Posted on 12/04/2004 12:03:31 PM PST by miltonim
Islam stands for universal peace
Human dignity has been proclaimed in the Holy Quran :
"And surely we have honoured the children of Adam...." (17:70)
Fraternity and unity of mankind has also been proclaimed :
"Mankind was one single nation....."(2:213)
"Verily this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood..." (21:92)
"Mankind was but one nation, but differed (later)." (10:19)
There are other verses in the Quran on unity, integrity and solidarity of humanity. The Holy Quran marks the friends of division and conflict in the human race, which lead to human disaster and destruction :
"But people have cut off this affair (of unity) between them, into sects; each party rejoice in that which is with itself." (23:53).
"But (later generation) cut off this affair (of unity) one from another." (21:93)
Division, separation and conflict in the human race, be it in the name of religion, creed, caste, race or politics, is not permitted at all. The Quran categorically forbids:
"Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance...." (6:108)
"Let there be no compulsion in religion." (2: 256)
"For you your religion, for me my Code of life."
The verses mentioned are on religious tolerance and honourable co-existence. The Holy Quran speaks here of this very important factor and concern of division; and discards it in this way. Thus no scope of division and conflict in the society on the basis of other minor factors remaining to disturb the solidarity and peace of mankind.
The universality of Prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm), the last and the greatest Messenger of the Creator, is relevant here :
"And we have not sent you but as mercy to the world".(21:107)
"I have not sent thee but unto the whole mankind as a Messenger of goodness and a warner ; but most people do not know." (44:28)
Rasulullah (Sm) declared, "I am a granted mercy."
The verse 13 of Sura Huzurat, 213 of Sura Baqara, 19 of Sura Eunus and 158 of Sura Aaraf speak of the unity of mankind and universal message of the last Messenger. There are other verses relating to the solidarity of mankind and peacethe cherished goal. There are so many Traditions of Rasulullah (Sm) speaking of integrity, security and welfare of all human beings. This mission of peace extends it to all creatures in the universe. The Messenger of Allah declared :
"O Lord, Lord of life and everything in the universe! I affirm that all human beings are brothers unto one another." And "All creatures of Allah form the family of Allah and he is the best loved by Allah who loveth best His creatures."
The message of the Holy Quran was manifested in the unique character of Hazrat Muhammad (sm) and his dedicated associates. They ensured tolerance, justice, brotherly relation and peace among people of different communities under the Khilafat. The people of other communities had the best security of their lives, property and faith there. They could practice their religious rituals according to their faith and beliefs and enjoyed full freedom under that welfare state founded by the Messenger of Allah. The Khilafat always extended its support and justice to any minority of creed, colour or caste.
This glorious tradition of upholding the dignity of man, human fraternity, security and peace marched forward crossing centuries wherever the Muslims had the scope to reign. Universal human brotherhood in Islam as a doctrine was materialised in the welfare Islamic state of Madina and it continued its pouring of blessings in different human habitations in the world from 'Granada to Delhi.'
Muslim history bears testimony to this glorious expedition and is the unique exception in the history of mankind. The Western scholars, many of the orientalists, who could rise above biased evaluation and misinterpretation, praised highly about the blessings of Muslim rule and contribution to human civilisation. Communal narrowness had all along been a very much hated one as a doctrine and a practice and history of Islam kicked it out.
In this limited space, I can cite one example and quotation in this context : Hazrat Ali (Ra), one of the Khalifas of the esteemed Khulafa-e-Rashedeen, in his administrative letter to the Governor Malik al-Ashtar (Ra) mentioned the responsibility of an Islamic administrator :
"............so, extend to them your forgiveness and pardon, in the same way as you would like Allah to extend His forgiveness and pardon to you, because you are over them and your responsible Commander (Imam) is over you while Allah is over him who has appointed you. He (Allah) has sought you to manage their affairs and has tried you through them." (Nahj-al-Balaghah, compiled by Dr. Subhi Saleh, P.426) Rasulullah's Hadith may be remembered in this connection : "All are custodians and are responsible for their charges." (Bukhari, Muslim)
Still today, when the Muslims have lost all their glorious heritage and havings, they are not yet devoid of that universal conception and viewpoint of human brotherhood, which inaugurated their journey and which was a golden feather in their crown. Today, the Muslims all over the globe are in the defensive and oppressed. This situation has some causes, of which universal fraternal outlook is one.
