Islam Promotes Comprehensive Peace

ISLAM IS THE RELIGION OF PEACE
By:
Dr. Abd Ar-Rahman bin Abd Al-Karim Ash-Sheha
Islam is the Religion of Peace
Table ! " n#en#s

Introduction The meaning of Islam The misconception that Islam was spread by Force The misconception that Worldly Gains were the Aim of the Islamic Conquests ust War Theory and !ractice in Islam Islamic !rinciples "n#oin $ercy and Condemn Aggression Islamic General !rinciples Champion Comprehensi%e !eace Islamic $orals !romote Comprehensi%e !eace Islam "n#oins Belie%ers to &bser%e the Following $oral &bligations and 'ecommendations to !romote !eace "(amples of Acts !rohibited in Islam which help !romote !eace Conclusion
In#r d$"#i n
)Terrorism* is of two +inds: terrorism that is e%il based upon wic+ed tyrannical acts, and terrorism that is good and desired based on necessary and #ustified acts- The terrorism that is e%il is in#ustice, double standards, tyranny, and aggression, in all the hateful connotations that these words imply- It targets women and children, ci%ilians and non.combatants, trying to force defeat and difficult political decisions by spreading terror- This +ind is what most people immediately thin+ about when hearing the word terrorism- &ften people associate it with what they ha%e been preconditioned to picture by %arious go%ernment agencies and segments of the mass media- $uslims are routinely portrayed as terrorists e%en though many are either totally innocent of the charge or are more innocent than many of their antagonists who aggress against them- )$uslim terrorism* is a media and thin+ tan+ byword, e%en though one would be hard pressed to find the equi%alent term of ewish, Christian, /indu or Buddhist terrorism in usage- Certain institutions and indi%iduals . with +nown agendas and bac+ings . ha%e been instrumental in fabricating and perpetuating misinformation, e(aggeration, and pre%iously disqualified and refuted misunderstandings and slandersThe terrorism that is desired and based on necessary and #ustified acts is enforcing the rule of #ust laws, pro%iding fair punishments commensurate to the crimes committed, and preparing and defending against attac+s, aggression, and corruption- It is used against the criminal e%ildoers themsel%es, and ne%er targets women, children and non.combatants- We use the word )terrorism* here in a new and positi%e connotation, perhaps unimagined by the readerIn this positi%e sense terror is rightfully struc+ into the hearts of the e%ildoers, the enemies of Allah, as a deterrent so that they will fear a quic+ and harsh retribution for any e%il acts they perpetrate or conspire to enact- In this sense only it is termed terrorism, although #ust and beneficial terrorism condoned in principle as legitimate by all uni%ersally- Allah 0 1 says in the $a#estic 2ur3an about the #ustified form of terrorism which we are spea+ing of and which pre%ents and deters aggression: (Ma%e read& a'ains# #hem & $r s#ren'#h # #he $#m s# ! & $r ( )er* in"l$din' s#eeds ! )ar* # s#ri%e #err r in# #he hear#s ! #he enemies ! G d and & $r enemies* and #hers besides #hem )h m & $ ma& n # %n ) b$# )h m G d %n )s )ell. +ha#e,er & $ s(end in #he "a$se ! G d )ill be re(aid $n# & $* and & $ )ill n # be #rea#ed $n-$s#l&.) 04:561
&ne might claim that we are using terror here in its linguistic meaning and outside the scope of the technical legal definition of terrorism, but since that definition is hotly under contention because no uni%ersally accepted standard has been agreed upon, since many grie%ances against the hypocrisy and double standards of the ma#or powers that are coming more and more into light, and since might is still not considered legally right, the point we are emphasi7ing is a return to uni%ersal common sense: terror can ha%e a negati%e and a positi%e sense according to circumstance and conte(tTerrorism in%ariably does not arise in a %acuum but in a historical conte(t of persecutions, in#ustices, and grie%ances that build up o%er time to the point of e(plosion and rebellion- A common form of undeniable terrorism is state terrorism, but this is often purposely neglected or downgraded in legal and go%ernment sponsored e(aminations of the issues surrounding terrorism for the simple fact that those who hold power often do not wish that their institutional and party crimes are e(posed as crimes against humanity and as incidents of state 3
terrorism- That their agendas of labeling others but not their own operati%es as criminals and terrorists are not disco%ered- Is clandestine assassination and murder a form of terrorism8 Is torture and rape a form of terrorism8 Is deliberate military, political, economic and en%ironmental sabotage resulting in mass death a form of terrorism8 Are wholesale persecutions of one racial or ethnic group or one class with lynching, +illing and beatings of some others terrorism8 Is target bombing a form of terrorism8 Is the use of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction on ma#or population centers a form of terrorism8 What is #ustifiable collateral damage8 If these acts are not terrorism, then what are they e(actly8 If they are not legal and #ustified, then what do we call numerous e(amples around the globe during the 96th century of unprecedented human wars and mass destruction8 What do they call the implemented policies of what is coerced upon the world nowadays in this 9: st century, and which some neo.conser%ati%e minded pundits call the )!ro#ect For a ;ew American Century,* and related )!A< A$"'ICA;A*8 $any difficult issues remain under in%estigation and contention, and demand serious and reasonable answers from scholars and politicians ali+e$any of the national and secular go%ernments and systems claim to champion human rights, peace, prosperity, and happiness for man, but in reality we see that they practice narrow national and party politics meant to empower and enrich selected groups, and that they are inherently fragmented and self contradictory by see+ing to ser%e %arious special interest groups while professing to ser%e the general public good- The legislations of these regimes and agencies enact laws and policies that ser%e the interests of power and wealth in their societies- The social, political, economic, and en%ironmental consequences of unchec+ed power and greed for profit and lu(ury is detrimental to the ma#ority of man+ind and is leading humanity in general to irre%ersible de%astation and destructionIslam, on the other hand, is a comprehensi%e and uni%ersal religion for all races and classes of people not inclined to ser%e a specific category or group of people but specially aimed to address the needs of all humanity with its moral, spiritual, social, legal, political and economic systems- Its moral purity and clarity, simplicity in a strict monotheistic creed and faith, and comprehensi%e prohibition of all types of criminality, oppression and in#ustice appeals to all classes and categories of people, regardless of race, culture, education, social and economic status- The aim of Islam is to establish the ideal human society and brotherhood spreading general bene%olence and the di%ine guidance among men for their betterment and sal%ation- !art of its mission is to establish #ustice at all times and at all le%els, to maintain amicable relations e%en with potential enemies as long as there are no open acts of hostilities, and to promote peace whene%er possible- Allah the Almighty states in the Glorious 2ur3an: (I# ma& be #ha# G d )ill 'ran# l ,e and !riendshi( be#)een & $ and #h se )h m & $ h ld as enemies. F r G d has ( )er ,er all #hin's. And G d is M s# F r'i,in'* M s# Mer"i!$l. G d ! rbids & $ n #* )i#h re'ard # #h se )h d n # !i'h# & $ ! r & $r Fai#h n r dri,e & $ $# ! & $r h mes* !r m dealin' %indl& and -$s#l& )i#h #hem/ ! r G d l ,es #h se )h are -$s#. G d nl& ! rbids & $* )i#h re'ard # #h se )h !i'h# & $ ! r & $r Fai#h* and dri,e & $ $# ! & $r h mes* and s$(( r# #hers in dri,in' & $ $#* !r m #$rnin' # #hem ! r !riendshi( and (r #e"#i n. Th se )h #$rn # #hem 0in #hese "ir"$ms#an"es1 d )r n'.) 056:=.>1
These %erses call for peace with those that refrain from the hostile actions mentioned4
And Allah $ost Glorified said in /is $a#estic 2ur3an: (I! #he& in"line # )ards (ea"e* #hen in"line # )ards (ea"e* and #r$s# in G d* ! r He is All-Hearin' and All-Kn )in'.) 04:5:1
This %erse states that whene%er the enemy inclines towards peace it is incumbent on the $uslims to incline towards peaceIt is hoped that researchers and scholars will in%estigate Islam and its laws and principles with impartiality and thoughtful reflection- The true beauty and awesomeness of Islam is only e%ident in fuller %itality to those who li%e by it and practice it, but all students can admire #ust laws, uni%ersal brotherhood, noble and rational principles, and e(cellent moral e(amples of purity, uprightness, truthfulness, generosity, courageousness, and #ustice- &ne of the e%idences of the greatness of this ?i%ine faith is that, regardless of the wea+ support e(tended by the followers of Islam and the %ast war waged against it by its %icious critics and enemies@ it has resisted corruption and distorting inno%ations, and continues to spread on its own merits and %alues in %arious parts of the world- What is behind this e(pansion of Islam, despite the wea+nesses of the $uslims, e(cept the inherent strength of the truth and #ustice that by nature dissipates and conquers all falsehood and in#ustice8 In Islam people find full satisfaction that includes both their spiritual and moral, and their physical and practical e(pectations and needsAs for the people who refuse to open their eyes, see, hear and in%estigate the truth, they will undoubtedly remain mired in false desires, narrow biasness and ignorant pre#udices- A well. +nown principle is that man by nature re#ects that which he fears- /e fears that which he is ignorant about, and therefore, ma+es enemies of what he does not +now- Allah has described them in the Glorious 2ur3an saying: (Man& are #he -inn and men +e ha,e made ! r Hell!ire/ #he& ha,e hear#s )here)i#h #he& $nders#and n #* e&es )here)i#h #he& see n #* ears )here)i#h #he& hear n #. The& are li%e "a##le. Na&2 The& are e,en m re mis'$ided. The& are #he heedless and ne'le"#!$l.) (7:179)
Cattle follow blindly, but at least they follow the natural laws and instincts created by Allah for their sur%i%al while many of men follow blindly custom and their leaders, re#ecting what Allah has re%ealed for man3s own benefit and sal%ation- As Allah mentions: (Na&2 The& sa&/ +e ! $nd $r !a#hers ! ll )in' a "er#ain reli'i n* and )e d '$ide $rsel,es b& #heir ! #s#e(s.) 0AB:991
I do hope and pray that Allah, the "(alted, will bring benefit from what we read, hear and say&urs is a humble effort, presented with a pure intent, to contribute to the wealth of human information and to ad%ance understandings- The writer offers, in addition, an open in%itation 5
to all those who are interested in learning more about Islam to communicate with him at the address gi%en, and would be delighted to answer all inquiries about Islam and pro%ide additional literature on itThe author e(presses his deep gratitude to Allah $ost "(alted for /is continuing aid- Any and all shortcomings and omissions in this boo+let are his for which he ta+es responsibility, and requests from all the readers forgi%eness, and see+s the pardon and forgi%eness from Allah the $ost $erciful$ay AllahCs Blessings and $ercy be upon the !rophet $uhammad 0 1 the final !rophet and $essenger of Allah to man+ind, and may the blessings and peace of Allah also be upon his family and companions and all those who follow their guidance and the footprints until the ?ay of udgment-
Dr.Abd$r-Rahman Abd$l-Kareem Al-Sheha
The Meanin' ! Islam
The word Islam means submission to Allah the Almighty, the Creator and Dord of all creation, with the entire soul and body, by obedience to what /e commanded and prohibited in /is 'e%ealed Daw, by compliance and willful yielding of one3s will to /is Will and udgments, and by acceptance of all that Allah has predestined for man on earth- Allah is the $ost Beneficent and $erciful who +nows all man3s rightful needs, who en#oins all that is good and warns against all that is e%il- Thus /is re%ealed Daw is perfectly suited to the uni%ersal needs, rights and responsibilities of manThe Almighty Allah states in the Glorious 2ur3an in relation to the !rophet Ibraheem 0Abraham1 01: (3eh ld2 His L rd said # him/ S$bmi# 0aslim1. He said/ I s$bmi# 0aslam#$1 # #he L rd and Cherisher ! #he 4ni,erse.) (2:131)
The word )Ealam* means )!eaceF and is deri%ed from the same Arabic three.letter root SLM as the word Islam- )Ealam* is one of the Attributes of Allah, blessed be /is ;ames and Attributes and "(alted /is $a#esty, as the 2ur3an states: (Allah is He* #here is n #her ' d e5"e(# Him. #he S ,erei'n* #he H l& One* #he S $r"e ! Pea"e 0and Per!e"#i n1* #he G$ardian ! Fai#h* #he Preser,er ! Sa!e#&* #he E5al#ed in Mi'h#* #he Irresis#ible* #he S$(reme/ Gl r& is # Allah2 Hi'h is He ab ,e #he (ar#ners #he& a##rib$#e # Him.) (59:23)
FEalamF is also one of the names of annah 0!aradise1- The Almighty Allah states in the Glorious/ (F r #hem )ill be a H me ! Pea"e )i#h #heir L rd. He )ill be #heir Friend* be"a$se #he& (ra"#i"ed ri'h#e $sness.) (6:127)
The inhabitants of !aradise will greet each other with FEalam* when they meet their Dord, Allah as he mentioned: (Their sal$#a#i n n #he Da& #he& mee# Him )ill be 6Pea"e7 and He has (re(ared ! r #hem a 'ener $s Re)ard.) 0BG:AA1
$uslims e(change the purified and noble greetings )As.Ealamu Alai+um* 0!eace be upon you1 when they meet, when they pass by one another, when they call one another- "%en when a $uslim enters his own home and finds no one there, he says as.Ealamu Alai+um since he 7
offers this greeting upon the angels who are present in that place and upon himself- This form of greeting helps to relie%e the hearts from all forms of enmity and grudges and rancor people may +eep within them, replacing it with good will, mutual respect, tranquility, security and happiness- &ften $uslims greet one another by saying the fuller %ersion, which has been taught by the !rophet of Allah: CAs.Ealamu Alai+um wa rahmatulClaahC i-e- ) Ma& Pea"e and 3lessin's ! Allah be $( n & $* and His Mer"&-* In the !rophetic traditions 0hadith1 we find the words of the $essenger of Allah 0 1 which ma+e the spreading of this greeting from among the traits of the perfection of faith: )8 $ ) $ld n # en#er Paradise $n#il & $ a"9$ire !$ll !ai#h* and & $ ) $ld n # a"9$ire !$ll !ai#h $n#il & $ l ,e ne an #her. Sh $ld n # I '$ide & $ # an a"#i n )hi"h i! & $ es#ablish am n' ne an #her* & $ ) $ld l ,e ne an #her: S(read #he 'ree#in' ! 6Salaam7 0Pea"e1 as m$"h as & $ "an am n's# & $rsel,es 0in #he " mm$ni#&1.7 0$uslim1
And the $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6O!!er ! d 'ener $sl& # #hers* ini#ia#e #he 'ree#in' ! 6(ea"e7 am n's# & $rsel,es # #h se )h m & $ %n ) and #h se )h m & $ d n # %n ).7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
The purpose of Islam is to continually see+ to please Allah, the Creator and Dord of the Ini%erse, by uni%ersal good and righteous deeds- Allah says in his Glorious Boo+, the 2ur3an: (O Pe (le ! #he 3 %2 There has " me # & $ O$r Messen'er re,ealin' # & $ m$"h #ha# & $ $sed # hide in #he 3 %* and (assin' ,er m$"h 0#ha# is n ) $nne"essar&1. There has " me # & $ !r m Allah a li'h# and a "lear 3 % b& )hi"h Allah '$ides all )h see% His (leas$re # )a&s ! 6salam7 0(ea"e and sa!e#&1* leads #hem $# ! dar%ness* b& His +ill* # #he li'h#* and '$ides #hem # a Pa#h #ha# is S#rai'h#.) 0G::G.:51
Islam comprises the complete comprehensi%e meaning of peace that includes the inner personal and spiritual peace and the outer social peace- As the $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6A true Muslim is the person from whom other Muslims feel secured against abuse and attacks from his tongue and hands, and a true immigrant is a person who forsakes what Allah the Almighty has declared unlawful. 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
$oreo%er, it includes the global %ision of general uni%ersal peace for all humanity, since its basic principles include stability, mutual respect, and non.aggression to those who abide peacefully to #ust terms, especially those who ha%e the basic understanding of a re%ealed religion from Allah as the basis of their ci%ili7ation li+e the Christians and ews-
(O & $ )h belie,e2 En#er in# 6as-Silm7 0#he (ea"e ! Islam b& s$bmissi n # Allah1 " m(le#el& and )h le-hear#edl&* and d n # ! ll ) #he ! #s#e(s ! #he Sa#an* ! r he is indeed an a, )ed enem& # & $.) 09:9641
The in%itation of Islam, Allah3s uni%ersal religion, is e(tended to all- Allah Most Exalted said in His Ma estic !ook: (Sa& 0O M$hammad1 ;O man%ind2 <eril&* I am sen# # & $ all as #he Messen'er ! Allah...) (7:158)
And /e " # said: (Tr$l& #he reli'i n be! re Allah is Islam.) 0B::>1
And /e " # said: (And +h e,er see%s a reli'i n #her #han Islam* i# )ill ne,er be a""e(#ed ! him* and in #he Herea!#er he )ill be ne ! #he l sers-) 0B:4G1
The Mis" n"e(#i n #ha# Islam )as s(read b& F r"e

