ISLAM AND PEACE BY #MOHAMMADAMIN Islam created a society more free from prevalent cruelty and social tyranny than any society that has ever been in the world before. The peaceful atmosphere is required for the spiritual and moral progress of the individual. A good society can be developed in the atmosphere of peace. Islam does not permit rampant violence. But there is considerable prejudice against Muslims and they are viewed with suspicion. Peace is a natural state which attracts each and every individual. It is a condition that everyone is looking for. Good person do not like to create turbulence that affects the peace. Peace is disturbed when the balance of rights and responsibilities between individuals and societies is lost. The lack of fulfillment of responsibilities and encroachment of rights can lead to deep wounds. These irreparable rifts can ultimately lead to full-fledged war. Normally the meaning of peace is understood by individuals according to their culture, interest, benefits, and wishes. In every culture the meanings of peace are understood differently. The universal meaning of peace defines a state that provides inner satisfaction which in turns has a positive influence or impact on the outside environment. The dilemma in today’s world is that every country claims peace but indirectly every country somewhere somehow supports other countries that are working against peace or want to look at peace according to their benefit. It is interesting to note that the world has been under the influence of different socio- political ideologies over time. Every concept gained popularity on the basis of peace. However the result was an enigma. Democratic states or republics like United States of America, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, or India, engage in international bloc politics since they need help from each other. However their vested interests come in the way of universal peace and peace gets chosen only for particular regions, nations, groups and states. ‘Peace for all’ is just a slogan and is used just as a modern terminology. So, promotion of peace is now benchmarked by aid or benefit from another state and is purely meant for the interest of the nation and it could also be used for the expansion of illegitimate power. The world in the recent past was a bi-polar system with the standing powers of USSR and USA. However with the defeat of the former in Afghanistan, the single power now rests with the USA making for a uni-polar system. However world politics is again changing faces. China is another emerging power, a strong contender soon to change the political topography to bi-polar again. China is strengthening its economy with massive world trade. It does not send its troops into any of the peace keeping missions or recent wars. This way it is preserving, protecting and strengthening its republic. Another challenging contender is the Islamic Republic of Iran. There has been an historic gulf between Iran and USA, perhaps related to the American hostage history. Currently, Iran has pressure from the world to stop nuclear production. However, Iran wants to continue its research and production of nuclear technology. It argues that it is doing so for peaceful purposes. The countries making demands on Iran to curb its nuclear industry are themselves profusely engaged in it. If China talks about peace then it has its own interest in it. If USA talks of peace then it has its own interest in it. Similarly, if India or any other country talks about peace, they have their own vested interests in it. Peace is therefore being promoted for one’s own interest and not for humanity. It has been true that many things done in the name of God would be hateful to a gentle deity. But, with terrorists attacking innocent civilians in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq and Muslims shot down in Kashmir, Palestine and in other countries; this seems like an especially bad period for the abuse of religion. Religion is like a knife that can be misused to unjustly kill an innocent person, or rightfully employed to cut bread to feed the hungry. It is not the religion that is to blame; but the people who implement its Laws. The Laws are Divine, however the implementation is human. And it is the implementation of any law that dictates its effectiveness, not the theoretical law itself. The religion cannot be blamed for any unwelcome changes and for violent acts that disturb the peace of the society. Islam is the religion of peace. The word "Islam" in Arabic is “Salama” which means submission of desires to the will of Allah. Personal peace can be attained by totally submitting of oneself to God. As Allah says in Holy Quran: “And we were ordered to submit to the Lord of the worlds”. Even the greetings favored by Muslims means “May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you.” Prayer itself is completed with the announcement of peace, once to the right and once to the left. The spirit of this religion is peaceful submission to the Lord of the worlds: As Allah says in Holy Quran: “Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allah and he is a good-doer, then his reward is with the Lord, on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve”. The Islam teaches the Muslims that peace is achieved through tolerance, forgiveness, responding to evil with good and proactive good deeds that bring happiness to others. The Holy Quran calls the Muslims the people of the ‘middle path’. It says, “There is no compulsion in religion.” The Quran calls for coexistence with other religions in the verse which says: To you your religion and to me mine.” The Quran clearly tells Muslims to protect the Christian church, the Jewish synagogue, and places of worship of all other peoples as much as they defend their mosques. This is clear evidence of the emphasis that Islam has laid on tolerance and co- existence with other religions and civilizations. The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “You are all born of Adam and Adam was made out of clay. An Arab has no superiority over the non- Arab. Neither does a white man enjoy superiority over a black man, nor a black man over a white man except by piety. Remember that your lives and properties are sacred and inviolable among one another.” Islam also gives a distinct system of human love, which relates to the dealings of Muslims with the whole world. In this regard, the Quran says: “The believers are brothers to each other; therefore make peace between your two brothers and fear Allah, so that you may gain mercy.” A western scholar Mr. James Michener said: "More than most religions, Islam preaches the brotherhood of all races, colors and nations within its fold. Muhammed (peace be upon him) himself probably had the same skin coloring as Jesus, a very suntanned white, but today his followers embrace all colors: black men from Africa, yellow men from China, brown men from Malaya, white men from Turkey.” The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was described as “mercy for the two worlds.” In his conduct, he was tolerant, ever merciful and forgiving. He signed treaties of peace with the Jews and the Infidels. The history books detail the treatment of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) by the community in Mecca when they were brought the blessing of the message of Islam. In the early years, majority of the Meccans were against the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). They inflicted much pain, performed numerous open transgressions and oppressions against the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions. They had been boycotted to the point that no one was allowed to trade with them. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) taught his companions the patience and forbearance that is needed whenever one is engaged in doing what is right. During the incident at Taif when the Holy Prophet’s (peace be upon him) blessed feet were injured and his (peace be upon him) blessed sandals were filled with blood and his (peace be upon him) blessed skin was separating with it. At this point, the angel Gabriel came to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) saying that he could crush these people if he (peace be upon him) so commanded. However, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) having the full power and authority to make this happen, instead, chose to forgive these transgressors and said, “I sense the fragrance of belief from their generations.” And he (peace be upon him) prayed for them. This is why it is said in the Quran: “Forgive the mistakes of people and adopt the trait of overlooking.” The atrocities of the rejecters of the message of Islam reached their heights when they exiled the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and Muslims out of their birth town, Mecca. However, when the tides turned and the Muslims were granted clear victory over infidels, and returned to Mecca. During their entry into the blessed city, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions did not display any signs of revenge. No one was killed, no transgressions were committed, no women or children were harmed, and no old enmities were brought out. Instead, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) announced a general amnesty in Mecca. It is important to keep in mind that the atrocities and transgressions that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Companions had been subjected to by the disbelievers of this city were not trivial. The Victory of Mecca is a unique example in human history of a non-violent, bloodless, peaceful conquest that had no casualties, no collateral damage, and no fallout, except one of creating a universal example of forgiveness and returning evil with good for the world to follow. It seems that these Islamic qualities of compassion and tolerance have been all but forgotten, and even negated, by some of those who have lately assumed the mantle of champions of Islam. They represent a revengeful Islam. Some of them carry a permanent frown on their faces and their language is harsh and threatening. It is also surprise that these people have so greatly tarnished the image of Islam in the world next part in comments.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 15:30:48 +0000