Conflict Resolution and Patience

Hafiz Muhammad Abid Noman
Visiting Lecturer, GCUF
Email: nomeyy87@yahoo.com

In Islam, resolving conflicts peacefully and exercising patience are highly valued to maintain harmony and understanding among people.

1: Resolving Disputes:

Islam teaches that resolving conflicts peacefully is crucial. The Quran encourages finding mutual solutions:وَ اِنِ امْرَاَةٌ خَافَتْ مِنْۢ بَعْلِهَا نُشُوْزًا اَوْ اِعْرَاضًا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیْهِمَاۤ اَنْ یُّصْلِحَا بَیْنَهُمَا صُلْحًاؕ”If a woman fears ill treatment or indifference from her husband, it is not wrong for them to try to reconcile their differences.”(surah an-nisa 4:128)

2: Embracing Patience:

Patience is seen as a virtue in Islam, especially during disagreements. The Quran highlights the importance of patience:وَ لَمَنْ صَبَرَ وَ غَفَرَ اِنَّ ذٰلِكَ لَمِنْ عَزْمِ الْاُمُوْرِ”And whoever is patient and forgiving, these are truly the things to be aimed for.”

3: Avoiding Aggression:

Islam advises against aggressive behavior during conflicts. The Quran cautions against mockery or ridicule:یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لَا یَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّنْ قَوْمٍ عَسٰۤى اَنْ یَّكُوْنُوْا خَیْرًا مِّنْهُمْ”Believers, no people should ridicule others, for they might be better than them.”

4: Kind Communication:

Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) emphasized gentle communication in resolving conflicts.عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضى الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بِالصُّرَعَةِ، إِنَّمَا الشَّدِيدُ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ الْغَضَبِ ‏”‏‏.‏Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.”Sahih al-Bukhari 6114

5: Seeking Resolution through Patience:

The Quran encourages patience in resolving conflicts:وَ اِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوْا بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوْقِبْتُمْ بِهٖؕ-وَ لَىٕنْ صَبَرْتُمْ لَهُوَ خَیْرٌ لِّلصّٰبِرِیْنَ”And if you have to respond to an attack, make your response proportionate, but it is best to be patient and forgiving.”(surah an-nahl:126)

6: Humility and Compromise:

Islam teaches humility and compromise in conflict resolution.عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ “‏ مَنْ تَرَكَ الْكَذِبَ وَهُوَ بَاطِلٌ بُنِيَ لَهُ قَصْرٌ فِي رَبَضِ الْجَنَّةِ وَمَنْ تَرَكَ الْمِرَاءَ وَهُوَ مُحِقٌّ بُنِيَ لَهُ فِي وَسَطِهَا وَمَنْ حَسَّنَ خُلُقَهُ بُنِيَ لَهُ فِي أَعْلاَهَا ‏”‏ It was narrated that Ans bin Malik said: “The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: ‘Whoever gives up telling lies in support of a false claim, a palace will be built for him in the outskirts of Paradise. Whoever gives up argument when he is in the right, a palace will be built from him in the middle (of Paradise). And whoever had good behavior, a palace will be built for him in the highest reaches (of Paradise).'”Sunan Ibn Majah 51