UNDERSTANDING ISLAM A Religion Of Peace

This means that the formula for social peace, social harmony and interfaith dialogue is based on peaceful co-existence. Mutual respect is an essential condition for Islam. Indeed, this democratic tradition is the basis of Islam. According to the above prophetic tradition everyone is worthy of respect. There may be differences in religion and culture, but there is absolutely no difference or discrimination between people in terms of respect and honour. This Quranic teaching can be formulated in these words - “Follow one and respect all.” Differences are not a curse, but a blessing. History shows that difference of opinion leads to dialogue, and dialogue results in intellectual development. Difference of opinion promotes positive intellectual activities, which is a boon for everyone concerned. Above all difference of opinion leads to high thinking. And high thinking is the sole key to all kinds of human progress. So we have to welcome differences wholeheartedly, without any reservation. It is hatred, which has to be eliminated, and not difference of opinion. Here is an event in the life of the Prophet of Islam, which illustrates the true spirit of religious tolerance. One day a funeral procession wound its way along a street in Medina. The Prophet, who was seated there at the time of its passing, stood up in deference to the deceased person. One of his companions said, “O Prophet, but he was a Jew!” meaning thereby that it was the dead body of a non-Muslim. The Prophet replied, “Alaisat nafsan” (was he not a human being?) This ‘humanitarian’ outlook was typical of the Prophet’s vision of life. He was able to see everyone as a human being. In this case, he discovered a commonality between himself and that Jewish person. He felt that just as he was a human being, so also was the Jew a human being. Just as God had created him, so also had God created the Jew. People may have their differences in belief, religion, culture, etc., but a common bond has to be discovered between them, which shows them all to be human beings. Human life in Islam is held in such high esteem that the killing of a single human being is considered equivalent to the assassination of the whole of mankind; the protection of a single human life is equivalent to the protection of the whole of mankind (The Quran, 5: 32). We have to welcome differences wholeheartedly, without any reservation.