Importance of Peace in Islam

We are living in the world where Islam is viewed as extremist religion in the west and its wave is going across the world.It is important to understand and the message of Islam in the light of the Holy Quran. It is however no exaggeration to say that Islam and violence are contradictory to each other. Some misguided people are indulging in activities that are against the teachings of the Quran and tarnishing the image of the religion.The violence has no place in Islam as different verses of Quran speak on it. The Quran calls its way “… The ways of peace …” (Quran: 5:16). It describes reconciliation as the best policy (4:128), and states that God abhors any disturbance of peace (2:205). Islam attaches great importance to values as mercy and compassion. One of God’s names, according to the Quran, is As-Salaam, which means Peace. Moreover, the Quran states that the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) was sent to the world as a mercy to mankind (Quran: 21:107). It becomes clear to the students of Quran that most verses of the Quran are based on peace and kindness, either directly or indirectly. The ideal society, according to the Quran is Dar As-Salaam, that is, the house of peace (Quran: 10:25). The Quran presents the universe as a model, which is characterised by harmony and peace (Quran: 36:40) When God created heaven and earth, He so ordered things that each part might perform its function peacefully without clashing with any other. The Quran says; “It is not possible for the sun to reach the moon, nor does the night overtake the day, but each, in an orbit, is swimming.” (Quran: 36:40). Therefore, the entire universe has been fulfilling its function in total harmony with His divine plan for billions of years.
According to Islam, peace is not simply an absence of war. Peace opens doors to all kinds of opportunities which are present in any given situation. It is only in a peaceful situation that planned activities are possible. It is for this reason that the Quran says: “…And settlement is best…” (Quran: 4:128). Also Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) has observed: “God grants to gentleness what He does not grant to violence .(Abu Daawood). According to Islam, peace is the rule and war is only an exception. Even in defensive war we have to analyse its result. If the result is doubtful, Muslims should avoid war. They have to assess the whole situation and adopt a policy of avoidance when war is not certain to achieve a positive result. Actually the mission of all the Prophets from Adam to Esa (may Allah exalt their mention) was one and the same – of establishing the ideology of monotheism in the world, so that man might worship the One God alone. As we know, there came a large number of Prophets in ancient times but the message of monotheism remained at the initial stage. Therefore need of the hour for the Muslims is introspection and self-reform. If taken seriously, this exercise alone will go a long way in reviving the glory of the great religion of Islam. Peace, or harmony in human relations, is a basic value of Islam. These above Quranic verses show the great importance of peace and order in Islam. We must be the supporters of peace as this is the beautiful teaching of Islam.
(The author is student of law at Kashmir University. Views are his own)
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