&ne misconception, promoted by the enemies of #ustice who do not read of the historical sources impartially but rehash old propaganda o%er and o%er again, is the false accusation that Islam was spread by compulsion and coercion- Jarious scriptures from the $a#estic 2ur3an can rebut this %ile slander-
Allah $ost "(alted says in His Ma estic !ook: (Le# #here be n " m($lsi n in reli'i n/ Tr$#h s#ands $# "lear !r m Err r/ )h e,er re-e"#s Ta'h # 0Sa#an* id ls* #&ran#s* e#"1 and belie,es in Allah* has 'ras(ed #he m s# #r$s#) r#h& hand h ld #ha# ne,er brea%s. And Allah is All-Hearin'* All-Kn )in'.) 09:9G51
And /e, the Most Exalted, says:
(I! i# had been & $r L rd=s +ill* #he& all ) $ld ha,e belie,ed* all #he (e (le n ear#h2 +ill & $ #hen " m(el man%ind* a'ains# #heir )ill* # belie,e2) 0:6:>>1
And /e, the Most Exalted, says: (Sa&* The Tr$#h is !r m & $r L rd/ Le# him )h )ill* belie,e* and le# him )h )ill* re-e"# and disbelie,e. +e ha,e (re(ared ! r #he )r n'd ers a Fire )h se sm %e and !lames* li%e #he )all and r ! ! a #en#* )ill ,er)helm #hem. I! #he& im(l re ! r relie! #he& )ill be 'ran#ed )a#er li%e mel#ed brass #ha# )ill s"ald #heir !a"es. H ) dread!$l a drin%2 And h ) $n" m! r#able a " $"h # re"line n2) 0:4:9>1
And /e, the Most Exalted, says: (3$# i! #he& #$rn a)a&* & $r d$#& is nl& # (rea"h #he Clear Messa'e.) 0:5:491
And He, the Most Exalted, says: (There! re 'i,e adm ni#i n* ! r & $ are indeed ne # adm nish. 3$# & $ are n # ne # mana'e #he a!!airs.) 044:9:.991
And He, the Most Exalted, says: (Sa&/ Obe& Allah* and be& #he Messen'er/ b$# i! & $ #$rn a)a&* he is nl& res( nsible ! r #he d$#& (la"ed n him* as & $ are li%e)ise res( nsible ! r #he d$#& (la"ed n & $. I! & $ be& him* & $ shall be n ri'h# '$idan"e. The Messen'er=s d$#& is nl& # (rea"h #he "lear Messa'e.) 09A:GA1
And He, the Most Exalted, says: (I! ne ! #he (a'an id la# rs as% & $ ! r as&l$m* 'ran# i# # him* s #ha# he ma& hear #he ) rd ! Allah* #hen es" r# him # )here he "an be se"$re. Tha# is be"a$se #he& are men )i#h $# %n )led'e.) 0>:51
These and many other %erses of the 2ur3an and teachings of !rophetic traditions ma+e it clear that no coercion or compulsion in religion is allowed: no one is e%er to be forced against his will to con%ert to Islam- Faith must be by +nowledge and free will and based upon firm 10
con%iction in the heart, followed by the testimony of correct words and good deeds- A mere pronouncement on the lips of the creed of Islam, 6LA ILAHA ILLALLAH7 0There is no god e(cept Allah 0that is worthy of being worshipped1 . is not enough to confirm one as a belie%er, e%en thought, if said with the +ernel of initial faith, one immediately becomes a $uslim- As Allah said about the Bedouins who professed %erbally without firm con%iction: (The deser# Arabs sa&/ ;+e belie,e.> Sa&/ ;8 $ d n # &e# ha,e real Fai#h* b$# ra#her sa& nl&/ ;+e ha,e s$bmi##ed # Allah 0aslamna/ )e are M$slims1*> sin"e Fai#h has n # &e# en#ered & $r hear#s. 3$# i! & $ be& Allah and His Messen'er* He )ill n # sli'h# & $ 0#he re)ard1 ! & $r deeds/ ! r Allah is M s# F r'i,in'* M s# Mer"i!$l.) 0A4::A1
It is +nown that someone cannot be forced to change what is in the depths of his heart, and that one may profess with his tongue what he does not really belie%e with certainty: this is not Islam nor Islamic faith- For this reason Allah said the following about the one compelled under torture to renounce his faith in Islam: (An& ne )h $##ers ) rds ! disbelie! a!#er a""e(#in' Fai#h in Allah - e5"e(# $nder " m($lsi n )hile his hear# remains !irm in Fai#h - s$"h as ne )h (ens his breas# # disbelie!* n #hem is +ra#h !r m Allah* and #here )ill be a dread!$l Penal#& ! r #hem.) 0:5::651
?isbelief occurs by opening the heart to disbelie%e willingly, and upon this basis, one spea+s e%il and commits his criminal acts rebelling against Allah and the re%ealed guidance of the $essengers and becomes an apostate after being a $uslimAnother accusation related to the abo%e is that Islam was spread by force of arms and warfareIt is an established fact that any system or go%ernment, regardless of its source, requires a protecti%e force to defend it adherents, preser%e its %alues, spread its principles, ensure a fair application of its law, and enforce the #ust e(ecution of legal penalties against criminals and those who rebel against the system- As reported in the tradition of the !rophet 01: 6Tr$l&* Allah adm nishes )i#h #he a$#h ri#& ! #he r$ler* m re #han )ha# He adm nishes )i#h #he Di,ine Re,ela#i n ! #he ?$r>an7 (i.e. more by enforcing the punishments justly than the God.consciousness from reading scripture1 0al./indi, Kan7.ul. ALmaal1
Det us ta+e a glimpse of the early days of Islam and its ama7ing spread o%er the +nown world to analy7e the truth of this accusation in the light of documented historical fact- The $essenger of Allah $uhammad 01 after his commission from Allah to arise and publici7e his di%ine message, remained in the sacred city of $a++ah for thirteen years in%iting his people of the 2uraish tribe and the %isitors of $a++ah to Islam- /e engaged e%ery possible way to inform and con%ey the message of the re%elations of the 2ur3an and the Eunnah, encountering 11
false accusations, slander, persecutions, harassment, boycotts, threats, attac+s, and brutal physical aggression from his people- Those who belie%ed shared in his sufferings, and since he was not yet commanded by Allah to meet %iolence and aggression with armed defense, his followers perse%ered and suffered the harshest forms of persecutions withholding their hands and adhering to the precepts of peaceful missionary acti%ity- $any were tortured and some were martyred for their faith in Islam, and the accounts of these bra%e souls bear testimony to the long sufferings his followers endured in this period of se%ere testing- The !rophet soothed the wounds of his companion Ammar ibn Masir and his parents who e%entually became the first martyrs of Islam with the words: 63e (a#ien#* O !amil& ! 8aser2 Paradise )ill be & $r (ermanen# ab de7 0Al./a+im1 The !rophet 01 allowed those of his followers that wished to immigrate to "thiopia to escape from this oppression and torture- They sought refuge under the tutelage of its #ust ruler of the era, the ;a#ashi, who e%entually accepted Islam- "%en in these dire circumstances Allah the $ost Wise and $erciful commanded /is $essenger $uhammad 01 to be patient, forbearing and tolerant with his people while propagating the message- There are repeated e(amples of his e(ceeding mercy, graciousness, magnanimity, and compassion in the face of this continued %iolence and aggression- The !rophet and his companions stood firm in their belief and con%eyance of the message, obeying the following command of Allah: (There! re (a#ien#l& (reser,e* as did all #he Messen'ers ! in!le5ible ($r( se. and be in n has#e ab $# #he disbelie,ers. On #he Da& #ha# #he& see #he P$nishmen# (r mised # #hem* i# )ill be as i! #he& had n # #arried m re #han an h $r in a sin'le da&. 8 $r d$#& is b$# # (r "laim #he Messa'e. N ne shall be des#r &ed e5"e(# #h se )h #rans'ress.) 0A5:BG1
And still he would pray for their guidance saying: 6O Allah2 Please '$ide m& (e (le as #he& %n ) n #hin'.7
The !rophet 01 continued to propagate the message in $a++ah, and to see+ out any tribe that would be able to protect and aid him: he would present himself and his mission to the %isiting indi%iduals and tribes in $a++ah and at the times of the great Arab mar+ets and meeting places- Then it so happened that a group of the people of the city of Mathrib, 0nowadays +nown as )$adinah,* City of the !rophet1 belie%ed in the $essage of Islam and ga%e him their pledge of allegiance to support and defend him in the same way as they would defend their own wealth, honor, integrity and household, if he were to see+ refuge and immigrate with his band of belie%ers to their hometown- This coincided with the persecution in $a++ah reaching a gra%e critical stage, and the leaders of the 2uraish tribe e%en conspired to murder the !rophet, may Allah3s peace and blessing be upon him- The e%ent of immigration was to be the watershed in Islamic history, for in $adinah the !rophet3s first mosque was built, the brotherhood of $uslims e(panded and grew, and the nascent Islamic state was established and de%eloped under his direct guidance;ote that !rophet $uhammad 01 and his followers ne%er shed a drop of blood in retribution throughout these long years of persecution and oppression in the city of $a++ah since he was 12
not commanded to fight, but rather to be patient and perse%ere- Confrontation and armed hostilities from the $uslim side did not begin until two years after his immigration from $a++ah to $adinah, when the 2uraish tribe feared for its dominance and continued on the path of persecution and obstruction of the message of Islam, and after all a%enues of peaceful propagation were e(haustedEince the town of $adinah was enroute of the 2uraish tribe3s merchant cara%ans to Greater Eyria, the first act of confrontation occured when AllahCs $essenger 01 engaged a commercial cara%an lead by the 2uraishi nobleman Abu Eufyan- The !rophet 0 1 intended to impose a +ind of economic sanction on the tribe of 2uriash to allow him to peacefully propagate his faith to others in the open, and to compensate the belie%ers for the properties, possessions and wealth which were un#ustly confiscated by the 2uraish in $a++ah before the immigration. he c!r!"!n escaped the ambush but after learning about the incident the leaders of 2uraish prepared a relati%ely large and well.equipped army to attac+ the $uslimsConsequently the first decisi%e battle too+ place at Badr, and the smaller and ill equipped $uslim force of B:B fighters crushed the arrogant 2uraish army with a humiliating and decisi%e defeatAllah $ost "(alted and Eupreme, describes the #ust rationale for this battle and those to follow: (0The& are1 #h se )h ha,e been e5(elled !r m #heir h mes $n-$s#l&* nl& be"a$se #he& sa& ;O$r L rd is Allah.> I! Allah did n # "he"% ne se# ! (e (le b& means ! an #her* man& m nas#eries* "h$r"hes* s&na' '$es* and m s9$es* in )hi"h #he name ! Allah is " mmem ra#ed in ab$ndan# meas$re* ) $ld s$rel& ha,e been ($lled d )n. Allah )ill "er#ainl& aid #h se )h aid His "a$se. Indeed Allah is F$ll ! S#ren'#h* E5al#ed in Mi'h#. 0The& are1 #h se )h * i! +e es#ablish #hem in #he land* es#ablish re'$lar (ra&er* 'i,e re'$lar "hari#&* enin #he ri'h# and ! rbid #he )r n'. And )i#h Allah res#s #he end and de"isi n ! all a!!airs.) 099:A6.A:1
And Allah the Wise and Eublime says: (And )h& sh $ldn># & $ !i'h# in #he "a$se ! Allah* and ! r #h se )h * bein' )ea%* are (erse"$#ed and ((ressed: Men* ) men* and "hildren* )h se "r& is/ ;O$r L rd2 Res"$e $s !r m #his # )n* )h se (e (le are ((ress rs* and raise ! r $s* !r m 8 $rsel!* a (r #e"# r* and raise ! r $s* !r m 8 $rsel!* a hel(er2) 0A:=G1
And Allah the "(alted says: (Fi'h# in #he "a$se ! Allah #h se )h !i'h# & $* b$# d n # #rans'ress limi#s. ! r Allah l ,es n # #rans'ress rs.) 09::>61
13
In all the battles fought and all the %ictories that AllahCs $essenger and his companions achie%ed within the period of twenty.three years of the !rophet3s mission in $a++ah and then in $edinah, only three hundred and se%enty fi%e people were +illed in this fighting- In the ninth year of the /i#ra 0Immigration1 +nown as the Mear of ?elegations, the !rophet 0 1 met with about a hundred %arious delegations from tribes o%er the entire Arabian !eninsula to confer and negotiate with the !rophet 01- /e met them with generosity and magnanimity and replied to all their questions and concerns about the Islamic Creed 0Aqeedah1 and Daw 0Ehari3ah1- The ma#ority of them were suitably impressed by the call of the !rophet 0 1 and they accepted Islam- The $essenger of Allah 01 also sent letters to the leaders of the surrounding regions calling them to accept the $essage of Allah as will be mentioned belowIn the !rophet3s lifetime and soon afterwards, the entire Arabian !eninsula was for the first time in its history unified in one #ust and egalitarian rule of law and di%ine religion- The ma#ority of Arabs accepted Islam willfully in dro%es after hearing the 2ur3an, seeing the e(ample of the !rophet in his Eunnah 0Way1 and his companions, and witnessing the Islamic system, with only a few holdouts among some ewish and Christian poc+ets, allowed to remain within the Islamic Etate on their old faith by contract stipulating specific rights and obligations and the payment of the i7ya ta( in lieu of the state3s protection and not participating in military ser%ice- Indeed this re%olutionary change was a miraculous achie%ement considering the meager material means by which it too+ place and its lasting worldwide effect, and Allah $ost Great gi%es success to whom /e will-
The rightly.guided Caliphs, companions and righteous predecessors followed the e(ample of the !rophet after his demise, defending the Islamic Etate from its enemies, conquering the surrounding tyrannical empires which threatened their e(istence and spreading Islam by the 7eal of their faith and missionary acti%ity and with their e(cellent upright morals and #ust relations- These indi%iduals were, by no standards, equal in number or war equipment, preparations, and professional military s+ills, to the people they %anquished, but the %itality of their di%ine faith and mission and moral superiority of their characters conquered the common people3s hearts and minds before there was a need to %anquish the corrupt tyrannical armies whose oppression of the masses was unbearable&ne of the new con%erts 0re%erts1 to Islam in our time, named Basheer Ahmad, said in reflection on this issue: 6One ! #he m s# ($@@lin' 9$es#i ns # me* and ne ! m& m s# seri $s " n"erns (ri r # a""e(#in' Islam and embra"in' i# as a )a& ! li!e* )as #ha# )e Chris#ians "laim #ha# Islam s(read b& #he ed'e ! s) rd. There! re* I ( sed #he ! ll )in' 9$es#i n # m&sel!/ I! #ha# "laim is #r$e* )h&* #hen* d )e n #i"e #ha# man& (e (le* in e,er& " rner ! #he ) rld* s#ill adhere # Islam and embra"e i#* - in i#* and a""e(# i# as a )a& ! li!e: +h& d )e n #i"e (e (le " me # - in Islam dail&* )i#h $# an& " m($lsi n r ! r"e b& an& ne:7 N!araphrased from ?r- Imad.du.?een Khalil: )What ?o They Eay about Islam8* p-9>GO
;orman A- ?aniel says on the origins of the fabrication of this myth 6A +es# ! rmed a m re r less in,ariable "an n ! belie!s ab $# Islam. i# de"ided ! r i#sel! )ha# Islam )as... The im( r#an# #hin' )as i# s$i#ed #he +es#... i# 'a,e Chris#end m sel!-res(e"# in
14
dealin' )i#h a "i,ili@a#i n in man& )a&s i#s s$(eri r.7 NIslam and the West: The $a+ing of an Image, p- 9=6O
?e Dacy &CDeary comments on this fallacy: 6His# r& ma%es i# "lear* h )e,er* #ha# #he le'end ! !ana#i"al M$slims s)ee(in' #hr $'h #he ) rld and ! r"in' Islam a# #he ( in# ! s) rd $( n " n9$ered ra"es is ne ! #he m s# !an#as#i"all& abs$rd m&#hs #ha# his# rians ha,e e,er re(ea#ed.7 NIslam at the Crossroads, Dondon, :>9B, p- 4O
?r- Gusta% DeBon states in his boo+ 6Ci,ili@a#i n ! #he Arabs B(.CDEFCDGH/ 6...! r"e )as ne,er a !a"# r in #he s(read ! #he K rani" teachings, and that the Arabs left
those they had subdued free to exercise their religious beliefs. If it happened that some Christian peoples embraced Islam and adopted Arabic as their language, it was mainly due to the various kinds of justice on the part of the Arab victors, with the like of which the non- oslems were not ac!uainted. It was also due to the tolerance and leniency of Islam, which was unknown to the other religions.7 N!araphrased from ?r-Imad.du.?een Khalil:
)What ?o They Eay about Islam8 p-B:AO
/e also says: "#the early Caliphs# were remarkably kind in the way they
treated the peoples of $yria, %gypt, $pain and every other country they subdued, leaving them to practice their laws and regulations and beliefs and imposing only a small &i'ya in return for their protection and keeping peace among them. In truth, nations have never known merciful and tolerant con!uerors like the Arabs.(
If Islam did spread as a consequence to the wars imposed on the $uslims from those enemies threatening their sur%i%al, and the conquests of these oppressi%e and corrupt regimes that followed consequently, is this unique and un+nown in history, especially when compared to other ci%ili7ations8 What is truly unique of the Islamic conquests is that they are generally liberation from oppression, as in the famous answers that the companions of the !rophet 0 1 ga%e to the "mperor of !ersia when he as+ed them what had brought the $uslims to their lands, as mentioned in the history boo+s: 6Allah has sen# $s # #a%e )h e,er )ishes !r m #he sla,er& ! man%ind # #her men* # #he ser,i#$de and ) rshi( ! Allah* !r m #he " n!ines ! #his ) rld # #he e5(anse 0)hi"h Islam brin's # #his ) rld and #he Herea!#er1* and !r m #he in-$s#i"e ! #he )a&s ! li!e 0 ! #he ) rldl& r$lers1 # #he -$s#i"e ! Islam.7 Nsee Ibn Katheer, Bidayah wa ;ihayahO-
In direct contrast to the many e(amples of massacres, rapes and pillaging, and in#ustices in history mentioned in the preface, we do not find comparable accounts in the history of these early Islamic conquestsThomas Carlyle, in his famous series of lectures, commented on the spread of Islam with the following words: 6M$"h has been said ! Mah me#>s (r (a'a#in' his Reli'i n b& #he 15
s) rd. I# is n d $b# !ar n bler )ha# )e ha,e # b as# ! #he Chris#ian Reli'i n* #ha# i# (r (a'a#ed i#sel! (ea"eabl& in #he )a& ! (rea"hin' and " n,i"#i n. 8e# )i#h all* i! )e #a%e #his ! r an ar'$men# ! #he #r$#h r !alseh d ! a reli'i n* #here is a radi"al mis#a%e in i#. The s) rd indeed/ b$# )here )ill & $ 'e# & $r s) rd2 E,er& ne) (ini n* a# i#s s#ar#in'* is (re"isel& in a min ri#& ! ne. In ne man>s head al ne* #here i# d)ells as &e#. One man al ne ! #he )h le ) rld belie,es i#. #here is ne man a'ains# all men. Tha# IheI #a%e a s) rd* and #r& # (r (a'a#e )i#h #ha#* )ill d li##le ! r him. 8 $ m$s# !irs# 'e# & $r s) rd2 On #he )h le* a #hin' )ill (r (a'a#e i#sel! as i# "an. +e d n # !ind* ! #he Chris#ian Reli'i n ei#her* #ha# i# al)a&s disdained #he s) rd* )hen n"e i# had ' # ne. Charlema'ne>s " n,ersi n ! #he Sa5 ns )as n # b& (rea"hin'. I "are li##le ab $# #he s) rd/ I )ill all ) a #hin' # s#r$''le ! r i#sel! in #his ) rld* )i#h an& s) rd r # n'$e r im(lemen# i# has* r "an la& h ld !. +e )ill le# i# (rea"h* and (am(hle#eer* and !i'h#* and # #he $##erm s# bes#ir i#sel!* and d * bea% and "la)s* )ha#s e,er is in i#. ,er& s$re #ha# i# )ill* in #he l n'-r$n* " n9$er n #hin' )hi"h d es n # deser,e # be " n9$ered. +ha# is be##er #han i#sel!* i# "ann # ($# a)a&* b$# nl& )ha# is ) rse. In #his 'rea# D$el* Na#$re hersel! is $m(ire* and "an d n )r n'/ #he #hin' )hi"h is dee(es#r #ed in Na#$re* )ha# )e "all I#r$es#I* #ha# #hin' and n # #he #her )ill be ! $nd 'r )in' a# las#.7 NP/eroes, /ero Worship, and the /eroic in /istory,3 Decture 9, Friday, 4th $ay :4A6O
In comparison to the abo%e, let us ta+e some passages from the /oly Bible and read what the ews and Christians hold as sacred and di%ine guidance about the conduct of war, and which has lead them in times of their e(pansions and conquestsWe read in the Boo+ of ?euteronomy: 6CJK+hen #h $ " mes# ni'h $n# a "i#& # !i'h# a'ains# i#* #hen (r "laim (ea"e $n# i#.CCKAnd i# shall be* i! i# ma%e #hee ans)er ! (ea"e* and (en $n# #hee* #hen i# shall be* #ha# all #he (e (le #ha# is ! $nd #herein shall be #rib$#aries $n# #hee* and #he& shall ser,e #hee.CDKAnd i! i# )ill ma%e n (ea"e )i#h #hee* b$# )ill ma%e )ar a'ains# #hee* #hen #h $ shal# besie'e i#/ CLKAnd )hen #he LORD #h& G d ha#h deli,ered i# in# #hine hands* #h $ shal# smi#e e,er& male #here ! )i#h #he ed'e ! #he s) rd/CMK3$# #he ) men* and #he li##le nes* and #he "a##le* and all #ha# is in #he "i#&* e,en all #he s( il #here !* shal# #h $ #a%e $n# #h&sel!. and #h $ shal# ea# #he s( il ! #hine enemies* )hi"h #he LORD #h& G d ha#h 'i,en #hee.CNKTh$s shal# #h $ d $n# all #he "i#ies )hi"h are ,er& !ar !! !r m #hee* )hi"h are n # ! #he "i#ies ! #hese na#i ns.COK3$# ! #he "i#ies ! #hese (e (le* )hi"h #he LORD #h& G d d #h 'i,e #hee ! r an inheri#an"e* #h $ shal# sa,e ali,e n #hin' #ha# brea#he#h/ CEK3$# #h $ shal# $##erl& des#r & #hem. namel&* #he Hi##i#es* and #he Am ri#es* #he Canaani#es* and #he Peri@@i#es* #he Hi,i#es* and #he Peb$si#es. as #he LORD #h& G d ha#h " mmanded #heeA7 N?euteronomy 96: :6.:=O-
