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Readers' column
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| A peaceful word for a peaceful world (3)Peace from an Islamic perspective | |
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| By Essadik El Asla-united against Islamophobia-Cyprus, 26-12-2006 |
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| 4- Reacting to aggression. |
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| Islam has taught people how to react to aggression. God the merciful exhorts people to manage their anger when they are victim of verbal or physical abuse. The exalted Allah says" If the ignorant address them, they say peace" ]Al-furqan:63[.And He also says: "You shall resort to forgiveness , advocate tolerance and disregard the ignorant". ]Al Aaraf: 199[. In this respect, Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A Bedouin has urinated in the mosque and some people rushed to beat him up. The prophet ( PBUH) said: "Leave him alone and pour a bucket of water over it. You have been sent to make things easy and not to make them difficult" (AL –Bukhari). |
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| The above Hadeeth brings into light the fact that leniency is also needed in the sphere of education and discipline. This is particularly true in the case of ignorant, ill-bred and non –Muslims. This is so because if they are treated unkindly, they will become more indocile on account of their wild temperament and foolishness. A kind handling is indispensable for putting them to discipline, even if they make desperate blenders. Abu Hurairah reported, A man asked the prophet ( PBUH) to give him advice , and he ( PBUH) said : " Do not angry" The man reported that several times and He (PBUH) replied every time , "Do not angry" (Al Bukhari). So, if non believers and potential aggressors stop their assaults against you, Islam gives you no reason to attack them. The exalted God says:" If they (non believers) resort to peace, you shall do so, and put your trust in God" ( Al Anfal :61). |
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| 5- Self-defense and forgiveness. |
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| It is agreed upon that Islam is a universal religion and that Mohammed, the prophet ( PBUH) was sent to all worlds. God says: "And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would broken away from about you, also pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them in the affairs ". |
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| Allah addresses his messenger and reminds him and the believers of the favor that he has made his heart soft for people. But, this doesn't mean until humiliation. In other verses, God says: "And make ready against them all you can of power, including the steeds of war to threaten the enemy of God»] AlAnfal:60[. The exalted God also says: "If you respond to an attack, respond no worse than they did. But, if you show patience, that is indeed the best course" ]AnNahl :128[ . These divine verses show that Islam not only exhorts peaceful conduct, but it compensates for it. Forgiveness and patience are rewarded by paradise. |
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| 6- Democracy in Islam |
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| In this respect, the question in order is how has Islam linked religion to politics? Islam is a religion that relies on many principals. First of all Islam relies on divine belief, which liberates the mind from superstition and calls for the belief in the ones of Allah. It also relies on absolute worship that elevates the spirit, refines morality, and reforms work. Moreover, it relies on constant principals of morality, which develops man’s personality and raises him to the rank of virtue, honor and completion. |
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| On the other hand, Islam is a policy since the state in Islam relies on many basis. The president, emperor, or caliph who is elected voluntarily and democratically by the people. The Almighty God says:"…their affaires are a matter of council among them" ¬¬] Al shura, 38.[ Imam Ahmed also reported that the prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said :" Whoever was elected as a leader without the consultation of Muslims , his elections is void". I don't think that there is a democracy in the world like the democracy that Islam has drawn . The second basis on which the Islamic state is based is Government. Government should be formed only of competent and able persons regardless of one's wealth, power, or social class. |
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| Al- Hakim reported that the prophet (PBUH) said: «who ever unfairly appoint a ruler over the Muslims, Allah curses him». In an other version "whoever appoints a ruler over a Muslim city while there is a better ruler, has betrayed Allah, his messenger, and the believers " this indicates that there is a need of participation exchange of views, negotiation, acceptance, refusal revision and reconsideration. These are the principles on which the pure democracy is based. |
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| Shurah(mutual consultation ) then , is the legal collective means used by the Ummah (Muslim community) to issue a decision as to its concerns. Islam also allows Ijmaa (consensus) which provides validation of the decisions taken, and independent judgment (Ijtihad). |
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| 7- Sustainable economic and social development |
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| Islam always promoted sustainable development. Islam, which is an integrated way of life, prohibits deprivation, monasticism, and social isolation. At the same time, it prohibits man from indulging in the material life and ignoring the right to Allah and the Hereafter. Rather, it urges him to make balance. The Qura'n stresses a balance between the physical being and the soul in many verses. For example, The Almighty Allah reminds people to perform acts of worship while they are busy with worldly actions and transactions. It recommends man to trade and work and perform acts worship at the same time: He declares:"Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the remembrance of Allah, nor from performing AS-Salat , nor from giving the Zakat. They fear a day when hearts and eyes will be over turned" ] An –Nur:37[. |
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| The prophet is reported to have said: "when a human being dies, his work for God comes to an end except for three: a lasting charity, knowledge that benefits others, or well educated child who would pray for him" (Muslim). |
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| To explain, a last charity is all sorts of "Waqf" endowment (Mosques, houses, wells, trees, libraries...). Knowledge that benefits others in the sense of fighting illiteracy and teaching people about there affairs and their relation with God. Moreover, a good child guarantees the continuous effort of Islam to secure the well of others. One of the major causes of conflict is poverty. Islamic measures such as Waqf, Zakat and charity are meant to prevent this social ill. The prophet is reported to have said: "poverty is almost unbelief". That is poverty may lead to lack of faith, without which a sustainable culture of peace would be difficult to accomplish. |
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| Conclusion |
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| On the basis of what we have revealed previously, we as Muslims should take upon ourselves to explain for other of ignorant Muslims and non-Muslims the fact about Islam in details throughout all channels of communication. So, that they may recognize and believe in its great values and teachings. They will have no choice except to return to the way of the true sincere Muslims upon which the glory of Islam is based, the unity of Muslims is kept firm, and Islam is spread throughout the whole world to establish peace, justice, love, human rights and development. The dean of the faculty of law in Vienna University Sheberl said in the conference of law held in 1927, "Humanity is proud of a man like Mohammed (PBUH), because in spite of his illiteracy, he introduced a law which if we practice it after 2000 years, we will live in happiness, peace and love". |
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