by Sadullah Khan
In Islam peace is the standard; it is the principle; and each person of faith has the moral obligation to maintain peace, without compromising on justice and truth.
Islam invites to the Subulusssalam (pathway of peace) — peace of mind, peace of conscience, peace in the family and society, peace with one’s Creator and His creation.
Muslims are increasingly being killed in the name of Islam. It is apparent that some among those who proclaim to be part of the Muslim fraternity have lost sound understanding of the teachings of the faith and are substituting the sublime message of Islam by a discourse of anger and the rhetoric of rage.
Islam is salam (peace) and taslim (submission to the Divine). One of the attributes of the Divine is Assalam (The source of peace) and Muslim greeting universally, upon meeting and departing, is Assalamu alaykum or ‘peace be unto you.’ The final and ultimate reward for human endeavor is Paradise, referred to in the Quran as Darussalam (abode of peace)
Moderation, not extremism
Believers were intended to be an ummah — a community that serves as a standard/model for others. The Quran says: “And we have made you a median community, a people of moderation/a balanced medium; in order that you may be a testimony or model for humanity.”
(Quran 2:143)
It is the absence of wasatiyyah (moderation) that extremism creeps in. Wasatiyyah is an antidote to ghuluww (excessiveness), tanattu (harshness), tashaddud (severity), tatarruf (extremism). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cautioned: “I warn you regarding extremism, because communities before you were destroyed due to extremism (An-Nisa’i)
The Prophet (PBUH) warned thrice: “The extremists are destroyed/annihilated.” (Sahih Muslim)
He warned: “My intercession will not be availed by two categories of my community — an oppressive/unjust ruler and a rebellious extremist.” (Tibrani)
Remember the words of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “A Muslim (one who proclaims faith) is that person from whose hands and tongue other Muslims are safe. A Mu’min (one who manifests faith) is that person in whom humanity find safety and security regarding their lives, property and honor.” (Baihaqi) The Prophet (PBUH) further advised ... Allah is kind and loves kindness in every matter, and kindness has been granted capacity which violence could never attain. (Sahih Muslim)
Intolerance whence?
How is it then that some Muslims are so intolerant of other faiths and are involved in atrocious and heinous acts of violence and senseless killing?
Are they oblivious to the historic example of how the Holy Prophet (PBUH) engaged those of different faiths?
So, though the word ‘Islam’ means peace and notwithstanding a well-documented history of contribution to world civilization, Islam is portrayed as an aggressive religion and used most synonymously with violence and intolerance. The fact that Islam considers Christians and Jews endearingly as “People of the Book” clearly indicates its tolerant ecumenical attitude of Islam
Label of ‘Islam’ could be deceptive
Labeling anything “Islamic” does not make it justifiable. Realise, that just because you are faithful does not mean that everything you do could be necessarily right.
Desiring to implement Islamic values is always noble, but having a meaningful and effective strategy is indeed most significant. Forcing other is never an acceptable resort and certainly not the first resort; especially since our Deen commands us not to use compulsion as a tool.
Just because something needs to be done does not mean that anything that is done is okay; and just because something is done in religious fervor does not in any way prove that it is Islamically correct. Muslims have inherited the command from that prescribed to the Children of Israel “whoever takes a single life without justification is as if he has killed the entire humanity.” (Quran 5:32)
Furthermore we are reminded: .”..And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might..” (Quran 22:40)
If we do not abide by these principles established in the Quran, then we are undermining the very spirit of our Deen. We must heed the Quranic warning against extremism in religion. ... do not be extreme in your religion.
(Quran 4:171)
The Prophet (PBUH) further warned: My intercession will not be availed two categories of my community; an oppressive/unjust ruler and a rebellious extremist (Tibrani). I warn you regarding extremism, because communities before you were destroyed due to extremism. (Nisai)
Some deviant individuals/groups are committing acts in the name of Islam which are contrary to the fundamental of our faith, while not enough seem courageous enough to openly stand up to these bullies who are denigrating the name and image of Islam.
Remember the words of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):“A Muslim (one who proclaims faith) is that person from whose hands and tongue other Muslims are safe. A momin (true Muslim) is the person in whom humanity find safety and security regarding their lives, property and honour.” (Baihaqi)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) further advised “...Allah is kind and loves kindness in every matter, and kindness has been granted capacity which violence could never attain.” (Sahih Muslim)
In some sectors of our communities there is a recurring flare up of sectarian squabbles and resurrecting tendency to misconstrue differing perspectives as opposing forces, thus dividing the community into respective enemy camps over minor and secondary issues rather than uniting them on greater but common issues. This gives a wrong notion that the conflicts are inherent in the precepts of Islam and are a cause of conflagaration.
Intra-faith engagement
Lasting harmony and understanding for a community starts from within and then it can spread the same respect toward others.
We should recognise that in submitting to Allah, building a wholesome and harmonious community is one of our primary objectives. We should confirm the importance of promoting a culture of dialogue within our faith community.
We should affirm that it is important for us to listen to and learn from other perspectives so that we can value Islamic plurality as a factor that enriches our communities. We should attempt to explain our own perspectives in a manner that is intelligible and inoffensive to people of other perspectives. We should commit ourselves to engage in dialogue with sincerity and patience, without considering what separates us as an insurmountable wall. Rather recognize the fact that facing our differences can become an occasion for greater reciprocal understanding and that such dialogue can take place only on the basis of mutual trust and respect. May Allah protect the innocent from the injustices of the self-righteous!
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