THE CULTURE OF PEACE — Teachings of Islam

receives the sustenance of the Lord in this way has risen so high that such things as power and wealth appear to him to be very paltry. His mindset automatically makes him a lover of peace. He comes to regard hatred and violence as so utterly meaningless that he simply has no time at all to hate or to make plans of inflicting violence upon anyone. Why would someone who has gained an invaluable treasure run after paltry baubles? 2. Peace, the Means for Security The Quran relates that the Prophet Shu‘ayb was addressed by his people thus: They replied, ‘Shu‘ayb, we do not understand much of what you say. In fact, we see that you are powerless among us. Were it not for your clan, we would have stoned you, for you are not strong against us.’ THE QURAN 11: 91 This verse refers to the protection provided by members of Prophet Shu‘ayb’s clan, who, despite not being true believers, protected him on the basis of tribal custom. This same phenomenon is expressed in a Hadith report in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad, according to which God has sent every prophet along with the protecting power of his community. In the olden days, long before the rise of modern forms of governance, people were protected by fellow members of their respective tribes. According to tribal custom and tradition, it was the duty of the tribe to protect its members against other tribes. The Prophet of Islam ushered in a revolution that made it possible for humanity to avoid confrontation and war and nurture a peaceful society. In those days, this served as a protecting power for the prophets, too. Thus, the Prophet Muhammad received such protection by Abu Talib, head of the Banu Hashim clan. Even though Abu Talib did not accept Islam, in accordance with tribal tradition he continued to protect the Prophet from his opponents. In the present age, the tribal system has, of course, disappeared. But the role of protective power that it once performed is now played by the secular system based on the modern conception of the state. This system now provides believers—including those engaged in inviting