As soon as Hazrat Khawaja Gaisoo Daraz (R.A) reached the bank of a stream for ablution, he saw a scorpion struggling to reach the bank. It was resisted by the strong flow of the stream. He thought that this scorpion is the creature of Allah, I should help it. In order to take it out, as soon as he spread his hand to hold it, it stung in his hand. Due to intensity of pain, the scorpion fell down from his hand. He pressed his hand, recited some verses, tried to pull out the sting. As the time of prayer was approaching, he thought of doing ablution again. As he put his hand in the water, he found scorpion in the same condition. He tried to catch it and was stung second time by it. Due to pain he has been pressing his hand and reciting verses for a long time. After some time he again thought of doing ablution for the third time, and found the scorpion in the same condition. He felt pity for him. The same thing was repeated for the third time. A young man was watching him from a distance. He came to this saint. He was not familiar with him. He said respectfully, “you must know that this is a scorpion, it is stinging you and you are trying to save it again and again”. He took a deep breath and said, “My son you are right, but I thought that since it is instinctive for him to sting, and I am the follower of Holy Prophet (ﷺ) who is merciful to all worlds that exist, it is instinctive for me to be kind and beneficial for others. Therefore, I thought if he is persistent in his nature, I should also be persistent in my nature. There is no doubt that the true test of man is in his instinct for revenge. The people who are cruel and unjust are frequently those, who does not take lead in doing ill and injustice to others, rather they are take lead in revenge. Therefore, Islam lays so much emphasis on patience. Patience does not mean to tolerate grief rather it is persistence on the right against hope and desire and power to take revenge and remain passive.
Islam is the religion that caters to nature; it does not recommend turning other cheek to the person who hits one. Islam has ordered to take revenge for the evil deeds on equal footing. However, Islam has also beautifully emphasized to forgive. “The revenge can be taken on equal basis with punishment. But who forgives and takes corrective measure, Allah will reward him as per His majesty and He does not like the transgressors” (Alshura, 40).
It should be noted that it is difficult for human beings to take revenge for a slap. It you don’t take revenge, you are innocent, and if you don’t and your opponent was cruel. But if you take revenge and slap the enemy with more force, you wwill be considered as cruel and your enemy will be considered innocent. Therefore it was advised:” Your Lord does not like transgressors”. With reference to the advice of Hazrat Luqman (AS), Quran says, “And be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, all that is of the matters (requiring) determination”.
In all the examples of footsteps of Holy prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), he advised to do good to enemies even when in power. He advised to do so through his beloved companions. He advised His Ummah to maintain the relationships with those who try to break them and forgive those who are unjust to you and bless those who deprive you though you are in power to do so” you will show good attitude towards him. The test of a momin is to show kindness to a tyrants, truthlessness person. Allah makes us succeed in this test. Ameen.
