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Readers' column
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| A peaceful word for a peaceful world (2)Peace from an Islamic perspective | |
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| By Essadik El Asla-united against Islamophobia-Cyprus,14-12-2006 |
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| II- ASPECTS OF THE CULTURE OF PEACE |
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| It was not until man began to lose his dignity and rights that he began to recognize and pursue them. Divine calls were sent down through prophets to establish these for the well being of man. The more man strayed from the implementation of these divine rights, the more he began to place importance on the legislation and implementation of new man–made laws to replace what he lost. The culture of peace from an Islamic point of view involves a set of values , attitudes and life styles based on the following principles which led to peace among individuals , groups and nations. Let's talk about these modes of behavior in turn , guided by the precepts of Islam. |
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| 1- Promoting human dignity and human rights. |
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| A -Human dignity. |
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| The legal prohibition of torture and severe humiliation, freedom of thought and opinion, freedom of private ownership, the inviolability of one's home, private life, honor and reputation….are all classified under the rubric of human honor. Man, as we have mentioned previously, is a creation which has been honored by God. God, the Almighty says" We have honored the descendents of Adam ….and favored them over many of our creations"]Al Israa:70 [ . The Almighty God also declares:» The most honored amongst you is the most righteous". ]A l- Hujurt:13[ . Notice that God, the merciful, in these verses, has not said "we have honored Muslims" however, he says "the descendents of Adam" . |
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| The prophet (PBUH) also strengthens these verses practically. Recall the prophet's standing in respect for the Jewish funeral. Moreover, he is reported to have said (PBUH), "No Arab is superior to a non Arab or vice versa, or a white to a black or vice versa except for piety", and he has added, "all people are equal like the teeth of a comb". This Islamic precept aims to prevent any conflict motivated by origin or lineage. A Muslim may not deprive an other person of an innate, instinctive right such as his God given dignity, be it Muslim or non-Muslim. This teaching also promotes piety and righteousness. The more righteous you are the more satisfied and serene your soul will be. |
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| B - Human rights. |
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| Islam has promoted human rights to build a complementary society living in peace and security. In this respect Al- Khayyat says: "The international declaration of Human Rights and other international charters were instigated as a result of bloody wars among nations and erroneous decisions made by rulers and leaders. |
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| Humanitarians defined and declared these principles in various international organizations to protect society from collapse" (Al – Khayyat, 2001, P,22) .If we closely examine the teaching and principles of Islam, we find that principles of Human Rights and the prohibition against violence and discrimination were established on earth in the form of a guided, merciful, complete prophecy, fourteen centuries before the international declaration. Al – Khayyat has said, "Islamic teachings have dealt with the issue of Human Rights, Man's responsibilities to others, as well as those rights which are due to him. Man's responsibilities can be included under the five objectives of Islamic law by which the interests of mankind are achieved , protection of one's self, protection of one's mind, protection of one's religion , protection of one's offspring's , and the necessity of the continuation of mankind "( Al Khayat, 2001, P.23). |
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| This indicates that human rights are guaranteed in Islam, and that they are not contradictory to UN documents. Permit me to explain briefly these human rights.The first basic right, of course, is personal freedom and prohibition of slavery, Islam has declared the right of freedom for all of mankind. Thus, Man is free from being a slave to his desires and his fellow man. He has been granted this personal freedom, however, with the limitation that he doesn't infringe upon the freedom of others or cause them harm. Also, he is not permitted to commit crimes or go beyond the boundaries of civil manners. Al Khayyat adds "It is man's right to practice his personal freedom, eating and wearing what he likes. However, at the same time, usage of illegal drugs, nudity…have been prohibited in order to protect the individual from disease and the community from deviance" (Al Khayyat,2001, P.31) . |
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| The prophet (PBUH) said, "The wealth and honor of Muslim is inviolable for his brother in faith". Freeing slaves was accepted as expiation for sins, such as the freeing of a slave for one who killed another or broke his fast intentionally during Ramadan. The prophet ( PBUH) has freed thirty nine of his own slaves and absolutely prohibited bondage . One of the great sins in Islam is to sell a free man and to enslave him.Secondly, the right to life and security. Just as Islam guaranteed the right to life and security, God has subjected earth to man, and by his will, has made it easy for him to benefit from it. |
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| Allah said, "It is he who has made the earth subservient to you, So, traverse you through its tracts and enjoy of the sustenance which he furnishes" (Al Mulk15).Al – Khayyat has said , "Islam protected the man's right to security because the man life is protected , it is not permissible to terrorize , beat , imprison , torture or kill. These rulings were derived by scholars of Islamic jurisprudence based on a group of Quranic texts and prophetic sayings" (Al Khayyat,2001, PP.23.33) . God, the merciful says:"And do not kill yourselves, surely, Allah has been most merciful to you"(an-nissaa29). The prophet (PBUH) has added, "Whoever unjustly stripped a Muslim's back will meet Allah's wrath". |
