Issues of Ijtihad

God’s Name is Peace The Quran tells us various names (or attributes) of God. One of these is As-Salam, i.e. ‘The Source of Peace’. This means that God is the epitome of peace. God loves peace and security so much that He has as one of His names AsSalam. The noted scholar Al-Khattabi writes that God is that Being from (Al Khatabi, Shan ul Dua, p. 41) Whom all people are safe and secure, and from Whom they experience peace, not violence. When God’s dealings with human beings are based on peace and security, human beings should deal in the same way with each other, too. That is to say, we should relate with each other with peace and security, and not with harshness and violence. Who is Strong? According to a hadith report, the Prophet said that a strong person is not one who defeats others in wrestling, but, rather, only he who when angry, keeps his nafs, or lower self, under control. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 6114; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2609-a) To be able to suppress one’s anger while in an overwrought state is a sign of self-control. And, self-control is, undoubtedly, the greatest power. In moments of anger, self-control saves one from wrong actions. One who is lacking in self-control will burst out uncontrollably when