ISLAM THE RELIGION FOR PEACE To promote peace, Islam teaches fair treatment, respect and justice in dealing with the People of the Book (the Jews and the Christians). It prohibits Muslims from disputing and fighting with them. Allah the Almighty says: “This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. the food of the People of the Book (the Jews and the Christians) is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you n marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time, when you give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, taking them as lovers. If any one rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good). (Qur’an 5: 5) “And dispute not with the People of the Book, except in the best way; unless it be with those of them who do wrong but say, “We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we submit (in Islam).’” (Qur’an 29: 46) “Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just. Allah only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them) in these circumstances), that do wrong.” (Qur’an 60: 8-9) Likewise, killing innocent people is never allowed in Islam. It is more of saving lives not killing. Read how beautiful and peaceful Allah’s injunctions in the Qur’an: “…If anyone kills a person, it would be as if he has killed the whole people, and if anyone saves a life, it would be as if he has saved the whole people.” (Qur’an, 5:32) There is no room for murder, massacre, violence and terrorism in Islam. True, there is jihad in Islam but not as misunderstood by non-Muslim. Jihad is an Arabic word which means striving and expending one’s energy. Jihad has been misunderstood by many non-Muslims as Holy War to force non-Muslims to accept Islam. The aim of jihad is not to force anyone to enter Islam, because Allah says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.” (Quran, 2:256) There are four types of jihad: jihad al-nafs (striving against one’s nafs or self, which means self-control to fight evil promptings within us); jihad al-Shaytaan (striving against Satan and his followers who spread evil deeds and all sorts of transgressions among mankind); jihad al-kuffaar (striving against the disbelievers for their falsehood, lies, injustices and all sorts of evil deeds and immoralities); and jihad al-munaafiqeen (striving against the hypocrites for their insincerity, two-facedness, falseness and the like). In Islamic terminology, jihad means the Muslim striving to make the word of Allah supreme and to establish His religion on earth. This means to make righteous beliefs and righteous deeds prevail over falsehood and evil deeds. The purpose of jihad in Islam is not to kill non-Muslims, rather the purpose is to establish the religion of Allah on earth, to establish Allahs Law (the Shariah), and to bring people from the worship of Allahs creation to the worship of Allah (the God) Who Alone is the Creator of all mankind, and to save mankind from the injustice of other religions to the justice of Islam -- all for the promotion of universal peace in this world and thus, attain eternal peace and success in the eternal world to come. In short, jihad is a means to establish peace in this world for the sole pleasure of Allah so He will grant us everlasting peace in the eternal world to come. Jihad is not something that any Muslim or group of Muslims can just declare or initiate. Allah has set conditions for Jihad in Islam as stated in the following verses of the Glorious Quran: Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors. And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah (trial --i.e., civil warfare) is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- Haram (Holy Mosque in Makkah) until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers. And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is the Most Forgiving and the Most Merciful. Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors. (Quran 2:190-193) “To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged; and verily Allah is Most Powerful for their aid. (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right, (for no cause) except that they say, “Our Rabb (only God and Sustainer) is Allah”... they are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give zakat (compulsory charity to the poor), enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs.” (Qur’an, 22:39-41) “And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill treated (and oppressed); men, women and children, whose cry is: “Our Rabb (only God and Sustainer)! Rescue us from this town; whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect; and raise for us from You one who will help!” (Qur’an, 4:75) “Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith fight in the cause of Evil; so fight against the friends of Satan. Feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.” (Qur’an, 4:76) Those who lie against Islam branding it as a religion of terrorism need to know that Allah the Most Merciful has prohibited the taking of life, which He has made sacred, except by way of justice and law (Qur’an 6: 151). A believer should never kill a believer; but (if it so happens) by mistake, then, compensation is due (Qur’an 4: 92). If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell (Qur’an 4: 93). To promote peace and avoid any dispute, Islam enjoins mankind to observe the law of equality and justice as shown in the following Qur’anic injunctions and prophetic hadeeth: “In the Law of Equality there is (saving of) life to you, O you men of understanding that you may restrain yourselves.” (Qur’an 2: 179) “Allah does command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; and when you judge between people that you judge with justice. Verily how excellent is the teaching, which He gives you! For Allah is He Who hears and sees all things.” (Qur’an 4: 58) “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. For not the lusts (of your departure), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” (Qur’an 4: 135) “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety. And fear Allah for Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” (Qur’an 5: 8) “Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and giving to kith and kin, and He forbids all indecent deed, and evil and rebellion, He