Bringing order out of chaos

(Late) Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

The world of nature is a world of order. How different is the world of man, where human affairs so often descend into chaos, because members of society flout those very principles which should bring order into their lives! Social living, if it is to be successful, should be regulated by laws that are as inexorable as the laws of nature. These laws can be effective, however, only if man fully grasps the necessity to adhere to them. He must realize that society without order, is like a factory without electricity. It simply will not work.

It should also be realized that the prevalence of certain virtues over their opposing vices is a great contributing factor in maintaining order. Generosity, broadmindedness, forgivingness, and gentlemanly behavio¬ur must respectively override miserliness, narrow-mindedness, vengefulness and meanness.

Consideration for others must always be our first response in any given situation, particularly when it concerns the keeping of confidences, for the disclosure of others’ faults or secrets, shows a mindless callousness that breeds nothing but ill-will. Above all, promises must always be kept.

Certain traits of character are naturally supportive of social order. Knowing what a situation requires of one, whether it is a matter of conscience or discretion, is always conducive to harmonious living. Just knowing what to say, and when to speak, and when to remain silent is one of the greatest social virtues. Knowing whether to adopt a hard or a soft attitude, whether to be firm or whether to be pliant is equally important.

People who understand these niceties of social coexistence, and put them into practice, are vital to the solidarity of a community; without them, the order would degenerate into anarchy.