Results of Actions
MAULANA WAHIDUDDIN KHAN
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A man came before the Prophet Muhammad and asked him for some advice. The Prophet said to him, “When you decide on some action, think of its consequences. If they are good, go ahead with it, and if they are bad, refrain from it.“The Prophet's words show that a prospective action should be weighed up according to the outcome it is likely to have.One should think before one acts: what will be the consequences of my action? If the prospects appear good, one may carry on with what one is intending to do, otherwise one should rethink one's course of action.
Generally , people just take matters at their face value and rush into them without thinking. A Muslim should study matters carefully from every angle before deciding on a course of action. He should particularly take note of others' probable reaction. Are people likely to stand in his way? If so, does he have the capability to overcome the obstacles they pose?
Is he in a position to surmount all the hurdles that are likely to be strewn in his path, winning through to his final goal?
He should consider what the psychological, social and political repercussions of his actions will be. Only if he is confident that his work will have beneficial consequences should he embark on it.
The only initiative worth taking is one that will yield positive results. If one embarks on a destructive course of action, it will be oneself that suffers. Therefore, one should steer clear of such actions, as any sensible person steers clear of destroying his own life.
Generally , people just take matters at their face value and rush into them without thinking. A Muslim should study matters carefully from every angle before deciding on a course of action. He should particularly take note of others' probable reaction. Are people likely to stand in his way? If so, does he have the capability to overcome the obstacles they pose?
Is he in a position to surmount all the hurdles that are likely to be strewn in his path, winning through to his final goal?
He should consider what the psychological, social and political repercussions of his actions will be. Only if he is confident that his work will have beneficial consequences should he embark on it.
The only initiative worth taking is one that will yield positive results. If one embarks on a destructive course of action, it will be oneself that suffers. Therefore, one should steer clear of such actions, as any sensible person steers clear of destroying his own life.
