PEACE – an Islamic perspective

Peace is one of the most elusive but precious commodities that all people, individuals and nations, desperately search for in their lives. We look for peace everywhere. We often turn to our holy scriptures in our search and even turn to philosophy and ancient wisdom in the hope that they will provide the answer. Indeed we even wage wars, kill, plunder and destroy other’s peace in our vain attempts to experience it for ourselves. Some become pacifists or Sufis, seeking to find the peace within, only to find that their chosen spiritual life fails them. It would seem that the big questions are always there; where is peace to be found and how do we achieve it?

Islam has its own concept of peace and my understanding of this comes from studying the Islamic scriptures:

The purpose of divine guidance offered in Islam is to establish peace. The Quran says unequivocally, that ‘Allah does not love those who spread mischief in the land’.

To establish peace we need to understand the elements necessary in building the essential pillars to support it. Achieving peace demands that we take practical steps.

To have a clear mind about peace, Allah, the God Almighty, named Himself ‘Peace’. It is one of His beautiful names in Islam. According to Islam, following the path to God is what causes peace. In a practical world, the following would ensure peace in human society and create an inner peace:

Justice and fairness for all help create peace:

A just society is one which reflects the justice shown by a loving community, whose members are fair-minded and ensure that wrongdoers are stopped in their tracks. Injustice is a shameful human characteristic that causes God’s wrath and destroys the fabric of human society, but a just society prospers, flourishes and grows in happiness and blessings. An unjust society creates fear, disengagement, false pride and suppresses people’s rights. A just and fair society helps develop a positive character in its people who will stand out above all others. An unjust society, inevitably, causes corruption, produces mischievous people, and stops human society functioning at its best level. Islamic guidance on justice is firm and clear.

The Quran says: ‘Believers! Be upholders of justice and bearers of witness to Truth for the Sake of Allah, even though it may be against yourselves or against your parents or kinsmen, or the rich or the poor, for Allah is more concerned with their well-being than you are. Do not then follow your own desires lest you keep away from justice. If you twist or turn away (from Truth), know that Allah is well aware of all that you do’. S4 V135

‘Allah commands you to deliver trusts to those worthy of them; and when you judge between people judge with justice’. S4 V58

Justice and fairness is never a selective act. A mindset of fairness knows no discrimination between people and helps people live in peace and in happiness.

Respecting the rights of others and doing good:

Human rights are our most vulnerable possession but they continue to be regularly violated by many, either at an individual or family level and, what is even more concerning, even more frequently by those in positions of power or authority. We strive for peace by violating just that which is necessary to create it. This continuing violation of human rights is the most potent tool in the arsenal of those determined to destroy peace and the path leading to it.

According to the Quran, a belief in the Most Merciful and Most Just Creator, Allah, to Whom all will return and be accountable for their actions and deeds in the Hereafter, is the most powerful and effective deterrent to any peace breaking action. Such a belief ensures that violators of human rights will face a judgement day and will be made accountable for their peace breaking actions. Instead, the Quran guides, we should be promoting human brotherhood and fraternity, encouraging a harmonious human society and entering into trustful relationships. The Quran says:

‘Say to them (O Mohammad): come, let me recite what your Lord has forbidden (made sacred): that you associate nothing with Him; and do good to your parents; and do not slay your children out of fear of poverty. We provide you and will likewise provide them with sustenance; and do not even draw near to things shameful – be they open or secret; and do not slay the soul sanctified by Allah except in just cause; this He has enjoined upon you so that you may understand. And do not even draw near to the property of the orphan in his minority except in the best manner; and give full measure and weight with justice, We do not burden anyone beyond his capacity; when you speak , be just, even though it concerns a near of kin; and fulfil the covenant of Allah. That is what He has enjoined upon you so that you may take heed’. S V151-152

The Quran also says: ‘seek by means of the wealth that Allah has granted you the abode of the Hereafter, but forget not your share in this world, and do good as Allah has been good to you, and do not strive to create mischief in the land, for Allah loves not those who create mischief’. S V77

A good human character

The best of human traits will foster and sustain the foundations of a peaceful human society.  We all have morals, but how we treat others reflects on how we think and what our morals are. Even the most immoral people have their own set of morals and rules of engagement with others. Our values and morality impact on other people’s fate and their way of life. Peace loving people cannot be without love towards all humanity. They know no discrimination when dealing and deciding about people.

We need to promote a high human morality, common to all people and engage in a collective way to move forward and create a happier, peaceful and contented human society.

In conclusion; peace is not necessarily found within ourselves, but is rather the consequence of our actions and deeds. Peace needs to be sown before it can be reaped. Peace within and around us are integral to each other and we cannot have one without another. The Quran highlights this fact in this verse: ‘Whatever good happens to you is from Allah; and whatever misfortune smites you is because of your own action. We have sent you to mankind (O Mohammad) as a Messenger, and Allah is sufficient as a witness’. S4 V79