The Power of Persuasion
Ahmad b. `Abd al-Muhsin al-`Assâf
There is an old story about the Sun and the Wind arguing among themselves as to which of them was the strongest. They agreed to a contest to see who could most quickly get a man’s coat off his back.
The Wind went first. It tried to blow the coat off the man’s back. It sent its gale upon him full force. However, the stronger it blew, the more tightly the man clutched his coat about him against the force and chill of the gale. Finally, in despair, the Wind gave up.
Then it was the Sun’s turn. It showed itself to the man, gently bringing forth its light and warmth. And no sooner did the man see the Sun come out than he took off his coat happily and willingly.
Coercion and insistence are restrictive approaches that make people uncomfortable, argumentative, and resistant. Persuasion and dialogue, by contrast, go hand in hand with affability and friendship. They can lead to changing people’s opinions in an easy, pleasant and agreeable manner. Persuasion is the approach of those who are strong and correct. A person who takes this approach earns the respect and esteem of those who disagree with him, even if he does not manage to convince them of his point of view.
The Qur’ân and Sunnah illuminate for us the importance of persuasion and emphasize to us its effectiveness. We can see how the verses of the Qur’ân bring arguments and evidence and call towards contemplation.
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