THE CULTURE OF PEACE — Part V Teachings of Islam

to this Hadith report, there are two ways to face a storm. One way is to be stiff when faced with it. The other way is to exercise flexibility; one way of reacting is the violent way, while the other is the peaceful way. God wants us to abstain from the former and to choose the latter. Those who try react to a storm by adopting the method of stiffness only show by this action of theirs that they are victims of extreme egotism. In contrast, the path of peace is based on modesty. In this world, those who let their egotism dictate their behaviour are bound to face destruction, while success is for those who adopt the path of modesty. This is expressed in the form of a Hadith report, according to which the Prophet said that God will raise high those who behave modestly. Peaceful Citizens Explaining who a momin (a true believer) is, the Prophet is said to have remarked (Ibn Majah) that people’s blood and wealth are safe from him. God gives in response to gentleness what he does not give to harshness. — The Prophet There are two ways of living in any society. You can live peacefully with others, or you can choose to keep quarreling with them. The Hadith report referred to in this instance indicates that the way of a true believer is to live along with others as a peaceful citizen. He lives without creating any problem at all for other people’s life, property and honour. Under no conditions whatsoever does he engage in violence. How can members of a society live at peace with each other, refraining from troubling and oppressing each other? There is one way—and that is, despite whatever complaints against others one may have, one should remain steadfast on the path of balance. One should bury deep in one’s heart the complaints one has against others. One should abstain from venting one’s ire and other negative emotions on others. In a society that consists of people who are like this, every individual will feel safe at the hands of everyone else. Such a peaceful society is an ideal human society. o .....to be continued. This article is in continuation of a series entitled ‘The Culture of Peace’ that commenced from Issue 19 (July 2014).