TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

There are two parts to every religion: belief and the value system. The value system relates to the social system which is based on ethical norms. And ethical norms are common to almost all religions. There are some differences in beliefs, but beliefs are of a theoretical nature. They are in the mind of the believer, so differences in belief do not create any problem so far as the establishment of peace is concerned. One part of every religion is its spirit and another is its form. Spirit is the essence or the real part of every religion. For instance, speaking the truth, honesty, well-wishing, etc. —the spiritual content of religion does not create any problem. The problem is always created by the form of the religion. When the form is emphasized, differences, clash and confrontation ensue. According to Islam, the spirit of religion is its real part and the form of religion is a relative part. Islam forbids stressing the relative part, which is called extremism in Islam. Islam’s emphasis is on spirit. So far as form is concerned, the way of tolerance will be adopted. Islam attaches great importance to the life ‘Hereafter’. According to the teachings of Islam, man should make the success of the Hereafter his greatest concern. If a living awareness of this concept is produced in man, material differences, and controversies will be minimized and replaced by a non-material or other-worldly outlook. This verse of the Quran is significant: And God calls to the Home of Peace (Paradise). (10: 25) This means that according to the creation plan, peace and harmony should prevail in human society. God Himself is peace. He intended this world to be peaceful, and only a peaceful world will be able to receive His blessings. A peaceful world is like a Paradise on earth. It is only in such a world that we can meet and establish contact with God Almighty, the Creator of man and the universe. o The above article by Professor Farida Khanam, Department of Islamic Studies Jamia Millia Islamia Delhi appreared in an online magazine Diplomatic Square on March 7, 2016. Differences in belief do not create any problem so far as the establishment of peace is concerned.