There are situations in which self-defense is necessary. As Muslims, we should be prepared for any combat situation. Listen carefully—defending oneself is a skill that every Muslim should master. This is because Allah prefers the strong believer to the weak believer. After all, a strong believer will be able to take care of his family, defend them from danger, and fight for the cause of Allah.
However, there are situations in which fighting is not necessary—situations where little is needed to defeat the enemy without resorting to physical confrontation. Even in these circumstances, Islam gives us clear answers that leave no doubt. That is why, in this article, I present seven Islamic ways to destroy the enemy without fighting. Follow the article to the end—do not listen to the whispers of Satan.
1. Stay Calm
If we look at the life of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), we can see how he handled many situations with calm and wisdom. Keeping calm is essential even in difficult situations. The Prophet (ﷺ) never allowed negative emotions to take over his conduct. This attitude not only allowed him to maintain clear judgment but also helped to positively influence those around him.
How can we do this? How can we keep calm in these situations? It is not easy to manage emotions on these occasions. When you are teased, it is very easy to fall into anger and turn to violence. But look at these situations in another way. Consider provocative situations as tests imposed by Allah. Islam teaches that tests can be a form of purification to bring us closer to the Creator, to strengthen our character.
Forgiveness is not only a virtue; it is also an act of great inner strength. Instead of harboring resentments, consider forgiveness as a way to rid your heart of hatred. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) practiced forgiveness even in extremely difficult situations. The people of the Quraysh rebuked him, mocked him, beat him, and mistreated him. They tried to kill him, and when he fled to Medina, waged many wars against him. However, when he entered Mecca victorious with an army of 10,000 people, he did not take revenge on anyone. He forgave everyone, even his deadliest enemy Abu Sufyan, who had fought many battles against him and was one of those responsible for the death of his uncle Hamza, was forgiven, as was anyone who stayed in his house.
He always repelled evil with good because, according to him, an antidote was better than poison. He overcame people’s ignorance with his knowledge of Islam and people’s folly and wickedness with his kindness and forgiveness. With his forgiveness, he freed people from the bondage of sin and crime. Then we are told that our religion is violent, oppressive, and full of lies. Verily, it is not the eyes that are blind but it is the hearts in their breasts that are blind.
2. Speak gently
In the Quran, it is revealed
“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:63)
This is such a powerful action that in the face of toxic behavior, speaking softly to people and not allowing their evil to hurt us is a victory that is achieved by the simple act of responding with peace.
When we face difficult situations or toxic people, responding with kindness and peace can be seen as an act of jihad—to struggle against the soul. It may require great inner strength, but the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet encourage us to pursue the path of patience and forgiveness. Kindness is a universal language that can open doors to peace of soul. Think of the spreading of peace as an act of worship, a way of demonstrating submission to Allah, and following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Imagine a situation where you are subjected to constant humiliation. Tired of enduring, you respond with vulgarity and insults. The situation would worsen, and the atmosphere would become toxic. Your relationships would be affected, and your aggressive behavior would eventually undermine your reputation by making you look guilty as well. What you should do instead is respond calmly and courteously, avoiding falling into the game of insulting words. Over time, people around you will notice your magnificent character.
Abu Abdullah Al-Jadali one day asked Aisha about the character of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). She replied:
“He was not obscene, he did not utter obscenities, he did not shout in the markets, and he did not reciprocate evil with evil. Rather, he forgave and pardoned.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2016)
3. Remain silent
The teaching to remain silent is a wisdom that goes beyond the simple act of not speaking. It is a protective barrier that helps us avoid evil and preserve our conduct. If one cannot speak softly, our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) tells us to remain silent. As narrated in Hadith, he (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day must speak good or remain silent.” (Riyad as-Salihin 1511)
If we are unable to express ourselves with kindness and respect, it is preferable to remain silent. This is not only practical advice to avoid conflict but is also a form of worship as it shows our commitment to improving ourselves. Silence thus becomes a conscious choice not to participate in harmful conversations.
