PEACE IN ISLAM

The Prophet lived in an age of conflict. This fact could not be ignored during his mission. In spite of his peace loving nature and peaceful mission, the society he lived in was not peaceful. The battles that he was forced to engage in were purely due to this factor. These battles were so brief that we might describe them as skirmishes rather than wars. It would be quite correct to say that the Prophet of Islam initiated a revolution which, although very great in its scope and later repercussions, was ideologically non-violent. He impressed upon his followers that violence was the way to destruction, while peace was the way to salvation. He held patience to be the greatest form of worship, and disturbing the peaceful system of nature to be the greatest crime. The power of peace is far more effective and useful than the power of violence. The Prophet enjoined believers to greet one another by saying “As salam o alaikum!” (Peace be upon you!). This shows that any relationship should be based on peace and security. The Prophet told believers that success in the Hereafter should be the objective of our lives. He dispelled the notion that material accumulation was the aim of life, for that ultimately results in conflict and violence. They were told to make themselves useful to others, and if that was not possible, to at least refrain from causing anyone any harm. No one should be regarded as an enemy; even the enemy must be given fair treatment, for only then would the realization come that one’s enemy was potentially one’s friend: the ‘enemy’ always has it in him to be a friend. Peace in All Circumstances The Prophet of Islam was a peace-lover to the ultimate extent. His opponents repeatedly attempted to draw him into war, but on each occasion he avoided becoming entangled. However, sometimes in view of unilateral aggression, he had no option but to fight purely in self-defence, and for a limited duration. The battle of Badr is one such example. History shows that at the exact moment when the armies of both sides were standing ready for battle, the Prophet was visited by Gabriel, God’s angel. He said to the Prophet: “O Muhammad, God has sent you peace (salam).” On hearing this, the Prophet of Islam replied: “God is peace, peace is from Him and to Him is peace.” (Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihayah). This incident shows that even at such a juncture, the Prophet of Islam