&n the conquest of the city of ericho and the fate of the indigenous inhabitants therein we read: FThe (e (le "alled and $sed #he #r$m(e#s s #he )all !ell in i#s (la"e* #he& en#ered #he "i#& and m$rdered all i#s (e (le* males* !emales* "hildren* and #he ld (e (le* e,en #he " )s* ' a#s* and d n%e&s* $sin' s) rds.Q NMushaC 5Q96O In the towns of $uqeideh and Dabneh, they did the same as in ericho- NMushaC :6Q94O16
A perple(ing passage of the Gospel of $athew on a statement of esus 0 1 reads: 6Thin% n # #ha# I am " me # send (ea"e n ear#h* I "ame n # # send (ea"e* b$# a s) rd.Q N$att:6:BG.B=@ and compare Du+e 99:B5O
What is this sword8 Who has the authority to raise it8 This is not clear and is hotly contested!erhaps it will be raised upon his second coming- Intil Constantine the early Christians were a persecuted minority apparently committed to non.%iolence and waiting for his imminent return, but thereafter, when Trinitarian Christianity became the official state religion in the era after Constantine, the sword was welded by the Etate, and Christian rulers down through history conducted numerous wars and conquests in the name of religion- The Christian principle of obedience to any authority in power is based upon the purported statement of esus 01 to 6render $n# Caesar.7 This was increasingly e(tended by the Christian theologians to rationali7e and legitimi7e the right of di%ine rule and then, e%en national and secular rule, on the basis of !auline doctrine as enshrined in his decree: 6E,er& ne m$s# s$bmi# himsel! # #he ' ,ernin' a$#h ri#ies* ! r #here is n a$#h ri#& e5"e(# #ha# )hi"h G d has es#ablished. The a$#h ri#ies #ha# e5is# ha,e been es#ablished b& G d.7 N0;IJ1 'omans :B::O
The statements and facts abo%e will be compared with some of the guidance from Allah3s Boo+, the 2ur3an, and the Way of the !rophet, the Eunnah, to pro%ide more proofs that indeed Islam is the religion of peace, despite the fact that some disobedient $uslims ha%e distorted, by word and deed, the image of Islam, and despite the %enomous propaganda, slander and ridiculous misinformation fabricated and distributed by the enemies of Islam in their crusades against Islam and the $uslimsWe do not deny that aberrations and in#ustices too+ place occasionally by some of the $uslims, but the general sweep of historical trends is our e%idence, as noted abo%e- And along these lines it may be pertinent to mention a couple more e(amples, since they show a general pattern- The Christian conquerors of erusalem slaughtered all of its ewish and $uslim inhabitants, whereas the re.conquest of erusalem by Ealahudeen al.Ayubi stands as a noteworthy e(ample of magnanimity and generosity- We also ha%e the contrast of Andalus 0$uslim Epain1 and Anatolia 0Asia minor1- The Christians e(pelled the $uslims and ews from Epain or put them to the sword or forced them to con%ert to Christianity during the infamous )Inquisition,* the paradigm of the treatment of $uslims under Christian rule- In the same era when the $uslims mostly of Tur+ish stoc+ conquered what is now Tur+ey, they were comparati%ely much more tolerant, and to this day the seat of the "astern &rthodo( Church remains in Istanbul 0the conquered Constantine1- The noted orientalist Eir Thomas Arnold re#ects this malicious propaganda about Islam saying: )Rof any organi7ed attempt to force the acceptance of Islam on the non.$uslim population, or of any systematic persecution intended to stamp out the Christian religion, we hear nothing- /ad the caliphs chosen to adopt either course of action, they might ha%e swept away Christianity as easily as Ferdinand and Isabella dro%e Islam out of Epain, or Douis <IJ made !rotestantism penal in France, or the ews were +ept out of "ngland for BG6 years- The "astern Churches in Asia were entirely cut off from communion with the rest of Christendom throughout which no one would ha%e been
17
found to lift a finger on their behalf, as heretical communions- Eo the %ery sur%i%al of these Churches to the present day is a strong proof of the generally tolerant attitude of $uhammadan NsicO go%ernments towards themF NEir Thomas W- Arnold: The !reaching of Islam, a history of the propagation of the $uslim faith, Westminster A- Constable H Co-, Dondon, :4>5, p- 46O
The unfortunate reality of history is that "uropean rather than Islamic historical trends ha%e come to dominate the world, and that the reactions against the incessant religious wars among the Christian sects of "urope created the seedbed for the rise of modern "uropean secularism, humanism, nationalism, atheism, and godlessness, and we see that these trends are the roots of the ma#or political and socioeconomic plagues ra%ishing man+ind to this day-
The Mis" n"e(#i n #ha# + rldl& Gains )ere #he Aim ! #he Islami" C n9$es#s
A third and related accusation is that the swift Islamic conquests, which startled the +nown world and by which the $uslim faith was able to spread "ast and West, were primarily only for war booty, worldly pleasures, fame and glory-
Det us present some facts about the biography of the !rophet 0 1 and about Islamic principles from the historical record- The !rophet $uhammad 0 1 at the beginning of his mission as the !rophet and $essenger of Allah was approached by his people in e%ery possible way and by e%ery possible means to bac+ off and abandon his Call to Islam besides their other attempts by open persecution and oppression to thwart his mission mentioned earlier- The !rophet 01 was as+ed by the 2uraish leaders: If you need possession and dominion o%er all the Arabian !eninsula, we ensure this for you- If you need marriage, we offer you, freely, to marry the most beautiful %irgin girl in the Arabian !eninsula*- The !rophet " # was offered excesses of wealth that no one e$er dreamed of possessing in the Arabian %eninsula, but he denied this offer as well. &he Arab leaders 'uraish made all their offers with the condition that he ceased calling to his religion of (slam and ceased castigating and exposing as foolish their %agan beliefs in idols and superstitions. &he %rophet)s " # simple, direct and honest reply to all their tempting and lucrati$e deals was full and final re ection. *ne famous narration of the words of the %rophet " # is recorded as follows: 63& Allah2 I! #he& )ere able # (la"e #he s$n in m& ri'h# hand and #he m n in m& le!# hand in rder # (ress$re me # aband n #he "all ! r #his missi n* I ) $ld n #. I )ill ne,er s$rrender* n r a""e(# #heir re9$es#s* 0b$# )ill " n#in$e n m& missi n1 $n#il ei#her #his Call 0 ! #he reli'i n ! Islam1 be" mes (red minan# and )idel& a""e(#ed and (ra"#i"ed in #he Arabian Penins$la* r m& head is rem ,ed ! m& b d&.7 #Ibn /isham, The Biography of $uhammad 01 %ol-:, p-:=6O 18
Another fact worthy of noting is that the letters that the !rophet 01 sent to the prominent +ings, go%ernors and rulers of neighboring countries were %ery clear in allowing them to +eep their positions of leadership, dominations, and possessions if they accepted Islam and preser%ed peace and #usticeFor instance, the following famous letter to /eraclius, "mperor of 'oman H By7antine "mpire reads as follows6In #he name ! Allah* #he C m(assi na#e and Mer"i!$l Fr m M$hammad* )h is #he ser,an# ! Allah and His Pr (he# # Hera"li$s 0#he r$ler a# #ha# #ime1. Pea"e be n him* )h ! ll )s #he ri'h# (a#h. A!#er #his* I in,i#e & $ # #he ! ld ! Islam. There! re* i! & $ desire se"$ri#&* a""e(# Islam. I! & $ a""e(# Islam* Allah shall re)ard & $ d $bl& and i! & $ re!$se # d s * #he res( nsibili#& ! r #he #rans'ressi n ! #he en#ire na#i n shall be & $rs. NAllah the Almighty saysO: (Sa&/ O Pe (le ! #he 3 %2 C me # " mm n #erms as be#)een $s and & $/ #ha# )e ) rshi( n ne b$# Allah. #ha# )e ass "ia#e n (ar#ners )i#h Him. #ha# )e ere"# n #* !r m am n' $rsel,es* L rds and (a#r ns #her #han Allah. I! #hen #he& #$rn ba"%* sa&/ 3ear )i#ness #ha# )e are M$slims 0)h s$bmi# # Allah=s +ill1.) 0B:5A1* 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
The companion Anas 01 reported that: 6Allah=s Messen'er " # was ne$er approached to gi$e a reward to a person who accepted (slam, but condoned it. *nce, a man came and asked for something if he accepted (slam. &he %rophet " # offered him "from the (slamic treasury# a herd of sheep that was gra+ing in a $alley between two mountains "at Madinah#. As such, the man who recei$ed the reward went back to his people and told them, * My people, Accept (slam, as Muhammad " # gi$es such rewards that the recipient will ne$er fear po$erty. -All the people related to this man accepted (slam and oined the Muslims.. Anas " # continued in his report saying: /A man would accept (slam only for materialistic gains, but as soon as he would feel the sweetness of (slam the faith would become dearer to the heart of such person, more than the entire world and its possessions.0 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
DetCs also e(amine the amount of wealth that the !rophet 0 1 left behind as inheritance after his death- Amr bin al./arith 01 reported: )The !rophet () upon his $e!th left no $irh!m or $in!r ($enomin!tions of money)% sl!"e% m!i$ or !nything else% other th!n his &hite mule% his &e!pon% !n$ ! piece of l!n$ &hich he h!$ $ecl!re$ !s ! ch!rity for 'uslims.( 0$uslim1
19
In fact the !rophetCs personal armor was bonded to a ew as a pawn against a measurement of barley for his familyCs food at the time of his death- /ow could any sensible person, then, accuse a man li+e the !rophet $uhammad 01 of being infatuated with materialistic gains and possessions, ephemeral status and glory8 "mperors, nationalistic leaders, their generals and warriors see+ after glory, land and booty, but the facts abo%e pro%e that the aim of the $essenger of Allah 01 was to spread the religion of Islam to man+ind by peaceful means for their benefit, and lea%e them alone in earning their li%elihood and fulfilling their material needs as they pleased within the boundaries of IslamThe companions of the !rophet 01 and the followers in truth, show by e(ample of their righteous, upright and ascetic way of life, that they were not after worldly possessions and the fleeting pleasures of this life?uring the Battle of Ihud, the !rophet 01 commented: 6Ge# $( # 'ain Paradise )hi"h is as s(a"i $s as all #he hea,ens and ear#h ($# # 'e#her27 A man named &mair bin al./emam 01 heard the !rophetCs 01 statement- As such, this man raised the question to AllahCs $essenger 01: 6) *rophet of +ll!h, -i$ you s!y the re&!r$ is *!r!$ise% &hich is !s &i$e !s the he!"ens !n$ e!rth put together, he *rophet ( # answered positi$ely. &he 1ompanion said: !lessed be it, !lessed be it, &he %rophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, asked the man: 23hat urged you to say what you said4 he m!n replie$: .) *rophet of +ll!h, he only hope / entert!in is to be one of the $&ellers of this *!r!$ise,0 he *rophet% pe!ce !n$ blessings of +ll!h be upon him% s!i$: 25urely, you are one of the dwellers of this %aradise. 1pon he!ring such ! &or$ from the *rophet ( #, the man got few dates out of his bag to eat before the fight began. !ut, the man threw the dates in the air and uttered, !y Allah, (f ( li$ed to finish eating these dates it would be a $ery long life, He rushed to fight the enemies of (slam with all his might until he was killed. 0$uslim1 A man called Ehaddad bin al./adi 01 reported that a Bedouin came to AllahCs $essenger 0 1 and e(pressed interest in Islam- The Bedouin soon embraced Islam- The Bedouin e(pressed his interest to AllahCs $essenger 01 to immigrate with him to $adinah- As such, AllahCs $essenger 01 as+ed $uslims to ta+e care of the Bedouin, Nwhich they didO- The $uslims fought a battle against the pagans and as a result, they won some war booty- AllahCs $essenger 01 distributed the booty among his Companions- The Bedouin was gi%en a share of the booty due to his participation in the fight- The Bedouin as+ed, CWhat is this for8C AllahCs $essenger 01 stated, =This is a share ! #he b #& ! r & $r (ar#i"i(a#i n in #he !i'h#.C The Bedouin uttered, CI did not gi%e you my pledge of allegiance for worldly gains- In fact, I followed you and embraced Islam hoping that an arrow of the enemy would hit my throat, then I would die, then I would be rewarded with !aradise-C AllahCs $essenger 0 1 commented on the statement of the Bedouin, =I! & $ are #r$#h!$l )i#h Allah* s$rel& Allah ) $ld !$l!ill & $r desire.= Dater on, a battle was fought, the Bedouin was found dead with an arrow in his throat- /e was carried forward and brought before the !rophet 0 1- AllahCs $essenger 01 inquired, CIsnCt he the same Bedouin8C The people answered affirmati%ely- The $essenger of Allah 01 said, =<eril& #his man )as #r$#h!$l )i#h Allah. There! re* Allah M s# E5al#ed is Tr$#h!$l )i#h him.=
20
AllahCs $essenger 01 ga%e his cloa+ to be used as a shroud for the martyred Bedouin- The funeral was brought forward and they offered a funeral prayer for his soul, using the following supplication for the soul of the martyr: 6O Allah2 This is 8 $r sla,e-ser,an#* )h immi'ra#ed ! r 8 $r "a$se. He )as %illed as a mar#&r. I am a )i#ness ! r #ha#.7 0;isaaCe1
The incident is a testimony for this man and his li+es who refused to accept his entitled share of the war booty see+ing complete sincerity in his desire for the reward from Allah alone&mar bin Al.Khattab 01 the famous rightly.guided Caliph and Companion of the !rophet 01 whose conquests reached into %ast areas in the +nown world including the 'oman and !ersian empires, heard his stomach growl due to lac+ of proper diet- Ipon hearing the growl of his own stomach, &mar 01 e(claimed* O M& dear s# ma"h* 'r )l r be s#ill2 3& Allah2 8 $ will not get properly filled until all Muslims ha$e enough to eat "and en oy a proper diet# 0Baihaqi in al.Eunan, >QA9O The booty and spoils of warfare the early $uslims gained by their conquests were sufficient to let them lead a prosperous and gracious life, but the real moti%e behind the conquests was to call other peoples to the Word of Allah and the religion of Islam, pro%en by the fact that the conquered peoples were gi%en the freedom of choice to accept Islam as a religion and way of life, and if they did, they would be entitled to all the rights of the other $uslims- This equalitarian and uni%ersal approach was un+nown in the world at that time built upon racial and national empires where some were pri%ileged nobles and the rest were second.class citi7ens at best and more probably ser%ants, sla%es and feudal serfs- If the conquered people re#ected Islam, and remained upon the religion but they did not declare war against the $uslims, they were required to pay the i7yah 0)/ead Ta(*1 a symbolic amount of ta( in e(change for the protection of their li%es, properties and wealth guaranteed and secured by the Islamic state- Additionally, payers of the head ta( would en#oy all public facilities offered and maintained by the Islamic state and were not required to pay any additional ta(es whereas $uslims, on the other hand, were required to pay the Sa+ah 0obligatory charity on accumulated wealth, the sum of two and half percent of their annually accumulated funds or a specified amount of agricultural and husbandry produce1- Sa+ah is often much more than what the amount of the head ta( is annually- If the non.$uslims in a conquered land refuse to accept either option, and choose to remain belligerent, war would be waged against them in order to deli%er the $essage of Islam to the people in general- The essential reason for waging a war against other non.$uslims is the fact that, some inhabitants of such non.Islamic countries may, embrace Islam, ha%e they +nown its principles and mission- For this essential and noble ob#ecti%e, Allah Knows best, Islam imposes on $uslims to wage wars in order to deli%er the $essage of Allah to the non.$uslims&ne of the greatest generals of Islam, namely, Khalid bin al.Waleed 0 1@ the most famous and successful general of the early $uslims, e(pired while he owned only a horse, a sword, and a ser%ant- Where could any one find a trace of materialistic life in the inheritance of such a great $uslim general and warrior8 The boo+s of the Islamic history are replete with numerous narrati%es of men of this high caliber that confirm that worldly gains were not the ob#ecti%e of the early $uslims, rather,
21
they hoped for the reward from Allah the $ost Generous and Bountiful for their sincerity in calling to Islam, the di%ine religion of guidance from Allah-- As was re%ealed and promised by the !rophet 01 li+e when he said: 6I! a sin'le s $l* male r !emale* is '$ided #hr $'h & $ # Islam* i# is be##er ! r & $ #han #he "h i"e red "amels 0 ! #he ) rld* i.e. #he m s# (ri@ed ( ssessi ns ! #he Arabs1.7 0$uslim H others1
There are many reliable accounts of early $uslims willingly gi%ing up their entire wealth and life sa%ings as charity upon their con%ersion to Islam- The early members of the 2uraish tribe were noteworthy in this regard- &thers were depri%ed of their wealth because their families boycotted them in anger for their embracement of Islam- &thers had all their possessions confiscated upon immigration to $edina- &thers were e(tremely in%ol%ed in the wor+ of Islamic propagation and ga%e their time and wealth to this acti%ity- To site one e(ample, in the ma#or and decisi%e battle of ;ahawand, a companion of the !rophet 01 named an.;uCman bin $uqrin al $o7ani 01 offered the following supplication, )& AllahT /onor and Glorify Mour ?i%ine religion, and ma+e those %ictorious who belie%e in Mou- C& AllahT Det me be the first to be martyred in the battle- & AllahT Grant my eyes the true pleasure to see the best conquest that grants honor and dignity to Islam- & peopleT !ut faith in Allah, /e will certainly shower you with /is $ercy*- ?o you see any materialistic greed and desire for personal glory in this supplication8 The main ob#ecti%e is surely to see+ the !leasure of Allah and the sincere wish to call others to accept Islam for their own benefitThe 'uler of "gypt, the $uqawqis, sent his messenger to the $uslim General, Amr bin al. Aas 01 who conquered "gypt- The $uslim General was holding the Babylon fortress in siegeThe "gyptian 'uler as+ed his spy to report on what they obser%ed- They all had a consensus on their obser%ation- They said, )We ha%e noticed that they prefer death o%er life- They prefer to be modest and humble, rather than proud and arrogant- We ha%e noticed that they ha%e no interest among them in worldly gains and possessions- They sit on the floor, and their leader sits li+e one of them- ;o one could differentiate between the leader and the led, the master and the sla%e- They are almost ali+e, irrespecti%e of their ran+s-* These and many more e(amples show that accumulation of the spoils of war and self. aggrandi7ement were not the ob#ecti%es of early $uslims, rather the 7eal of the mission of Islam to guide man+ind propelled them from their nati%e homeland to the surrounding areas, carrying with them the uni%ersal message of Islam-
P$s# +ar The r& and Pra"#i"e in Islam

