Islam means peace

The root word for Islam” is “salam.”  Islam means to submit, obey, have peace and give peace to others.  All these meanings are hidden in the word, Islam.  Allah Ta’ala has selected only “Islam” as the name of our religion. 

Truly, Islam is the only Din (Religion) in Allah’s sight.

Surah Aale Imran(3:9)

 

It is given in Surah Maida (5:8)

 

And let not (even) the extreme hostility against a people provoke you into abstaining from justice (in their case). Always do justice, (for) it is akin to piousness.

 

This religion is of peace and the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the Prophet of Mercy.  His teachings are the teachings of peace, brotherhood, humanity and dignity. 

 

The foremost Auliya of the Ummah are the Sahabah.  No saint can reach the status of a Sahabi.  Their efforts to spread peace and security in the world are a shining example for the whole Ummah. 

 

Returning tax

Hadhrat Abu Ubaidah Bin Jarrah was the commander of the army at Hims(a city).  The Muslims were in such a situation that they had to withdraw their army from the city and move to another place.  For this reason, Hadhrat Abu Ubaidah (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with him) called all the Christian and Jew inhabitants of the city and told them: Jizyah (a tax) was taken from you in lieu of the protection and safety of your lives and property by the Islamic army.  Now, as the army has to move out of the city, the Jizyah taken from you is being returned.

 

Thus, all the money taken from the non-Muslims was returned to them.  When the saw the Muslims leaving, they cried out and said: May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) bring you back.  The Romans would not have returned even a dime.  The Jews took up a fort with the intention that if the army of Caesar comes, they themselves would fight it. 

 

Vacating lands won in war

In the same way, in the era of Hadhrat Umar Bin Abdul ‘Aziz (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him), some non-Muslims said that 15 years ago, when the Muslims attacked Samarqand, Iraq, they had not given prior notice of their coming.  To judge this case, Hadhrat Umar Bin Abdul ‘Aziz (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) appointed a special judge and ordered investigation into this matter.  After the investigation, it came to light that in reality, the non-Muslims had not been informed beforehand and they were attacked when they were not prepared for it.  Thus, Hadhrat Umar Bin Abdul ‘Aziz (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) ordered that all the war booty and properties, which was received from Iraq should be returned, give over this area of Iraq to them and vacate the land.  On this, the non-Muslims said that they had filed this complaint just like that.  They also requested that the Muslims should not leave these areas, as they want to live in peace and justice under them.  After this, gradually the people of Samarqand started embracing Islam and time came that not one person of Samarqand remained a non-Muslim. 

 

The Auliya not only follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Hadith, but due to their efforts and their blessed attention (Tawajjuh), the common people also start following the teachings of Islam.  The desire to perform good deeds develops and progresses by virtue of their company and listening/reading to their lives. 

 

Forgiving those who come to murder

 

Once a hard hearted non-Muslim hid a dagger on his person came to martyr Hadhrat Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) and sat before him.  With his divine foresight, the Khwaja learned his intention and told him: Why don’t you use your dagger.  I offer my head for this.  On hearing this, he started trembling.  He threw away his dagger and fell at the Khwaja’s feet.  After this, he repented and embraced Islam. 

 

Providing protection for those who hurt

 

In the era of Hadhrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him), non-Muslim lady went to draw water from a well near the river Jamuna.  Hadhrat Nizamuddin Auliya (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) sent a disciple to find out why the lady was drawing the salty water of the well leaving the sweet water of the river Jamuna.  The lady said: There is no set arrangement for our needs.  The sweet water of Jamuna digests the food very easily.  I am taking this salty water so that the food is not digested as easily and there is less need of food.  On this, Hadhrat Nizamuddin Auliya (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) said: If Allah Ta’ala asks me in Qiyamah: O Nizamuddin! There was a house in your area who were starving.  Why didn’t you take care of them? What answer will I give?  Tell this lady that she can take her monthly expenses from our Khanqah. 

 

Once a person entered the room of Hadhrat Naseer Chiraag Dehlvi (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) and attacked him with a knife to the point that his fingers started bleeding and the blood started seeping out of the room.  On seeing this, his disciples entered the room.  Some of them were also injured.  At last, that person was overpowered.  Soldiers arrested him.  Hadhrat Naseer (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) said: That person has hurt me.  On my part, I forgive that.  I hope that my disciples will also forgive that.  The disciples started saying: We also forgive it.  Then Hadhrat Naseer (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) told the government officials: I and my disciples have foregone our right, so as per the Shariah, there is no punishment for that person and as such, he should be released.  The government ordered his release.  Hadhrat Naseer (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) saw that people’s hearts were still full of anger for him, so he demanded that the government assign 50 soldiers for his protection. 

 

The Auliya made such efforts for maintaining peace and security in the society that they not only forgave the offender, but demanded their release.  Not only this, when they felt that the life of that offender was in danger, the demanded protection and security for the person who tries to kill them. 

 

If we look closely into the teachings and writings of the Auliya, we will find thousands of incidents like these, in which the Auliya shared the sorrow of the lay people, the needy, etc. and serve d them to please Allah Ta’ala.  These blessed souls made successful efforts to spread peace in the society and even today, the shrines of the saints and the programs, activities which happen there promote peace.