Does the inability to defend oneself fall under the saying of Allah the Exalted: “Repel [evil] by that which is better”?
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The student: ... Does it fall under His saying: [Al-Mu'minun 23:96] ... [repelling] the evil with its like? Does it fall under His saying: [Al-Mu'minun 23:96]?
The Shaykh : No, my brother, that is weakness and cowardice. The one who is unable to defend himself is not to be praised; rather, it is said that he is weak. This is because forgiveness is only praised when one has the power to retaliate, and overlooking is only praised when one has the power to retaliate. As for a helpless person, if, for example, a weak person comes and he hits him and hits him and hits him, and he says, “May Allah reward you with good, may Allah do you good, may Allah forgive him,” and he is ... is this to be praised? Because he is helpless.
Repel, by [means of] what is best
ادفع بالتي هي أحسنRepel, by [means of] what is best
ادفع بالتي هي أحسنThe Shaykh : No, my brother, that is weakness and cowardice. The one who is unable to defend himself is not to be praised; rather, it is said that he is weak. This is because forgiveness is only praised when one has the power to retaliate, and overlooking is only praised when one has the power to retaliate. As for a helpless person, if, for example, a weak person comes and he hits him and hits him and hits him, and he says, “May Allah reward you with good, may Allah do you good, may Allah forgive him,” and he is ... is this to be praised? Because he is helpless.