Islam, as we e(plained earlier, is a di%ine religion of submission to Allah and /is re%ealed guidance for man, which see+s peace and teaches mercy- Although Islam calls for peaceful
22
interactions with all peoples of all countries, engagement in war may become necessary at times as a final remedy- Allah has limited the application of the times to go to war to fi%e situations- It is not called war but ) ihad* according to Islamic terminology, meaning to stri%e and e(ert one3s utmost effort in the cause of Allah- The essential difference between war and ihad is that the ob#ecti%e of ihad is to defend the $uslims and allow their right to deli%er the Islamic in%itation to Islam, and to spread the uni%ersal message of the ?i%ine Word of Allah, $ost "(alted and Almighty- As for war, it may be for defense against aggression, a legitimate reason within certain conditions, but in broad and general historical terms it most often is waged as an aggression and for un#ust personal and national %endettas@ for imperial, colonial and corporate e(pansion and hegemony@ for the control, e(ploitation, plunder and theft of material and human resources@ or for mere fame, glory and arrogance- Islam does not condone any of the war ob#ecti%es and abo%e purposes and considers them all illegitimate and worthy of #ust retribution- There are only fi%e legitimate reasons for ihad, as follows:
:- ?efense against attac+ upon life, property, wealth and honor of the $uslim nation and national borders- This is based on the %erse re%ealed in the Glorious 2urLn: (Fi'h# in #he "a$se ! Allah #h se )h !i'h# & $* b$# d n # #rans'ress limi#s. ! r Allah d es n # l ,e #he #rans'ress rs.) 09::>61 This is also based on the tradition of the $essenger of Allah 01 who said: 6+h e,er is %illed )hile a##em(#in' # (r #e"# his bel n'in's is a mar#&r. )h e,er is %illed )hile a##em(#in' # (r #e"# himsel! is a mar#&r. )h e,er is %illed )hile a##em(#in' # (r #e"# his reli'i n is a mar#&r. and )h e,er is %illed )hile a##em(#in' # (r #e"# his !amil& is a mar#&r.7 0Tirmidhi, Abu ?aUood, ;isaa3I H Ibn $a#ah1
9- ?efense against oppression or those assisting in the oppression of the wea+ and defenseless- ihad in this type has a clear obligatory humanitarian ob#ecti%e- Allah, $ost $a#estic, states in /is Glorious 2ur3an: (And )h& sh $ldn># & $ !i'h# in #he "a$se ! Allah* and ! r #h se )h * bein' )ea%* are (erse"$#ed and ((ressed: Men* ) men* and "hildren* )h se "r& is/ ;O$r L rd2 Res"$e $s !r m #his # )n* )h se (e (le are ((ress rs* and raise ! r $s* !r m 8 $rsel!* a (r #e"# r* and raise ! r $s* !r m 8 $rsel!* a hel(er2) 0A:=G1
This command to resist aggression and persecution is also based on the %erse re%ealed in the Glorious 2ur3an: (Th se )h belie,ed* immi'ra#ed* and ! $'h# ! r #he Fai#h* )i#h #heir (r (er#& and #heir (ers ns* in #he "a$se ! Allah* as )ell as #h se )h 'a,e #hem as&l$m and aid* #hese are all !riends and (r #e"# rs* ne ! an #her. As # #h se )h belie,ed* b$# did n # immi'ra#e 0in #he "a$se ! Allah1. & $ d n # )e #hem #he d$#& ! (r #e"#i n $n#il #he& 23
" me in# e5ile. b$# i! #he& see% & $r aid in reli'i n* i# is & $r d$#& # hel( #hem* e5"e(# a'ains# a (e (le )i#h )h m & $ ha,e a #rea#& ! m$#$al allian"e. And remember #ha# Allah sees all #ha# & $ d .) 04:=91
B- In retaliation to the breach and %iolation of solemnly concluded co%enants, pacts and treaties- This is based on the %erse re%ealed in the Glorious 2ur3an that states: (3$# i! #he& ,i la#e #heir a#hs a!#er #heir " ,enan#* and #a$n# & $ ! r & $r Fai#h* !i'h# #he "hie!s ! disbelie!/ ! r #heir a#hs are n #hin' # #hem/ #ha# #he& )ill hen"e! r#h be res#rained. +ill & $ n # !i'h# (e (le )h ,i la#ed #heir a#hs* (l ##ed # e5(el #he Messen'er* and # % #he a''ressi,e b& bein' #he !irs# # assa$l# & $: D & $ !ear #hem: Na&2 I# is Allah +h m & $ sh $ld m re -$s#l& !ear* i! & $ #r$l& belie,e2) 0>::9.:B1
A- ?isciplinary actions against those $uslims who aggress and start hostilities without any #ust cause, and continue obstinately on the path of aggression as Allah the Almighty states: (I! #) (ar#ies am n' #he 3elie,ers !all in# a 9$arrel* ma%e (ea"e be#)een #hem/ b$# i! ne ! #he (ar#ies #rans'resses be& nd b $nds a'ains# #he #her* #hen !i'h# a'ains# #he ne #ha# #rans'resses $n#il i# " m(lies )i#h #he C mmand ! Allah. I! i# " m(lies* ma%e (ea"e be#)een #hem )i#h -$s#i"e* and be -$s# and !air/ ! r Allah l ,es #h se )h are -$s# and !air.) 0A>:>1
This type of #ihad pro%es that the purpose of #ihad is always for law and #ustice since it is waged e%en against $uslim criminals-
GFor the spread of the religion of Islam when peaceful means are impossible- This type is only in the last resort after a series of peaceful contacts pro%es to the $uslim ruler that peaceful means ha%e become impossible- The first step is an in%itation to allow the peaceful preaching of Islam, following the practice 0sunnah1 of the !rophet 0 1 when, as mentioned abo%e, he had sent letters to the surrounding rulers in%iting them to Islam- If the ruler refused this in%itation, he and his people are offered the option of becoming $himmees, that is, people of the protected non.$uslim community go%erned by its own religious laws but obliged to abide by the general Islamic laws to maintain law, order and security, and to pay the i7ya ta( in lieu of performing military ser%ice- &nly when the non.$uslims refused these conditions were their grounds for the commencement of open battle for the fact that they oppose the peaceful propagation of Islam- The $uslims are required to wage ihad against those who not only re#ect Islam3s uni%ersal message for man+ind that Allah alone is worthy of worship and !rophet $uhammad 01 is /is $essenger but also stop or curtail the spread of this uni%ersal message and its propagation by peaceful means- Islam is the uni%ersal faith and religion of Allah, the Creator And Dord V Eustainer of man+ind, and therefore is not for any specific people but for all men who should be able to learn about Islam and ha%e the chance to submit to Allah willfully: acceptance of Islam and con%ersion is not the mission or ob#ecti%e that
24
$uslims see+ because guidance is only in the /ands of Allah, $ost Wise and Eublime- All people must ha%e a chance to hear about the goodness, #ustice, brotherhood, lo%e, equality and peace and all that Islam teaches- The Bene%olent and Almighty Dord of $an states in /is Glorious 2ur3an: (And !i'h# #hem $n#il #here is n m re #em(#a#i n* s#ri!e r ((ressi n* and #here (re,ails -$s#i"e and !ai#h in Allah al# 'e#her and e,er&)here. 3$# i! #he& "ease* ,eril&* Allah sees all #ha# #he& d .) 04:B>1
If at any time the enemies of Islam and the $uslims cease their hostilities and aggressions and sue for or accept #ust terms of peace, $uslims are obliged to stop the state of war, start negotiations, and it becomes unlawful for them to pursue any course of warfare against themAllah, the Wise and &mniscient said: (E5"e(# #h se )h - in a 'r $( be#)een )h m and & $ #here is a #rea#& 0 ! (ea"e1* r #h se )h a((r a"h & $ )i#h hear#s res#rainin' #hem !r m !i'h#in' & $ as )ell as !i'h#in' #heir )n (e (le. I! Allah had )illed* He " $ld ha,e 'i,en #hem ( )er ,er & $* and #he& ) $ld ha,e ! $'h# & $/ #here! re i! #he& )i#hdra) !r m & $ and d n # !i'h# & $ b$# ins#ead send & $ '$aran#ees ! (ea"e* #hen Allah has (ened n )a& ! r & $ 0# " n#in$e #he )ar a'ains# #hem1.) 0A:>61
The causes of legitimate warfare are thus identified abo%e, and other %erses in this conte(t are as follows: Allah, the Great, said: (The& as% & $ " n"ernin' !i'h#in' in #he Sa"red M n#hs. Sa&/ ;Fi'h#in' #herein is a 'rea# 0#rans'ressi n1 b$# a 'rea#er 0#rans'ressi n1 in #he si'h# ! Allah is # (re,en# man%ind !r m ! ll )in' #he +a& ! Allah* # disbelie,e in Him* # (re,en# a""ess # #he H l& M s9$e 0in Ma%%ah1* and # dri,e $# i#s inhabi#an#s and !i#nah 0#em(#a#i n* ) rshi( ! id ls* and "i,il s#ri!e1 is ) rse #han %illin'.) 09:9:=1
Allah, the Great, says: (And !i'h# #hem $n#il #here is n m re !i#nah 0disbelie! and ) rshi((in' #hers besides Allah1 and 0all and e,er& %ind !1 ) rshi( is ! r Allah. 3$# i! #he& "ease* le# #here be n #rans'ressi n e5"e(# a'ains# #he #&ran#s.) 09::>B1 Allah, the "(alted, says: (Th se )h belie,e !i'h# in #he +a& ! Allah* and #h se )h disbelie,e !i'h# in #he +a& ! Ta'h # 0Sa#an* id ls* #&ran#s1. S !i'h# & $ a'ains# #he ! ll )ers ! Sa#an/ Indeed #he (l # ! Sa#an is !eeble.) 0A:=51 25
All other types of wars, as mentioned abo%e, resulting in destruction and great loss of life and property, are banned and declared unlawful and aggression in Islam- Wars waged to arrogantly demonstrate force and supposed superiority, as with those rationali7ed as pre. empti%e stri+es, are also prohibited in Islam- As Allah, the "(alted, says: (And be n # li%e #h se )h s#ar#ed !r m #heir h mes in arr 'an"e and ins len"e and # be seen ! men* and # hinder men !r m #he (a#h ! Allah/ ! r indeed Allah en" m(asses ar $nd all #ha# #he& d .) 04:A=1
Although Islam permits fighting for the necessary reasons mentioned abo%e, it lays down strict rules and regulations for the conduct of warfare on both the leaders and the soldiers, the )mu#ahideen,* and directs all to obser%e the noble Islamic manners and ethics e%en in this most difficult of times- The $uslim fighters are permitted to target and +ill only those who fight against them or assist and support other fighters in the battlefield- As for the elderly people, minors, women, sic+, wounded, or those who isolate and seclude themsel%es in worship by belief in non.%iolence, all these categories of people who are non.combatants are not to be targeted, +illed, molested or e%en bothered in any manner by $uslim fighters- It is prohibited to +ill an enemy soldier fighting against $uslims wounded and fallen on a battlefield as well- Islam bans mutilation of the bodies and cada%ers of all +illed enemiesFurthermore, Islam bans the +illing of the enemiesC animals, and the destruction of their agriculture and dwellings and infrastructure, e(cept in certain circumstances necessary for the immediate battle- Additionally, Islam prohibits intentional pollution of the water sources of the enemies and their wells- Islam considers all the aforementioned items as acts leading to the disruption of the society and unnecessary hardship on the common peopleihad in Islam is a means to allow the peaceful spread of the Word of Allah and the message of Islam- As Allah states in /is Glorious 2ur3an, the intention of this life for a $uslim is to see+ the life of the /ereafter through good deeds: (3$# see% )i#h #ha# )hi"h Allah has bes# )ed $( n & $* #he H me ! #he Herea!#er* and d n # ! r'e# & $r d$e ( r#i n in #his + rld. D ' d as Allah has been ' d # & $* and d n # see% ""asi ns ! r mis"hie! in #he land. Indeed Allah d es n # l ,e #h se )h d mis"hie!.) 094:==1
From among the many teachings and guidance from AllahCs $essenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to the mu#ahideen, are the following:
The $essenger of Allah 01 stated that there is only one legitimate intention for #ihad, when he said:
26
6He )h s#ri,es and !i'h#s in rder # ma%e #he + rd ! Allah #he M s# S$(reme is #he ne )h s#ri,es and !i'h#s ! r #he "a$se ! Allah.7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1 When a woman was found +illed in one of these battles, the $essenger of Allah mentioned that this one was not fighting and forbade the +illing of women and children- 0$uslim1
/e also ga%e the following instructions: 2!egin your fight with the 6ame of Allah against those who declare the state of disbelief in Allah. 7ight against them, but do not breach your contracts or co$enants. 8o not mutilate the bodies of the fighters killed. 8o not kill a newly born baby. ('uslim)
And he said: 6G ! r)ard in #he name ! G d. D n # %ill an elderl& (ers n* n r a "hild* n r a ) man* and d n # e5"eed #he b $nds.7 0$ali+ H Abu ?awood1
The eminent companion, Abu Ba+r as.Eiddeeq 01 the first $uslim Caliph of the Islamic Etate, ga%e the following ad%ice to the $uslim army he deputed saying: 6+ai# be! re & $ lea,e. I ) $ld li%e # 'i,e & $ #he ! ll )in' ad,i"es/ D n # be#ra& r a"# #rea"her $sl&. D n # s#eal !r m #he )ar b #& be! re i#s (r (er and la)!$l dis#rib$#i n. D n # brea"h & $r (led'es and " ,enan#s )i#h & $r enemies. D n # m$#ila#e #he b dies ! #he %illed !i'h#ers. D n # %ill a li##le* min r "hild* a ) man* r an elderl& man. D n # "$# r b$rn a (alm #ree B r an& #her #ree ! r an& reas nH. D n # "$# a !r$i#-bearin' #ree. D n # sla$'h#er a shee(* a " ) r a "amel* e5"e(# ! r & $r ! d. 8 $ ma& " me a"r ss (e (le )h se"l$de #hemsel,es ! r #he ) rshi( ! G d* lea,e #hem al ne. D n # b #her #hem r "a$se an& disr$(#i n # #heir li,es. N'eported by at.Tabari, Jol-B, p-995, and othersO
Eimilarly, $uslims must declare war prior to the beginning of the fight- This is because $uslims are neither betrayers, nor dishonest fighters- Islam imposes some of the best of war ethics and morals onto the $uslim fighters- Islam requires full adherence to #ustice and no oppression to the fighting enemies&mar bin Abdul.A7i7, may Allah ha%e mercy on him, one of the early Imayyad $uslim Caliphs, was approached by a delegation of fighters of the city of Eamarqand who complained about the $uslim leader, 2utaibah, who had ta+en them by a surprise attac+- The Caliph sent a letter to the go%ernor of the concerned area commanding him to assign a #udge to in%estigate this matter, and if the #udge deemed that $uslims should get out of the city and lea%e it for any breach of trust, they must comply with the #udgment- The go%ernor of Eamarqand assigned a #udge named omaiC bin /ader al.Ba#i who passed his %erdict that $uslims should lea%e the city which they had conquered- The $uslim army commander must first declare war openly and with a proper proclamation, prior to in%ading the land and launching their attac+ 27
upon the people of Eamarqand, gi%e them a chance to prepare themsel%es for the fight and to +now the reasons for the attac+- The people of Eamarqand seeing the #ust dealing of the $uslims, decided against restarting hostilities and accepted the terms of Islamic rule- Nsee FFutuh.al.BuldanF Countries of the Conquests, by Balathuri, p-A94O As with reference to capti%es and prisoners, always a sensiti%e and di%isi%e sub#ect between warring parties, Islam strictly forbids intimidation, torture, mutilation, or star%ing them to death- Indeed, feeding them is a %irtue the reward of which is with Allah as he says: (And #he& !eed* ! r #he l ,e ! Allah* #he indi'en#* #he r(han* and #he "a(#i,e* 0Sa&in'1/ +e !eed & $ ! r #he sa%e ! Allah al ne* and )e d n # desire !r m & $ re)ard n r #han%s.) 0=5:4.>1
The Islamic leader reser%es the full freedom to release the prisoners of war free without ransom, set terms for their ransom, or release them in e(change for the release of $uslim prisoners of war- This is based on the %erse re%ealed in the Glorious 2ur3an: (There! re* )hen & $ mee# #he disbelie,ers 0in )ar!are1* smi#e a# #heir ne"%s. A# len'#h* )hen & $ ha,e #h r $'hl& s$bd$ed #hem* bind a !irm b nd 0 n #hem i! "a(#$red ali,e1. Therea!#er 0& $ ma& dis( se ! #hem1 ei#her b& & $r 'ener si#& r #hr $'h rans m -$n#il #he )ar la&s d )n i#s b$rdens 0b& (ea"e #rea#&1. Th$s 0& $ are " mmanded1* b$# i! i# had been Allah=s +ill* He " $ld "er#ainl& ha,e e5a"#ed re#rib$#i n !r m #hem 0Himsel!1. b$# 0He le#s & $ !i'h#1 in rder # #es# & $* s me b& means ! #he #hers. Th se )h are slain in #he )a& ! Allah* He )ill ne,er le# #heir deeds be l s#.) 0A=:A1
As for the defeated non.$uslim residents of the conquered countries, the people of the Boo+ li+e the Christians and ews, were treated with respect, and their integrity, dignity and honor was maintained, their wealth and properties secured from aggression and un#ust confiscationThey and their women were ne%er molested or unduly humiliated in any manner, way or means- The homes and dwellings for their families were left unharmed- In summery they were dealt with fairly and #ustly- Their originally di%ine faith was honored and dignified, and if they chose to remain upon it they were responsible to respect and obey the Islamic tenants and religion, and maintain obedience to the public good, security and rule of equitable law- This is based on many %erses and teachings, including what Allah said as follows: (0The& are1 #h se )h * i! +e es#ablish #hem in #he land* es#ablish re'$lar (ra&er and 'i,e re'$lar "hari#&* enin #he ri'h# and ! rbid )r n'/ )i#h Allah res#s #he end 0and de"isi n1 ! 0all1 a!!airs.) 099:A:1
&ne of the best e%idences reflecting these teachings is the e(ample set by &mar bin al. Khattab 01 the second $uslim Caliph of the Islamic Etate, and the conqueror of the 'oman and !ersian empires, to the inhabitants of erusalem Aelia upon entering it as %ictoriousTabari reported that he wrote to them as follows:
28
QIn #he Name ! Allah* #he M s# C m(assi na#e and M s# Gra"i $s. This is #he " ,enan# ! se"$ri#& 'ran#ed b& #he ser,an# ! Allah* =Omar #he C mmander ! #he Fai#h!$l* # #he (e (le ! Aelia. He* hereb&* '$aran#ees #he se"$ri#& ! #heir (ers ns and (r (er#&* #heir "h$r"hes and "r sses* #he li##le and #he 'rea# and all adheren#s ! #he Chris#ian reli'i n. I# is (r hibi#ed #ha# #heir "h$r"hes be inhibi#ed r dem lished r diminished as re'ards )i#h #he "h$r"h i#sel! r i#s d main. N r ma& #heir "r sses be im(aired r an& ! #heir (r (er#ies in an& manner. The& sh $ld n # be " er"ed # aband n #heir !ai#h and n ne ! #hem ma& be harmed. N Pe)s are (ermi##ed # li,e )i#h #hem in Aelia. 4( n #he (e (le ! Aelia !alls #he bli'a#i n # (a& #he -i@&a* as is #he "ase )i#h #he (e (le ! Mada=in* as )ell as e,i"# !r m #heir mids# #he 3&@an#ine. +h e,er ! #hese )h lea,es Aelia )ill be 'ran#ed se"$ri#& ! (ers n and (r (er#& $n#il he rea"hes his des#ina#i n. +h e,er de"ides # s#a& in Aelia )ill als be 'ran#ed #he same* and share )i#h #he (e (le ! Aelia in #heir ri'h#s and (a& -i@&a. The same a((lies # #he (e (le ! Aelia as )ell as # an& #her (ers n. Th se )h ) $ld li%e # mar"h )i#h #he 3&@an#ines ma& ' and #h se )h ) $ld li%e # re#$rn # #heir (e (le )ill n # be b $nd # (a& an&#hin' $n#il #he& rea( #heir har,es#. Allah a##es#s # #he " n#en# ! #his #rea#&* and s d His Pr (he#* his s$""ess rs and #he belie,ers. This is )i#nessed b& Khalid Ibn Al-+alid* =Amr Ibn Al-=Aas* Abd$r-Rahman Ibn Al-=A)! and M$=a)i&ah Ibn Abi S$!&an. E5e"$#ed in #he &ear CN Hi-ri.Q
Eurely, there is nothing comparable in recorded history of man+ind- We belie%e that this is the best form of nobility, #ustice and tolerance from the conquerorCs side towards the %anquished$ost conquerors strip the defeated people from all rights, freedoms and honor, including the right to a decent life, sub#ugating them to labor as sla%es or second.class citi7ens and ser%e the conquerors3 interests- &mar bin al.Khattab 01 could ha%e easily dictated harsh terms and conditions against the defeated Christians and ews at the time, but followed the lead of the !rophet $uhammad 01 in his generosity and magnanimity when he conquered $a++ah after years of dealing with their treacherous warfare of the $edinan period and the bitter persecution of the $a++an period of his mission- This #ustice aimed at the noble goal of propagating the word of Allah and not gaining personal or national ad%antage- These e(amples, among others, illustrate the #ustice, tolerance, and beauty of Islam, the di%inely re%ealed religion of Allah for uni%ersal and #ust peace- The laws of Allah, the Almighty, must apply to all people without any e(ception or fa%oritism;on.$uslims li%ing under the Islamic rule are obligated to pay the i7yah 0so called head ta(1 which is a minimal, symbolic amount imposed on the non.$uslim residents who willingly choose to maintain their pre%ious faith and life under the go%ernment of the Islamic Etate- The basis of this is found in the %erse of Allah: (Fi'h# a'ains# #h se )h d n # belie,e in Allah* n r in #he Las# Da&* n r ! rbid #ha# )hi"h has been ! rbidden b& Allah and His Messen'er* n r a"%n )led'e #he reli'i n ! #r$#h* !r m am n' #he (e (le ! #he S"ri(#$re* $n#il #he& (a& #he -i@&a )i#h )illin' s$bmissi n and !eel #hemsel,es s$bd$ed.) 0>:9>1
This ta( is of three types as calculated by the currency of the time:
29
The head ta( of the rich and the affluent people- This is estimated as forty.eight dirhams of sil%er ta+en from each indi%idual annually The head ta( of the middle.class indi%iduals such as merchants, businessmen, and farmers- This is estimated as twenty.four dirhams of sil%er ta+en from each indi%idual annually The head ta( ta+en from the laborers and craftsmen who are in business- This is estimated as twel%e dirhams of sil%er ta+en from each indi%idual annually-
The i7ya ta( is imposed on the non.$uslims li%ing in the Islamic Etate as a sign of submission to the Islamic Etate, as a symbolic payment for the guarantee that their honor, integrity, wealth and life will be protected by the Islamic go%ernment against e(ternal enemies and internal %iolations, and because they are e(empted from ser%ing in the militaryThis protection includes all rights and obligations as specified and agreed upon contractuallyIn comparison $uslims ha%e additional duties, including the obligation to ser%e in the military when required, and to pay the Sa+ah 0obligatory alms1 and other forms of sadaqah 0charity1Khalid bin al.Waleed 01 one of the most renowned $uslim war generals, in one of his contractual pledges to the non.$uslims li%ing in the Islamic Etate said: 6I ha,e 'i,en & $ m& (led'e ! #r$s# # a""e(# & $r head #a5 and in re#$rn* # (r #e"# & $ a'ains# all ( ssible dds 0#ha# )e (r #e"# $rsel,es a'ains#1. I! )e s$""eed in !!erin' & $ #he (r #e"#i n )e ) $ld #a%e #he head #a5. I! n #* #hen & $ ) $ld n # ha,e # (a& i# $n#il )e "an (r ,ide & $ s$"h (r #e"#i n.7 0BalathuriCs history1 D- Jeccia Jaglieri, in her boo+ entitled )?efending Islam* says: 6C n9$ered (e (le b& Islami" ' ,ernmen#s )ere 'i,en !$ll !reed m # main#ain and (reser,e #heir !ai#h and #radi#i ns (r ,ided #ha# indi,id$als )h ele"#ed #his (#i n and did n # a""e(# Islam as a )a& ! li!e* ) $ld (a& a !air head #a5 # #he Islami" ' ,ernmen#. Head #a5 )as less #han )ha# M$slims (aid # #heir ' ,ernmen#. N n M$slims* residin' $nder Islami" r$led s#a#e* (aid s$"h #a5 in e5"han'e ! r #he 'eneral blan%e# (r #e"#i n !!ered b& #he Islami" ' ,ernmen# e5#ended ! r i#s )n (e (le.7 &ne must remember that the three types of the #i7ya ta( calculated abo%e were for the earning members whereas other classes of the non.$uslims .. namely the poor, needy, minors, women, the mon+s, priests, or rabbis, the permanently disabled, and the blind .. were e(empted entirely from the payment of this head ta(, and their protection, needs and general welfare was underta+en free of cost by the Islamic TreasuryFor e(ample, &mar bin al.Khattab 01 was sitting once when an old ew passed by as+ing people to gi%e him charity- &mar as+ed about the welfare of the indi%idual and was informed that the man was li%ing as a non.$uslim under the rule of the Islamic state and protection, paying head ta(- &mar 01 declared: 6+e ha,e n # been !air # & $2 +e ha,e im( sed head #a5 n & $ and "har'ed & $ s$"h #a5 )hen & $ )ere & $n' and able* and n ) )e are n # (r ,idin' & $ )i#h #he (r (er s "ial "are and )el!are 0)hen & $ are ld and disabled1.7
30
As a result, &mar too+ the man to his own home, fed him and offered him proper clothingAnd thereafter he commanded the $uslim Treasurer: CDoo+ into the case of this man, and those of similar situation, and gi%e them a sufficient income from the Islamic Treasury, along with their families- Allah, the Almighty, stated in /is 2ur3an (Alms are ! r #he ( r and des#i#$#e. #he need&. #h se em(l &ed # adminis#er #he 0!$nds1. #h se )h se hear#s ha,e been 0re"en#l&1 re" n"iled 0# #he #r$#h1. #h se in b nda'e. and in deb#. in #he "a$se ! Allah. and ! r #he )a&!arer/ 0#h$s i# is1 rdained b& Allah* and Allah is !$ll ! %n )led'e and )isd m.) 0>:561
The poor are the $uslims- The needy are the !eople of the Boo+-* NAbu Mousef, al.Khara#, p-:95O In Khalid bin al.Waleed3s pledge, may Allah be pleased with him, to the non.$uslims of al. /eerah, in Iraq, the following was written: 6An& n n-M$slim li,in' $nder #he (r #e"#i n ! #he Islami" s#a#e )h 'r )s ld and be" mes $nable # ) r%* r be" mes a #erminal (a#ien#* r be" mes br %e and ban%r$(# in s$"h a manner #ha# he ) $ld be en#i#led ! r "hari#& b& his )n (e (le=s !ai#h* )ill n l n'er be re9$ired # (a& #he head #a5. S$"h indi,id$als )ill be (r ,ided ! r #heir essen#ial needs !r m #he Islami" Treas$r&* al n' )i#h #heir !amilies7 NAbu Mousef, Al.Khara#, p-:AAO Dis Dictenstadter, a German scholar, in her boo+ titled, )Islam and the $odern Age, states: )The option gi%en to the people of !ersia and 'ome or the West, during the time of the spread of Islam, was not to be +illed by the sword or accept Islam- In fact, the option was either to accept Islam as a way of life, or else to pay the head ta( 0in e(change for protection1- This is a praiseworthy plan which was applied later on in "ngland during the rein of 2ueen "li7abeth-* NIslam and $odern Age, p- 5=- Eee also, Ahmad Ehalabi, Comparati%e 'eligious Etudies, %olB, p-:=AO ;on.$uslims li%ing under the rule of the Islamic state are fully entitled for full protection and respect for their rights- Allah the Almighty states in the Glorious 2ur3an: (I# ma& be #ha# G d )ill 'ran# l ,e and !riendshi( be#)een & $ and #h se )h m & $ h ld as enemies. F r G d has ( )er ,er all #hin's. And G d is M s# F r'i,in'* M s# Mer"i!$l. G d ! rbids & $ n #* )i#h re'ard # #h se )h d n # !i'h# & $ ! r & $r Fai#h n r dri,e & $ $# ! & $r h mes* !r m dealin' %indl& and -$s#l& )i#h #hem/ ! r G d l ,es #h se )h are -$s#. G d nl& ! rbids & $* )i#h re'ard # #h se )h !i'h# & $ ! r & $r Fai#h* and dri,e & $ $# ! & $r h mes* and s$(( r# #hers in dri,in' & $ $#* !r m #$rnin' # #hem ! r !riendshi( and (r #e"#i n. Th se )h #$rn # #hem 0in #hese "ir"$ms#an"es1 d )r n'.) 056:=.>1
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: QThe ne )h )r n's a " ,enan#er r im(airs his ri'h# r ,er) r%s him r ! r"ibl& #a%es s me#hin' !r m him* I )ill be his (r se"$# r n #he Da& ! P$d'men#.Q 0Abu ?awood H ;asa3ee1 31
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: QThe ne )h %ills a " ,enan#er )ill ne,er smell #he s"en# ! hea,en and i#s s"en# is ! $nd a# #he dis#an"e ! ! r#& &ears.7 0Bu+hari1
In summery we quote from Will ?urant about this much maligned #i7ya, who quotes from the orientalist Welldiorant: )The people of dhimma: Christians, Saradishts, ews and EabiCa@ en#oyed a degree of tolerance during the Imayyad rule which can ne%er be assimilated to Christian countries nowadays- They were free to practice their rituals- They maintained their churches and synagogues and the only obligation was that they should wear a special color and pay ta( for e%ery person pro rata on his income- This sum ranged between two and four dinars- This ta( was e(clusi%ely le%ied on non.$uslims who can go to war- /owe%er priests, women, children, sla%es, elderly men, the disabled, the blind and the destitute were e(empted from the ta(- ?himmis were e(empted from military ser%ice in return- They were also e(empted from 7a+at which is 9-GW of the annual income and the go%ernment was bound to protect them-* N/istory of Ci%ili7ation, %ol-:9, p:B:O
Islami" Prin"i(les En- in Mer"& and C ndemn A''ressi n

