Having said this, Jesus said: 'Ye have not chosen me, but
I have chosen you, that ye may be my disciples. If then the
world shall hate you, ye shall be truly my disciples; for the
world hath been ever an enemy of servants of God. Remember
[the] holy prophets that have been slain by the world, even
as in the time of Elijah ten thousand prophets were slain by
Jezebel, insomuch that scarcely did poor Elijah escape, and
seven thousand sons of prophets who were hidden by the
captain of Ahab's host. Oh, unrighteous world, that knowest
not God! Fear not therefore ye, for the hairs of your head are
numbered so that they shall not perish. Behold the sparrows
and other birds, whereof falleth not one feather without the
will of God. Shall God, then, have more care of the birds than
of man, for whose sake he hath created everything. Is there
any man, perchance, who careth more for his shoes than for
his own son? Assuredly not. Now how much less ought ye to
think that God would abandon you, while taking care of the
birds! And why speak I of the birds? A leaf of a tree falleth
not without the will of God.

'Believe me, because I tell you the truth, that the world will
greatly fear you if ye shall observe my words. For if it feared
not to have its wickedness revealed it would not hate you, but
it feareth to be revealed, therefore it will hate you and persecute
you. If ye shall see your words scorned by the world lay it not
to heart, but consider how that God is greater than you; who
is in such wise scorned by the world that his wisdom is counted
madness If God endureth the world with patience, wherefore
will ye lay it to heart, O dust and clay of the earth? In your
patience ye shall possess your soul. Therefore if one shall give
you a blow on one side of the face, offer him the other that
he may smite it. Render not evil for evil, for so do all the worst
animals; but render good for evil, and pray God for them that
hate you. Fire is not extinguished with fire, but rather with
water; even so I say unto you that ye shall not overcome evil
with evil, but rather with good. Behold God, who causeth the
sun to come upon the good and evil, and likewise the rain. So
ought ye to do good to all; for it is written in the law: "Be ye
holy, for I your God am holy; be ye pure, for I am pure; and
be ye perfect, for I am perfect." Verily I say unto you that the
servant studieth to please his master, and so he putteth not on
any garment that is displeasing to his master. Your garments
are your will and your love. Beware, then, not to will or to
love a thing that is displeasing to God, our Lord. Be ye sure
that God hateth the pomps and lusts of the world, and therefore
hate ye the world.'     

 

An Islamic Perspective and Commentary

by
Ishaq Zahid

  The words of Jesus, "Therefore if one shall give
you a blow on one side of the face, offer him the other that
he may smite it." are well-known. Islam teaches its followers the same. The following is one reference from the Quran.

"Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to God, works righteousness, and says, "I am of those who bow in Islam"?
Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!
And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint,- none but persons of the greatest good fortune.
And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to thee by the Evil One, seek refuge in God. He is the One Who hears and knows all things. (The Holy Quran, 41:33-36)

The entire Chapter of Gospel appears to be in accord with the teachings of Islam.