Patience Is An Honor for the Believers

Right from the start of this book, we have spoken of the unbelievers' mockery of the believers throughout history and have mentioned its complete futility. However, it will be useful to go into this subject in more detail.

In those societies that are far from religion, people who are mocked, slandered, or accused of things that they have not done become sad and depressed. Knowing this, they deliberately employ these methods to discourage, weaken, and demoralize the believers. However, they can never realize their desired goals, because mocking words and groundless accusations are exactly what Allah tells in the Qur'an to the believers to expect:

You will be tested in your wealth and in your selves, and you will hear many abusive words from those given the Book before you and from those who are idolaters. But if you are steadfast and guard against evil, that is the most resolute course to take. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 186)

In this verse Allah tells the believers what to expect and confirms that such mockery means that they are being true to their faith. As a result, such behavior does not sadden the believers; rather, it encourages them and strengthens their faith, because they can see that Allah fulfills His promises. In other words, such mockery does not affect the believers in the way expected by the unbelievers. On the contrary, such ignorant activity becomes a blessing for them and, just like every event created by Allah, strengthens their morality, deepens their faith, and exalts them in the hereafter.

Since this is the case, no form of mockery can make the believers unhappy. For them, it is a sign of Allah's mercy that enables them to hope for His approval and a place in paradise. In another verse, Allah tells us that believers should be patient in such situations:

Be steadfast in the face of what they say, and cut yourself off from them – but courteously. (Surat al-Muzzammil, 10)

In addition, Allah's promise that He will help them face all such mockery increases the believers' joy: "We are enough for you against the mockers" (Surat al-Hijr, 95). Of course, this gives the believers great confidence. People who do not live by religious moral values can impudently mock believers as much as they want to, but whatever they say and do does not harm them. In fact, it benefits the believers: "Allah will not give the unbelievers any way against the believers" (Surat an-Nisa', 141). In other verses, Allah reveals that He supports the believers:

Right guidance has become clearly distinct from error. Anyone who rejects false deities and believes in Allah has grasped the Firmest Handhold, which will never give way. Allah is All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, and the Protector of those who believe. He brings them out of the darkness and into the light. But those who do not believe have false deities as protectors. They take them from the light and into the darkness. Those are the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it timelessly, forever. (Surat al-Baqara, 256-257)

The believers' character in no way resembles the unbelievers' descriptions of them, for they are people of superior morality who are rewarded both in this world and the hereafter. The mockery to which they are subjected here is a sign of their superiority, as are the effectiveness of their actions and the effect they have on the unbelievers. At the same time, this illustrates the popular proverb: "Only the tree that bears fruit is stoned." Those unbelievers who see the believers' idealistic strength and superior morality try to undermine them by blackening their reputations with lies and slander. They know that the believers can bring amity and order to the world, and so work to prevent this by taking preemptive measures. For example, they mock the believers when they explain the Qur'an to the people and attempt to enlighten others about it. Or, they mock their efforts to tell other people about the proofs of Allah's existence. As revealed in the Qur'an, they "use fallacious arguments to deny the truth" (Surat al-Kahf, 56). However, in the Qur'an Allah has the following good news for Muslims:

Say: "Truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Falsehood is always bound to vanish." (Surat al-Isra', 81)

Rather, We hurl the truth against falsehood and it cuts right through it and it vanishes clean away! Woe without end to you for what you portray! (Surat al-Anbiya', 18)