The ?i%ine religion of Islam is a religion of peace, mercy, tolerance, +indness and bene%olence- It stands upright against all brutality, wanton %iolence, and %iciousness in order to promote and protect #ustice and peace- Allah, the $ost Bene%olent urged all $uslims to follow the pattern of AllahCs $essenger 01 as follows: (I# is (ar# ! #he Mer"& ! Allah #ha# & $ deal 'en#l& )i#h #hem. +ere & $ se,ere r harsh-hear#ed* #he& ) $ld ha,e br %en a)a& !r m ab $# & $. S (ass ,er #heir !a$l#s* and as% ! r Allah=s ! r'i,eness ! r #hem. and " ns$l# #hem in #he a!!airs. Then* )hen & $ ha,e #a%en a de"isi n* ($# & $r #r$s# in Allah. F r Allah l ,es #h se )h ($# #heir #r$s# in Him.) 0B::G>1
Allah the Wise and Eublime characteri7es the mission of $uhammad 0 1 as a mercy to all, when /e said $ost "(alted: (+e ha,e n # sen# & $ b$# as a Mer"& ! r all "rea#i n.) 09:::641
32
The teachings of Islam call all $uslims to show mercy and +indness to e%ery innocent and poor person- The !rophet of Allah 01 said: 6The mer"i!$l and %ind (e (le )ill re"ei,e #he Mer"& ! #he Mer"i!$l L rd* Allah* #he Almi'h#&. !e merciful to people on earth, and Allah, the Almighty, 3ho is in Hea$en, will grant you His Mercy. 0Tirmidthi1
and in another %ersion he said: 6Allah* #he Almi'h#&* ) $ld be Mer"i!$l # #he mer"i!$l (e (le. 3e mer"i!$l # #h se n ear#h* and #he One in Hea,en ) $ld be Mer"i!$l # & $.7 0Tirmidthi H Abu ?awood1
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 63ein' %ind # #hers is ' d in e,er& ma##er* and i! %indness is rem ,ed 0!r m #he hear#s ! (e (le1 #he si#$a#i n be" mes bad and ) rs#7 0$uslim1
The $essenger of Allah, may the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him said: QHe )h is de(ri,ed ! ! rbearan"e and 'en#leness is* in !a"#* de(ri,ed ! all ' d.Q N'eported by $uslimO-
The !rophet 01 said: Q+hene,er ! rbearan"e is added # s me#hin'* i# ad rns i#. and )hene,er i# is )i#hdra)n !r m s me#hin'* i# lea,es i# de!e"#i,e.Q 0$uslim1
The $essenger of Allah 01 said to Asha# Abdul.2ais, may Allah be pleased with him: Q8 $ ( ssess #) 9$ali#ies #ha# Allah l ,es/ "lemen"& and # leran"e.Q 0$uslim1 Furthermore, Islam requires that mercy and +ind treatment should be meted out to all people, e%en to the enemies of the $uslims captured during the #ihad, as in the command of the !rophet of AllahCs $essenger 01 when he said: 63e %ind and mer"i!$l # #he "a(#i,es7 Nsee Al.$uC#ammal.Kabeer, The Grand ?ictionary of /adith- 99QB>BOIf the !rophet 01 commanded this command to $uslims concerning the hostile enemies who are fighting against them, then the treatment towards the peaceful people would naturally be e%en better;e%er is any life to be ta+en un#ustly- As Allah said: 33
(N r #a%e li!e* -)hi"h Allah has made sa"red-* e5"e(# ! r -$s# "a$se. And* i! an& ne is slain )r n'!$ll&* +e ha,e 'i,en his heir a$#h ri#& 0# demand ?isas r # ! r'i,e1/ b$# le# him n # e5"eed b $nds in #he ma##er ! #a%in' li!e. ! r he is hel(ed 0b& #he la)1. ) 0:=:BB1
$ore on this topic will be presented below, but here let us note that Islamic mercy and +indness, not to mention the prohibition of ta+ing life un#ustly, is not limited to human beings but includes animals and all li%ing creatures as wellThe !rophet of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, noticed someone shooting a little bird for fun and then lea%ing it to die for no reason, whereupon he said: 6This li##le bird ) $ld s$((li"a#e i#s "ase be! re Allah #he Almi'h#& n #he Da& ! P$d'men#* sa&in' ;O M& L rd2 This man %illed me ! r n reas n # bene!i# b& m& dea#h 0li%e h$n#in' ! r ! d )hi"h is all )ed1.>7 0Ahmed H ;asa3ee1
The companion Abdullah ibn &mar 01 is reported to ha%e passed by a group of young men from the tribe of 2uraish who had captured a bird and set it up as a shooting target- /e said: CWho placed this bird as a shooting target8 $ay AllahCs Curse descend on the person who did thisT The $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6Allah #he Almi'h#& "$rses #he (ers n )h "a(#$res and se#s an& li,in' "rea#$re as a sh #in' #ar'e#7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
AllahCs $essenger 01 commanded $uslims to show +indness in e%ery action, e%en when slaughtering an animal, by the words: 6Allah* #he Almi'h#&* (res"ribes (er!e"#i n in e,er& a"#i n. I! & $ %ill* be (er!e"# in & $r %illin'. I! & $ sla$'h#er an animal ! r mea#* (er!e"# & $r a"# ! sla$'h#erin'. Shar(en & $r %ni!e and be ' d* %ind* and mer"i!$l # #he animal & $ are ab $# # sla$'h#er. Gi,e #he sla$'h#ered animal #he bes# " m! r# & $ "an )hile bein' sla$'h#ered.7 0$uslim1
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6+hile a man )as n a #ri( in #he )ilderness he be"ame e5#remel& #hirs#&. He sear"hed ! r )a#er and ! $nd a )ell and mana'ed # ' # #he b ## m ! #he )ell # 'e# # #he )a#er. Sin"e he had n #hin' # rea"h #he b ## m !r m #he # ( )here #he )a#er )as he s$!!ered a 'rea# deal # rea"h d )n b$# e,en#$all& mana'ed # 9$en"h his #hirs# and "ame $# ! #he )ell. 4( n rea"hin' #he s$r!a"e he ! $nd a d ' )i#h his # n'$e s#re#"hed $# !r m se,ere #hirs#. The man #h $'h# # himsel!/ ;This d ' is "er#ainl& s$!!erin' #he 34
same hardshi( I s$!!ered !r m his se,ere #hirs#.> There! re #he man )en# d )n #he )ell a'ain* h ldin' ne ! his sh es b& his #ee#h* !illed #he sh e )i#h )a#er and br $'h# i# ba"% $( # #he #hirs#& d '. The d ' dran% and )en# a)a&. Allah* #he Almi'h#&* a((re"ia#ed #he a"#i n ! #his man and ! r'a,e his (re,i $s sins.7 &ne of the audience, who heard the statement of the !rophet 0 # en9uired, * Messenger of Allah, 3ould we be rewarded for being kind and merciful to animals4 Allah)s Messenger " # asserted: 6Tr$l& #here is a blessed re)ard ! r bein' %ind and mer"i!$l # e,er& li,in' "rea#$re #ha# has a m is# li,er.7 0Bu+hari1
Con%ersely a woman deser%ed the penalty and the wrath of Allah, the Almighty, and was to become one of the dwellers of the Fire of /ell, as a result of her cruelty to a cat- AllahCs $essenger 01 is reported to ha%e said: 6A "er#ain ) man ) $ld be" me a d)eller ! #he Fire ! Hell as a res$l# ! "r$el #rea#men# ! a "a#. She #ied #he "a# $( and did n # !!er i# ! d n r le# i# eat food from its surroundings 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
The list of the !rophetCs 01 commands to $uslims to be +ind, merciful, and +indhearted e%en to animals is endless- We only cited abo%e few e(amples- Eome other e(amples are as under: AllahCs $essenger 01 said while passing by a don+ey that had been tattooed on its face: 6Ma& Allah=s C$rse des"end n #he (ers n )h (la"ed #his #a## d n%e&.7 0$uslim1 n #he !a"e ! #he
AllahCs $essenger 01 is reported to ha%e said while passing by a camel that appeared e(tremely thin from hunger: 63e mind!$l and h n r #he C mmandmen#s ! Allah " n"ernin' #hese animals* )hi"h "an=# e5(ress #heir needs b& s(ee"h. Ride #hem )hile & $ %ee( #hem in ' d sha(e* and sla$'h#er and ea# #hem )hile & $ %ee( #hem in ' d sha(e.7 0Abu ?aUood1
If such was the mercy and +indness to animals and li%ing creatures, what about the human being, who is gi%en preference, honor and respect o%er all other creatures of Allah3s creation8 The &mniscient and Almighty Allah honored man abo%e all others, and enumerated /is bounties to man+ind:
35
(+e ha,e h n red #he s ns ! Adam and (r ,ided #hem )i#h #rans( r# n land and sea* 'i,en #hem ! r s$s#enan"e #hin's ' d and ($re* and " n!erred n #hem s(e"ial !a, rs* ma%in' #hem # be ab ,e a 'rea#er (ar# ! O$r Crea#i n.) 0:=:=61
Indeed by obedience to Allah and the guidance re%ealed to /is $essengers, man is honored, but by disobedience he falls into disgrace and dishonors himself by shameful and obno(ious deeds-
Islami" General Prin"i(les Cham(i n C m(rehensi,e Pea"e

