ASK MAULANA

Your Questions, Answered

What is the greatest mark of an exalted nature?

The greatest mark of an exalted nature is the ability to set aside grievances and differences in order to support another person.

Is patience another name for retreat?

Patience is no retreat. Patience gives the strength to restrain one’s emotions in delicate situations and to use one’s mind to find a course of action along result-oriented lines.

What differentiates gentleness from haughtiness?

Gentleness is an attribute of successful people, while haughtiness signals imminent failure.

How does one survive highly charged situations in life?

The way to survive highly charged situations in life is by not letting oneself be inwardly affected by one’s outward situation, by suppressing one’s emotions and keeping one’s feelings under control.

How should Man’s actions be governed?Man should be governed in thought, word and deed, not by the mere urge to pursue selfish aims, but by a deep and innate scrupulosity.

Why has suffering increased in modern times?

As far as I can gauge, physical suffering has not increased. It is still what it used to be. But it would be right to say that mental tension has increased in modern times, and this is chiefly due to the fact that people are not able to put a curb on their desires.

How do people who have faith in religion suffer less? Why does the present generation believe more in psychology than in religion?

I do not agree with this suggestion that religious people suffer less than others. However, it is true that religious beliefs inculcate a spirit of acceptance of whatever is in one’s fate. They bring a state of contentment in people. Because of this, religious people are more capable of bearing suffering.

It is also partially true that the present generation believes in psychology more than in religion. This is due to the thinking developed by this modern material civilization. The modern civilization attaches greater importance to the seen world than to the unseen world. This is how this way of thinking has developed. However, this is an unrealistic way of looking at the world, and, therefore, will not last.

What are the special and unique features in Islam that help you to deal with suffering?

According to Islam, the present world is a testing ground. It is not a place for receiving rewards. And so, a true believer accepts suffering as a trial. He develops patience, so that in the life after death God will reward him. Hence, it becomes possible for a believer to deal with suffering in a positive way.

How does helping others solve your problems?

Helping others is a great virtue in Islam. It is a source of great contentment in one’s heart. According to Islam, one who helps others receives God’s help in return. Members of a society who help each other make great progress.

Will the faith in religion end if there is no suffering?

Never! Religion is a permanent reality. It is a truth in itself. Whether there is suffering or not in this world, religion will always prevail, irrespective of circumstances.