PEACE IN ISLAM

the Prophet’s general policy was always to choose the easier (nonconfrontational) path (Al-Bukhari). This means that violence should not be adopted if peaceful processes are possible. Just as countering aggression with aggression is a hard option and countering aggression with patience and forbearance is an easier option, radicalism is harder than gradualism. Peace is always the easier option in achieving the desired results. No Extremism The Quran is very clear in its views on extremism: Do not go to excess in your religion. THE QURAN 4: 171 The same point has been made in a hadith. The Prophet of Islam said, “You should restrain yourselves from committing excesses (ghulu) in religion, for it was due to their having gone to extremes in religion that previous communities were destroyed.” (Musnad Ahmad, 1/215, 347) Peace is always the easier option in achieving the desired results. Ghulu means extremism. The way of extremism is wrong, whatever the circumstances, because it goes against the spirit of religion. Extremism usually engenders attitudes that call for war and violence. Those who have extremist tendencies remain dissatisfied with the path of moderation, since it strikes them as being far from effective. That is why they so easily incline towards violence to achieve their objectives. Moderation, which is the opposite of extremism, is closely interlinked with peace. When people possess the virtue of moderation, they necessarily think in terms of peace and engage in their efforts in a peaceful manner. Adhering To the Path of Truth with Patience and Perseverance The Quran tells us that the kind of people who can prevent losses and achieve success are those “who exhort each other to justice and fortitude.” (THE QURAN 103: 3) It is unfortunate that one who adheres to the path of truth himself, or calls on people to accept the truth, is almost invariably rejected by the