ISLAM AND PEACE

Islam is a religion of peace in the fullest sense of the word. The Quran calls its way the paths of
peace (5:16). It states that God abhors any disturbance of peace (2:205).

In fact the root word of Islam is silm which itself means peace. So the spirit of Islam is the
spirit of peace. The first verse of the Quran breathes the spirit of peace. It reads: In the name of
God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.

This verse is repeated in the Quran no less than 113 times. It shows the great importance Islam
attaches to such values as Mercy and Compassion. One of Gods names, according to the Quran,
is As-Salam, which means peace. Moreover the Quran states that the Prophet Muhammad
PBUH was sent to the world as a mercy to mankind. (21:107)

Islam attaches great importance to peace. In fact, Islam cannot afford not to be in a state of peace
because all that Islam aims atspiritual progress, intellectual development, character building,
social reform, educational activities, and above all Missionary work can be achieved only in
an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

According to Islam, peace is not simply an absence of war. Peace opens doors to all kinds of
opportunities that are present in any given situation. It is only in a peaceful situation that planned
activities are possible. It is for this reason that the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him)
went to great extents to establish peace at all costs.

In the last decade or so, there have been huge misunderstandings about the norms and culture of
Islam. Around the world, due to negative projections by print and electronic media, Islam has
been pictured as a religion of extremism. But the fact of the matter is that Islam is far from all
this fuss and chaos.
In fact, Islam is a religion which is based on global harmony. It is possibly the only religion of
the world which has made it compulsory for its followers to pray for each others well being
whenever two persons come across each other. Islam has made it mandatory to share a part of
wealth with those who cannot afford to live a sound life. Islam is the only religion of the world
which has clear rules and regulations regarding the right of women to move in society, to vote
and to be equally treated as men. Islamic culture supports justice and supremacy of courts in
society. It discourages ill treating human beings on any discrimination. For non Muslims, Islam
has got some clear rules. Non Muslims are always allowed to live in Muslim societies. They can
practice their religious acts as and when they want. Islam also bounds the government of the
Muslim states to see that the minorities living in that country are well served and cared for. The
religious places of minorities are given full protocol and worth in Islamic states.
Thus it can be very safely concluded that Islam is a religion that teaches harmony, brotherhood
and global peace. Due to certain unfortunate incidents, a media war broke up against Islamic
laws and culture which started ruining the actually face and culture of Islam.