Sufi emphasis on peace and forbearance even under extreme provocation

Raziuddin Aquil 

Sufi traditions have continuously emphasised on the need for patience and forbearance even under extreme provocation. Collections of conversations of medieval Sufis are full of poetic compositions recommending grace and kindness with even the most inveterate of opponents and enemies. Anger, aggression and bigotry are to be completely shunted out from one's personal conduct. Instead, prayers for mercy, peace and well-being are the recommended response. The aggressive feelings of revenge should give way to regards and blessings.

Emphasising on these virtues which need to be cultivated, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya frequently quoted some fine Persian couplets which sum up everything said above. See, for instance:

هر که مارا یار نبود ایزد او را یار باد 

و آنکه مارا رنجه دارد راحتش بسیار باد!

هر که او خاری نهد در راه ما از دشمنی 

هر گلی کز باغ عمرش بشگفد بی خار باد!

Har ke mara yaar nabud izad u ra yaar baad

W aanke mara ranjeh daarad raahatash bisyaar baad

Har ke u khari nehad dar raahe ma az dushmani

Har guli ke-az baaghe umarash beshagufad bi khaar baad

Someone who is not a friend, may God be his friend

Someone who inflicts pain on us may live in peace

Someone who puts thorns on our way out of animosity

Every flower in the garden of his life may remain thornless

Hazrat Nizamuddin reiterated that if revenge is the order of the day, there will be violence and unrest all around. The Khwaja pointed out that it was easy to be nice to people who are kind, the challenge and recommendation is to be nice to bad people as well.

Even while complaining and arguing, it should be done in the politest manner, speaking softly, and avoiding cursing and shouting. Certainly not in a manner that the neck's veins get swelled by shouting in rage:

سخن در حالت ماجرا چنان باید گفت که رگ گردن بر نیاید یعنی اثر غضب و تعصب پیدا نباشد-

Sukhan dar haalat maajra chunaan baayad guft ke rag gardan bar nayaayad ya'ni asar ghazab o ta'ssub paida nabaashad

In sum, behave like decent human beings, not like beastly creatures. Cultivate one's heart for love and peace, rather than hatred and violence.