Two methods

So, as the wind started blowing harder and harder, he went on tightening his blanket more and more. Thus, the wind failed to separate the blanket from the man’s body. Next, the sun came on the scene to show its strength. Instead of rapid action, it opted for a slow and steady one. It gradually began spreading its rays in the atmosphere. The man started feeling somewhat hot, so he loosened his blanket. Then, when he became very hot with the sun’s rays, he removed the blanket from his body, folded it and hung it around his neck.

This allegory tells us the difference between gentle and harsh action. The way of gentleness in dealings leads us to success while the harsh way leads us to failure.

By gentleness one can win people’s hearts. Harshness only drives people further away. By forgiving someone for his ill-treatment, one awakens in him a sense of shame. Whereas by returning evil for evil, a reaction of revenge and retaliation is produced. As the hadith tells us, God rewards gentleness and not harshness. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2593) That is, God’s blessings come to one who behaves gently instead of harshly.