A Compassion For All The Worlds

 higher level—and those who live on a higher level do not worry about smaller matters. One important aspect of the Prophet being Rahmatul-lilAalameen is that, for the first time in recorded history, he established humane rules for war and peace—and he himself followed them. He completely forbade aggressive war. He said that war is only allowed when it becomes necessary for defense. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2966; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1742) In other words, never start a war—but if attacked, it is allowed to defend oneself. The second principle he gave was that peace is always better and more desirable than war. Even when war begins, efforts for peace must continue. And if the other party offers peace, then war should stop immediately— even if the peace comes with one-sided conditions. He was not only the teacher of these principles, but he also lived by them. He practised them in the best way. His speech was full of mercy, and his life was full of mercy. All India Radio, New Delhi, 13 October 1989. A COMPASSION FOR ALL THE WORLDS