Peace: The Summum Bonum

exceeds the limit he will become an offender. The Prophet and his Companions never avenged anything. It is narrated on the authority of Hazrat Ayesha: The Prophet never avenged for his own self. (Sahih alBukhari, hadith no. 6853) Practically, there is only one option, which is forgiveness. While revenge may open a new chapter that is revenge after revenge, but forgiveness ends this chain. Forgiveness means that you have put a full stop, while revenge in this case means that you have put commas. Forgiveness in such cases is a rewardable action. Forgiveness is a highly valuable deed. The Quran enjoins a believer to return every bad action with a good one. It says: Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend. (Quran 41:34) This is the true spirit of Islam. Why is there Islamophobia but no Hinduphobia or Buddhistphobia? There is no such thing as ‘Islamophobia’ as well. This is a concept which only some Muslims have themselves innovated. There would have been Islamophobia if this term had been coined by the West describing their own attitude towards Islam. On the other hand, this term has been attributed to the West by the Muslim community. Thus, Islamophobia is an allegation, and not a real phenomenon. It is a common observation that Muslims become emotional easily when it comes to controversial issues. This is why people have come to fear Muslims, while Hindu and Buddhist communities are