UNDERSTANDING ISLAM A Religion Of Peace

I SLAM is actually a religion of peace and humanism. Not only Islam, but all other religions are religions of peace. The Sufis have given the best interpretation of Islam. A Persian phrase, ‘Sulh-e-Kul’, which means peace with all, truly expresses the spirit of Islam. There are two major sources of Islam, the Quran, which is the word of God and the Hadith, which are the sayings and the actions of the Prophet of Islam. We find the true message of Islam through these sources. There is a very relevant Hadith recorded by Bhukari, which clarifies that when the Prophet had to choose between two paths, he always opted for the easier, that is, peaceful course of action, rather than the harder course of action. One is free to choose between the two paths of peace and violence. According to a Hadith, the Prophet of Islam defined a believer thus— “A believer is one from whom people are safe as regards their lives and property.” HADITH reported by AT-TIRMIZI, AN-NASAI, IBN MAJAH and AHMAD There are two ways of leading one’s life in society. One is to live peacefully among one’s fellow men. The other is to remain always at loggerheads with others. According to this Hadith, the way of the faithful is to live as peaceful citizens in society. No one should pose any danger to others’ lives, property or honour. In no circumstances, should one take the path of violence. How should life be led so that the members of a society remain safe and secure from others’ injustices? It is to maintain the way of moderation, irrespective of there being causes for complaint. All members of society UNDERSTANDING ISLAM When the Prophet had to choose between two paths, he always chose the easier, the more peaceful, rather than the harder path.