In our discussion on the universal fratermal appeal of Islam, unity of mankind, world-wide mission of Muhammadur Rasulullah (Sm) and the secured peace and prosperity of other communities under Muslim rule first at Madina and then in different countries of the world, it can be claimed that mankind enjoyed the best model of freedom, security and peace in the period when the Muslims dominated the globe. There was no barrier of religion, creed, race, caste or colour to stand in the way of justice to all. Peace was the goal and it was materialised by the followers of Islam.
In this background we may also have a focus on the 'border of peace' in Islam. The question is : if inspite of all approaches and campaigns of peace, the heartiest endeavours fail and conflict or war becomes inevitable because of outward aggression, because of massacre and genocide of innocent people, because of damage and destroying of property and resources of the people, because of damage of houses of worship and religious institutions, because of annihilation becoming the fate of 'defensive' 'peace-missioned' Muslims, Muslims, what should be done at this critical moment? Should the and the propagators and protagonists of peace nourish so-called peace at the cost of all these mentioned before? Does Allah, the Creator of all human beings allow the strategy of being annihilated in the name of ensuring peace on the part of the Muslims only ? No. Islam at these circumstances, ordains Muslim a different responsibility. It is also with the ultimate goal of peace ; but it does not arise from the source of normal position of ensuring peace. The strategy is completely different and it goes to the extent of struggle and fight against any inhuman aggression. This is very much defensive and its border is only the protection of the insecured people and place from becoming victim of barbarous man-made disaster. The fight is only to ensure the long-cherished peace. This is Zihad in the sense of warfare against satanic forces.
The Holy Quran ordains :
"And permission (to fight) is given upon whom war is made because they are oppressed........"(22:39)
"Go forth light and heavy, and strive hard in Allah's way with your property and yourselves." (9:41)
"Those who believe, fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject faith fight in the cause of evil; so fight ye against the friends of satan ; feeble indeed is cunning of Satan." (4:76)
"And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men, women and children, whose cry is : Our Lord! rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help." (4:75)
Again, on the other side, the struggle for peace mission of Islam proclaims its boundary to withdraw from war where there is the probability of establishing peace :
"And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and trust in Allah." (8:61)
"Fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you and be not aggressors. Surely Allah does not love the aggressors." (2:190)
The verses of the Holy Quran are self-explanatory. There is no ambiguity in the Islamic mission of peace in the world. Peace is the goal and it should be achieved. The Muslims should shoulder the noble responsibility of establishing peace in this trouble-torn world. And while they are weak, target and victim of all aggressions, they should ponder over their eternal and universal Messagethe Code of life. They should fight unitedly till peace is ensured for them and greater humanity.
According to our observations the Muslim Ummah is lacking in two most important factors to march forwardone is disunity and the other is inactivity in all worldly endeavours to become a mighty nation. The Message of Allah ordains :
"And hold fast all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; ......."(3:103)
"Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls); ........" (Raad : 11)
"Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put other in your place; ........" (Tawba : 39)
Infidel BARF.
Yes, Islam is for universal peace - under the yoke of the Islamic religion, which they wish to be church and state throughout the world.
Sorry, we're no longer buying it...and we can cite numerous versus of hadith, and Quranic verses to back up why we no longer believe.
One world..one mark of the beast..
and all of that..
Radical Islam's 'plan' to take over America - Arab-American author outlines secret 20-year strategy to undermine country
The Islamic States of America?
Misunderstanding the Enemy: the Islamic Threat and the U.S. Media
Islam better start standing for "peace" and stop this terrorism business, pronto. You might have noticed that the patience of America is starting to wear thin.
Open your heart and believe.
To summarize, if we are the rulers we will be really nice to the rest of you (I wouldn't hold my breath on that one), but if you do not allow us to rule you, then you are oppressing us and we are entitled to kill you any old way we can. At least that's what I am getting out of this.
Islam is all about universal peace. Of course, only after all the Jews and other Infidels are dead.
Verily, you should smite them, and then smite them again and again, even unto being tired; and then you should take turns and continue smiting.
Please do not insult Islam. </devil's advocate>
In a pigs eye!
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