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The Advice of a Wise Man
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2. Then there is prayer to God. Prayer is not simply a set of rituals; it is rather a way of acknowledging God’s greatness. This acknowledgement makes one realistic and honest. This differentiates the human being from the animal. An animal cannot demonstrate a sense of gratitude, but man does have this special gift.
3. It is also everyone’s duty to be watchful of others and tell them about good behaviour and bad behaviour. It is an expression of well-wishing towards other human beings. An honest person cannot afford to live as an indifferent member of society.
4. Patience is a very important human quality; without keeping one’s patience, no one can be good in his behaviour in life.
5. It is also required that everyone be determined, for without determination, no one can unflaggingly follow the path of truth.
6. The greatest minus point in an individual is arrogance, while the greatest plus point is modesty.
7. The ass has the bad habit of disturbing others. Man must refrain from this bad habit.
Successful Dialogue
Abraham was a prophet of God who was sent to ancient Iraq. At that time King Nimrod of Babylonia had established a kingdom in the plain of Shinar, circa 2450 B.C The Prophet Abraham brought the message of tawhid (the oneness of God) to him. But the king refused to accept his message. A part of their conversation is quoted in the chapter Al-Baqarah (The Heifer) of the Quran as follows:
original + quoteOriginal text with a quotation or mention inside it
Have you not heard of him who argued with Abraham about his Lord, because God had bestowed the kingdom upon him? Abraham said, ‘My Lord is the one who gives life and brings death.’ He answered, ‘I [too] give life and bring death!’ Abraham said, ‘God brings up the sun from the east, so bring it up yourself from the west.’ Then the disbeliever was confounded. God does not guide the wrongdoers. (2:258)
Qur'anQuotes the Qur'an
This conversation between the Prophet and the king gives us a very important principle of dialogue. That is, if the response of the other party is not positive, do not follow the futile course of insistence. See the mind of the other party and adopt an alternative form of dialogue.