One of the most controversial commandments, and often misunderstood in a superficial and incorrect way, is the shocking call of Jesus Christ in his famous sermon when he said:
“Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.”(Matthew 5:39).
To the unreflective person, this principle may seem like an invitation to weakness, surrender to humiliation, or acceptance of humiliation. But in reality, Christ was establishing a revolutionary concept of psychological courage, and offering a prophetic cure for the most dangerous diseases of the heart: excessive pride and blind anger.
Strength is in self-control, not in striking back
In order to understand this depth, we must realize that Christ was addressing a society that considers facial dignity to be a sacred matter, and in which responding to abuse is a matter of life or death in order to preserve prestige. In this context, the dimensions of this great commandment appear:
- Breaking the thorn of inner pride:Reciprocating abuse is an easy, instinctive reaction that any person can do. As for self-control when anger boils over, and refusing to descend to the level of the abuser, this is the pinnacle of strength. It is a victory over “the soul that leads to evil” before it is a victory over the opponent.
- Morally disarming the aggressor:When the aggressor expects anger and a violent reaction from you that will justify his continued aggression, and he is surprised by complete calmness, nobility, and elevation, then you demolish his pride and put him in direct confrontation with the shame of his action. Responding with silence and superiority creates prestige that violence does not.
- The difference between vulnerability and sublimation:The weak surrenders because he has no other choice. As for the strong and transcendent, he is the one who has the ability to respond and take revenge, but he voluntarily chooses to pardon and pardon in the name of his principles and values.
Restrain anger and repel with what is best
This high moral guidance is in strong harmony with the established Islamic values that praise “those who restrain their anger and pardon people,” and emphasize that “it is not the strong who is strong, but the strong who controls himself when angry.”
Turning the other cheek is not an invitation to open the door for the oppressors to wreak havoc on the earth, but rather it is an approach to raising the individual to extinguish the fire of evil in its bud, and not to allow the evils of others to distort our inner purity.
Question for contemplation and contemplation:If our vengeful reactions often stem from our desire to satisfy our pride in front of people… Do you have enough spiritual courage to prevail over yourself first, and confront abuse with a transcendence that frees you from the shackles of anger?