Peace, and Why Fighting is Allowed in Islam

Peace, and Why Fighting is Allowed in Islam

Islam is uncompromisingly a law of peace and a religion of mercy. Only he who is ignorant of its teachings, hostile to its system, or is arrogant enough not to accept clear evidence, will dispute this fact. The word Islam is itself derived from the word peace (i.e. salaam). And Muslim is the best description of those who believe in this religion:

‘It is the religion of your father Abraham. It is He (Allah) Who has named you Muslims

both before and in this (the Qur’an), that the Messenger be a witness over you and

you be a witness over mankind!’

(Surat-al-Hajj (22), ayah 78)

The essence of this religion is peaceful submission to the Lord of the worlds:

‘Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follow Allah’s Religion of

Islamic monotheism) and he is a good-doer, then his reward is with the Lord, on such

shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.’

(Surat-al-Baqarah (2), ayah 112)

‘When his Lord said to him, "Submit (ie. Be a Muslim)!" He said, "I have submitted

myself to the Lord of the worlds."’

(Surat-al-Baqarah (2), ayah 131)

‘"And we were ordered to submit to the Lord of the worlds"’

(Surat-al-An’aam (6), ayah 71)

Even the greetings between Muslims is "May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you." Prayer itself is concluded with the announcement of peace - once to the right, once to the left and once to the front if there isan Imam in front - as if to greet his brothers after he had left them during the brief moments that he turned completely to Allah.Further more the revelation of the Qur’an brought with it the angels of peace and the night in which it was revealed became a night of peace:

‘Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And what

will make you know what the night of decree is. The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better

than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Jibreel) by Allah’s

Permission with all Decree, Peace! until the appearance of dawn.’

(Surat-al-Qadr (97), ayahs 1-5)

The servant greets his Lord with no better greeting than the greeting of peace:

‘Their greeting on the day they shall meet Him will be: Peace. And He will prepare for

them a generous reward.’

(Surat-al-Ahzaab (33), ayah 44)

The Angels will welcome the righteous into paradise with peace:

‘And the angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying): "Peace be unto you for

that you have persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!"’

(Surat-ar-Ra’d (13), 23-24)

Paradise is itself a place of peace:

‘For them will be the home of peace (paradise) with their Lord. And He will be their

Helper and Protector because of what they used to do.’

(Surat-al-An’aam (6), ayah 127)

‘Allah calls to the home of peace and guides whom He wills to a Straight path.’

(Surat-Yunus (10), ayah 25)

Allah, the High, the Blessed, has named Himself "Peace":

‘He is Allah other than Whom there is none (that has the right to be worshipped) the

King, the Holy, the Peace...’

(Surat-al-Hashr (59), ayah 23)

Of course the Muslim would not hesitate to answer this call to peace, and will never reject it.

‘But if they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and put your trust in Allah. Verily, he

is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.’

(Surat-al-Anfal (8), ayah 62)

‘And say not to he who seeks to make peace with you, "you are not a believer".

Seeking the perishable goods of the worldly life. There are many more profits with

Allah.’

(Surat-an-Nisaa’ (4), ayah 94)

No religious law or social system has encouraged the establishment of peace in the same way that Islam has done, for Islam has ordered the practise of this great virtue through respect and self-restraint even at the most testing of times such as Hajj (pilgrimage). During this sacred time, a pilgrim is strictly prohibited from cutting his nails, shortening his hair, destroying a tree, killing an animal or harming anyone in any way, even if he shall find the killer of his father he is not permitted to hurt him at all:

‘So whosoever intends to perform Hajj then he should not have sexual relations (with

his/her wife/husband), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during Hajj’

(Surat-al-Baqarah (2), ayah 197)

These prohibitions establish peace within and between the Muslims.