Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm
وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
(Qur’ān 25:63)
‘Wa ‘Idhā Khātabahumu Al-Jāhilūna Qālū Salāmāan’
‘And when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.’ Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm.
Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla says to mu’mins, “When ignorant people say such mischievous things to them, they ignore them and do not engage with them. They do not give them any importance,” says Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla.
This way, this principle is the principle of our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam. It is something that Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla loves.
If an ignorant person says something to you, you start responding to him. By responding to him, you give him value. He thinks “I am something,” and then he attacks you even more. The more you respond, the more he responds to you. It annoys you, and it’s of no benefit to him.
Now they’re calling it polemics. They’re saying, “Let’s not engage in polemics.” That is the most important thing. Because these ignorant people everywhere have learned this method. They attack everyone so they can gain a share for themselves.
Everyone, big or small, scholar or tyrant, wants to make themselves famous, for others to think they are important. And as a result of such polemics, ignorant people think this completely unknown ignorant people is someone and they believe him and follow him.
Therefore, the most important thing, the most beautiful thing, as Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla said, is not to engage with the ignorant. Speak the truth; those who accept it accept it. Those who do not, know for themselves. Allāh ﷻ hasn’t destined it for them.
Therefore, this is an important thing. But people today, if someone says something they immediately say, “I will respond to him, I will do something.” That’s wrong. That is not the way of our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam.
We should reiterate the famous incident of our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam. Someone was speaking ill with Sayyidina Abu Bakr. Our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam was standing next to him, smiling. Once, twice, a third time, Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu anhu responded to that ignorant person.
Immediately, the Prophet’s ﷺ face changed, his ﷺ smile vanished, and he ﷺ left.
Of course, Sayyidina Abu Bakr knew how our Prophet ﷺ was. Also the companions knew when he ﷺ was upset and when he ﷺ was pleased. He immediately followed him. “Ya RasulaLlah, he said so much to me. You smiled while he was speaking bad words to me. Then, when I responded, you didn’t like it and went out.”
Our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam said, “While he was speaking bad words to you, Allāh ﷻ sent an angel who was defending you. When you started speaking, the angel went away, and shayṭān came to you. I do not stay where shayṭān is.”
That’s how it is. This matter is like this. It’s important to understand this. As long as you respond to an ignorant person, shayṭān is there. As long as you don’t respond, the angels defend you.
Therefore, you must control your ego. You must not forget this. The more you respond to the ignorant, the more they escalate the issue, the more the shayṭāns multiply. May Allah ﷻ protect us from their evil.
Wa min Allah at-Tawfiq.
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