Condition IV

That under the impulse of any passions, he/she shall cause no harm whatsoever to the creatures of God in general and Muslims in particular, neither by his/her tongue, hands, nor any other means.

As is clear from this condition, one should not cause harm whether by one’s hands or by one’s tongue in a fit of anger, under the pretext of one’s self-respect or honour. Clearly, it is mandatory that one should not harm any Muslim. This has been made obligatory upon us. We have to especially abide by this condition because Muslims associate themselves with our dearly Beloved Master the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa). We cannot even imagine harming them. In seeking the help of Allah, the Most Powerful and the Almighty God, Who is the Lord of All Powers, against those self-appointed ‘ulema’ who are a blemish on the fair name of Islam — who have exceeded all bounds in their enmity of the Messiah and the Mahdi as of the age — we prostrate at His threshold imploring Him to seize them. We do so because the Prophet of Allah had declared them to be the worst of the creation; otherwise, we neither nurse unnecessary grudges against them nor are we angry with anyone. We act upon the commandments of the Almighty Allah. In exhorting us to suppress our anger the Almighty Allah says:1

Those who spend in prosperity and in adversity, and those who suppress anger and pardon men; and Allah loves those who do good.

It was by virtue of this verse that a slave of Hazrat Imam Husain(ra), won his freedom. It is said that the slave erroneously dropped something hot (it could have been water) on Hazrat Husain(ra). He looked at him angrily. The slave was intelligent and knew the Holy Qur’an as well. He promptly quoted the part of the verse about the suppression of anger.2

Hazrat Husain(ra) said, ‘You are right; I suppress my anger.’ Now the servant thought that though the anger had been brought under control, it would still remain in his heart. It was possible that he would be chastised for some other mistake later. So he quoted the second part of the verse:3

Hazrat Husain(ra) said, ‘I have forgiven you.’ The slave’s knowledge and promptness gave him immediate benefits. Now he quoted the third part of the verse:4

Hazrat Husain(ra) responded, ‘I hereby grant you freedom.’ In those days, slaves used to be bought. It was not possible to gain one’s freedom so easily. The slave’s quick-wittedness and knowledge got him freedom from his master who was God-fearing. This is the teaching of Islam.