Islam: The Religion of Peace

Allah Ta’ala has instilled love and affection in human beings and sent them into this world.  Accordingly, we see that human beings inherently desire culture and civilization.

 

Human beings live with each other.  In a society every human being is dependent on others.  For personal and collective life, the most important thing that is required is peace and safety.  This is the basic building block for the survival of humanity, which is above all others and in every society and age, this has held the center stage.

 

The daily activities and necessities of human beings, their education and upbringing and success and improvement are all dependent on this.  If peace and safety are nonexistent, then we will face difficulties at every step.  The supply and distribution of grains and foods, students attending their educational institutions and employees attending their offices, patients reaching hospitals and their timely care, in short every social, economic and political activity is affected and a sophisticated society may fall into the abyss of decay only because of lack of peace.

 

Islam is the religion of peace and exhorts Muslims to popularize peace and tranquility in the world and to open up the highways of love.  It teaches selflessness and encourages a peaceful coexistence.  It prohibits hate and enmity.  It stops from slaughter and spoliation and turns people away from revolts and rebellion.  Allah Ta’ala says:

 

…..and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief." Surah Qasas (28:77)

 

And Allah loveth not those who do mischief. Surah Maida (5:64)

 

Tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. Surah Baqarah (2:217)

 

Islam is a religion of peace and tranquility.  Every person who is in the shade of Islam is an ambassador of peace.  Through words and actions and through actions and inertness, he/she gives the message of peace.

 

The things mentioned in Hadith Jibreel i.e. Iman, Islam and Ihsan, the crux of all these is to seek excellence in the worship of Allah Ta’ala,  in proximity of Allah Ta’ala through Muraqaba, to strive for beauty in social and other affairs and to treat the creation nicely.

 

Through its teachings, Islam teaches both outward and inward peace to its followers.  A look at the worshiping framework in Islam shows that Salaat should be offered with proper order and with serenity.  The Zakat framework says that the poor and the needy should be helped, happiness and joy should be spread among those who are sobbing due to poverty and want.  Fasts teach people to abandon their desires as a result of which the fasting person becomes used to selflessness and preferring others over himself.  Hajj and ‘Umrah have a universal congregation which is an actual real life example of being together in peace.

 

Special features of the Islamic etiquette framework

 

The Islamic framework teaches desirable traits like truthfulness and righteousness, integrity, justice, brotherhood, helping the weak, calling upon the sick, hosting guests etc.  These are those lofty traits that every just person would like to acquire them.  On the other hand, Islamic framework prohibits detestable traits like ill-treating others, lying, falsehood, pride, breaking trust, injustice, jealousy, inequality among people etc.  These detestable traits may become the source and origin of tumult and disturbance in the society.  Through its etiquette framework, Islam instructs its followers to acquire every trait which help in establishing peace and are against oppression and abuse.  It also instructs to abandon every such trait which may be result in breaking of peace and in creating terror.

 

A great example of Islam’s peace-loving nature

 

Muslims bore the persecutions of the Makkans for 13 years.  During these days, personal safety, which is the right of every person, was snatched away from them, but Muslims through their word and deed gave the message of peace. When the heights of oppression and persecution were reached, then for the sake of peace, they left their land.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered the Sahabah to migrate to Abyssinia, even though the ruler of that place was a Non-Muslim.

 

After the 13th year of the declaration of Prophethood, by the command of Allah Ta’ala, Muslims migrated to Madina and settled down there.  The persecutors tried to attack Madina. When there was no other option apart from fighting, then to remove danger and to erase the disturbance, the Muslims went forward and wiped it out.

 

The barbarity of the pre-Islamic age and the peace-loving laws of Islam

 

In the pre-Islamic age, the Arabs used to fight at the drop of a hat.  To avenge the murder of 1 person, the whole clan of the murderer would be wiped out.  Only for the sake of pride and hate, years would be spent in war.  Without declaring war, people would be attacked.  In war, women and children would be killed.  To torture the enemy, fire would be used.  Prisoners of war would be tortured beyond belief and later killed.  In Rome, which was the most cultured nation of that time, when 2 countries fought, then it would not be stopped until one side would not be completely wiped out.  Standing crops would be destroyed, orchards would be laid waste, and residences would be razed.  In short, there would be a miasma of loot, pillage and massacre.  Alexander conquered Suwar, an area of Syria, and issued orders of slaughter and carnage, as a result of which 8000 people were bled dry and 30,000 people were sold as slaves.

 

Look at this savage state of affairs and then have a look at the Islamic way of war and its military laws, which show the way Islam creates and uphold peace even in times of war and apart from the combatants, peace is assured for every person.

