The Culture of Peace

very limited sort of power. In contrast, someone who is angry but is able to control his anger and behaves in a balanced way with the person who provokes him to become angry is much stronger than the person who is only physically strong. His behaviour proves that he possesses the power of intelligence, which is undoubtedly much more powerful than physical strength. Such a person can, because of his wise planning, win every battle without physically harming anyone. The Formula for Social Peace What is the ideal formula for social peace? How can social equilibrium be established? In this regard, a hadith gives us some valuable clues. According to this report, the Prophet said that fitna, or strife, is asleep, and that God’s curse is upon one who wakes up a sleeping fitna. Self-restraint in this case is a natural formula for social peace. The fact of the matter is that within every human being there is a deeply-rooted egotism. And this egotism is such that if it is provoked, it very quickly explodes and sets off violence. However, nature has arranged for this egotism to be asleep within every person’s breast. It is present within everyone, but, in accordance with the system of Creation, it is in a somnolent state. Under such conditions, a simple way to establish a peaceful society is to let the egotism that is fast asleep inside people’s breasts remain as it is. It is only those whose egotism has been provoked who go about disrupting social peace. If one abstains from provoking other people’s egotism, social peace will not be ruptured. From this we learn that establishing social peace is within our own control, rather than this being dependent on others. Through your positive behaviour you can avoid provoking other people’s