It should be noted from the beginning that the very term “Islam” implies that peace is the basis and the norm of Muslim – non-Muslim relations. Islam is derived from the Arabic root (S-L-M) whose generic meaning includes the concepts “peace” and “submission”.
From a spiritual perspective, Islam may be defined as attaining peace through submission to Allah, or the state of peace in submission to Allah. Ample references in the Qur’an and Hadith reveal that this concept of peace embraces peace with God, inner peace as a result of that relationship with God, peace with human, peace with the animal world, peace with vegetation and peace with the ecological order.
For Muslims, this ‘generic Islam’ has been the core of all prophetic teachings throughout human history. Key theological and eschatological Qur’anic terms are derived from the same Arabic root (S-L-M). One of God’s names/attributes is ‘Al-Salaam’ meaning the peace or the source of peace. Paradise is called the home or abode of peace. As they enter into paradise, angels greet believers with the greeting “peace be with you”; the same greeting that will be exchanged between the dweller of paradise. It is also the standard greeting among Muslims worldwide.
Peace also lies at the heart of the universally accepted five major objectives (maqasid) of Shari’ah (foundation of Islamic jurisprudence); to safeguard faith, life, family, honour, and property. Peaceful relationships among human beings include various circles such as family, community, society and humanity at large. It includes relationship with fellow believers in Islam and with humanity at large.
The focus of this section, however, is on the universal concepts and values underlying the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims. They include the following:
- 1. Faith in the One Universal God. Islam is founded on the belief that there is only one God, who is the Universal Creator, Sustainer and Cherisher of all. Being the sole creator of all humankind precludes any notion of multiple, competing creators, each marshalling his creation against the other gods and their creation. Allah is One and is impartial toward His creation. He provides for all, including those who reject faith in Him, or even those who defy Him. He cares for the well being of all and gives them ample opportunity to repent to Him and end the state of separateness suffered by those who reject Him or unmindful of Him. This belief implies that all humans are equal before Allah in terms of their humanity, irrespective of their particular beliefs. Only Allah is the ultimate judge
of any person’s theological correctness. No human should be oppressed or mistreated by other fellow humans because of a perceived theological incorrectness.
- 2. Unity and universality of the core teachings of all prophets. That core message is peace in submission to Allah; literally, Islam. According to the Qur’an, a Muslim must accept, revere and believe in all the prophets of Allah, without discrimination. They all represent one brotherhood of faith extending vertically to include many generations and horizontally to embrace all humanity. In the Qur’an we read:” We (Muslim) make no distinction between any of His messengers.” (Al-Baqarah: 285). We read also:” Behold, We have revealed to you (O Muhammad) as We revealed to Noah and all the prophets after him.” (An-Nisa’: 163). Still in another verse we read:” In matters of faith, He (God) has ordained for you that which He had enjoined upon Abraham, Moses and Jesus: steadfastly uphold the (true) faith and make no divisions therein.” (Ash-Shura: 13). These Qur’anic texts preclude the notion of narrow partisanship that may lead to hatred or even violence against communities who perceive themselves as followers of other prophets.
- 3. Universal human dignity. The Qur’an gives various reasons why each human being must be honoured and dignified on the account of being human, irrespective of his or her chosen beliefs. Such honour is symbolized by the way the Qur’an describes Allah’s creation of the human in the best moulds and commanding the angels to bow down in respect to Adam. The Qur’an describes the human as the trustee of Allah on earth. Allah created everything on earth and in the heavens for the benefit of the human race. Sanctity of human life is affirmed in the Qur’an:” Nor take life, which God has made sacred, accept for just cause.” (Al-Isra’: 70).
It is noted that this verse is inclusive of all humans irrespective of their religions or even their belief in God. Rejection of belief in God will surely have consequences in the afterlife. After all, the human is free agent, and as such each is individually responsible before God for his/her belief and moral choices. A person can be held accountable in this life only if such a moral choice infringes on the rights of individual or society such as the commission of crimes or acts of aggression. In other words, no human is entitled to dehumanize or punish another on the sole ground that the latter is following a different religion or no religion at all. This value implies that peaceful co-existence among followers of all religions and respecting their humanity is not only possible, but also mandated in the Qur’an. (to be continued)
by Dr. Jamal Badawi
