The concept of peace in Islam is, like in all of the world’s major religions, a central one. And as with the other day practice of the religion. It is simple to say that the Arabic word “Islam” means peace. But it is also simplistic to say that. The multi- layered meaning of the word is lost and we must look deeper. The root word “salama” is said by the great Arabic Lexicologist Edward William Lane to mean to be safe from evils of any kind. It also means to be free from fault, from defect or from trial or affliction. A taslim is a greeting of another person with a prayer for his safety, security and freedom from evils of any kind in his religion and in his person. When muslims greet each other with “As-salaamu alaykum” it is not only a wish for the peace of the other it is a promise not to do anything, one to the other, that would jeopardize that safety. The root of the word salaam is contained in the taslim, both by intent and by etymology. Salaam, therefore holds within it the secret of deep personal peace that is held in Islam - to be both safe from any evil and also to be free from any defect in one’s religion, and therefore, one’s life. This concept is central to the concept of peace in Islam. The religion one practices in Islam is commonly referred to as “deen”, a word which is superficially referred to as “religion” but is much deeper than that. Deen means “way of life” and to a Muslim, one’s religion is one’s way of life. There is no separation between what is religious and what is secular. In fact, this can be illustrated by a saying that “The only true sin is a breath taken without remembrance of God and the only true blessing is a breath taken in the full knowledge of God’s presence.” As-Salaam is one of the names of Allah (swt) in Islam. The name means that God is the author of safety, the creator of it and the only being who possesses perfect safety and freedom from defect and affliction. Mankind is limited and may strive for this perfection the only source of it is in Allah (swt). The word “Islam” comes from the same salama root. And in it’s configuration it has the meaning of giving one’s self up to the state of that safety and perfection. And since Allah is the source of it, then Islam is the giving up of ones self to the safety and perfection to be found in God. So peace in one’s heart, in one’s personal life and in the life of the Muslim community means to have a personal relationship with and to give up one’s life to the will of a higher power. One in whom we can put our complete trust and faith because we have been promised safety from evil of all sorts if we do so. This personal peace is implied in the personal relationship between the believer and Allah (swt) and between fellow believers. As we all know, common daily practice is entirely a different matter. But again, in Islam the responsibility of following the deen is upon the individual. In the end our ultimate judge and deliverer of justice on the last day is Allah (swt) and we have only to answer to him for our transgressions. So far I have been speaking about personal peace, and indeed it is axiomatic that there can be no peace in the world until there is peace within our selves.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 06:58:42 +0000
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