NO AGGRESSION
God has created human beings free. That’s why, by nature, every person wants to think freely and express themselves freely. This aspect of human nature is so intrinsic that it cannot be separated from a person in any way.
At the same time, it is also a fact that every human being is a unique individual. Everyone has their own way of thinking, distinct from others. This means it is impossible for all people to think alike. In other words, disagreement is a natural part of human life, and eliminating it is not possible. The only practical and realistic approach is for people to show tolerance toward one another. In this world, the more tolerant a person is, the more successful they are likely to be.
Historians of Islam agree that, in practical terms, Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan was a highly successful ruler. The reason for his success was not that he eliminated all dissent in his domain, but rather something else—what one historian described as political forbearance (al-hilm al-siyasi). He had the ability to listen patiently even to the harshest criticisms. Ibn Qutaybah recounts an incident in these words:
“A man spoke harshly to Muawiyah, but Muawiyah remained patient. Someone said to him, ‘Are you going to let a man like that get away so easily?’ He replied, ‘I do not stand between people and their tongues, as long as they do not stand between us and our authority.’” (‘Uyun al-Akhbar by Ibn Qutaybah al-Dinawari, Volume 1, Page 397)
This kind of patience does not only apply to political authority; it is relevant in all areas of life. Every individual has their own personal world, whether in political matters or otherwise. One should not invade someone’s personal space. Instead, any disagreement should be strictly limited to presenting arguments. If approached this way, social harmony will remain undisturbed. Problems arise when disagreement becomes personal and confrontational.
The correct and natural principle of disagreement is this: Keep it within the limits of respectful exchange; never allow it to escalate into conflict or aggression.
For a person in power, practical aggression occurs when someone goes beyond intellectual disagreement and begins to challenge their authority directly—not by addressing their ideas, but by trying to bring down their political standing.
For an ordinary person, practical aggression occurs when someone does not just engage in respectful disagreement but goes further to insult the individual personally, defame them, humiliate them, and initiate campaigns to damage their reputation. This can include attempts to sever the person’s social connections, isolate them, and undermine their standing in the community.
What qualifies as aggression in practice will depend on the specific circumstances. But as a general rule, it means moving from addressing someone’s ideas to attacking their personal existence—from thoughtful critique to personal takedown.
Freedom is a natural right of every individual, but the responsible use of that freedom comes with a necessary condition: it must not cross the line into aggression or violence.