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| Moreover, there are many other human rights that Islam has guaranteed to man such as, freedom of thought and opinion. Man is free to express his opinion so long as it doesn't lead to public disorder and dissention. However, it is not permissible for a Muslim to contradict that which has been clearly proven in the Quran, or is fundamental to Islamic religion. Thus a Muslim cannot deny the obligation of prayer or fasting, and claim that it is freedom of thought. Announcing apostasy, attacking the beliefs of others, and forcing people to follow a certain beliefs do not fall under the category of freedom of opinion. |
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| God says:"…and help one another in righteousness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression". The words do not help one another in sin and transgression are a prohibition against participation in meetings and groups that rebel or conspire against Islam or work towards corruption. Such actions are not peaceful, and thus, are prohibited in Islam which calls for giving advice, consultation, and forming opinions that are beneficial to mankind.To sum up, the inaction of these previous rights that Islam has guaranteed to man in addition to other rights surely, leads us to a peaceful society living in security and brotherhood. |
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| One of the origins of conflicts is the attitude of superiority an individual may adapt towards another on the basis of gender or social status. Islam, however, is against any type of discrimination. Islam decreed in explicit texts that all people are equal without exception. There is no preference for one individual over another or for a group because of race, or color. Neither is there superiority of a ruler over the ruled. The Quran declares: "...verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that who has piety"Furthermore, the prophet (PBUH) has said:" All people stand equal, like the teeth of a comb". He also said:" No authority shall the child of a white woman have over the child of a black woman". Moreover, as early as the seventh century the prophet appointed Bilal, a black slave, the very first Muezzin (prayer caller) in Islam. The prophet is reported to have proclaimed him one of the closest believers to his heart. Likewise, Islam enjoins kindness and equity towards women. Allah says in this connection: "live with them on one equal footing of kindness and equity»] Annissaa: 19[ |
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| However, positive law didn't enact this principle until the end of the 18th century and restricted its execution to limited cases only. But, Islamic law widened its application to encompass all cases. |
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| 2. Dialogue and tolerance. |
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| The most frequently cited aspect of peace is dialogue. If you opt for dialogue to solve a conflict, then you show tolerance as opposed to aggression. Surely, Islam admonishes aggression and promotes dialogue, contrary to what many believe. The culture of peace in Islam is a set of values, attitudes, traditions and modes of behavior and ways of life based on promotion of dialogue and cooperation. |
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| The holy book is replete with verses exhorting peace, tolerance and dialogue. The Almighty God says, «Do not aggress, for God dislikes aggressors "] AlMaida 87[. And He also says:" There shall be no compulsion in religion"] Al Baquara:256[ .These verses allow no room for misinterpretation. They clearly indicate that murder is prohibited, for God has made life sacred. They unambiguously prohibit killing in the form of an order from God. The holly book also uses a simile to clarify the extent to which homicide is a serious matter." Any one who murders another person unlawfully; it shall be as if he killed all humanity. And, anyone who spares a life, it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people".]AlMaida: 32[. Notice that this verse not only admonishes violence but enjoins peace as well. |
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| Dialogue in Islam involves recognizing, respecting and accepting difference. The exalted God says:" If God had wished, He would have made you one nation". It must be conducted in a calm, wise, flexible fashion similar to the way dialogue was conducted in the holy book between Abraham and his father, and between Noah and his son. It is agreed upon that fuller development of a culture of peace is integrally linked to enabling people at all levels to develop skills of dialogue, negotiation, consensus building and peaceful resolution of differences as Islam has always exhorted. |
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| The exalted Allah says " Repel the evil deed with one which is better, in such a way that the enemy shall become as if he was a dear friend". ]Fussilat :34[. |
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| 3- Solidarity. |
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| Islam has ever condemned intolerance and enjoyed solidarity. The Almighty God says: "We have created you male and female and have created you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another» (Al Hujurat: 13) . The prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said:" Believers, in their being friendly, merciful and caring to one another, are like one body. If one of its members complains, the rest of the whole body follows suit" (Muslim and Al –Bukhari). The Hadeeth (prophetic saying) throws light on a kind bearing which is rooted in faith. The prophet also has given a good expression as he has exemplified all the believers as one body with many different members. The messenger of Allah also said: "One may not be a true believer unless he wishes for his fellow man what ever he whishes for himself" (Ibn hanbal).This shows that natal solidarity is a good and noble characteristic, but it is a must and an attitude on the Muslim. |
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| Abu Hurairah reports from the prophet (PBUH) "the believer is the mirror of his brother. The believer is the brother of a believer he protects him from ruin and guards his back». (AlBukhari in Al Adab Al Mofrad). A man should help his brother whether he is a wrong-doer or is a wronged . If he is a wrong – doer then he should stop him, and if he is wronged he should defend him. The true Muslim doesn't forsake his brother, whether he is wrongdoer or is wronged . Islam teaches him to like for his brother what he likes for himself as long as he would not like for himself to be a wrongdoer or to be wronged, then he wouldn't like this for his brother either. "Brother" is not to be understood as based on ethnic origin, race or religion, but as a human being. |
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