NON-VIOLENCE Our Only Hope

in the launching of militant movements. Conversely, a great benefit that accrues from non-violent activism is that it can be initiated and prolonged with no damage to tradition. Generally speaking, attempts to improve or replace existing systems by violent activism are counterproductive. The truly desirable revolution is that which permits gradual and beneficial changes. And this can be achieved only on the basis of non-violence. The Prophet of Islam fully adopted the way of pacifism or non-violence all his life. All his successes were achieved by non-violent methods. There were many issues in Makkah at that time which could have been the subject of clash and confrontation. But the Prophet avoided all such issues, strictly limiting his sphere to peaceful propagation of his message. In Makkah when the Quraysh leaders were set to wage war against the Prophet, instead of opting for the way of reaction and retaliation, the Prophet secretly migrated to Medina. Migration, by its very nature, was a clear example of non-violent activism. This peaceful strategy enabled the Prophet and his followers — about two hundred in number — to form a powerful centre of Islam in Medina. Had they adopted the path of confrontation instead of peaceful migration, the history of Islam might have been buried right there in Makkah shortly after its inception. The truly desirable revolution is that which permits gradual and beneficial changes. A study of the Quran and Seerah (life of the Prophet) tells us that the actual goal of Islam has been, from beginning to end, to change people’s hearts. But in accordance with the creation plan, everyone has been given total freedom. It was as a result of this freedom that certain people turned against the Prophet of Islam; some even went to the extent of taking up arms in order to put an end to his mission by force. It was in situations such as these that the Prophet and his companions had to temporarily resort to arms, in self-defence. In this context, it would be correct to say that peace in Islam is the rule rather than the exception. The Prophet Muhammad lived for 23 years after attaining prophet-