Islam's Perspective on Peace

Delivered during the Peace seminar-workshop 2011Xavier University Library American's Corner , Cagayan de Oro City, January 8, 2011

Theme: “"Youth as Advocates of Peace and Transformation amidst Diversity”

Its Perspective on PEACEAbdulGaphor M. Panimbang

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MINDANAOD

YNAMIC

CULTUREOFPEACE

MIDCOP

The Word "Islam"

Al-Salaamwhich means “PEACE”

Al-SilmThe root word of Islam is "al-silm" which means "submission" or "surrender."

Islam

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BASIC TENETS: General

• Islam means: Peace & Self-surrender to the Will of God

• A universal message - confirms preceding Divine revelations. Prophet Mohamed is God’s messenger sent to complete & compliment previous revelations:

• Abrahamic religion: “… it is the belief of your father Abraham. It is He (God) Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation)” 22:78

• 6 pillars of faith and 5 pillars of religion

BASIC BASIC

TENETSTENETS

BASIC BASIC

TENETSTENETS

Diversity

Delivered during the Youth Interfaith Solidarity Conference

“See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then bring out produce of various colors. And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of color, and black intense in hue. And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colors. Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.”

(Fatir 35:27-28)

Diversity among Human Beings


“And from amongst His signs is this that He created you from dust; and then behold you are humans scattered far and wide.

Among His signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.

And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the variations in your languages and colors; verily in that are signs for those who know.

And among His signs is the sleep that you take by night and by day, and the quest that you make for livelihood out of His bounty; verily in that are signs for those who hearken... “

(Ar-Rum:20-23)

Diversity of Races, Families and Tribes



“O people, We have created you from a male and a female and made you into races and tribes so that you may know each other. Surely the most honored of you in the sight of God is the one who is the most righteous of you”

(Al-Hujrat:13).

Diversity of Opinions


“…To each among you have We prescribed a Law and an Open Way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single People, but (His plan is) to test you in what He has given you; so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute.”

(Al-Maidah:48)

www.themegallery.com

Four Important Principles

dignity of the human beings

equality of all human beings

Title

A B

fundamental freedom of thought, conscience

and belief

D

universal human rights

C

Reaffirming Racial and Ethnic Unity

Reaffirming the Oneness of Religion

Islam and War

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:• ‘And if Allah did not check one set of people by

means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief. But Allah is full of Bounty to the worlds.’(Surat-al-Baqarah (2), ayah 251)

The All-Mighty also says: • ‘For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of

another, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down. Verily Allah will help those who help His (cause).Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-mighty.’(Surah Al-Hajj (22), ayah 40)

Why is there Jihad in Islam and what does that mean?

• 1. The word Jihad does not mean “Holy War”. It means struggle. Struggle on the personal level and struggle on the social level. Struggle to do good and struggle to remove injustice and oppression. Struggle could be spiritual as well as social, economic and political.

• 2. Qital (or military warfare) is permissible in Islam, but only when other peaceful means such as dialogue, negotiations and treaties fail. It is a last resort and should be avoided as much as possible. Its purpose is not to convert people by force, or to colonize people or

to acquire land or wealth or for self glory.

Its purpose is basically defense of life, property, land, honor and freedom for oneself as well as defense of others from injustice and

oppression.Delivered during the Youth Interfaith

Solidarity Conference

Basic rule of Qital in Islam

• Do not begin the hostilities. Work for peace as much as possible.

• Fight only those who fight, no collective punishment, non-combatants should not be harmed. Weapons of mass destruction should not be used.

• Stop hostilities as soon as the other party inclines to peace

• Observe the treaties and agreements as long as the enemy observes them.

Islamic Principle: There is no Compulsion in Religion


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Islam condones violence against non-Muslims

Aggression is a vice in Islam

The Prophet defined the Muslim as one causing no verbal or physical harm to others Islam’s greeting to everyone is “peace be upon you” Murder of one person or causing devastation of any form is equated with killing all humanity

• “Jihad”: Striving to do good for the sake of God - A broad concept

• Coming from a battle the Prophet said to the Muslims: “You came from the minor ‘Jihad’ back to the major ‘Jihad’” Asked to explain, he replied: “Inner self ‘Jihad’”

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Religious Tolerance most fundamental to Islam

“No compulsion in religion, Truth stands out clear from Wrong” 2:255-256 - Applies to Muslims & Non-Muslims

Christians & Jews called “People of the Scriptures” - under an Islamic state are regarded as “protected subjects” with complete autonomy

The Prophet’s Charter to the Monks of Sinai

Christians & Jews never persecuted for their beliefs in Islamic empire. Then & now Christians keep customs, start schools, visited by missionaries

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Even in cases of war

General: “Don’t fight those who don’t declare war on you for your faith or don’t attempt to take over your homeland” 60:8-9

“Fight for the sake of God (ie not for economic or political gain) those that fight you and do not attack first” ”

If the other side want peace then make peace 4:90, 8:61 If a member of the other side seeks asylum award it & ensure

safety 9:6 Forbidden to kill the elderly, women, children, animals or to cut a

tree

Wonderful ideals of Islam:

• To pursue peace with everyone including past enemies, except when they fight the Muslims and refuse peace, then Muslims are allowed to fight in self-defense.

• To ensure that we always apply justice and never transgress against others even if they are our enemies.

• To repel evil actions with good actions, in order to replace hatred with an intimate friendship.

• To respond to punishment with the same punishment, but that forgiveness and patience is even better than retaliation.

In order to promote unity in diversity

• 1. Other cultures and religions should not be misrepresented. Educational institutions and media outlets should be held responsible not to propagate or perpetuate hate against any group of people and their recognized faiths and values.

• 2. Tolerance must be practiced on all levels: individual, groups and states. It should be a political and legal requirement. Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), democracy and the rule of law.


ROBERTSON: Ladies and gentlemen, I don't know what it's going to take to wake up the American, especially the American left, to the danger that Islam faces, or presents to all of us. But here's what Muhammad said, he said, "If you find an unbeliever and he will submit to Islam and pay alms, then let him go in peace. If not, kill him." So, in other words, when they were taking over a country, people were forced to convert to Islam under the penalty of death. And now, on the other hand, they say if somebody wants to leave Islam, they're going to kill them on the other side. Who ever heard of such a bloody, bloody, brutal type of religion? But that's what it is. It is not a religion of peace. Islam means submission. Submission to the Quran, to Muhammad, to the quote, "will of Allah, as revealed by Muhammad." And the penalty of not submitting is death. A penalty of leaving, in many of these countries, as [700 Club correspondent] Erick Stakelbeck has so eloquently shown, is also death. (From the April 28 edition of The 700 Club:)

Al-Hudaybiya Agreement

Treating prisoners and captives decently

Meeting

drafting peace agreements and achieve reconciliation

The negotiation principle

signing peace agreement

Principles &Principles & ValuesValues

Principles &Principles & ValuesValues

consultancy

Choosing the right man in the right place during the processes conflict resolution

sending a messenger to meet the other Party to discuss the issue under dispute;

Agenda for Reconciliationefine Objective


Documents

Islam's Perspective on Peace