Global Dialogues

“No! Indeed, the human being surely transgresses all bounds”(Surah Al-Alaq 96:6). This is a verse from the Holy Quran that points out a human weakness: once a human is free of need, he knows no limits. This verse holds a deeper meaning: when a human being is weak and in need of others, he walks straight and within the limits, but once a human is deemed to be free from his needs and weaknesses, he walks towards transgression. Upon thinking of ways of how we push back from cruelty, this verse reminds us that cruelty often grows out of arrogance and transgression; in other words, the illusion that strength and power makes one untouchable. To push back, one must first realize that cruelty is not strength, but rather a weakness in disguise—of oppression, dictatorships, slavery, child labor, and murder, all of which are acts that reveal insecurity rather than true power. So how can we, as humans, define true power?

True power is not measured by how much fear one can spread, but by the ability to act within restraint, humility, and empathy. We continue to learn from history that although systems built on cruelty and domination appear strong, reality proves them fragile and weak. Dictatorships collapse, empires fall, and leaders who ruled with violence and oppression are remembered with resentment, not respect. Yet we still live in a world where society glorifies these acts, from military parades to aggressive language, mistaking intimidation for strength. Cruelty, no matter how strong it’s presented, reveals a deeper weakness—an inability to trust, love and show compassion for others. Perhaps leaders view these traits as a weakness, where showing feelings defies the hyper-masculine culture—a culture implying that cruelty defines strength, and emotions define weakness. 

The Social-Darwinist mindset elaborates on this idea, in the belief that only the strongest deserve to survive and that compassion is weakness. Examples throughout history and daily life affirm that compassion is the truest form of power. Nelson Mandela emerged from decades in prison not with revenge, but with a vision of reconciliation that helped heal a divided nation. The civil rights movement in the United States drew strength not from weapons, but from disciplined nonviolence, transforming a society through moral conviction. Even globally, people who stand in solidarity with victims of oppression; through advocacy, humanitarian support, and raising awareness about the genocide in Gaza, all demonstrate how compassion can challenge cruelty and create lasting impact. While the world witnesses acts of violence and oppression, the courage of those who speak out and organize in support of Palestine shows that true power lies in collective moral action, not domination.

The Quran has warned us against arrogance as it drives one to transgression. Today, as atrocities unfold in Gaza and beyond, true strength lies in empathy, solidarity, and action. By speaking out, supporting victims, and defending justice, we confront cruelty, reclaim our humanity, and show that compassion, not domination, is the measure of real power.

Salma Bayoumy (SFS'26) is a senior in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University Qatar.