One should speak only when necessary, take time to reason over the words, and have what is said clearly in mind. Remaining silent also teaches us to listen. Too often, we get carried away by the impulse to respond immediately without thinking through the consequences of our words. This impulse can prove fatal. It could put us in the light of wrong, and more importantly, we could say things that would doom the afterlife.
Silence is a real struggle against the nafs, our ego, which, when it feels humiliated, suggests we respond with vulgarity. Do not see abstinence from speaking as a weakness but as a skill. It is not simply an act of removal; it is true self-control, a self-awareness about our ability to handle the power of words responsibly, as every Muslim should act.
4. Ignore what they say
Life is a series of experiences that can be both good and bad. Everyone likes to have a good experience, but what happens when we have a bad experience? Islam gives us a very simple answer: ignore the things that are beyond our control.
In Quran, Allah reveals to His Messenger (ﷺ):
“Be patient with what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance.” (Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:10)
In such a situation, patience is not a passive attitude but shows great wisdom. When you maintain patience, you save time and energy. Being patient in a difficult situation means that if you perceive that the other person is not in a good mood, you should adopt the principle of avoidance. Give them an evasive answer and then go about your business. Only if you perceive that the person is listening to you seriously should you expose your point of view to him or her.
This principle is very important in social life. In society, there is a collection of different people that we have no control over. This means that society often goes in the opposite direction of Muslim values. You cannot be all things to all people. You will rarely succeed, so learn to control the few things you can and ignore what does not belong to you. This is a sign of maturity, a sign of character growth.
The mature person remains balanced even in situations that he cannot change. If it is possible to change the situation, one tries to do so, but if it is not possible, one waits patiently and seeks Allah’s help. This principle is important not only in society but also in the family. There are always occasions when you feel that you cannot convince other family members of your ideas. It is then that one must follow this attitude—ignoring them with kindness means positively dealing with them. If the questions you’re asked are argumentative, answer them indirectly or simply walk away until they change the subject.
5. Avoid them
If a person is truly toxic, it may be necessary to distance ourselves from them, not only to protect our mental health but also to avoid participating in their negative behaviors that can influence our faith. Regardless, we should always remember that as Muslims, our love and respect for others should remain strong, regardless of the circumstances.
Do what you feel is the best way to let them go. Avoid them. Do not respond to their criticism. It is not necessary to explain why or defend your actions. Remember to remain calm when dealing with toxic people. Pretend that there is an invisible shield that surrounds you and separates you from their negativity.
It is important to seek a positive and inspiring company that supports us. Seek companionship among people with the same values and high ambitions. These are the ones who will offer you great support. We must choose wisely the people around us, as they have a profound impact on our lives here and in the Hereafter.
Always remember that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) left us a precious legacy of wisdom. Following his example in daily relationships will guide us on the path of faith. Seeking friendships that nurture our well-being is an important part of our spiritual journey. Continue to reflect on the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ), and one day, you will be able to see a better person in yourself.
6. Forgive them
As Muslims, we must realize the immense amount of sins we have committed, and one of the ways to atone for these sins is to forgive others. Although this is a difficult thing to do, let us remember that Allah is the Almighty, and we must ingrain in ourselves the virtue of forgiveness in order to obtain His pleasure.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Do not hold grudges against one another. It is not lawful for a Muslim to avoid talking to his brother for more than three days.” (Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim)
Forgiveness is an act of pure beauty and nobility, so much so that “The Most Merciful” is one of the 99 Names of Allah. When we forgive others, we demonstrate our ability to overcome the evil suffered and embrace compassion and mercy.
Life is permeated by human interactions, and inevitably, we are subject to disagreements and conflicts. However, forgiveness is a way to resolve these problems. We must always remember that forgiveness is not just a favor we do for others but an act of liberation for ourselves. When we forgive, we ease the burden of resentment and allow the light of mercy to flow into our lives.
However, there are times when forgiveness is not possible. In this exceptional case, all that is left is to walk away, leave the incident behind, and forget about it to take the burden off ourselves.
If you have reached this point, say “Alhamdulillah.” Never stop seeking Islamic knowledge, and may Allah reward you abundantly.