 

Islam instructs Muslims not to hurt women, children and the infirm.  Those who do not participate in the war should not be hurt in any way.  Those who ask for peace should not be troubled.  Educational institutions, offices, water reserves, storage houses, granaries and hospitals should never be attacked.

 

Islam binds every Muslim to these laws that nobody should be killed without a valid reason, nobody’s wealth should be molested, and nobody’s honor should be blemished.

 

Islam - Upholder of human rights

 

Islam declares life and property of every person as sacred.  Killing somebody without a reason is a great sin, to the point that killing of one person is like murder of entire humanity.  This is because, the way the life of all human beings is sacred and inviolable, in the same way, the life of a single human being is also inviolable with Allah Ta’ala.  Another interpretation of this is that, the person who makes so bold as to kill one human being, if means like say nuclear weapons are available, that person will not hesitate to destroy the entire humanity.

 

In the same way, saving a person’s life is considered equal to saving the whole humanity also, as Allah Ta’ala says:

 

Whoever killed a person (unjustly), except as a punishment for murder or for (spreading) disorder in the land (i.e. punishment for bloodshed and robbery etc.), it would be as if he killed all the people (of society); and whoever (saved him from unjust murder and) made him survive, it would be as if he saved the lives of all the people (of society; i.e. he rescued the collective system of human life) Surah Maida (5:32)

 

In the same way, Islam gives every person the right to save his/her wealth and honor.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

 

Translation: The person with faith is the one from whom people feel safe with regard to their life and wealth.

 

There is a Hadith in Sunan Abu Dawood:

 

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Anas bin Malik (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Start with the name of Allah Ta’ala, by coming into the protection of Allah Ta’ala, go according to the nation of the Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and do not kill any old person, neither any child or any infant or any woman.  Also do not cheat in the booty.  Gather the booty – perform every work excellently, verily Allah Ta’ala loves those who are benevolent.

 

There is a Hadith in Musnad Imam Ahmed.

 

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of the slave of the Prophet of Allah Ta’ala (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Hadhrat Thauban (May Allah be well pleased with him) that he heard the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) say: If a person who kills any child or spills the blood of any old person or burns any date tree or hacks any fruit-bearing tree or slaughters the goat of any native of that area, that person will be held accountable for it.

 

Islam’s message of peace is not only for Muslims, but for the whole world.  This is that merciful religion that considers the life of every human being as equally sacred.  In light of the honor and out of regard for human beings, forget killing someone, even hurting some one is not allowed.

 

In that age when spilling blood was considered a matter of pride, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) prohibited slaughtering of a goat of the conquered area.

 

What else can ensure peace more than the religion in which even destroying date trees of the enemy is prohibited?  Which other law can ensure peace more than the one in which hacking fruit-bearing trees is not allowed?

 

Islam ensures peace not only for human beings but for plant, animal life and every grain of sand of this world.

 

Stopping those people who set about destroying the peace of the society, who light up the flames of pillage and massacre, steal, murder and raise the banner of rebellion is surely necessary.  To maintain the fabric of peace in the society, staying the hands of these people is surely necessary.  Defensive measures against these people to stop them and punishing them is not breaking of peace but it is in fact maintaining peace.  This is not revenge but justice.  This is necessary to maintain peace for the whole society.  Islam does not allow people to develop their own laws to combat and punish them.  Instead it specifies rules for the enemies also.  It prohibits excessiveness in dealing with them.

 

Attacking without proper declaration and warning is to be avoided.  Nobody should be bound/tied and killed.  Nobody should be burnt as a punishment, as there is a Hadith in Sunan Abu Dawood:

 

Translation:  Nobody has the right to punish with fire except the Lord of the fire.

 

The universality of Islam’s message of peace

 

In an Islamic country, rights have not been granted on the basis of nationality, community or such, but everybody has been granted equal rights on humanitarian basis without any discrimination on the basis of religion, sect and parentage.

 

In an Islamic country, all non-Muslims are given the same rights as Muslims. There is no scope for discrimination and/or partiality of any kind.

 

They have the rights of religious freedom, economic freedom, social freedom, etc.  To ensure their safety, to maintain an atmosphere of peace for them is the responsibility of Muslims.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

 

Translation: The rights of the non-Muslims are my responsibility.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has warned the Muslim who kills a non-Muslim with whom there was an agreement of peace in this Hadith of Sahih Bukhari:

 

Translation:  Hadhrat Abdullah bin ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrates from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) that He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  The person who kills a non-Muslim, with whom there was an agreement of peace, will not even smell the fragrance of Jannah, although its fragrance can be smelled from a distance worth 40 years.

 

There is Hadith in Sunan Abu Dawood:

 

Translation:  Beware! The person who oppresses a non-Muslim, with whom there was an agreement of peace, or snatched his/her right or taxed him/her beyond capacity or took something without the non-Muslim’s express wish, then on the Day of Judgment, I will present a case against that oppressor.

