THE CULTURE OF PEACE — Part V Teachings of Islam

and violence, but, rather, of peace and security. This undoubtedly reflects a very exalted character. An exalted person is one who even in the face of violence thinks of peace, and who in the midst of war makes plans for reconciliation. God’s Name is Peace The Quran mentions various names (or attributes) of God. One of these is As-Salam, i.e. ‘The Source of Peace’. This means that God is the epitome of peace. God loves peace and security so much that he has kept As-Salam as one of His names. The noted scholar Al-Khattabi writes that God is the Being from Whom all people are safe and secure, and from Whom they experience peace, not violence. When God’s dealings with human beings are based on peace and security, then human beings should deal in the same way with each other. That is to say, we should relate to each other with peace and security, and not with severity and violence. Who is Strong? According to a Hadith report (Sahih Bukhari), the Prophet said that a strong person is not one who defeats others in wrestling, but, rather, only he who when angry, keeps his nafs or lower self under control. When God’s dealings with human beings are based on peace and security, then human beings should deal in the same way with each other. To stop one’s anger while in a state of anger is a sign of self-control. And, self-control is, undoubtedly, the greatest power. At moments when one is angry, self-control saves one from committing wrong actions. Someone who lacks the power of self-control will burst out uncontrollably when he is angry, so much so that he can easily become violent. To keep one’s anger under control is the way of a peace-loving person, while losing control when angry, is the way of a person who glorifies violence. Suppose two people have a fight; and one of them hurls the other to the ground. This may signify only that the former is physically stronger than the latter. However, physical strength is a very limited sort of power. In contrast, someone who is angry but is able to control his