The Ultimate Peace

THE ULTIMATE PEACE

Shamsul Huda Qasmi
Editor: The Light (Magazine)
hudaqasmi@gmail.com

The world we live in is full of diversity. We meet people of different colours and minds. They speak different languages and have their own choices. Various cultures and civilisations spread around clearly indicate the signs of different minds at work and preferences of liking and disliking of the people living on this planet called earth.

They make use of their intellect to choose between right and wrong for the betterment of their life. The difference of languages and colours are the signs of the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The glorious Qur'an speaks about this fact in immaculate style i.e, "And among His signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth and the difference of your tongues and colours. Surely in this there are signs for the persons having knowledge." (Ch. 21 V. 22)

Different choices and preferences add beauty to the rich diversity in the world. Islam, the final way of life, always encourages peace and harmony in society. It never imposes its views on the people of different faiths and thoughts. Islam, without an iota of doubt, rejects using compulsion and force in spreading religion and leaves it up to the sole discretion of a person till the correct way becomes distinct from the erroneous one.

Islam strictly prohibits its adherents to use foul language against deities of other religions whom they revere and worship. Since people have deep sentimental attachments with their deities and places of worship, they get readily hurt and become ready to even give their precious life. It is precisely for this reason that any sort of desecration or demolition of a community's place of worship is prohibited in Islam. Such unwarranted behaviour against a place of worship subsequently disturbs the peace and tranquility in the society.

Yet at another place, the glorious Qur'an in its immaculate language guides us. It says: "Good and evil are not equal. Repel (evil) with what is good, and you will see that the one you had mutual enmity with has turned to you as if he were a close friend. (Surah Fussilat: 34)

The Prophet of Islam, all the time, taught his companions to practice kindness, forbearance, sympathy, and high etiquettes. He underwent many hardships during his stay in Makkah but never took revenge even on his arch enemies after the full power over them. Many a time, the non-believers made serious attempts to assassinate him and the prophet was forced to migrate from his beloved city Makkah to Medina. After the victory of Makkah, the Prophet vowed not to take revenged on his enemies and declared peace even for those who sought protection in the house of Abu-Sufyan, the then arch-enemy of the Prophet (SAW). The people who had cornered and boycotted the Prophet and his family in the valley of Abu-Talib were forgiven and granted peace and security in the City of Makkah.

The life of the Prophet is full of such exemplary behaviours that require to be put in practice. The true spirit of Islam alone assures the establishment of peace and harmony in the world.

Later, the blessed companions followed in the footsteps of the Prophet and carried the mission of global peace forward. The first caliph of Islam, Abu-Bakar Siddique (RA), signed pact with non-Muslims on the issues of their religious protection. The agreement said their religious places and churches must be fully protected and not be demolished. They were allowed to freely perform their religious rituals and duties. Their life and wealth were safe with Islamic regimes. Hazrat Umar (RA), the 2nd Caliph of Islam, wrote similar peace accord with the people of other religions and instructed Muslims to strictly abide by it. Hazrat Uthman (RA) remained bound by the previous deals.

Earnestly speaking, the world leaders today don’t seem to be sincere in combating terrorism; rather they are serving their own ends. The history never witnessed such human crisis. Women and children, old and young alike are ruthlessly killed in Syria, Palestine, Yemen and many parts of the Middle East. Millions of lives are at stake but the world continues to play blame game and not willing to seriously resolve the issues.

Islam alone is the religion, guarantees the rights of each and every individual irrespective of cast, creed and colour. It says, "Be merciful to those on earth, the Heaven will shower mercy upon you." It has a beautiful concept of humanity, if followed, the violence, oppression and subjugation would come to an end and the world, crying for peace, would turn out to be a piece of paradise. May Allah enable us to follow the ultimate guidance of Islam! Ameen.

The Light ( Magazine)