For peace to be true and comprehensi%e it must encompass all spheres of human acti%ity fulfilling the needs of life in a balanced and #ust manner- Islamic laws and teachings include the following principles, legal precepts and guidance .. presented as e(amples only .. all of which aim at promoting such a uni%ersal and #ust peace-
-R Res(e"# ! r #he h$man li!e
Islam %alues all human life, and for its protection imposes the death penalty N2is!!sO for premeditated and intentional murder of an innocent soul- Accidental and unintentional +illing has a different penalty, which is called )-iyy!h* 0blood.money1, defined as a pre.determined sum of money, gi%en to the heirs of the person +illed, as a compensation money- This blood. money is by no means an equal for the loss of the person +illed, but it is rather a financial compensation for the harm they suffer as a result of the loss of their lo%ed one- Atonement 03!ff!r!h1 is to be performed by the +iller by emancipation of a sla%e, or obser%ing a continuous fast for two consecuti%e months to e(piate the sin of his mista+e- If the murderer cannot obser%e this fast for a legitimate reason, he is obliged to feed si(ty poor people a reasonably sufficient meal- This atonement is an act of worship by which the sinner see+s pardon and forgi%eness from Allah $ost $erciful for his unintentional sin of +illing a human soul- All this is done to demonstrate the sacredness of the human life- Islam prescribes the se%ere penalty for +illing a human soul intentionally since if a potential +iller reali7es that he or she will be +illed in retaliation and penalty for the crime, perhaps they will thin+ twice before committing murder- If the penalty were anything less than strict retribution, the criminals would continue boldly in their crimes- The same applies to all capital and corporal punishments, called 4u$oo$ 0boundaries1 in Islam- Capital punishments in Islam are efficient and effecti%e #ust penalties and successful deterrents for a %ery essential and noble reason to preser%e and maintain security of the human life, as Allah, the $ost wise and Almighty states in /is Glorious 2ur3an: 36
(In 'isaas 0La) ! E9$ali#& in Re#rib$#i n1 #here is Li!e ! r & $* O men $nders#andin'* #ha# & $ ma& res#rain & $rsel,es 0!r m #rans'ressi n1.) 09::=>1
And Allah $ost Beneficent said: (On #ha# a"" $n#/ +e rdained ! r #he Children ! Israel #ha# i! an& ne sle) a (ers n $nless i# be ! r m$rder r ! r s(readin' mis"hie! in #he land . i# ) $ld be as i! he sle) #he )h le (e (le/ and i! an& ne sa,ed a li!e* i# ) $ld be as i! he sa,ed #he li!e ! #he )h le (e (le- Then al#h $'h #here "ame # #hem O$r (r (he#s )i#h "lear si'ns* &e#* e,en a!#er #ha#* man& ! #hem " n#in$ed # " mmi# e5"esses in #he land.) 0G:B91
Furthermore, the hardened unrepentant criminal is threatened with the e%erlasting penalty in the /ellfire, a permanent abode of humiliation and endless torture, under the Wrath of Allah, the Almighty, in the /ereafter- Allah, the Wise and Almighty states: (I! a man %ills a 3elie,er in#en#i nall&* his re" m(ense is Hell* # abide #herein 0! re,er1* and #he )ra#h and #he "$rse ! Allah are $( n him* and a dread!$l (enal#& is (re(ared ! r him.) 0A:>B1
Abu Ba+rah 01 narrated: )I heard Allah3s $essenger 01 saying: 6+hen #) M$slims !i'h# 0mee#1 ea"h #her )i#h #heir s) rds* b #h #he m$rderer as )ell as #he m$rdered )ill ' # Hell-!ire.7 I said: )& Allah3s $essengerT It is all right for the murderer, but what about the murdered one8 Allah3s $essenger replied: 6He s$rel& had #he in#en#i n # %ill his " m(ani n.>7 0Bu+hari1 &f course if one sincerely repents then Allah3s $ercy and Forgi%eness encompasses all sinners-
-R E9$ali#& ! h$man s#a#$s
All humans are innately equal and this applies to both male and female ali+e- When Allah, the Almighty, created the first human, Adam, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, .. our great grandfather and the father for entire humanity .. he also created our grandmother "%eThus humanity is essentially one family and of one race from this honorable couple- /umans became distinguished thereafter by their belief and obedience or their disbelief and disobedience- Allah, the Almighty, states in the Glorious 2ur3an: (O Man%ind2 Re,eren"e & $r G$ardian-L rd* )h "rea#ed & $ !r m a sin'le Pers n and "rea#ed i#s ma#e* and !r m #he #) ! #hem s"a##ered " $n#less men and ) men.
37
!ear Allah* #hr $'h +h m & $ demand & $r m$#$al ri'h#s* and re,eren"e #he ) mbs 0#ha# b re & $1* ! r Allah is e,er )a#"h!$l ,er & $.) 0A::1
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6All (e (le are #he "hildren ! Adam and Adam is "rea#ed !r m #he d$s#.7 0Ahmed1
Eince dust is of different colors and traits, man also de%eloped into different colors and traitsThe !rophet $uhammad 01 said: 6Allah has relie,ed & $ !r m #he b$rden ! i'n ran"e )i#h i#s (ride in #he !a#hers and #he an"es# rs. 8 $ are all !r m Adam* and Adam is !r m d$s#. There is n di!!eren"e be#)een an Arab and a n n-Arab* n r be#)een a bla"% man and a red man e5"e(# in (ie#&.7 0Abu ?awood1
All humans initially belie%ed in the common faith of Islamic monotheism as re%ealed to Adam, and spo+e the same common language- As Allah the Almighty states in /is $agnificent 2ur3an: (Man%ind )as b$# ne 4mmah 0na#i n and " mm$ni#&1 b$# di!!ered 0la#er1. Had i# n # been ! r a 0de!ini#e1 + rd #ha# )en# ! r#h be! re !r m & $r L rd* #heir di!!eren"es ) $ld ha,e been se##led be#)een #hem.) 0:6::>1
Consequently man began to differ and the reasons for their differences include: multiplication of their numbers@ emigrations to %arious areas of the earth@ di%ergence of colors and other features of the human subgroups de%eloping through time by en%ironmental stimulus etc@ de%elopment of local languages and dialects and many other factorsEince Islam regards each human being, regardless of race, color, language, creed, faith, religion, or home country on an equal footing with other human beings in the trait of humanity, all human beings are equal before the Daws of Allah, the Almighty: (O man%ind2 +e "rea#ed & $ !r m a sin'le 0(air1 ! a male and a !emale* and made & $ in# na#i ns and #ribes* #ha# &e ma& %n ) ea"h #her 0n # #ha# &e ma& des(ise ea"h #her1. <eril& #he m s# h n red ! & $ in #he si'h# ! Allah is 0he )h is1 #he m s# ri'h#e $s ! & $. And Allah has !$ll Kn )led'e and is )ell-a"9$ain#ed 0)i#h all #hin's1.) 0A>::B1
38
And in the traditions we read that Aishah, Allah be pleased with her, reported: The 2uraish were much worried about the case of a $a+h7umiyah woman who had committed theft and wondered who should intercede for her with $essenger of Allah 0 1- Eome said Isamah bin Said 01 was his belo%ed and thus he may dare do so- Eo Isamah 0 1 spo+e to him about that matter, and the !rophet 01 said to him* 6Are & $ in#er"edin' )hen ne ! #he (enal " des rdained b& Allah has been ,i la#ed:7 Then he got up and addressed the people saying: 6The (e (le be! re & $ )ere r$ined be"a$se )hen a n ble (ers n am n's# #hem " mmi##ed #he!#* #he& ) $ld lea,e him* b$# i! a )ea% (ers n am n's# #hem " mmi##ed #he!#* #he& ) $ld e5e"$#e #he le'al ($nishmen# n him. 3& Allah* )ere Fa#imah* #he da$'h#er ! M$hammad* # " mmi# #he #he!#* I ) $ld ha,e "$# !! her hand.=7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
All human beings are also equal in terms of basic freedom and responsibilities- &mar bin al. Khattab 01 made an eloquent statement on this fact some fourteen centuries ago when he declared to a sinning $uslim who arrogantly had wronged a non.$uslim: )/a%e you ensla%ed some people though their own mothers ga%e birth to them free8* Therefore, e%ery human being, in the sight of Islam, is entitled to the following types of freedom, mentioned in brief e(amples as follows:
- Freed m ! #h $'h# and (ini n- AllahCs $essenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, commanded the $uslims, to declare the truth, e(press honest opinion, and refrain from intimidating others as he is reported to ha%e said: 6A (ers n )h %n )s #he #r$#h and d es n # de"lare i#* is a m$#e de,il7 0Tirmidhi1
- Freed m ! a""ess # bene!i# !r m #he )eal#h* minerals* and na#$ral res $r"es ! #he ear#h. The Almighty Allah states: (I# is He +h has made #he ear#h mana'eable ! r & $* s #ra,erse #hr $'h i#s #ra"#s and en- & ! #he S$s#enan"e )hi"h He !$rnishes. 08 $ )ill re#$rn1 $n# Him ! r #he Res$rre"#i n.) 05=::G1
- Freed m ! a""ess # la)!$l in" me and )nershi(. Islam encourages all to wor+ in beneficial trades and ha%e a free access to lawful income- For instance in inheritance Allah, the Almighty, states: (Fr m )ha# is le!# b& (aren#s and #h se neares# rela#ed* #here is a share ! r men and a share ! r ) men* )he#her #he (r (er#& be small r lar'e* a de#ermina#e share.) 0A:=1
39
- Freed m ! learnin' and #ea"hin'. Islam ad, "a#es #he !reed m ! learnin' ! r e,er& member in #he s "ie#&- The $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6See%in' %n )led'e is an bli'a# r& d$#& $( n e,er& M$slim7 0Baihaqi1
In fact, Islam classifies the act of monopoli7ing essential, useful and Islamic +nowledge, concealing it from others, and not sharing it with them, an unforgi%able act that renders the doer to be the recipient of the Wrath of Allah, the Almighty, and /is !enalty- AllahCs $essenger 01 is reported to ha%e said: 6A %n )led'eable (ers n )h is as%ed # share his %n )led'e )i#h #hers b$# re!$ses # d s and hides his in! rma#i n ) $ld ha,e a harness ! !ire ($# n him n #he Da& ! P$d'men# 0Abu ?awood H Tirmidthi1
- Freed m ! a""ess # en#i#lemen# ! r leadershi( ( si#i n in #he s "ie#&* i! he ( ssesses #he ne"essar& 9$ali!i"a#i ns- Ability and efficiency are the main criteria required for holding leadership position in the Islamic society, as opposed to color and race, for instance- AllahCs $essenger 01 is reported to ha%e said: 6I! a (ers n is assi'ned #he "har'e ! #he M$slim a!!airs* #hen a(( in#s a (ers n n !a, ri#ism irres(e"#i,e ! his 9$ali!i"a#i ns* he ) $ld deser,e #he +ra#h and C$rse ! Allah. Allah* #he Almi'h#&* ) $ld n # a""e(# an& ! his a"#i ns and s$"h a (ers n ) $ld be in #he Hell!ire7 0/a+im1
$any more freedoms are guaranteed in the Islamic system, only some are mentioned abo%e by way of e(amplesFreedom is often a misused word, since real freedom cannot be achie%ed if man is a sla%e to his base desires . or a ser%ant of the desires of others . and see+s to fulfill them by any immoral and unlawful means- The man is allured to this false freedom by the enticement of the Eatan, the a%owed enemy of all man+ind, who in his #ealous rage, hates the human race and has gi%en his committed oath to Allah to wait with his troops in ambush to stri+e with their arsenal of weapons whene%er and where%er possible- Allah, the Almighty said: (O Children ! Adam2 Le# n # Sa#an sed$"e & $ in #he same manner as he made & $r (aren#s # be e5(elled !r m #he Paradise* s#ri((in' #hem ! #heir 'armen#s # e5( se #heir shame. Indeed he and his #ribe )a#"h & $ !r m a ( si#i n )here & $ "ann # see #hem 0# en#ra( & $1. Indeed* +e ha,e made #he E,il Ones !riends nl& # #h se )h disbelie,e.) 0=:9=1
-R The $ni#& and in,i labili#& ! #he reli'i n ! Allah ! r all h$mans
40
As the uni%ersal and eternal religion of Allah for all men, Islam aims at eliminating all aspects of tribalism, nationalism, racism and party spirit leading to conflict- Islam is the religion of Allah that was taught to all men in its essentials of monotheism e%en though particulars of the law and guidance may %ary according to man3s circumstances- The same basic message was gi%en from !rophet Adam until the final $essenger $uhammad 01Allah, the Almighty, states in the Glorious 2ur3an: (0Allah1 has es#ablished ! r & $ #he same reli'i n #ha# He has en- ined n N ah 0similar # 1 #ha# )hi"h +e ha,e sen# b& ins(ira#i n # & $ - and #ha# )hi"h +e en- ined n Abraham* M ses* and Pes$s/ namel&* #ha# & $ sh $ld remain s#ead!as# in Reli'i n* and ma%e n di,isi ns #herein. The 0)a&1 # )hi"h & $ "all #hem is se,ere n #h se )h ) rshi( #her #han Allah. Indeed Allah "h ses # Himsel! #h se )h m He (leases* and '$ides # Himsel! #h se )h #$rn 0# Him1.) 0A9::B1
Allah, the Almighty, also states: (+e ha,e sen# re,ela#i n # & $ as +e sen# i# # N ah and #he Messen'ers a!#er him/ +e sen# re,ela#i n # Abraham* Isma=il* Isaa"* Pa" b* and #he Tribes* # Pes$s* P b* P nah* Aar n* and S l m n* and # Da,id +e 'a,e #he Psalms. O! s me Messen'ers +e ha,e alread& # ld & $ #he s# r& and ! #hers +e ha,e n #* and # M ses Allah s( %e dire"#l&. The Messen'ers 'a,e ' d ne)s as )ell as )arnin'* s #ha# man%ind - a!#er #he " min' ! #he Messen'ers - sh $ld ha,e n (lea a'ains# Allah/ ! r Allah is E5al#ed in P )er* +ise.) 0A::5B.:5G1
And Allah the Eublime says: (Tha# )as #he ar'$men# and reas nin' ab $# 4s )hi"h +e 'a,e # Abraham 0# $se1 a'ains# his (e (le/ +e raise )h m +e )ill* de'ree a!#er de'ree/ ! r #h& L rd is !$ll ! )isd m and %n )led'e. +e 'a,e him Isaa" and Pa" b/ all +e '$ided/ and be! re him +e '$ided N ah* and am n' his (r 'en&* Da,id* S l m n* P b* P se(h* M ses and Aar n/ #h$s d +e re)ard #h se )h d ' d/ And Sa"hariah and P hn* and Pes$s and Elias/ all are in #he ran%s ! #he Ri'h#e $s.) 05:4B.51
The Dord sustainer of $an, Allah, the &mniscient and Almighty, sent them all with the same call: (O m& (e (le2 + rshi( Allah2 8 $ ha,e n #her ' d b$# Him.) 0:::G6, 5:, 4AR1
Allah, the Almighty also says:
41
(Sa&/ +e belie,e in Allah* and #he re,ela#i n 'i,en # $s* and # Abraham* Ishma=il* Isaa"* Pa" b* and #he Tribes* and #ha# 'i,en # M ses and Pes$s* and #ha# 'i,en # all #he Pr (he#s !r m #heir L rd/ )e ma%e n di!!eren"e be#)een ne and an #her ! #hem/ and )e s$bmi# # Allah 0in Islam1.) 09::B51
As such, each and e%ery $uslim is obligated by faith and creed: to belie%e in all the !rophets and $essengers@ to belie%e in the ?i%ine Boo+s and Ecriptures re%ealed and sent down to them@ to respect and honor e%ery ?i%ine Daw re%ealed by Allah, the Almighty, to any pre%ious people@ to belie%e in the brotherhood of the pre%ious followers of the Boo+ who welcomed the $ission of $uhammad 01- The $essage of Islam which was brought by $uhammad 01 is the Final ?i%ine $essage to man+ind, as Allah said: (M$hammad is n # #he !a#her ! an& ! & $r men* b$# 0he is1 #he Messen'er ! Allah* and #he Las# ! #he Pr (he#s/ and Allah has !$ll %n )led'e ! all #hin's.) 0BB:A61
Thus the final ?i%ine $essage of Islam as re%ealed to the !rophet $uhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, abrogates all pre%ious messages- Abrogation by no means is a denial of the pre%ious messages but that they are no longer in effect: henceforth only Islam is the religion acceptable to Allah, the Eupreme Dord, as the $ost Wise and &mnipotent said: (I! an& ne desires a reli'i n #her #han Islam 0s$bmissi n # Allah1* ne,er )ill i# be a""e(#ed ! him. and in #he Herea!#er he )ill be in #he ran%s ! #h se )h ha,e l s# .) 0B:4G1
Islam urges the followers of pre%ious ?i%ine $essages to belie%e in the $essage of Islam, as re%ealed upon $uhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, as Allah, the Almighty, said: (S i! #he& belie,e in #he same as & $ belie,e in* #hen #he& ha,e been Bri'h#l&H '$ided. b$# i! #he& #$rn a)a&* #he& are nl& in dissensi n* and Allah )ill be s$!!i"ien# ! r & $ a'ains# #hem. And He is #he Hearin'* #he Kn )in'..) 09::B=1
And Allah, $ost Great and $a#estic said: (Th se )h den& Allah and His Messen'ers* and )h )ish # se(ara#e Allah !r m His Messen'ers* sa&in'/ ;+e belie,e in s me b$# re-e"# #hers>* And )h )ish # #a%e a " $rse mid)a&/ The& are in #r$#h disbelie,ers. and +e ha,e (re(ared ! r disbelie,ers a h$milia#in' P$nishmen#.) 0A::G6.:G:1
42
All forms of disbelief are categorically castigated by Allah: (As ! r #h se )h di,ide #heir reli'i n and brea% $( in# se"#s* & $ sh $ld ha,e n (ar# in #hem in #he leas#/ #heir a!!air is )i#h Allah/ He )ill in #he end #ell #hem #he #r$#h ! all #ha# #he& did. He #ha# d es ' d shall ha,e 0#he re)ard1 #en #imes as m$"h # his "redi#/ he #ha# d es e,il shall nl& be re" m(ensed a"" rdin' # his e,il/ n )r n' shall be d ne $n# 0an& !1 #hem. Sa&/ Q<eril&* m& L rd ha#h '$ided me # a +a& #ha# is s#rai'h#* a reli'i n ! ri'h#* #he Pa#h 0#r d1 b& Abraham* #he #r$e in !ai#h* and he 0"er#ainl&1 did n # ass "ia#e #her ' ds )i#h Allah. Sa&/ Tr$l&* m& (ra&er and m& ser,i"e ! sa"ri!i"e* m& li!e and m& dea#h* are 0all1 ! r Allah* #he L rd and S$s#ainer ! #he + rlds. He has n (ar#ner/ #his am I " mmanded* and I am #he !irs# ! #h se )h s$bmi# # Allah 0in Islam1.) 05::G>.:5B1
Islam also urges its followers to respect the feelings of those who differ with them in religion and condemns offensi%e language against those who differ with $uslims in faith as Allah commands: (D n # re,ile #h se )h m #he& "all $( n besides Allah* les# #he& re,ile Allah in #heir i'n ran"e $# ! s(i#e. Th$s ha,e +e made all$rin' # ea"h (e (le i#s )n d in's. In #he end )ill #he& re#$rn # #heir L rd* and )e shall #hen #ell #hem #he #r$#h ! all #ha# #he& did.) 05::641
Islam, therefore, commands $uslims to attract the non.$uslims towards their Faith with the beauty of its precepts, by the guidance of comely e(amples and beha%ior, as opposed to the Guidance that only Allah bestows on whom /e will- The Almighty and $ost $a#estic said in the 2ur3an: (Sa&* The Tr$#h is !r m & $r L rd/ Le# him )h )ill* belie,e and le# him )h )ill* re-e"# and disbelie,e/ ! r #he )r n'-d ers +e ha,e (re(ared a Fire )h se 0sm %e and !lames1* are li%e #he )all and r ! ! a #en#* )ill hem #hem in/ i! #he& im(l re relie! #he& )ill be 'ran#ed )a#er li%e mel#ed brass* #ha# )ill s"ald #heir !a"es/ H ) dread!$l #he drin%2 H ) $n" m! r#able a " $"h # re"line n2) 0:4:9>1
Islam enunciates #ustice and dispenses it e%en to its ;on.belie%ers- Allah, the Almighty, states in the Glorious 2ur3an: (N ) #hen* ! r #ha# 0reas n1 "all 0#hem # #he Fai#h1* and s#and s#ead!as# as & $ ar# " mmanded* n r ! ll ) #heir ,ain desires. b$# sa&/ ;I belie,e in #he 3 % )hi"h Allah has sen# d )n. and I am " mmanded # -$d'e -$s#l& be#)een & $. Allah is $r L rd and & $r L rd/ ! r $s 0is #he res( nsibili#& ! r1 $r deeds* and ! r & $ 0is #he res( nsibili#& ! r1 & $r deeds* #here is n " n#en#i n be#)een & $ and $s 0in #his1. Allah )ill brin' $s # 'e#her* and # Him is 0 $r1 !inal ' al.) 0A9::G1
43
Islam ga%e man the full freedom of choice in terms of faith- They may accept or re#ect any faith or belief- Islam ga%e the freedom to the !eople of the Boo+ and pre%ious Ecriptures to maintain their faith and practices- Islam forbids the dismantling of the churches and synagogues- Islam prohibits the brea+ing and destruction of the cross of the ChristiansAllahCs $essenger 01 is reported to ha%e said concerning the people of the pre%ious Ecriptures: 6Lea,e #hem al ne in #erms ! !ai#h7 0Tabari1
Islam ga%e the people of the pre%ious Ecriptures the rights as their law dictates, and to eat, drin+ and wear what their religion permits them to do- Islam also entitles the people of the pre%ious Ecriptures to practice the practices of their religion insofar as marriage, marital relationship, di%orce and other relations are concernedTo demonstrate a practical e(ample, &mar bin al.Khattab 0 1 the second Caliph, applied such pro%isions when he came to the 'esurrection Church in erusalem, and the time for $uslimsC prayer entered- &mar 01 left the Church, went outside, and offered the prayer outside the Church, and informed the priest of the church, )/ad I offered my prayer inside the Church, some $uslims could ha%e claimed in the future that The Church is a place where &mar offered his prayer and ta+en that as an e(cuse to destroy the Church, and erect a $osque, in its place-* N'eported from the /istory of Imam Ibn areer at.TabariO Eimilarly, &mar 01 offered a pledge of trust as follows, )This is a pledge of security offered by &mar bin al.Khattab@ the Deader of the Belie%ers, to the inhabitants of Ilea, in terms of !eace- &mar gi%es them his pledge to ha%e security and peace with their li%es, wealth, churches, crosses and all their denominations- Their churches are not to be occupied, destroyed, reduced in si7e, nor to limit the Christian owned properties surrounding the churches- The crosses are not to be tampered with- The wealth of the Christians should not be encroached upon or possessed unlawfully, and that Christians will not be forced or compelled against their own will Ni-e- to accept IslamO-* N'eported from the /istory of Imam Ibn areer at.TabariO
-R En" $ra'emen# ! !r$i#!$l " (era#i n be#)een M$slims and #he Pe (le ! #he 3 % 0Pe)s and Chris#ians1
Cooperation is based on mutual interest and respect, and oriented to ser%e the best interests of the human society at large- Allah, the Wise the Almighty states as a general rule: (Aid ne an #her in ri'h#e $sness and (ie#&* and d n # aid ne an #her in sin and ran" r/ and !ear Allah* ! r indeed Allah is s#ri"# in ($nishmen#.) 0G:91
44
Islam e(horts upon its followers to ha%e a meaningful and sincere dialogue with those who differ with their religion, as Allah, $ost Wise orders: (And d n # dis($#e )i#h #he Pe (le ! #he 3 %* e5"e(# )i#h means be##er* $nless i# be )i#h #h se ! #hem )h in!li"# )r n' and in-$r&. and sa&/ ;+e belie,e in #he Re,ela#i n )hi"h has " me d )n # $s and in #ha# )hi"h "ame d )n # & $. $r G d and & $r G d is One. and i# is # Him #ha# )e s$bmi# 0in Islam1.) 09>:A51
In fact, the approach that Islam pursued to call people of other Faiths is a constructi%e and ob#ecti%e dialogue that brings people together to the Word of Allah, the Almighty, and to /is ?i%ine $essage and Teachings, as Allah said: (Sa&/ O Pe (le ! #he 3 %2 C me # " mm n #erms ! a'reemen# be#)een $s and & $/ #ha# )e ) rshi( n ne b$# Allah. #ha# )e ass "ia#e n (ar#ners )i#h Him. #ha# )e ere"# n #* !r m am n' $rsel,es* L rds and (a#r ns #her #han Allah. I! #hen #he& #$rn ba"%* sa&/ ;3ear )i#ness #ha# )e s$bmi# # Allah 0in Islam1.) 0B:5A1
-R Sin"eri#& and ($ri#& in ad,isin' #hers
All of the $essengers of Allah ga%e sincere ad%ice to their peoples, and sincere ad%ice and purity of intentions are the distinguishing features of Islam- The !rophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, as narrated by Abu /urairah 01: 6Allah=s Messen'er* (ea"e and blessin's ! Allah be $( n him* n"e in9$ired* =+h * am n's# & $* ) $ld "arr& #he ! ll )in' ) rds ! )isd m* a"# $( n #hem* and #ea"h #hem # #hers )h ) $ld als a"# $( n #hem:= Ab$ H$rairah* ma& Allah be (leased )i#h him* ans)ered ( si#i,el&. 4( n #ha# Allah=s Messen'er* (ea"e and blessin's ! Allah be $( n him* held #he hand ! Ab$ H$rairah* ma& Allah be (leased )i#h him* and " $n#ed !i,e i#ems* as ! ll )s/ C1 A, id all #ha# is de"lared b& Allah (r hibi#ed* #h$s & $ be" me #he bes# ) rshi((er ! Allah* #he Almi'h#&. D1 A""e(# )ha# had been (redes#ined ! r & $ b& Allah* #h$s & $ ) $ld be #he ri"hes# man. L1 3e ' d # & $r nei'hb r* #h$s & $ ) $ld be "hara"#eri@ed as a 3elie,er. M1 Li%e ! r #hers )ha# & $ li%e ! r & $rsel!* #h$s & $ ) $ld be "hara"#eri@ed as a M$slim. N1 Lessen & $r la$'h#er* sin"e # m$"h la$'h#er ) $ld "a$se #he hear# # die.7 0Tirmidthi1
Islam calls upon all $uslims to tender a meaningful, and sincere free ad%ice to all peopleThis point is based on a statement of AllahCs $essenger 01: 6Islam is #he reli'i n ! ad,i"e. The (e (le in9$ired* ;O Pr (he# ! Allah2 T )h m sh $ld ad,i"e be !!ered: Allah=s Messen'er* (ea"e and blessin's ! Allah be $( n him* said/ T Allah* # His 3 %* # His Pr (he#* # #he leaders ! #he M$slims* and # #he 'eneral b d& ! M$slims7 0$uslim1 45
In e(planation of this tradition, we can say: A pure ad%ice to Allah, the Almighty is to worship /im Alone, wholeheartedly@ to re#ect and discard any ri%al set up to Allah, in idolatry@ to commemorate the remembrance of Allah, the Almighty, by /is Beautiful Attributes and Blessed ;ames@ to accept fully that Allah alone is in charge of all the affairs of all creatures@ to belie%e that whate%er Allah, the Almighty, wills, would happen and whate%er /e does not, would ne%er ta+e place@ and to follow the Commandments of Allah, and cease all actions that /e forbade- A pure ad%ice about AllahCs Boo+ is to firmly belie%e in the ?i%ine Ecripture to /is $essenger, $uhammad 01@ to accept all the laws therein- A pure ad%ice about AllahCs !rophet is to obey what he en#oined, shun away from what he refrained, belie%e his statements, lo%e and respect him, and respond to his call, practices and instructions, and propagate them amongst people- A pure ad%ice about $uslimsC leadership is to obey the leaders as long as they do not call for, or impose any rules that disobey the commands of Allah and /is !rophet 01@ to assist them by guiding them to all the good points@ not to rebel and fight against them so long as they apply Islam and its rules throughout their go%ernment agencies@ and to offer them mature and the most pure ad%ice +indly and gently- A pure ad%ice for general $uslims is to guide them to the best in both their religious and worldly affairs@ to assist them achie%e their goals@ to pre%ent any incon%enience against them@ and to li+e for them what one li+es for himself, and to hate to cause them any harm as one would hate to cause harm to his own soul-
-R En- inin' #he ' d and ! rbiddin' #he e,il
$uslims are commanded to pursue e%ery appropriate means that lead to en#oining good and forbidding e%il, based on oneCs ability, +nowledge, and position of authority, in order to secure peace, tranquility and stability in the society and community and counter against oppression, corruption and the spread of the FDaw of the ungle-F Allah, the Wise the Almighty states: (Aid ne an #her in ri'h#e $sness and (ie#&* and d n # aid ne an #her in sin and ran" r/ and !ear Allah* ! r indeed Allah is s#ri"# in ($nishmen#.) 0G:91
AllahCs $essenger 01 said, 2+h e,er sees e,il sh $ld " rre"# i# b& his hand. i! n # "a(able #hen le# him " rre"# i# b& his # n'$e. i! ne is n # e,en "a(able ! #ha# #hen a# leas# ne sh $ld disa((r ,e ! i# in his hear#*7 0$uslim1 The $essenger 01 made a simile about those who do wrong and harm others by their sins: 6The e5am(le ! #h se )h bser,e #he b $ndaries ! Allah and #h se )h d n # is li%e a 'r $( ! (e (le )h #ra,eled in a shi(. The sail rs ! #he shi( de"ided # s(li# #he riders s a ( r#i n ! #hem r de n #he $((er de"% )hile #he #her ( r#i n r de #he 46
l )er de"%. +hen #he (e (le ! #he l )er de"% )an#ed # 'e# )a#er !r m #he ri,er* #he& had # ' # #he $((er de"% and as% #hem. The ""$(an#s ! #he l )er de"% ! #he shi( de"ided # drill a h le in #he )all ! #heir ( r#i n ! #he shi(. I! #he (e (le ! #he $((er de"% (ermi##ed #hem # e5e"$#e #heir (lan #he& ) $ld all sin% and dr )n in #he )a#er. 3$# i! #he (e (le ! #he $((er de"% re!$sed # le# #hem drill a h le and res#ri"#ed #hem #he& ) $ld all be sa,ed7 0Bu+hari1 Allah the &mnipotent and &mniscient informs us that /is Wrath descended upon pre%ious nations as a result of their negligence to en#oin good and forbid e%il: (N r did #he& ! rbid ne an #her #he ine9$i#ies )hi"h #he& $sed # " mmi##/ e,il indeed )ere #he deeds )hi"h #he& did.) 0G:=>1
-R Islami" ! rms ! ) rshi( en" $ra'e br #herh
d and e'ali#arian ,al$es
All forms of worship in Islam are egalitarian in nature and promote brotherhood and peaceThe shahadah 0testimony of faith1, salat, 0prayer1 7a+at 0alms and charity1, saum 0fasting1, ha## 0pilgrimage1, amr bil.ma3roof wa nahi Panil.mun+ar 0commanding the good and prohibiting the e%il1, #ihad 0e(ertion and struggle1 are obligatory equally upon all those $uslims who are able to fulfill the requirements according to their abilities- To become a $uslim the simple rite is to declare the testimony of faith: LA ILAHA ILLALLAH M4HAMMAD-4RRAS4L4LLAH 0there is no god e(cept Allah and $uhammad is the messenger of Allah1- In congregational prayer $uslims stand ne(t to each other in rows without any class or other distinctions between them- Sa+ah promotes generosity and social cohesi%eness between the richer and the poorer segments of the society- Fasting promotes reali7ation of the basic needs of all humans, and control of these most basic physical desires- /a## is the grand equali7er since all clothe themsel%es in simple white cloth and perform the same rituals in remembrance of the !rophet Abraham 01 and glorification of the sacred precincts of $a++ah- Commanding the good and prohibiting the e%il and ) ihad* is by definition for the promotion and preser%ation of all that is good, wholesome and decent and combating of that which is all e%il and morally corrupt-
-R Ne"essi#& ! all # see% bene!i"ial %n )led'e
The &mniscient Allah states: (Is ne )h ) rshi(s de, $#l& d$rin' #he h $rs ! #he ni'h# (r s#ra#in' himsel! r s#andin' 0in ad ra#i n1* )h #a%es heed ! #he Herea!#er* and )h (la"es his h (e in #he Mer"& ! his L rd* 0li%e ne )h d es n #1: Sa&/ Are #h se e9$al* #h se )h %n ) and #h se )h d n # %n ): I# is #h se )h are end$red )i#h $nders#andin' #ha# re"ei,e adm ni#i n.) 0B>:>1
47
AllahCs $essenger " # said: )5eeking knowledge is obligatory for e$ery Muslim. (Tirmidhi, Ibn $a#ah, H Baihaqi1
-R En,ir nmen#al (r #e"#i n and (reser,a#i n
Islam commands $uslims to protect and preser%e the en%ironment and warns against wanton destruction and pollutionThe general rule is as Allah says: (D n # " mmi# mis"hie! n #he ear#h a!#er i# has been se# in rder* and "all n Him 0Allah in (ra&er1 )i#h !ear and l n'in'/ ! r #he Mer"& ! Allah is al)a&s near # #h se )h d ' d.) 0=:G51
Also, Allah, the Almighty, states: (There is #he #&(e ! man )h se s(ee"h ab $# #his ) rld=s li!e ma& da@@le & $* and he "alls Allah # )i#ness ab $# )ha# is in his hear#. &e# he is #he m s# " n#en#i $s ! enemies. +hen he #$rns his ba"%* his aim is # s(read mis"hie! e,er&)here #hr $'h #he ear#h and des#r & "r (s and "a##le. 3$# Allah d es n # l ,e mis"hie!.) 09:96G.G1
The most precious natural resources of clean pure water, air and fertile land are protected for the general good and utility- For instance, the !rophet 0 1 commanded for water conser%ation and preser%ation by as+ing the $uslims not to waste water during washing and ablution e%en when one is utili7ing running ri%er water, and he forbade washing of the parts of the body while ma+ing ablutions, more than three times saying: Q+h e,er in"reases n #ha# 0m re #han #hree1 d es in-$s#i"e and )r n'.Q 0;asa3ee1
And AllahCs $essenger 01 forbade people to urinate in stagnant water- 0$uslim1
Islam also forbids people to place any e(crement, refuge, or garbage in the middle of the public passages, or in the choice shady places which people use for rest and recreation-
-R S "ial +el!are in"l$din' s$(( r# ! r(hans* #he need& and des#i#$#e
48
Allah the "(alted and Almighty said: (Gi,e !$ll meas$re )hen & $ meas$re* and )ei'h )i#h a s"ale balan"e #ha# is s#rai'h#. #ha# is #he m s# !i##in' and #he m s# ad,an#a'e $s in #he !inal de#ermina#i n.) 0:=:BG1
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6The r(han=s s( ns r and I are in Paradise li%e #hese 0and he held his #) !in'ers* #he inde5 and #he middle !in'ers* # 'e#her* indi"a#in' h ) "l se #he& are1.7 0Tirmidthi1
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: 23& Allah2 One ) $ld n # be" me a 3elie,er $n#il he li%es ! r his br #her )ha# he li%es ! r his )n sel!7 0$uslim1
-R Prin"i(les ! End )men#
"ndowments in Islam are of two types: Pri,a#e End )men#: This type is dedicated to the progeny of the person who offers such endowment- The progeny and family members of the grantor would be well off, and they would not need to as+ others to donate to them- This type has a stipulation, howe%er, that the funds of the endowment would be gi%en to the public interest charitable wor+ upon the death of the last person of the progeny of the donor-
P$bli" and General End )men#: This type is dedicated to charitable wor+s, such as: building hospitals, schools, roads, public libraries, mosques, community centers, orphanages, elderly homes and other beneficial pro#ects of general public interest for the community and the society at large-
49
Islami" M rals Pr m #e C m(rehensi,e Pea"e

