Islam & Christianty

Non-resistance to Evil

In some of its teachings, however, Christianity is apt to be too one-sided and unpracticable. For , Jesus is reported to have said:

 

"But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain."

(Matthew 5:39,41)

 

This was perhaps a necessary corrective to the hardheartedness and vindictive spirit produced by the literal observance of the teaching of "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" But can this teaching of "turn the other cheek also" be regarded as universal? Can it be practised as a wholesome moral precept in all cases and on all occasions? Non resistance to evil when the target of evil is not one's self but someone else is the sign of cowardice and apathy. Submission to bullies and tyrants can bring no good, it will only increase evil and human woe. It will encourage them to exploit and subdue others and increase disorder and injustice. Islam declare that evil in all cases must be repelled. If the evil doer can be reformed and prevented from doing violence and injury by kindness and mercy, then there can be nothing better than this. But if kindness makes it bolder in doing harm to others, then chastisement in proportion to the crime must be meted out to him. The teachings of the Qur'an in this respect also are universal and applicable to all cases. It says:

 

{The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is good then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity will become as though he was a boscm friend.)

(Qur'an 41 :43)

 

{The gnerdon of an ill-deed is an ill the like thereof But whosoever pardoneth and ainendeth (the evil doer by kindness and love), his wage is the Affair of God. Lo! He loveth not wrongdoing.

(Qur'an 42:39)