How to respond to insults?

Religion forbids a person to harm anyone. In the Holy Quran Almighty God instructs His slaves to strive to be the best in everything and prohibits all acts that harm others and can lead a person to various types of dishonour and moral decay.

From this there follows a general rule: all actions that unfairly hurt another person and disturb him are prohibited. They are accounted as sins, because it is forbidden to hurt anyone. Moreover it is forbidden to disturb any innocent person, regardless of whether he is a believer or not. Islam d o e s not in any way allow harm, even to unbelievers. If someone dares to insult us, it can indicate that the person does not like the things we do and he is angry about us. In this particular situation the best thing to do is to show patience. Thus we will surely achieve the contentment of the Almighty.

Patience is a wonderful trait of character that helps a person to get over the things that, at first glance, may seem as unbearable for his soul. Only a patient believer is able to fully fulfill all the commands of his Lord and resist the desires of his ego (nafs). Showing unlimited patience helps the believer to endure any insults and overcome troubles and misfortunes which usually cause great pain and grief. Patience surpasses all human virtues. God the Almighty in the Holy Koran said (meaning of the commentary), “O believers! Seek help (from Allah ) through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient (He helps them, protects and supports them).” (Sura Al-Baqarah, ayah 153). In this ayah, the Almighty explained to us the best way by which we can easily endure any adversity - and that is patience and prayer.

Also, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that patience makes life easier for the believer in this world and that through patience he can receive a reward in the eternal world. Abu Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (may God be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “How wonderful the affair of the believer is! Indeed, all of his affairs are good for him.

This is for no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is grateful to Allah, which is good for him. And if something bad happens to him, he has patience, which is good for him.” (Narrated by Muslim, Ibn Hibban). It happens that a person is insulted or gets in trouble, he immediately lets out his feelings and only later, when he comes round, does he starts to show patience. As is known from the hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) repeatedly emphasized the importance of showing patience at the very first moment.

Anas (may God be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The real patience is at the first stroke o f a calamity.” (Narrated by AlBukhari, Muslim). The one who shows patience at this very moment, at the first strike of a hardship, realizes that everything, both joy and misfortune, is from the Supreme Creator. He is sure that all his troubles and misfortunes are a test from the Lord, and therefore he never ceases to rely on Him. This behavior is one of the characteristics of the believer.

NURMUHAMMAD IZUDINOV Theologian