Non-Violence and Peace-Building in Islam

1. Elephants and tigers are among the largest of animals. If an elephant and a tiger clash, it can cause the death of both. They are well aware of this, and so they always try to avoid each other. It is very rare that they allow themselves to enter into a conflict. A war in which the contending parties do not have the power to eliminate each other always ends in mutual destruction. Tigers and elephants know this, and thus they act accordingly. 2. The same thing holds true for bulls. If two bulls fight, it is very unlikely that one can finish off the other. And so, bulls have a fascinating way of avoiding such pointless confrontation—by establishing their respective territories. If two bulls enter the same locality and confront each other, they bang against each other’s horns to symbolize an agreement to divide the territory into two separate zones, one for each. After this symbolic confrontation, they draw back and carefully observe the line they have demarcated between themselves. And so, it is very rare that two bulls fight with each other. 3. There is a certain insect which, if you touch it, curls up and freezes. This is the method it uses to protect itself from its enemies. When it sees that its enemy is almost on top of it and that escape is impossible, it suddenly becomes completely motionless. Its enemy thinks it is dead and so ignores it. When its enemy leaves the scene, it runs away. 4. Animals that live in burrows constantly face the threat of enemies entering their homes. Because their homes are small, they cannot run away from their front door if an intruder enters. That is why such animals make another tunnel, at the rear of their homes, which they can use to escape in an emergency situation. When they see a predator entering their burrow, they run out through this rear door. In this way, they save themselves from their enemies.