Dear Islamic sisters! Today, we will listen to a speech with regards to tolerance. First of all, a story will be narrated about tolerance. We will then listen to the definition of tolerance. After that, we will listen to the virtues of being tolerant and forgiving that have been mentioned in blessed Ahadees. Some stories relating to the tolerance of pious people of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will also be mentioned. Controlling anger is fundamental to being tolerant; therefore, some methods of controlling anger will also be mentioned. As this is the month in which the ‘Urs of Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ is commemorated, we will also listen to some aspects of his blessed life. Let’s first of all listen to a parable:

Exemplary tolerance!

People would come to the blessed court of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to accept Islam. One day, an offspring of the king of Yemen, Sayyiduna Wa’il Bin Hujr رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ came into the blessed court of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم as a delegation to accept Islam. The Companions عَـلَيْهِمُ الرِّضْوَانْ told him: ‘The Beloved Prophetصَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم had already informed us about your arrival 3 days ago.’

The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم showed a lot of affection towards him, spread his blessed shawl for him, made him sit next to him, said praiseworthy words about him on the blessed pulpit, prayed for blessing and assigned Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ to take him to the place where he was going to stay.

Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ was young at that time. He was also the son of a leader of Makkah but he did not have the ego of a leader within him due to the blessing of the company of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.

Being assigned the task from the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, he instantly went with Sayyiduna Wa’il Bin Hujr رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ. Sayyiduna Wa’il Bin Hujr رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ was mounted on a she-camel whilst Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ was walking alongside the camel. Due to the intensity of the heat, he said to Sayyiduna Wa’il Bin Hujr after walking a little while: ‘It is very hot and now my feet are burning from inside as well. Allow me to mount on the camel behind you.’