ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Message Chapter 20: Economic Blockade The easiest and the most convenient method of knocking down the minorities of a society is a negative campaign which is based on unity and concord. A positive campaign necessitates various sources, because it becomes necessary that the fighting group should use modern weapons and should achieve their end by making physical and financial sacrifices and by surmounting hundreds of obstacles.

It is evident that this type of campaign is associated with innumerable pains and sufferings. The wise rulers resort to such a campaign after making necessary arrangements and full preparations and do not implement such a programme unless no alternative except war is left for them. A negative campaign does not, however, require all this. It needs only one factor and that is the unity and concord of the majority.

It means that a group of persons, whose object is to knock down the minority, unite sincerely and make a pact and swear that they would cut off relations with the opposing minority, disallow transactions with them, discontinue matrimonial alliances with them, would not permit them to partake in collective affairs and would not co-operate with them in personal matters.

In such circumstances the earth, with all its extensiveness, becomes like a small and narrow prison for the minority and its pressure threatens them with annihilation every moment. At times the opposing minority submits at this juncture and obeys the decisions of the majority. However, such an opposing minority must consist of people whose opposition is not prompted by a spiritual aim. For example, they might have been campaigning to acquire wealth, important posts and official positions.

When such persons sense danger and are faced with the hardships of blockade they, on account of their having no spiritual stimulant and their motives being purely material, prefer greater possible advantages to the transient pleasures and submit to the wishes of the majority. However, the people whose opposition is based on faith are not cowed down by such hardships.

The pressure of blockade strengthens their faith and they face the blows and attacks of the enemy with the shield of patience and fortitude.