Absolutely.
The hardest thing.
But..I believe the right thing to do.
Need some muslim help on this idea.
Turning the other cheek is hard. Hardest thing to do. In life. I think.
Idea is Forgiveness. Turning the other cheek = to forgive.
And sometimes that is not easy.
Sometimes Unforgiveable.
If one never learned how to say I'm sorry, and admit wrong, admit mistakes. It's hard to admit being wrong.
Most difficult thing.
But when one acknowledges and learns. Worth it.
I don't know if this is a dhaeef (weak) saying of Hazrat Ali (KW), but he said, " The biggest champion is he who can control his anger."...It is at the time of being angered that you need your wits, your experience and all that you have learned through life's lessons to be concentrated at that moment to do what is right and correct...If you master that, then you truly are on your way to becoming a champion...Bold words, but it has been done...My Prophet (SAW) is proof of that...And he has left you a Message on how to be like him...More people wish to be like him even after 1400+ years...I would consider that success...:)
Quran: 5: 44-47
44 - Lo! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light, by which the Prophets who surrendered (unto Allah) judged the Jews, and the rabbis and the priests (judged) by such of Allah's Scripture as they were bidden to observe, and thereunto were they witnesses. So fear not mankind, but fear Me. And barter not My revelations for a little gain. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are disbelievers.
45 - And We prescribed for them therein: The life for the life, and the eye for the eye, and the nose for the nose, and the ear for the ear, and the tooth for the tooth, and for wounds retaliation. But whoso forgoeth it (in the way of charity) it shall be expiation for him. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are wrong-doers.
46 - And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil).
47 - Let the People of the Gospel judge by that which Allah hath revealed therein. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed; such are evil-livers.
48 - And unto thee have We revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever Scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires away from the truth which hath come unto thee. For each We have appointed a divine law and a traced out way. Had Allah willed He could have made you one community. But that He may try you by that which He hath given you (He hath made you as ye are). So vie one with another in good works. Unto Allah ye will all return, and He will then inform you of that wherein ye differ.
AAG
I think turning the other cheek is a beautiful idea, but its different if I control my anger and dont seek vengeance against you for some harm you caused me. On the other hand, does it not give the perps a carte blanche to do what they want.
if there was soemone who molested your neighbours kid and lived right across teh street from you, would you be as willing to just let it go, or would you like to somehow ensure that the person does not harm you or anyone else's kids.
I always get confused by this. I would be interested to hear your opinions on it.
One of the Noble teaching of prophet Jesus is turning the other cheek. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said " Forgiveness when you have the capacity to punish will earn you great rewards"(not verbatim)
Fraud,
Turning the other cheek = forgiveness.
In my thinking it means learning to admit wrong and learning how to forgive and forget. One can also forgive but not forget.
It's not an excuse for bad behavior or mean that a wrong doer goes unpunished.
And I think one of the hardest lessons to learn is how to admit a mistake, forgive AND forget, or not forget, but forgive.
Look at the world. Seems everyone hones in on mistakes. No one apologizes. No one forgives. People debate wrongs 12 and 50 years past as a reason for their anger today.
If one is able to forgive, one may able to start with a brand new slate. But the inability to forgive is what holds us back.
And the inability to forgive is why turning the other cheek is so hard to do.
that is why marx said " religion is the opium of the masses", because he did not see any revolutionary thoughts in christianity.
i do not think that christianity is bad. it is just people who added all these thoughts to keep their spiritual rule and keeping the emperors, the emperors.
i think this is all made up stuff.
AAG
I understand what you mean. As i noted before Islam places a high value on forgiveness as well. If one of my more knowledgeable friends here can post some verses that will be good.
The confusion atleast in my mind arises when people look at forgiveness and justice as mutually exclusive. the concept of hate the sin not the sinner..in my view it does not mean that the perp walks scott free, but that justice is served.
There is a huge difference for example if you throw something at me out of spite and instead of responding in kind I forgive you and not retaliate, a very noble thing to do as taught by all religions.
There is a difference however when someone is going around killing people, then that person needs to be stopped, whether or not you have forgiven them for killing a loved one.
Fraud,
I think you are most agreeable. I am unable to pick a bone with what you said.
I think you understood my thinking. I understood yours also.