Leave the Problem Pending

It is a fact that there are differences between individuals as well as groups. But this is not an evil: it is actually good for humanity. Difference is not simply difference: it reflects diversity and the unlimited nature of men and women.

Healthy difference, inviting discussion and dialogue and intellectual exchange, leads to development, while a ‘no difference’ situation leads to stagnation. The acceptance of such ideas, leading to development in every field, both intellectual and physical, contributes greatly to progress. Man has unlimited potential but it needs competition and challenge to bring it forth and turn it into actuality. Difference, in providing an issue for discussion, throws down such a challenge and, by meeting this challenge, you are able to discover new areas of facts, new fields of progress. Minus difference, man would fall into an intellectual slumber and become little better than a statue.

But there have to be certain pre-conditions if difference is to be a healthy social asset. In spite of differences you have to remain peaceable. You have to be sincere and objective, so that the difference may be expressed in a disciplined manner. You have to express your differences peacefully, and at the same time be open-minded enough to allow others to freely express their views. Like other phenomena, difference has two aspects—it has its plus points and its minus points. If difference is confined within peaceful limits, it is good, but if difference goes beyond the limit and becomes a source of conflict and violence, it turns into an evil. Difference with peace is a blessing, but difference with violence is a problem.

Difference, important in every field, both secular and religious, is a form of dissent rather than a matter of controversy. It provides us with a kind of ladder by which to attain the higher reaches of our lives. Without difference, no development is possible in any branch of intellectual learning.

Difference, important in every field, both secular and religious, is a form of dissent rather than a matter of controversy. It provides us with a kind of ladder by which to attain the higher reaches of our lives.

It opens up factual areas that were formerly hidden and opens doors that were hitherto closed. Difference gives us an opportunity for collective thinking. It is a part of human beings—a sign of intellectual life; only statues cannot differ from each other.

When difference is a part of creation, we have no other option but to accept it as it is. Trying to eliminate differences is certainly doomed to failure. One who is not ready to live with differences must create another world according to his personal desires. But who can create a new world?

All the verses revealed in the Quran have some background, a knowledge of which is very often necessary for a full understanding of the Quranic message. Certain verses of this kind appear in the chapter Al-Muddaththir (Wrapped in his Cloak), one of the early revelations of the Quran. This chapter was revealed in about 610 AD when the Prophet was in Makkah. The city was at that time under the domination of idol-worshippers, who had placed 360 idols in the Kaaba—a place of worship of the one God, built by the Prophet Abraham.