 

In an Islamic country, the responsibility of defending the country is not on the non-Muslims.  If there is any attack on the country from outside or within the country someone troubles them, it is the responsibility of the Muslims to protect them and fight on their behalf.  In lieu of this, Jizya (a kind of tax) is taken from non-Muslims.  In imposition of this tax, women, children and the old have been exempted.

 

It is given in Imam Abu Yousuf’s (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) book “Al Khiraj”:

 

Translation: Hadhrat Umar’s (May Allah be well pleased with him) slave Hadhrat Aslam (May Allah be well pleased with him) said: Hadhrat Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) wrote to the governors that Jizyah should not be taken from women and children and should be taken only from adult men.

 

Again, it is given in the same book:

 

Translation:  Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) passed by a house where a beggar was begging.  He was very old and blind.  Hadhrat Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) held him by his arm and asked him: What has forced you to this state in which I am seeing you?  He said: I have to pay the Jizyah and I am needy and old.  Then Hadhrat Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) took him by his hand and took him to his own house and gave him something.  Then he sent a message to the treasurer of the public treasury (Bait Ul Maal) that this person and such old non-Muslims like him should be taken care of.  “We took Jizyah from him in his young age and left him helpless in his old age.  By Allah! We have not done justice.”  Then he exempted that man and others like him from paying Jizyah.

 

Jizyah is a tax taken to protect the life, honor and property of non-Muslims; so whenever the Muslims felt that they could not fulfill this responsibility, they returned the amount taken, as done by Hadhrat Abu Ubaida (May Allah be well pleased with him).  He returned the amount of Jizyah to the people of Hims on the occasion of the battle of Yarmouk, when the Islamic army had to leave the city for strategic reasons.  He said: We had accepted responsibility of protecting you.  In lieu of this responsibility, you had given us Jizyah.  Now we are unable to fulfill this responsibility, so we are returning this amount.”

 

This conduct of the Muslims brought tears to the eyes of the inhabitants of Hims and they started praying: May the Lord bring you back safe and sound and give you victory over them.  If the Romans were here, they would not have returned even one soiled dime.”

 

Islam has no relation with terrorism

 

Those who are hostile to Islam have propagandized that Islam spread because of the sword, that because of Jihad, there is now an atmosphere of terror, and peace has left us; that Islam teaches Jihad and terrorism; that it orders killing and massacre; that Muslims’ very presence is a danger for world peace.  This seems to be a conspiracy against Islam.

 

To talk about terrorism and Islam in the same breath is against truth and veracity.  This is mere lies and slander.  There can be no relation between Islam and terrorism.  Islam means obedience and submission, which goes against terrorism.  Practically, in Islamic teachings, the absolute import of selflessness and sacrifice is found, which is miles away from terrorism.

 

How can that religion teach terrorism, which grants equal rights to those who don’t follow it even before they ask for it?

 

Can that religion teach terrorism, which stops from discrimination and partiality based on parentage, country and the like?

 

Can that law be a threat to peace, which prohibits cutting of fruit-bearing trees?

 

Can those People of Faith be a threat to the world, from whom the world originally learnt the very message of peace?

 

Never.  Islam is a religion of peace and love.  Every rule and principle of it supports the cause of world peace.

 

Jihad was not commanded to propagate Islam, but the military campaigns of those hostile to Islam are behind it.  The purpose and motive of Jihad is to end tumult and disturbances which destroy the peace and to maintain peace.  Jihad, whether it is defensive or apparently offensive, is an effort against oppression and persecution.  If the reason behind Jihad were Kufr or denial of Islam, then Islam would not have prohibited the killing of women, children and the old.  If the purpose of Jihad is to kill non-Muslims, then the kings of India, who ruled on this land for centuries would not have allowed even 1 non-Muslim to be alive here. They would have razed every temple to the ground.  On the other hand, we see because of the character and conduct of the Sufi saints, the whole populace lived in an atmosphere of peace.  Islam is a universal religion.  In fact, it is the only code of life which ensures the betterment and success of all human beings. Islam’s message of peace is for the entire humanity and all its sections and classes.  The very purpose of the presence of Muslims in this world is to provide benefit and relief to others.  As Allah Ta’ala says:

 

You are the best community brought forth for (the guidance of) mankind: you command righteousness, forbid evil and believe in Allah.  Surah Al Imran (3:110)

 

The very purpose of creation of Muslims is the benefit of others and as such Islam permits Muslims to live anywhere.  Islam not only allows Muslims to live in non-Muslim countries, it also teaches them how to live there.  Through the passport and visa, Muslims enter into a kind of agreement with the country that they will not disobey the rules of the country.