

I sometimes read that physicists enter the electrons into accelerators that help them study certain facts about the atom. That is fascinating. But it is painful that people do not study the method of prophets which helps in accelerating human progress and in getting over human problems. It seems that believers feel abashed, and hold back whatever occurs to them about the way of prophets.