The entire code of Islamic ethics see+s to promote and maintain peace, security and happiness in the society at large- This code en#oins brotherhood and all beneficial things that promote peace and forbids all types of actions that instigate e%il and implant hatred and rancor in the hearts and minds of people- Accordingly if the members of the society apply the Islamic code of ethics, they would en#oy the peace, security, tranquility and happiness for which they naturally stri%e and yearn- All %alues of the Islamic morality produce a better person and an upright human being with noble traits of character admired uni%ersally: truthfulness, fairness, courage, generosity, patience, perse%erance, +indness, and courteousnessThe essential criterion of the Islamic morality is to eradicate all the harmful and obno(ious actions, attitudes and beha%iors which displease Allah the Almighty, Creator and Dord. Eustainer of man+ind, and are therefore declared unlawful- If a $uslim practices any of the forbidden acts he would e(pose himself to either punishment in this world by the specified punishments of the Islamic law, or the Wrath of Allah, the &mnipotent and Irresistible in the /ereafter, As the modern Arab poet Amir ash.Ehu3araU ash.Ehau+i declared in %erse, e(plaining that nations of people are naught but their morals and characters-
I! #he m rals ! #he na#i n "ease #he na#i n "eases2
Islam En- ins 3elie,ers # Obser,e #he F ll )in' M ral Obli'a#i ns and Re" mmenda#i ns # Pr m #e Pea"e
-R Islam en- ins #r$#h
Allah the "(alted and Almighty said: (O & $ )h belie,e2 Fear G d and be )i#h #h se )h are #r$#h!$l.) 0>:::>1
Allah the "(alted and Almighty said: (And he )h brin's #he Tr$#h and he )h " n!irms and s$(( r#s i# - s$"h are #he men )h are ' d !earin'.) 0B>:BB1 50
-R Islam en- ins -$s#i"e
Allah, the "(alted and Almighty said: (Allah " mmands -$s#i"e* #he d in' ! ' d* and 'ener si#& # %i#h and %in* and He ! rbids all shame!$l deeds* in-$s#i"e and rebelli n/ He ins#r$"#s & $* #ha# & $ ma& re"ei,e adm ni#i n.) 0:5:>61
ustice and fairness are commanded and required in all situations, when one is happy and satisfied, and when one is upset and unsatisfied, with $uslims and with non.$uslims ali+eAllah the "(alted and Almighty said: (O & $ )h belie,e2 S#and $# !irml& ! r Allah as )i#nesses # !air dealin'* and le# n # #he ha#red ! #hers # & $ ma%e & $ s)er,e # )r n' and de(ar# !r m -$s#i"e. 3e -$s#/ #ha# is ne5# # Pie#&/ and !ear Allah. F r Allah is )ell-a)are )i#h all #ha# & $ d .) 0G:41
And He* #he E5al#ed* sa&s/ (O & $ )h belie,e2 S#and $# ! r -$s#i"e* as )i#nesses # Allah* and e,en as a'ains# & $rsel,es* r & $r (aren#s* r & $r %in* and )he#her i# be a'ains# ri"h r ( rA) 0A::BA1
-R Islam en- ins al#r$ism
!hilanthropy and bene%olence are the results of sincere altruism, and the companions of the !rophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him were especially noteworthy of this trait, offering their help and assistance to others solely for the !leasure of AllahAllah the "(alted and Almighty says: (And d ' d. Tr$l& Allah l ,es #h se )h d ' d.) 09::>G1
Allah, the "(alted, said: 51
(3$# #h se )h * be! re #hem* had h mes 0in Medina1 and had ad (#ed #he Fai#h* sh ) #heir a!!e"#i n # s$"h as "ame # #hem ! r re!$'e* and en#er#ain n desire in #heir hear#s ! r #hin's 'i,en # #he 0la##er1* b$# 'i,e #hem (re!eren"e ,er #hemsel,es* e,en #h $'h ( ,er#& )as #heir 0 )n l #1. And #h se sa,ed !r m #he " ,e# $sness ! #heir )n s $ls. #he& are #he nes #ha# a"hie,e (r s(eri#&.) 0G>:>1
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6D !a, rs ! r #h se )h deser,e # ha,e #hem d ne ! r #hem and als ! r #h se )h d n # deser,e # ha,e #hem d ne ! r #hem. (f the doer did the fa$or for those who deser$e it, it is fine and good, and if not, the doer himself is one of those who are worthy for fa$ors 0Tirmidthi1
-R Islam en- ins br #herh
Allah, the "(alted, says: (<eril& #he belie,ers are b$# br #hersA) 0A>::61
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6D n # en,& ne an #her. d n # in!la#e (ri"es b& ,erbiddin' a'ains# ne an #her. d n # ha#e ne an #her. d n # harb r mali"e a'ains# ne an #her. and d n # en#er in# " mmer"ial #ransa"#i n )hen #hers ha,e en#ered in# #ha# 0#ransa"#i n1. b$# be & $* O sla,es ! Allah* as br #hers. A M$slim is #he br #her ! an #her M$slim. he nei#her ((resses him n r d es he l % d )n $( n him* n r d es he h$milia#e him. Pie#& is here* 0and he ( in#ed # his "hes# #hree #imes1. I# is en $'h e,il ! r a M$slim # h ld his br #her M$slim in " n#em(#. All #hin's ! a M$slim are in,i lable ! r his br #her-in!ai#h/ his bl d* his (r (er#& and his h n r.7 0$uslim1
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: QA M$slim is a br #her # a M$slim. He sh $ld nei#her de"ei,e him n r lie # him* n r lea,e him )i#h $# assis#an"e. E,er&#hin' bel n'in' # a M$slim is in,i lable ! r a M$slim. his h n r* his bl d and (r (er#&. Pie#& is here 0and he ( in#ed $# # his "hes# #hri"e1. I# is en $'h ! r a M$slim # " mmi# e,il b& des(isin' his M$slim br #her.Q 0Tirmidthi1
52
-R Islam en- ins #he main#enan"e ! ri'h#e $s " m(an&
$uslims are ad%ised to gain good company and a%oid bad company- The !rophet of Allah 0 1 said: 6&he example of good and e$il companions is like that of a person who is carrying musk and the blacksmith who is blowing the fire of his furnace. &he carrier of musk would either gi$e you some of it or you may buy some from him or at least you would recei$e the smell of perfume from him. As for the blacksmith who is blowing fire, you may either burn your clothes, be disturbed with the sparks of his fire, or the least you would recei$e is bad odor coming from him and his place of work 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
-R Islam en- ins reconciliation and peace ma+ing
'econciliation is en#oined at all times and especially when there is a serious rift in relationship that may lead to increased conflictAllah the Almighty and "(alted said: (The 3elie,ers are b$# br #hers s ma%e (ea"e and re" n"ilia#i n be#)een & $r #) 0" n#endin'1 br #hers. and !ear G d* #ha# & $ ma& re"ei,e Mer"&.) 0A>::61
Allah, the Almighty and "(alted, says: (In m s# ! #heir se"re# #al%s #here is n ' d. b$# i! ne e5h r#s # a deed ! "hari#& r -$s#i"e r re" n"ilia#i n be#)een men* 0#hen se"re"& is (ermissible1/ # him )h d es #his* see%in' #he ' d Pleas$re ! Allah* +e shall s n 'i,e a re)ard ! #he hi'hes# ,al$e.) 0A:::A1
-R Islam en- ins main#ainin' a '
d "hara"#er and m rals.
Good morals and %irtues are essential for a better society- AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6Am n's# #he bes# 3elie,ers are #he (ers ns )i#h #he bes# ! m rals and "hara"#eris#i"s and #h se )h are m s# %ind # #heir !amilies.7 ( irmi$thi) And he " # said:
53
6I )as sen# nl& # (er!e"# #he ' of conduct.
d " nd$"#7 !n$ in !nother report 2to perfect the noble 0$ali+, Ahmad H al.Ba77ar1
-R Islam en- ins 'ener si#&.
Generosity brings people closer to each other and enables the generous to gain the lo%e and affection of others- AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6Allah* #he Almi'h#&* l ,es #) #rai#s. # be ' d # #hers and # be 'ener $s # #hem. Similarl&* Allah* #he Almi'h#&* ha#es #) #rai#s. # be mean # #hers and # be miser # (e (le. BOn #he #her hand*H I! Allah* #he Almi'h#&* !a, rs a (ers n* He ) $ld em(l & him # assis# #hers a"hie,e #heir ' als and !$l!ill #heir needs. 7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
The criterion of generosity in Islam is mentioned in the %erse of the Glorious 2ur3an: (D n # #ie & $r hand # & $r ne"% 0li%e a ni''ard1* n r s#re#"h i# ! r#h # i#s $#m s# rea"h 0bein' e5#ra,a'an#1 s #ha# & $ be" me blame) r#h& and des#i#$#e.) 0:=:9>1
The criterion is set to restrict people from e(ceeding limits- Allah, the Almighty said: (And render # #he %indred #heir d$e ri'h#s* as # #h se in need and )an#* and # #he )a&!arer/ b$# d n # s9$ander & $r )eal#h in #he manner ! a s(end#hri!#. <eril& s(end#hri!#s are br #hers ! #he E,il Ones. and #he E,il One is 4n'ra#e!$l # his L rd.) 0:=:95.=1
-R Islam en- ins n M$slims # hide mis#a%es and missi ns ! #hers
The !rophet of Allah 01 said: 6+h s e,er alle,ia#es a 3elie,er=s hardshi( ! #his ) rld* Allah* #he Almi'h#&* ) $ld alle,ia#e his hardshi( and di!!i"$l#& ! #he Da& ! P$d'men#. +h s e,er eases #he #erms n Ba !inan"iall&H s#randed (ers n* Allah* #he Almi'h#&* ) $ld ease his di!!i"$l#ies in b #h #his ) rld and #he Herea!#er. +h s e,er hides #he de!e"#s ! a M$slim in #his ) rld* Allah* #he Almi'h#&* ) $ld hide #he de!e"#s ! #ha# (ers n b #h in #his ) rld and
54
in #he Herea!#er. Allah* #he Almi'h#&* ) $ld " n#in$e # assis# a sla,e-ser,an# s l n' as s$"h a (ers n is e5#endin' his hel( and assis#an"e # his M$slim bre#hren.7 0$uslim1
-R Islam en- ins $( n (a#ien"e.
!eople are encouraged to be patient in order to perform their religious and mundane duties and to a%oid all e%ils- Allah, the Almighty, states in the Glorious 2ur3an: (N ) a)ai# in (a#ien"e #he C mmand ! #h& L rd/ ! r ,eril& & $ are in O$r e&es/ and "elebra#e #he (raises ! #h& L rd )hile & $ s#and ! r#h.) 0G9:A41
Islam also urges and encourages $uslims to be patient on what they ha%e been predestined for such as fear, po%erty, hunger, lac+ of resources, terminal illness, etc- Allah the Almighty and "(alted said: (3e s$re #ha# +e shall #es# & $ )i#h s me#hin' ! !ear and h$n'er* s me l ss in ' ds r li,es* r #he !r$i#s 0 ! & $r # il1* b$# 'i,e 'lad #idin's # #h se )h (a#ien#l& (erse,ere. +h sa&* )hen a!!li"#ed )i#h "alami#&/ ;T Allah )e bel n'* and # Him is $r re#$rn.> The& are #h se n )h m 0des"end1 blessin's !r m #heir L rd* and Mer"&* and #he& are #he nes #ha# re"ei,e '$idan"e.) 09::GG.=1
Allah the Almighty and "(alted illustrates the reward of the patient people as follows in the Glorious 2ur3an: (Sa&/ O M& ser,an#s )h belie,e2 Fear & $r L rd. G d is 0#he re)ard1 ! r #h se )h d ' d in #his ) rld. S(a"i $s is Allah=s ear#h2 Th se )h (a#ien#l& (erse,ere )ill #r$l& re"ei,e a re)ard )i#h $# meas$re2) 0B::61
!art of mercy and forgi%eness is to control the temper and forgi%e others e%en though one is capable of ta+ing re%enge, which strengthens the relationships and ties amongst people and creates a better atmosphere within the society- Allah promises a great reward for controlling oneCs temper- Allah, the Almighty, states in the Glorious 2ur3an: (3e 9$i"% in #he ra"e ! r ! r'i,eness !r m & $r L rd* and ! r a Garden )h se )id#h is #ha# 0 ! #he )h le1 ! #he hea,ens and ! #he ear#h* (re(ared ! r #he ri'h#e $s. Th se )h s(end 0! r Allah>s sa%e1* )he#her in (r s(eri#&* r in ad,ersi#&. )h res#rain an'er and (ard n. ! r Allah l ,es #h se )h d ' d.) 0B::BB.A1
55
Also, Allah, the Almighty, commands $uslims to practice righteousness at all times and in all circumstances and not to return e%il when mistreated with e%il acts- Allah the Almighty and "(alted said: (G dness and E,il are n # e9$al. Re(el E,il )i#h #ha# )hi"h is be##er. #hen i# )ill be #ha# #he ne be#)een )h m and & $ #here )as ha#red )ill be" me as i! he )ere & $r !riend and in#ima#e2) 0A::BA1
The abo%e e(amples are mere glimpses of what Islam commands $uslims to comply with in their personal and public li%es for the !leasure of Allah- The Boo+ of Allah, the 2ur3an, and the Eunnah of AllahCs $essenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, pro%ide additional commands and details related to these and other high and noble morals-
E5am(les ! A"#s Pr hibi#ed in Islam )hi"h hel( Pr m #e Pea"e

