TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

people regarding religion and culture, but everyone has to respect the other. For, according to Islam, all men and women are blood brothers and blood sisters. And all are creations of one and the same God. Equal Treatment for All According to Islam all human beings deserve equal treatment. The Prophet of Islam once observed that a believer is one who likes for others what he likes for himself. This is a very important principle of social ethics. Everyone knows what attitude he wants or does not want from others. He should behave with others as he wants them to behave with him; he should refrain from such behaviour as he does not want to receive from others. This is a central teaching of Islam. It is only by following this principle that one becomes deserving of the respect of others. COMPASSION If you go through the Quran and Hadith, you will find many verses in the Qur’an and Hadith which lay great stress on compassion. For instance, the Prophet of Islam said: O people, be compassionate to others so that you may be granted compassion by God. Thus, Islam makes compassion a matter of self-interest for every man. As one’s own future depends on one’s compassionate behaviour to one’s fellow men. In this way, Islam motivates us to be compassionate in our dealings with each other. If one wants to receive God’s grace, one shall have to show compassion to others. Mercy and Love The Prophet often uttered such phrases as, “May God bless the man, may God bless the woman.” This goes to show what type of attitude Islam wants to develop in its adherents. This is the culture of is compassion and love. Islam demands that on all occasions human beings should be well-intentioned towards each other; on all occasions human beings should offer the gifts of love and compassion to others. God’s attributes are given in the Quran as ‘The Compassionate’, and ‘The Merciful’. That is, He is very kind and sympathetic. Similarly, the Prophet of Islam has been called ‘A Mercy to the world’. (21: 107). That is, the Prophet of Islam has been sent as a blessing to the whole world. Patience, respect for all, compassion and forgiveness are the pillars on which a peaceful society can be built. Islam lays emphasis on these principles by adherence to which a culture of peace can be built within individuals.