Eschew Hatred and Role Model Tolerance

Archival documents from various standard museums always point to man's state of primitivity to be an improvement of its earlier stage of savagery.

Sociologists in their study of human behavior and interpersonal relationships often notice some characteristics of hatred and intolerance among people in a community or society at large.

Educationists affirmatively believe that application of the affective domain on attitudinal molding and building may resolve the challenges of hatred and intolerance among the people of the world, if effectively taught.

However, surprisingly, observations of history have comical records of street brawling, gangsterism, vengeance in various public places, the situation is the same among the elite, matters that ought to have been resolved amicably, have torn communities apart, and pushed the state Houses of Assembly, those at the Federal level inclusive, into chaotic situations.

Despite the claim of been graduates of various institutions of learning the issue of hatred and intolerance, therefore, deserves from every person a clear understanding of the Scriptures that upholds the fabric of existence of every religious denomination. Suffice it now to say that teachings on virtues must cut across the spheres of culture, self-esteem, integrity, and education on character building, while religion must be used to focus on the harmonization of the essence of culture and education on the issue of tolerance and love for every one of us to be able to eschew hatred and violence while the culture of tolerance must be socio-spiritually established.

From the teachings of Jesus Christ about fighting back, every nation must learn and domesticate the teachings for its substance to be imbibed into our character for ease of having good human relations.

Matthew 5: 38-42 refers. , ''Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 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. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.''

 By the foregoing, we would have eschewed hatred and acts of intolerance for the teachings to be effectively feasible, religious leaders, Christians and Muslims alike, must role model these virtues as well as our political leaders as perfect examples for the people, by polarization, to follow suit.

This is the only way by which we can have a stable government to develop the people amidst system dynamics without molestation.

In the same vein, the Holy Quran 41: 32-36 admonishes us on the issue of the culture of harbouring no hatred but eschewing the acts of intolerance as the only way towards which we can secure the favor of God since life is sweet and prosperous only when the culture of symbolism exists.

The teachings from all the houses of God, must, therefore, be based on the exemplary lifestyles of all holy prophets as it is based on the following injunctions of 41: 32-26 of the Holy Quran, '' A hospitable gift from One oft-Forgiven, most merciful! Who is better in speech than one who calls men to Allah(God), works righteousness, and says ''I am of those who bow in his life(surrender onto God)? Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel evil with what is better(no bitter retaliation): Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thine friend and intimate! And no one would be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint,-none but persons of the greatest good fortune and if at any time and incitement to discord is made to thee by Satan seek refuge in Allah. He is the one who hears and knows all things.''

The emphasis is on the need to promote love to foster understanding and to eschew hatred to avoid violence even at the height of provocation. Muslims and Christians are, therefore, admonished to live exemplary lifestyles and be Scripture compliant.

Since all these virtues are professed by our Scriptures, there is a dire need to walk the talk for our environment, home, community, society, and the nation at large to avoid bitter experiences of insecurity and terrorism which always have their root in the untreated wounds of hatred, intolerance, and violence.

This is the only way by which we can avoid setbacks in the development or destruction of lives and property which must stop for our children to be able to lay claim to a bequeathable legacy of justice, peace, and sustainable development. Eschew hatred and role model tolerance.

Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,Wakajaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria