Peace in the Quran

Peace in the Quran A t a three-day symposium held at the American University in Washington, on February 1998, I made a speech on Islam and Peace in one of its sessions. A part of this speech is given below: “It is no exaggeration to say that Islam and violence are contradictory to each other. The concept of Islamic violence is so obviously unfounded that prima facie it stands rejected. The fact that violence is not sustainable in the present world is sufficient indication that violence as a principle is quite alien to the scheme of things in Islam. Islam claims to be an eternal religion and, as such, could never afford to uphold any principle which could not stand up to the test of time. Any attempt to bracket violence with Islam amounts therefore, to casting doubt upon the very eternity of the Islamic religion. Islamic terrorism is a contradiction in terms, much like ‘pacifist’ terrorism. And the truth of the matter is that all the teachings of Islam are based directly or indirectly on the principle of peace.” The teachings of Islam in the Quran and Hadith: The very word ‘Islam’ (from the Arabic silm) connotes peace. According to a tradition of the Prophet, ‘Peace is Islam.’ (Al-Bukhari) This means that peace is one of the prerequisites of Islam. Similarly, a Hadith states: A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands people are safe. One of the attributes of God described in the Quran is ‘As-Salam,’ which means peace and security.’ That is to say that God’s Being itself is a manifestation of peace. Indeed, God is Peace. (Al-Bukhari) In the Quran divine guidance is likened to the paths of peace. (5:16) According to Islam, Paradise is the ideal place for human abode, and is thus called the ‘Home of Peace.’ It is also said that