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DO NOT INJURE THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS
(Received on 15.05.02 at 2.15 p.m)
In order to tread the path of spirituality it is necessary to abstain from injuring the feelings of others and to imbibe the virtue of sympathy with others and to hearten them. In jury to the feelings of others produces darkness in the heart, while sympathizing with others and keeping them satisfied fills the heart with light. Injury to feelings of others results in impurity and disfiguration, while sympathy leads to beauty and decoration. One leads to hardening and difficulties, while the other leads to softening and simplicity. Injury to the feelings of others means causing pain to their hearts. This takes three forms:
1. Mental: Control your mind so that the thought of injuring others does not enter it.
2. Vocal: Keep watch on your tongue so that it may not utter any improper words. It should not be soiled with impolite or abusive words. Abuse is one, but is reverberations are many. Evils words lead to disputes, disharmony and sufferings.
An angry man, in uttering improper words, uses the basest of abuses and wants to win the field, but a saint admits defeat and keeps silent. Abuses are like live coals and emit smoke of anger, rage and back-biting. One can be called a saint only if he gives them up.
The abuse is one when it comes, but many when it reverberates. O Munir, if it is not returned, it remains one only. Abuse leads to disputes, sufferings and disharmony. He who admits defeat is a saint; he who quarrels is mean. Abuse is a live coal and anger, deceit and backbiting are smoke. He who remains aloof from them is called a holy man. Drink wine and burn the carpet, set fire to the ka’aba. Become dweller of the idol house. But give up injuring and feelings of others.
3. Bodily or physical: Control the body so that none of the organs, hands or feet may cause harm to anyone. To cause pain to another man’s heart is violence which is forbidden. He who wounds the heart of others by his words or actions is a great sinner. |