instructs you that you may receive admonition.” (Qur’an 16: 90) Anas Bin Malik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم said: “The prescribed Law of Allah is the equality in punishment (i.e. Qisas).” (Bukhari, Vol. 6 Hadeeth 26) Those who attribute the crime committed in 9/11 must know that suicide bombing of innocent people is never the teaching of this very peaceful religion and way of life. Who were behind the 9/11 are clearly non-Muslims for anyone who believes in Allah and His Messenger will never do any act contrary to any of the peaceful teachings of Islam. What was the very motive behind 9/11 (which caused too much injuries and sufferings to innocent people, especially the numerous deaths of Muslim children, men and women, young and old in Afghanistan and Iraq and the inhumane treatment and imprisonment of innocent Muslims in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba), was certainly an evil act -- created to establish turmoil instead of peace in the world. Those who want to find the truth regarding 9/11 are invited to search in the Internet who really did the 9/11 bombings. (Please, see samples of the website links at the end of this paper.)* It is interesting to note that many non-Muslims have exposed who are behind the 9/11 attack.* They testify that the Muslims did not do the 9/11.** Many non-Muslims who read and researched about this peaceful religion and way of life from Allah have reverted to Islam after the 9/11 incident. Today, the world has declared that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion by number of conversions each year: Although the religion began in Arabia, by 2002 80% of all believers in Islam lived outside the Arab world. In the period 1990-2000, approximately 12.5 million more people converted to Islam than to Christianity. (Please, see samples of the website that declare Islam is the fastest growing religion:)*** Indeed, truth prevails about Islam as the only peaceful religion from Allah. Very clearly both the Qur’an and the Sunnah stress the importance of peace. Peace in Islam serves as one of the important keys to our peaceful entrance in Paradise forever. Therefore, we need to establish peace with Allah by peacefully submitting ourselves to Him in Islam. We need to establish peace within ourselves, our family members, relatives, neighbors, friends, the society or community where we belong and the rest of mankind in the international body-politic as a whole who go for peace by knowing and applying the fundamental teachings of Islam and following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad صلي الله عليه وسلم . Islam is a religion based on divine teachings, which we need to learn, apply and share to others in order to promote universal peace and enjoy everlasting peace in the eternal life hereafter. It is the only religion that Allah has chosen and perfected for us. It is the only religion that is acceptable to Him and hence, the only religion and way to peace both in this world and in the everlasting life hereafter. Allah the Almighty clearly says: “...This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Qur’an 5: 3) “If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).” (Qur’an 3: 85) For your eternal success, see the beauty and excellence of Islam by what you directly read from the two revealed sources of knowledge and Guidance: the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah. Do not judge Islam from the bad behaviors and misdeeds of some Muslims who do not practice Islam according to these two authentic sources of Guidance. Do not be influenced by the false propaganda and lies made against Islam by those who want to destroy the image of Islam out of their ignorance of the Truth. The enemies of Islam read some portion of the verses in the Quran and parts of ahaadeeth and misquoted them in their writings and speeches to disprove the truth about Islam. They quoted abrogated verses from the Quran and early events in the lives of the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم and his companions to further prove their lies. Know that the Quran was revealed in stages and so with Islam until Allah has perfected it (Qur’an 5: 3) as the Truth from Him. Verily, the Truth (Islam) comes from Allah (The God): “Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, verses and signs) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.” (Qur’an 3: 19) “(This Islam is) the Truth from your Rabb (God, Cherisher and Sustainer), so be not of those who doubt.” (Qur’an 3: 60) Think and reflect peacefully on the clear and enlightening teachings of Islam about peace. Is there a god other than Allah (The God) whose name (one of the beautiful names and attributes) is As-Salam (The Peace)? Is there any religion other than Islam that comes from the word salam (peace)? Is there any religion other than Islam that commands its followers to send invocation of peace to Allahs universal Messenger to mankind and the Seal of all Prophets? Is there any religion other than Islam that enjoins its followers to greet each other with the greetings of peace? Is there any religion other than Islam that ends its daily prayers with the greeting of peace? Is there any religion other than Islam that teaches all virtuous teachings of justice and righteousness and forbids all evil deeds in order to establish peace with Allah and promote peace with His creations who go for peace? Is there any religion that promises and grants all peaceful and righteous believers with everlasting peace in Paradise? In short, Is there any religion and way of life that teaches about peace better than Islam? What does your religion say about peace in this world and in the eternal world? For your eternal peace, join the millions of non-Muslims worldwide who peacefully reverted to Islam --the fastest religion in the world, the Religion and Way of Life that enjoins mankind to promote peace with Allah and all His creations who go for peace. Verily, Islam is the peaceful religion from Allah (The God who is the Peace, the Source and the Giver of Peace) is the only way to world peace and eternal peace and success. Therefore, let us all turn to Allah for EVERLASTING PEACE AND SUCCESS. wisdomislamic.info/peace-Islam.htm
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 02:29:23 +0000