ISLAM STANDS FOR PEACE

The meaning of the word “Islam” is submission to God. The name Islam and the Arabic word for peace, salaam, both come from the same root word ‘salima’ which indicates peace. It may be said that Islam and peace are twins. The Muslims greet each other by saying Salamun Alaikum-peace be on you. Out of Ninety-Nine Names of Allah is ‘Salam’. Many Muslims end their prayers by addressing Him as, “Allahumma Anta Salam Wa Minka Salam Wa Ilayka Ya’udu salam (O Allah! You are peace; from You originates peace and to You it returns)

That is the reason the final abode Allah provided for believers, and to which He invites them, is called “Darus salam” (the

abode of peace). The Glorious Qur’an says:

“They shall have their abode of peace with their Lord” (6:127)

“Allah invites everyone to the House of Peace and guides whomever He wants to the right path.” (10:25)

“And when they shall reach that destination, they shall be greeted by the angels in these words: Peace be on you, because you were patient; how excellent is then the issue of the abode.” (13:24)

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) is the manifestation God’s Mercy for humans on the planet earth.  The Glorious Qur’an brought the Divine Guidance for humanity not restricted to Muslims. In the Glorious Qur’an, at 18 places Allah addresses the man kind as “Ya Auyyuhannas” i.e. “O Mankind” (Baqarah Ayahs 21,168 Nisa Ayahs170, 174 A’raf Ayah158 Yunus Ayahs 104,108,157 Hajj Ayahs 5,49,73 Luq’man Ayah 33 Fa’tir Ayahs 3,5,15 Hujura’at Ayah 13, Infitar Ayah 6 Inshiqaq Ayah 6). Every Surah of the Glorious Qur’an (except Surah Taubah) starts with “Bismillah Rahman Rahim” It may be translated in English as, “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful”. Allah is Merciful to His entire creations in the universe and He called His Messenger as “Mercy for the Universe as stated in Surah al-Anbiya Ayah 107, “(Muhammad), We have sent you for no other reason but to be a mercy for mankind.”

Law giver and law abider are two different institutions. Every country formulates laws for the benefit of its people. If the citizens of a country do not follow the laws, can we blame the law giver? The logical answer is no.

During his entire life, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) never initiated any war; it was always in self-defense. Even in those defensive battles, he instructed Muslims not to hurt, old, women and children who cannot defend themselves. Never burn the ready harvest of the enemy nor their trees or livestock. Similarly, his (s.a.w.a.s.) true vizier or wasi; the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) always tried his best to avoid bloodshed e.g. In the Battle of the Trench     when their famous hero Amr ibn Abduwudd came to fight with him, Imam Ali (a.s.) offered him 3 conditions viz accept Islam, go back (save your life), and come down from the horse. The Imam (a.s.) always directed his army men “do not start the war”, let the enemy begin the warfare.

Before announcing his Prophet hood, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was unanimously acclaimed as “Trustworthy” and “Truthful”. Such a personality can never approve of violence against humanity.

When the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) migrated from Makkah to Madinah, he delivered a short sermon on the eve of entering Madinah. He said, “Spread Peace, share meals with others, maintain good relations with your relatives, and pray for a part of the night.”

Sources used: The Glorious Qur’an, islam.ru/en/content/story/feed-greet-pray-prophetic- peace formula (Sahih Bukhari), Four California Lectures by Allama Sayyid Saeed Akhter Rizvi