THE STRAIGHT PATH FOR SOCIAL LIVING — Peace and Harmony in Society

T here is a verse in the Quran regarding the Hudaibiya Treaty (628 A.D) in the chapter entitled ‘Victory’ which reads as follows: “…so that He may make it a sign to true believers and guide you along a straight path.” (THE QURAN 48: 20) The ‘straight path’ referred to in this verse is different from the ‘straight path’ referred to in the first chapter of the Quran, ‘The Opening’. In the first chapter of the Quran, the ‘straight path’ of guidance is the ‘straight path’ of individual and personal life. And, the ‘straight path’ referred to in the chapter ‘Victory’ is the path of peace and harmony. In other words, it is the ‘straight path’ of social living. According to the Quran, the entire Universe is functioning under a set of laws established by God and does not deviate from these laws even one little bit. “The sun does not overtake the moon, nor can the night outpace the day; each floats in [its own] orbit.” (THE QURAN 36: 40). As the Universe is under the stringent and compulsive laws of God, it can only exhibit a predictable nature. On the other hand, God has bestowed man with a free will, the misuse of which results in violence and conflict in the human world. In order to control this violence and conflict of the human world, the Quran gives guidance referred to as the ‘straight path’. The culture of revenge results in a chain of wars. The Quran was revealed in the first half of the seventh century in Arabia. At that time, there were many tribes in Arabia who were in constant conflict with one another. Tribal warfare was common. The nature of these wars was such that the vanquished tribes would refuse to accept defeat, instead an incentive for revenge would emerge leading to further warfare. In this manner after every victory, there would be a series of revenge wars. Because of this culture of seeking revenge, the Arab tribes were constantly engaged in a chain of wars. This chain of wars is referred to in the Quran as an ‘abyss of fire.’ ‘….He rescued you from the brink of an abyss of Fire.’ (THE QURAN 3: 103) THE STRAIGHT PATH FOR SOCIAL LIVING Peace and Harmony in Society