PEACE IN ISLAM

This verse of the Quran shows that peace is desirable in Islam, even if it can only be established by incurring risks. If offers of reconciliation are made, they should be accepted without delay, even if the fear of deception exists. We put our hopes in God taking the side of those who love peace, not the side of those who use deception. And good and evil deeds are not alike. Repel evil with good, and he who is your enemy will become your dearest friend. Another reality that emerges is that, in this world, peace can be established only by those who have great courage. Problems inevitably arise between different groups of people, because no human situation is ever absolutely ideal. Everyone is, at some point in their lives, faced with injustice. In these situations, only such individuals can establish peace as can rise above all considerations and disdain all pretexts to engage in violent retaliation. Only the truly courageous can establish peace in this world. Those who lack in courage will continue to fight, and will thus never allow the history of the world to be re-written in terms of blessed peace. War: A State Action In Islam, war is not the prerogative of the individual, but of an established government. Only an established government can declare war. Islam does not sanction individual action on this issue. As a general principle, the Quran tells us that, even in the face of danger or an external attack, the people should refer to their rulers and together counter the threat. (THE QURAN 4: 83) The hadith also say that the government is the shield, battle is done under them, and security attained through them. The common man can play his role as need be, under the government's command and not independently. There are conditions attached to all actions in Islam. Wars are also subject to these principles, one of them being that when a war (in defence) has been declared by the state, only attacking combatants are targets. Targeting non-combatants is unlawful. The Quran only permits us to defend ourselves against those who attack us. (THE QURAN 60: 8)