TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

Adhering to the Truth with Patience and Perseverance The Quran tells us that the kind of people who can save themselves from loss and achieve a successful life are those “who exhort each other to justice and to fortitude.” (103: 3) It is unfortunate that one who adheres to the path of truth himself, or calls upon people to accept the truth is almost invariably rejected by the people. The resistance he has to face is very great. At such times what the lover of truth should do is exercise great patience. He should bear with fortitude all hardships, without trying to hold others responsible for it. Patience is another name for the nonaggressive method. One who stands up for the truth ought not to counter violence with violence. He must unilaterally adhere to peaceful ways. Truth and violence cannot exist together. One who wants to opt for truth will have to abandon violence. Violence, whatever the pretext or justification, is still violence. All forms of violence are equally pernicious, and no elaborate justification of violence can nullify or diminish its destructive consequences. The ultimate weakness of violence is that it begets the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Perpetrating violence in the name of truth is the negation of truth. Those who engage in violence in the name of truth only prove that their case is not that of truth. A lover of truth can never be a lover of violence. One who loves violence is certainly not a lover of truth, whether or not he regards himself as a champion of the truth. Adopting the Course of Reconciliation During the times of the Prophet of Islam, as a result of the aggression of his opponents among the Quraysh, a state of war prevailed between the Quraysh and the Muslims. One of the commandments given in the Quran on this occasion was: Then if they should be inclined to make peace, make peace with them, and put your trust in God. Surely, it is He who is All Hearing and All Knowing. Should they seek to deceive you, God is enough for you. (8: 61-62) Truth and violence cannot exist together. One who wants to opt for truth will have to abandon violence. Violence, whatever the pretext or justification, is still violence.