Islam has denounced and condemned %ehemently the following acts and strictly prohibited their practice in the path of promoting peace and security in the society, and eradicating or curtailing wrath, hatred, rancor, greed, and resentment which are the root causes of conflicts and %iolence-
-R P l&#heism and Id la#r&
!olytheism and idolatry ine%itably cause conflict as clans, tribes and peoples compete and %ie for recognition, status, dominance and tribute for their idols and associated ideologies and mythologies- If all people worshipped Allah the one and only God then the greatest root of %iolence would be eradicatedAllah the $ost $a#estic said: (And as% #h se ! O$r messen'ers )h m )e sen# be! re & $* =Did )e ma%e #her dei#ies # be ) rshi((ed besides Allah:) 0AB:AG1
Allah the $ost Glorious said: (And +e did n # send a messen'er be! re & $* e5"e(# #ha# +e re,ealed # him #ha# #here is n ' d ) r#h& ! ) rshi( e5"e(# Me* s ) rshi( Me.) 09::9G1
56
Allah the $ost Almighty and $a#estic said: (And ,eril&* +e ha,e sen# am n' e,er& " mm$ni#& a Messen'er 0(r "laimin'1/ Q+ rshi( Allah 0al ne1* and a, id #a'h # 0Sa#an* id ls* #&ran#s1.) 0:5:B51
Allah, the "(alted, said: (Th se )h belie,e !i'h# in #he )a& ! Allah* and #h se )h disbelie,e !i'h# in #he )a& ! #a'h # 0Sa#an* id ls* #&ran#s1. S !i'h# a'ains# #he ! ll )ers ! Sa#an/ Indeed #he (l # ! Sa#an is !eeble.) 0A:=51
-R S r"er& and ma'i" ! all #&(es.
This prohibition is based on the numerous e%idences li+e the saying of Allah: (3$# nei#her ! #hese #) 0an'els 0Har # and Mar #1 #a$'h# an& ne 0s r"er&1 #ill #he& had said 0)arnin' #hem1/ ;Indeed* )e are a #rial* s d n # disbelie,e.) 09::691
And in the hadith of AllahCs $essenger 01: 6A, id #he se,en des#r$"#i,e #hin's. *eople in5uire$: ) *rophet of +ll!h, .6h!t !re these $estructi"e things70 4e s!i$: 2&hey are: associating others in the worship of Allah: sorcery and magic of all types: killing an innocent soul without any legitimate reason: dealing with interest and usury: eating up and abusing the orphan)s funds: fleeing from the battlefield: falsely accusing innocent female belie$ers with fornication, adultery, or moral corruption. 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
-R A''ressi n and ((ressi n.
Allah 01 said: (The blame is nl& a'ains# #h se )h ((ress men )i#h )r n'd in' and ins len#l& #rans'ress be& nd b $nds #hr $'h #he land* de!&in' ri'h# and -$s#i"e. ! r s$"h (e (le #here )ill be a 'rie, $s (enal#&.) 0A9:A91
57
Allah, the Almighty and "(alted stated (Sa&/ The #hin's #ha# m& L rd ha#h indeed ! rbidden are/ shame!$l deeds* )he#her (en r se"re#. sins and #res(asses a'ains# #r$#h r -$s#i"e. assi'nin' ! (ar#ners # Allah ! r )hi"h He ha#h 'i,en n a$#h ri#&. and sa&in' #hin's ab $# Allah ! )hi"h & $ ha,e n %n )led'e.) 0=:BB1
Allah, the Almighty also said: (I! ne am n's# #he (a'ans ( l&#heis#s as% & $ ! r as&l$m* 'ran# i# # him s #ha# he ma& hear #he + rd ! Allah. and #hen es" r# him # )here he "an be se"$re. Tha# is be"a$se #he& are men )i#h $# %n )led'e.) 0>:51
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: Q3e)are ! in-$s#i"e* ! r ((ressi n )ill be dar%ness n #he Da& ! Res$rre"#i n. and be)are ! s#in'iness be"a$se i# d med #h se )h )ere be! re & $. I# in"i#ed #hem # shed bl d and #rea# #he $nla)!$l as la)!$l.Q 0$uslim1
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6Allah ins(ired me/ 3e h$mble s as n (ride ,er an #her.7 ne ((resses an #her* and n ne bra's )i#h 0$uslim1
Allah3s $essenger 01 said: 6Allah* #he E5al#ed and Gl ri $s* said/ ;M& ser,an#s* I ha,e made ((ressi n $nla)!$l ! r Me and $nla)!$l ! r & $* s d n # " mmi# ((ressi n a'ains# ne an #her...>7 0$uslim1
Islam urges to support both the oppressed and the oppressor by stopping the source of oppressionAllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6S$(( r# and " me # #he aid ! & $r br #her )he#her he is ((ressed r* he is #he ((ress r.7
58
A man who heard this inquired, I can understand supporting my brother if he is oppressed, but what about if he is the oppressor8 AllahCs $essenger 0peace and blessings of Allah be upon him1 asserted, 6S$(( r# him b& s# ((in' him !r m his ((ressi n/ #ha# is #he )a& # s$(( r# 0in #r$#h1 #he ((ress r7 0Bu+hari1
All lawful members of the society, regardless of creed or faith are entitled to full protection of their rights to life, property and wealth- For instance the $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6He )h %ills 0$nla)!$ll&1 a n n-M$slim residin' $nder Islami" r$le* ) $ld n # smell #he !ra'ran"e ! Paradise. The !ra'ran"e ! Paradise "an be smelled a# a dis#an"e ! ! r#& &ears.7 0Bu+hari1
-R 4n%ind #rea#men# # )ards (aren#s* "hildren and %indred.
This is based on the %erse re%ealed: (8 $r L rd has de"reed #ha# & $ ) rshi( n ne b$# Him* and #ha# & $ be %ind # (aren#s. And i! ne r b #h ! #hem a##ain ld a'e in #h& li!e* sa& n # # #hem a ) rd ! " n#em(#* n r re(el #hem* b$# address #hem in #erms ! h n r. And* $# ! %indness* l )er # #hem #he )in' ! h$mili#&* and sa&/ M& L rd2 3es# ) n #hem #h& Mer"& -$s# as #he& "herished me in "hildh d.) 0:=:9B.9A1
And the $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6The ha((iness and disma& ! Allah is !r m #he (aren#s> ha((iness and disma& )i#h #heir "hild* and #he $nha((iness and disma& ! Allah is !r m #he $nha((iness and disma& ! (aren#s !r m #heir "hildren-* 0Tirmidthi1
Islam teaches bene%olence towards all +indred- This is based on the %erse re%ealed in the Glorious 2ur3an, (Then* is i# # be e5(e"#ed ! & $* i! & $ )ere ($# in a$#h ri#&* #ha# & $ )ill d mis"hie!* in #he land* and brea% & $r #ies )i#h %i#h and %in: S$"h are #he men )h m Allah has "$rsed ! r He has made #hem dea! and has blinded #heir si'h#.) 0A=:99.B1
59
This is also based on the tradition of the !rophet of Allah 01: 6A (ers n brea%in' !amil& #ies )ill n # en#er Paradise7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
Brea+ing ties with family and the +indred implies many things: absence of mutual e(change of %isits@ carelessness towards the needy relati%es@ and indifference to e(tend financial and social assistance to the destitute family membersIslam appreciates the charity from the rich to the destitute- A charitable donation from a rich family member to a needy family member carries a double reward since it is both charity, on the one hand, and a type of re.establishment of bonds between family members- If a person is poor and is unable to e(tend financial support to relati%es, Allah rewards e%en his %isit, care and affection since they are a type of charity and are good deeds- AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6Es#ablish a ' d ra(( r# )i#h & $r !amil& members and immedia#e rela#i,es* e,en b& as li##le as 'ree#in' #hem and as%in' ab $# #heir a!!airs and heal#h.7 0Ba77ar H Tabrani1
-R Ad$l#er&* ! rni"a#i n* slander e#"
It is a +nown fact that much conflict, fighting and murder ta+es place due to )lo%e triangles* wherein people fight o%er their legal or illegal se(ual partners- Islam has cut all the pathways to illegal se(ual relations to preser%e the chastity and purity of the people of the society, and to pre%ent conflict, illegitimate children and abortionAllah the "(alted and Almighty said: (N r " me ni'h # ad$l#er&/ ! r i# is a shame!$l 0deed1 and an e,il )a&* (enin' #he r ad 0# man& #her e,ils1.) 0:=:B91
And /e said: (Th se )h slander "has#e ) men* indis"ree# b$# belie,in'* are "$rsed in #his li!e and in #he Herea!#er/ ! r #hem is a 'rie, $s Penal#&.) 09A:9B1
And Allah the "(alted and Almighty said:
60
(Those who lo$e "to see# abhorrent acts broadcast among the !elie$ers, will ha$e a grie$ous %enalty in this life and in the Hereafter: Allah knows, and you do not know .) 09A::>1
The !rophet of Allah 01 con%inced a young man of the illegality of illicit se(ual relations in the following con%ersation: )A young man came to the $essenger of Allah 0 1 and as+ed: P& $essenger of Allah, permit me 0with special license1 to commit fornication 0and adultery1-3 The people started to rebu+e him harshly but the !rophet sat close to him and as+ed: ;+ $ld & $ li%e i# ! r & $r m #her:> /e replied P;o, by Allah, may Allah ma+e me a sacrifice for youT3 The $essenger of Allah 01 said: ;And #h$s #he (e (le d n # li%e i# ! r #heir m #hers.> /e said: ;+ $ld & $ li%e i# ! r & $r da$'h#er:> P;o3 he replied- The $essenger of Allah 01 said: ;And #h$s #he (e (le d n # li%e i# ! r #heir da$'h#ers.> /e said: ;+ $ld & $ li%e i# ! r & $r (a#ernal a$n#:> P;o3 he replied- The $essenger of Allah 01 said: ;And #h$s #he (e (le d n # li%e i# ! r #heir (a#ernal a$n#s.> /e said: ;+ $ld & $ li%e i# ! r & $r ma#ernal a$n#:> P;o3 he replied- The $essenger of Allah 0 1 said: ;And #h$s #he (e (le d n # li%e i# ! r #heir ma#ernal a$n#s.> Then the !rophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, put his hand on the youth and said: ;O Allah ! r'i,e his sin and ($ri!& his hear# and ma%e him "has#e 0! r#i!& his abs#inen"e !r m se5$al sins1.7 N'eported by Imam Ahmad from the tradition narrated by Abu Imamah-O /ere we find an e(ample of the $essenger of Allah 0 1 patiently con%incing this man by analogies about the in#ustice of double standards: since no one wants his ownself to be e(ploited and abused, then how should he allow himself to e(ploit others- The golden rule, as it is called, is e(pressed in the famous tradition of the $essenger 01: 6N ne ! & $ belie,es $n#il he l ,es ! r his br #her #ha# )hi"h he l ,es ! r himsel!.7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
-R In# 5i"an#s and Gamblin'
As it is well +nown, into(icated indi%iduals are more li+ely to commit %iolent crimes than sober indi%iduals- Gambling is also the cause of much conflict- Allah the Almighty states: (O & $ )h belie,e2 In# 5i"an#s* 'amblin'* and di,ina#i n b& arr )s* are an ab mina#i n ! Sa#an=s handi) r%/ a, id all s$"h 0ab mina#i ns1 #ha# & $ ma& (r s(er. Sa#an=s (lan is b$# # e5"i#e enmi#& and ha#red be#)een & $* )i#h in# 5i"an#s and 'amblin'* and hinder & $ !r m #he remembran"e ! G d* and !r m (ra&er/ )ill & $ n # #hen abs#ain:) 0G:>6.>:1
-R S#ealin'* r bber&* $nla)!$l a"9$isi#i n ! (r (er#& and )eal#h
61
Euch acts are bound to create hatred and resentment, and pro%o+e conflicts in the society, leading to insecurity and chaosThe $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6+h e,er #a%es a ri'h# ! a M$slim* Allah* #he Almi'h#&* ) $ld "a$se him # d)ell in #he Fire ! Hell n #he Da& ! P$d'men# and res#ri"# him !r m en#erin' Paradise. )ne of the 8omp!nions &ho &!s present !t the time in5uire$% 9) *rophet of +ll!h, 6h!t if the item th!t ! person t!3es &!s negligible7 +ll!h9s 'essenger " # said: 2E$en if the item is as insignificant as a wooden tooth brush "from an Arak tree branches# 0$uslim1
-R M n ( l& and h rdin'
The !rophet 01 said: 6Onl& a sinner m n ( li@es 0#he ! d and #her i#ems ! ($bli" need17 0$uslim1
-R Mis$se ! #he )eal#h and #he asse#s ! an r(han.
&rphans are wea+ and incapable of managing their funds- An orphan3s guardian is responsible to manage wisely the finance and the affairs of his guarded orphan to the best of his abilityAllah warns saying: (Th se )h $n-$s#l& ea# $( #he (r (er#& ! r(hans* ea# $( a !ire in# #heir )n b dies/ #he& )ill s n be end$rin' a bla@in' !ire.) 0A::61
-R Ab$se ! a$#h ri#&
A $uslim ruler or any person in a position of authority must be #ust and honest with his people and must not do wrong to them or betray them in any way- As Allah said: (Thin% n # #ha# Allah is heedless ! #he deeds ! #h se )h d )r n'. He nl& 'i,es #hem res(i#e a'ains# a Da& )hen #he e&es )ill s#are in h rr r.) 0:A:A9.AB1
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 62
6I! Allah en#r$s#ed a (ers n )i#h an a$#h ri#& b$# #he (ers n en#r$s#ed did n # !!er his bes# ( ssible ad,i"e # his " ns#i#$en#s* s$"h (ers n ) $ld n # be all )ed # en#er Paradise7 0Bu+hari1
-R T r#$re
The companion /esham ibn /a+im ibn /i7am once passed by a group of ;abatcans in the De%ant who were made to stay in the sun- /e said: What3s wrong with these people8 They said: They are imprisoned because they did not pay the #i7ya- /esham said: FI witness that I ha%e heard the $essenger of Allah 01 saying: QAllah # r#$res #h se )h # r#$re (e (le in #his li!e#ime.Q /e said: FAnd their ruler PImair Ibn Ea3d at the time was in !alestine, so he went to him and informed him who in turn passed his orders so they were discharged-F 0$uslim1
-R False #es#im nies and a#hs
False testimonies are ma#or sins- In fact, if a person intentionally insists on false testimonies on a regular basis, he would be considered out of the realm of Islam- Allah the Almighty, states: (Th se )h d n # )i#ness !alseh h n rable 0a, idan"e1.) 09G:=91 d* and* i! #he& (ass b& !$#ili#&* (ass b& i# )i#h
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6Sh $ld I in! rm & $ ab $# #he m s# hein $s sins: he 8omp!nions s!i$ yes. Allah)s Messenger " # said: "&he most heinous sins are# to associate others in worshipping Allah, and to be bad and disobedient to your parents. +ll!h9s 'essenger ( # was leaning on the floor, then he sat straight and said: 2;and to gi$e a false statement and to gi$e a false testimony. +ll!h9s 'essenger 3ept repe!ting the l!st st!tement until the 8omp!nions &ishe$ th!t he &oul$ 5uit repe!ting it.( 0Bu+hari1
This type of oath is intentional and made to secure some unlawful gains- This oath is called gh!moos 0immersing1 since it immerses the oath ta+er in the Fire of /ell- Allah, the Almighty states:
63
(As ! r #h se )h sell #he !ai#h #he& )e # Allah and #heir )n sa"redl& (led'ed ) rd ! r a small (ri"e* #he& shall ha,e n ( r#i n in #he Herea!#er. Allah )ill n # s(ea% # #hem r l % a# #hem n #he Da& ! P$d'men#* n r )ill He "leanse #hem 0 ! sins1/ #he& shall ha,e a 'rie, $s Penal#&.) 0B:==1 This is also based on the tradition of AllahCs $essenger 01: 6+h s e,er #a%es #he ri'h# ! an #her M$slim b& his ri'h# hand 0i.e. b& #he !alse a#h1 ) $ld be en#i#led ! r #he Fire ! Hell and ) $ld be de(ri,ed #he en#r& ! Paradise.7 + m!n r!ise$ ! 5uestion !s to e"en if the thing th!t he t!3es from his 'uslim brother9s rights is negligible7 +ll!h9s 'essenger ( # said: E$en if the right of the Muslim brother was a tooth brush "from the branch of the Arak tree# 0$uslim1
-R 3e#ra&al and brea"h ! #r$s# in " n#ra"#s.
Islam en#oins upon $uslims to be truthful- Islam commands to fulfill promises and warns against brea+ing promises and dishonoring contracts- Islam stresses on fulfilling all trusts to the right people and warns against denying e%en an insignificant amount entrusted to a person as a trust- Allah the Almighty states: (O & $ )h belie,e2 3e#ra& n # #he #r$s# ! Allah and #he Messen'er* n r misa((r (ria#e %n )in'l& #hin's en#r$s#ed # & $.) 04:9=1
Islam declares +eeping secrets as one of the acts of trust- AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6I! a (ers n said s me#hin' # an #her (ers n* #hen #$rned a)a&* s$"h a s#a#emen# be" mes a #r$s# # #he lis#ener7 0Tirmidthi H Abu ?awood1
Eimilarly, Islam categori7ed see+ing a consultation, as a trust as well- AllahCs $essenger 0 1 said: 6A " ns$l#ed (ers n is en#r$s#ed 0i.e. )i#h )ha#e,er he hears !r m #he (ers n see%in' his " ns$l#a#i n and h nes# (ini n and ad,i"e17 0Tirmidthi H Abu ?awood1 Islam promotes trustworthiness- AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6There is n !ai#h ! r a (ers n )h is $n#r$s#) r#h&. There is n reli'i n ! r a (ers n )h brea"hes his (led'e ! alle'ian"e.7 0Ahmed H Baihaqi1
The !rophet 01 said:
64
6I! a (ers n ( ssesses ! $r ,i"es* he ) $ld be "a#e' ri@ed as a !$ll h&( "ri#e. And i! ne ( ssesses an& ne ,i"e ! #he ! $r* he ) $ld be (ar#iall& a h&( "ri#e $nless he "$res himsel! !r m #he ,i"e/ # lie )hene,er he s(ea%s. # brea% #he (r mise. # be#ra& #he #r$s#. # brea"h a " ,enan#.7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
According to another narration reported by $uslim: 6A (ers n ) $ld be "a#e' ri@ed as s$"h e,en i! he main#ains his dail& (ra&ers* bser,es #he !as# ! Ramadan* and "laims #ha# he is a M$slim.7
-R Slander and ba"%bi#in'
Bac+biting is to mention things about people that they hate to be +nown e%en though such facts are true- This +ind of act #eopardi7es the honor and dignity of the person attac+ed, breeds hatred and disdain among people, which may lead to %iolence- Elander includes publishing false news and libelAllah the Almighty states: (+ e # e,er& 0%ind !1 s"andal-m n'er and ba"%bi#er.) 0:6A::1
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: 6D & $ %n ) )ha# is ba"%bi#in': he 8omp!nions present !t the time s!i$% +ll!h !n$ 4is 'essenger 3no& best, +ll!h9s 'essenger 01 said: )(t is to mention something behind the back of a person, which he despises for others to know about him. )ne of the comp!nions in5uire$% ) *rophet of +ll!h, 6h!t if the point r!ise$ behin$ his b!c3 truly e:ists in him% &oul$ this still be c!tegori;e$ !s !n !ct of b!c3biting7 +ll!h9s 'essenger 01 replied: 2!ackbiting is to mention a $ice that exists in him whereas if he doesn0t ha$e such a $ice, then it is slandering 0$uslim1
-R Name-"allin' and m "%in' #hers
Allah said in the Glorious 2ur3an: (O & $ )h belie,e2 Le# n # s me men am n' & $ m "% #hers/ i# ma& be #ha# #he 0la##er1 are be##er #han #he 0! rmer1/ n r le# s me ) men m "% #hers/ i# ma& be #ha#
65
#he 0la##er1 are be##er #han #he 0! rmer1/ n r de!ame n r be sar"as#i" # ea"h #her* n r "all ea"h #her b& !!ensi,e ni"%names/ e,il indeed is a name " nn #in' )i"%edness a!#er ne has belie,ed/ and #h se )h d n # desis# are 0indeed1 d in' )r n'.) 0A>:::1
-R Ha#red* " n#em(# and resen#men# a'ains# #hers.
Euch %ices pro%o+e acting in re%enge in many possible ways- AllahCs $essenger 0 1 was as+ed: )& !rophet of AllahT Who is the best type of man4 Allah)s Messenger 01 said: 6E,er& )arm hear#ed (ers n* and e,er& #r$e (ers n.7 The Companions who were present raised a question to AllahCs $essenger 01 saying, & !rophet of AllahT We +now the true person, but what about the warm.hearted person8 AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 2He is the pious, pure person, the sinless one, with no oppression or transgression on the rights of others, a person who possesses no hatred or en$y in his heart for others 0Tirmidthi1 The $essenger of Allah 01 illustrated the results of en%y as follows: 6En,& and -eal $s& ea# $( #he ' d deeds as #he !ire ea#s $( #he ) d7 0Abu ?awood1
-R S "ial b &" ## 0$nless $nder s#ri"# " ndi#i ns1
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6D n # b &" ## ne an #her* d n # #$rn & $r ba"%s n ea"h #her* d n # ha#e ne an #her* d n # en,& ne an #her/ all ! & $ sh $ld be 0#r$e1 sla,e-ser,an#s ! Allah li%e bre#hrens. A M$slim is n # all )ed # b &" ## his M$slim bre#hren ! r m re #han #hree 0da&s17 0Bu+hari H $uslim1 And in another %ersion of the narration: 6A M$slim is n # (ermi##ed # b &" ## his M$slim br #her ! r a (eri d e5"eedin' #hree ni'h#s* $( n mee#in' ne an #her* ea"h ne s)er,in' # a di!!eren# dire"#i n and sh$nnin' ea"h #her. The bes# ! #he #) is #he ne )h ini#ia#es #he 'ree#in' # #he #her.7
-R C$rsin' and ab$si,e lan'$a'e
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 66
6Pe (le )h "$rse ) $ld n # be (ermi##ed # be )i#nesses r in#er"eders n #he Da& ! P$d'men#7 0$uslim1
Islam prohibits e%en cursing enemies and encourages a $uslim to pray for the guidance of such people to the 'ight and Etraight !ath- This is based on AllahCs $essenger 0 1 who was once as+ed: )& !rophet of AllahT Ehouldn3t you pray against pagans and idol worshippers8 /e said: 6I am nl& " mmissi ned as a mer"& 0! r man%ind1 and I )as n # " mmissi ned # "$rse #hers N'eported by $uslimO
-R S#in'iness and miserliness
Islam considers wealth as a trust that Allah entrusted to man for a specific period of his lifetime to be used wisely and spent in accordance with Allah3s commands: for li%ing e(penses and essential needs, for charity and for righteous deeds- The $essenger of Allah 0 1 said: 6A #rea"her $s* s#in'& and miserl& (ers n )h bra's #ime and a'ain ab $# his d na#i n and assis#an"e # #her need& and ( r indi,id$als* ) $ld ne,er en#er Paradise7 ( irmi$thi)
AllahCs $essenger 01 is also reported to ha%e warned about disastrous consequences of a society where miserliness becomes a common practice, saying: 6!eware of oppression. *ppression is darkness on the 8ay of <udgment. !eware of greed and miserliness, as it destroyed people before you. =reed and miserliness compelled people "before you# to shed the blood of their own people and pushed them to make lawful what was unlawful and forbidden. 0$uslim1
-R E5#ra,a'an"e and la,ish s(endin'.
Allah has commanded a $uslim to abstain from being la%ish(Ea# and drin%* b$# )as#e n # b& e5"ess. <eril& He l ,es n # #he e5"essi,e.) 0=:B:1
67
Allah the Almighty states: (And render # #he %indred #heir d$e ri'h#s* and 0als 1 # #h se in )an#* and # #he )a&!arer/ and d n # s9$ander 0& $r )eal#h1 in #he manner ! a s(end#hri!#. <eril&* s(end#hri!#s are br #hers ! #he de,ils. and #he Sa#an is $n'ra#e!$l # his L rd 0Himsel!1.) 0:=:95.9=1
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6Allah* #he Almi'h#&* (r hibi#s & $ !r m bein' dis bedien# # & $r m #hers* !r m de"linin' # 'i,e #he ( r and need& ! r #he "a$se ! Allah* !r m as%in' (e (le "hari#& i! & $ d n # #r$l& need i#* and !r m b$r&in' 'irls ali,e. Allah als disli%es ! r & $ # be r$m r m n'erin'* # !#en as% (e (le # 'i,e & $* and # )as#e !$nds ! lishl&.7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
-R E5a''era#i n and e5#remism
Allah, the Almighty states: (Allah in#ends e,er& !a"ili#& ! r & $. He d es n # )an# # ($# & $ # di!!i"$l#ies. 0He )an#s & $1 # " m(le#e #he (res"ribed (eri d* and # 'l ri!& Him in #ha# He has '$ided & $. #ha# (erha(s & $ )ill be 'ra#e!$l.) 09::4G1
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6O!!er 'lad #idin's and d n # "hase (e (le a)a&. Ease #he li!e ! (e (le and d n # ma%e i# di!!i"$l# and $nbearable ! r #hem.7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 63e)are ! ' in' be& nd #he b $nds ! #he reli'i n. The (e (le be! re & $ )ere des#r &ed b& ' in' # e5#remes in #he reli'i n.7 0;isaaUe, Ibn $aa#ah, Ibn Khu7aimah H al./aa+im1
-R Arr 'an"e and !alse (ride.
68
Allah, the Almighty said: (And d n # ($!! & $r "hee% 0in (ride1 a# men* n r )al% in ins len"e #hr $'h #he ear#h. ! r G d d es n # l ,e an arr 'an# b as#er. And be m dera#e in #h& (a"e* and l )er #h& , i"e. ! r #he harshes# ! s $nds )i#h $# d $b# is #he bra&in' ! #he ass.) 0B:::4.:>1
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6A (ers n* )h se hear# " n#ains an a# m )ei'h# ! arr 'an"e* ) $ld n # en#er Paradise.7 &ne of the Companions who was present at the time, as+ed AllahCs $essenger 0 1: )& !rophet of AllahT &ne of us li+es to wear good clothes and good shoes Nso is that arrogance8O AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 2Arrogance is to deny the truth and # ha,e " n#em(# # )ards #hers7 0$uslim1
AllahCs $essenger 01 also said: 6Allah ) $ld n # l % n #he Da& ! P$d'men# a# #he ne )h dra's his "l #hes in arr 'an"e.7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
-R All $n-$s# a"#s leadin' # dis($#es* 9$arrels and !e$ds am n' (e (le.
Allah the Almighty states: (And h ld !as#* all # 'e#her* b& #he R (e )hi"h Allah 0s#re#"hes $# ! r & $1* and be n # di,ided am n' & $rsel,es. And remember )i#h 'ra#i#$de Allah=s !a, r n & $* ! r & $ )ere enemies and He - ined & $r hear#s in l ,e s #ha# b& His Gra"e & $ be"ame bre#hren. And & $ )ere n #he brin% ! #he Pi# ! Fire* and He sa,ed & $ !r m i#. Th$s Allah ma%es His Si'ns "lear # & $ #ha# & $ ma& be '$ided.) 0B::6B1 Eimilarly, Islam bans all forms of suspicion and e%il thoughts about others- Allah, the Almighty and $a#estic states: (O & $ )h belie,e2 A, id s$s(i"i n as m$"h as & $ "an* ! r s$s(i"i n in s me "ases is a sin/ and s(& n # n ea"h #her* n r s(ea% ill ! ea"h #her behind #heir ba"%s. + $ld an& ! & $ li%e # ea# #he !lesh ! his dead br #her: Na&* b$# & $ ) $ld abh r i#. And !ear Allah/ ! r Allah is O!# Re#$rnin'* M s# Mer"i!$l.) 0A>::91
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6A, id s$s(i"i n as s$s(i"i n 0leads # 1 #he m s# $n#r$#h!$l s(ee"h ne " $ld e,er ma%e.7 0Bu+hari1 69
-R Misre(resen#a#i n ! !a"#s and !alse re( r#in'
Allah the Almighty, said: (O & $ )h belie,e2 I! a )i"%ed (ers n " mes # & $ )i#h an& ne)s* as"er#ain #he #r$#h ! i# les# & $ harm (e (le $n)i##in'l& and a!#er)ards be" me !$ll ! re(en#an"e ! r )ha# & $ ha,e d ne.) 0A>:51
-R Fi#s ! Ra'e* Tem(er #an#r$ms* and $se ! !!ensi,e and ab$si,e lan'$a'e.
Thus a $uslim is ordered to always control anger- Allah the Almighty and $a#estic states: 6Th se )h a, id #he 'rea#er "rimes and shame!$l deeds and e,en )hen #he& are an'r&* #he& ! r'i,e.7 (<2:37)
The $essenger of Allah said 01: QThe s#r n' man is n # #he ne )h )res#les* b$# #he s#r n' man is in !a"# #he ne )h " n#r ls himsel! in a !i# ! ra'e.Q 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6A 3elie,er is n # a (ers n )h a##a"%s #he in#e'ri#& ! #hers* "$rses #hers* $ses ! $l lan'$a'e and is unpleasant in his speech with others. 0Tirmidthi1
Abu /urairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: A man as+ed the !rophet 01 to gi%e him ad%ice, and he said: QD n # 'e# an'r&.Q The man repeated that se%eral times and he replied 0e%ery time1: QD n # 'e# an'r&.Q 0Bu+hari1
-R Glee and mali"i $s - & ,er #he s$!!erin's ! #hers.
AllahCs $essenger 01 said:
70
6D n # dem ns#ra#e an& ha((iness $( n seein' & $r br #her>s #ra'ed&. Allah ) $ld be Mer"i!$l # #he la##er and a!!li"# & $ )i#h s$"h (r blems.7 0Tirmidthi1
-R 4nd$e in#er!eren"e )i#h #hin's #ha# d n # " n"ern him
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6One ! #he si'ns ! bein' a ' d M$slim is # lea,e #ha# )hi"h d es n # " n"ern him.7 N'eported by TirmidhiO
-R 4n-$s# r$lin' and sen#en"es
Daws are deri%ed from the 2ur3an and Eunnah and thus there are no legislators e(cept Allah in Islam- Therefore a #udge is entrusted with interpreting the law and applying it #ustly in all indi%idual cases, and if he becomes un#ust in his %erdicts, he is betraying the sacred trust- The Wise and Eublime states, )Aand )h s e,er d es n # -$d'e b& )ha# Allah ha#h re,ealed* #hen indeed* #he& are #he disbelie,ers.7 0G:AA1
This is also based on the /adith of AllahCs $essenger 01: 6The -$d'es are #hree* #) ! )hi"h are #he d)ellers ! #he Hell!ire and ne is in Paradise. A -$d'e )h %n )s #he #r$#h and -$d'es a"" rdin'l& ) $ld be d)ellin' in Paradise. A -$d'e )h %n )s #he #r$#h b$# ($r( sel& de,ia#es !r m i# ) $ld be d)ellin' in #he Hell!ire. The -$d'e )h (asses his sen#en"e )i#h $# ( ssessin' a((r (ria#e %n )led'e ) $ld be d)ellin' in #he Hell!ire.7 &ne of the Companions, who was present at the time raised the following question, 2What is the sin of the #udge who was not truly aware of the truth and reality of the case8 AllahCs $essenger 01 commented, His sin is that he should not function as a udge until he is knowledgeable. 0/a+im1
-R S(&in' n #hers
Islam bans spying on others by all means as mentioned by Allah: (O & $ )h belie,e2 A, id s$s(i"i n as m$"h as & $ "an ! r s$s(i"i n in s me "ases is a sin* and s(& n # n ea"h #her* n r s(ea% ill ! ea"h #her behind #heir ba"%s. + $ld an& 71
! & $ li%e # ea# #he !lesh ! his dead br #her: Na&* b$# & $ ) $ld abh r i#. And !ear Allah/ ! r Allah is O!# Re#$rnin'* M s# Mer"i!$l.) 0A>::91
AllahCs $essenger 01 said: 6A (ers n )h lis#ens in n# #he " n,ersa#i n ! #hers )h ha#e him # lis#en in ) $ld ha,e m l#en lead ( $red in# his ears n #he Da& ! P$d'men#7 0Bu+hari1
-R S(readin' #he mis#a%es ! #hers* and slanderin'
A tattle.tale brea+s up amiable relationships between people and breeds animosity, and creates a situation of chaos in the society- Allah, the Almighty states (Heed n # #he #&(e ! des(i"able man* read& )i#h a#hs* a slanderer* ' in' ab $# )i#h "al$mnies.) 054::6.::1
The $essenger of Allah 01 said% 6A slanderer ) $ld n # be all )ed # en#er Paradise.7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
&ne of the sure results of slander is the spread of rumors, hatred and anger among members of the community- As such, this may lead to murders or a disorder in the community- Islam neither accepts nor condones such situation-
-R E5(l i#a#i n ! #hers* es(e"iall& #he easil& ,i"#imi@ed li%e #he des#i#$#e r elderl&.
Islam aims to establish a well.integrated society with solid fraternal bonds- Allah the Almighty and $a#estic said: (Ser,e Allah* and - in n # an& (ar#ners )i#h Him. and d ' d # (aren#s* %ins! l%* r(hans* #h se in need* nei'hb rs )h are near and nei'hb rs )h are s#ran'ers* #he C m(ani n b& & $r side* #he )a&-!arer 0&e mee#1 and )ha# & $r ri'h# hands ( ssess/ ! r Allah d es n # l ,e #he arr 'an#* #he ,ain'l ri $s.) 0A:B51
72
-R In" n,enien"es #
#hers* es(e"iall& nei'hb rs
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: 63& Allah2 A (ers n ) $ld n # be" me a B!$llH 3elie,er2 3& Allah2 A (ers n ) $ld n # be" me a B!$llH 3elie,er2 BRe(ea#in' #he same (hrase #)i"e.H The C m(ani ns as%ed* =O Pr (he# ! Allah2 +h is #his (ers n:= Allah=s Messen'er 0 1 " mmen#ed* He is #he ne )i#h )h m a (ers n )h se nei'hb r is nei#her sa!e n r se"$re a'ains# Ball ! hisH harms and e,ils.7 0Bu+hari H $uslim1
73
C n"l$si n
Islam builds the foundation for friendly relationships between men on the principles of public and mutual interests of all the parties concerned- ;e%er is there to be any compulsion or force for the acceptance of Islam- Islam wishes well for all regardless of color, creed, geographic location and nationality- Its laws and principles promote uni%ersal modes of righteousness, bene%olence and #ustice- $uslims are commanded to lo%e for the cause of Allah and hate for the cause of Allah, and ne%er for any other special interests, worldly desires or whims- &ne does not lo%e or hate the person per say, but lo%es the good and hates the e%il shown by the beha%ior of that person- Allah the Almighty states: (H ld # 0=::>>1 ! r'i,eness. " mmand )ha# is ri'h#. b$# #$rn a)a& !r m #he i'n ran#.)
Islam brings people from the dar+ness of ignorance and in#ustice, to the true light of guidance and #ustice- Allah the Wise and Eublime states: (Allah is #he Pr #e"# r and All& ! #h se )h ha,e !ai#h/ He leads #hem !r m #he de(#hs ! dar%ness in# #he li'h#. The disbelie,ers are #he (a#r ns and allies ! #he #a'h # 0Sa#an* id ls* #&ran#s1/ !r m li'h# #he& lead #hem in# #he de(#hs ! dar%ness. The& )ill be C m(ani ns ! #he Fire # d)ell #herein 0! re,er1.) 09:9G=1
Islam educates all $uslims to be peaceful, forgi%ing, patient and caring- Islam see+s all means to establish social #ustice in the society and protect the rights of all citi7ens of the Islamic state and encompasses them all in its welfare system- Islam e(horts upon $uslims to be good to others without e(pecting a fa%or rather see+ing the reward from Allah, their Dord $ost Bountiful- Islam educates $uslims to respect and honor the di%ine instructions and laws so that e%ery member in the society feels secure, safe and peaceful, e(cept those who, by their criminal acti%ities, deser%e to be punished with #ustice for transgression- Islam educates $uslims to be selfless and to li+e for others as they wish for themsel%es so that the entire society benefits: the old are to be +ind to the young and minor@ the young are to be merciful, respectful and helpful to the old@ the rich to be generous to the poor@ all should see+ to aid the needy- Islam aims for the ideal society wherein the statement of AllahCs $essenger 0 1 would be fulfilled: 6The e5am(le ! #he belie,ers in #heir l ,e and a!!e"#i n # ne an #her is li%e #ha# ! #he r'ans ! ne b d&. I! ne r'an a"hes* #he res# ! #he b d& be" mes !e,erish* and is a!!e"#ed.*
We hope that this boo+let helps as a guide for the see+ers of the truth, those who would see+ to achie%e the bliss in !aradise, see+ers of the true sal%ation from the /ellfire and its e%erlasting and humiliating torture, and the honorable abode of !aradise-
74
Eince we all +now that death is the final destiny of e%ery li%ing being, the crucial question is: what happens after death8 $uslims li+e all belie%ers in scriptures belie%e in the 'esurrection after death wherein all will meet #ust rewards or punishments in an eternal life, either in the bliss of Gardens of !aradise or the bla7ing fires of /ell- As for those who sincerely accept Islam as a way of life, they surely too+ the safe path that leads to happiness and the bliss after death- As for those who commit e%il acts in this world against innocent people and without any #ust basis, they would be punished and penali7ed for what they ha%e committed against innocent people- /owe%er, if one commits any act of disobedience against the Commandments of Allah, the Almighty@ it is totally up to the Will and $ercy of Allah- If /e Wishes to torture the e%ildoer by /is #ustice, there is no one to intercede on his behalf unless Allah permits- And if Allah wishes to pardon such an e%ildoer, /e would do so out of /is $ercy and GenerosityAs for those who turn away from Islam, or turn their bac+s to it and die as non. $uslims, we do belie%e that such people would stay in the Fire of /ell eternallyTherefore, we urge e%ery sensible, thoughtful and respecti%e human being to see+ true sal%ation for his soul by correct actions and based on the $ercy of Allah, $ost $erciful- We encourage e%ery person to see+ the 'ight and Etraight !ath that leads to !aradise@ that is the !ath of Allah@ the !ath of Islam@ the total submission to Allah- This is the !ath that leads to happiness for eternity- Allah the Almighty says of those enemies who spread false propaganda against Islam: (Their in#en#i n is # e5#in'$ish Allah=s Li'h# b& #heir m $#hs/ b$# Allah )ill " m(le#e 0#he re,ela#i n !1 His Li'h#* e,en #h $'h #he disbelie,ers ma& de#es# 0i#1.) 05::41
The $essenger of Allah 01 said: 63& #he One in +h se Hand #he s $l ! M$hammad is2 N member ! #his na#i n 0# be "alled1* n Pe) r Chris#ian )h hears ! me and d es n # belie,e in )ha# I )as sen# )i#h* b$# he )ill be ! #he (e (le ! #he Fire.7 0$uslim1
TUVWXYWZ [\ ] ^V_WZ `abc dWec ^V_f XgUhi jak `abc ]Z jalc All Praise is d$e # Allah al ne* #he >ubb ! #he + rlds And ma& Allah e5al# #he men#i n ! His Pr (he# and his h $seh ld and render him sa!e !r m e,er& der 'a# r& #hin'
75
I! & $ ) $ld li%e # re"ei,e m re in! rma#i n ab $# Islam* d n # hesi#a#e # " n#a"# $s/ :1 "mail: enmislamland. r' 91 Mou may also %isit the following sites: http:QQwww-islamland-org http:QQwww-sultan-org http:QQwww-daralmadinah-com www-islam.guide-com www-islamhouse-com www-islamreligion-com
76

Islam Promotes Comprehensive Peace

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Islam Promotes Comprehensive Peace

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ISLAM IS THE RELIGION OF PEACE

Dr. Abd Ar-Rahman bin Abd Al-Karim Ash-Sheha

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Table ! " n#en#s

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Dr.Abd$r-Rahman Abd$l-Kareem Al-Sheha

Islam is the Religion of Peace

The Meanin' ! Islam

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

The Mis" n"e(#i n #ha# Islam )as s(read b& F r"e

And /e, the Most Exalted, says:

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

)What ?o They Eay about Islam8 p-B:AO

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

P$s# +ar The r& and Pra"#i"e in Islam

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

This ta( is of three types as calculated by the currency of the time:

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islami" Prin"i(les En- in Mer"& and C ndemn A''ressi n

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islami" General Prin"i(les Cham(i n C m(rehensi,e Pea"e

-R Res(e"# ! r #he h$man li!e

Islam is the Religion of Peace

-R E9$ali#& ! h$man s#a#$s

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Allah, the Almighty also says:

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

Islam is the Religion of Peace

-R Sin"eri#& and ($ri#& in ad,isin' #hers

Islam is the Religion of Peace

-R En- inin' #he ' d and ! rbiddin' #he e,il

Islam is the Religion of Peace