KABUL (Pajhwok): After his prophethood, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) presented mankind a religion that will answer all needs of the peopleas long as the world stays intact. Admittedly, a religion can survive if it is based on wisdom, logic, peace and blessing. Highlighting the fact that Islam is religion of peace, reconciliation and friendship, Allah says in verse number 208 of Surah Baqarah: “O, you who believe! Enter perfectly in Islam (by obeying all rules and regulations of the Islamic religion) and follow not in the footsteps of Shaitan (Satan). Verily, he e is an obvious enemyto you.”
In this verse, the Quran emphasises upon Muslims to enter an atmosphere of peace and reconciliation after affirming their belief in Allah and Islam. The Holy Book says those who distance themselves from peace are followers of Satan. In other words, peace and friendship is a heavenly virtue while war is an act of Satan. From the Quranic perspective, lasting international peace and security of mankind cannot be achieved without believing in Allah. Belief in God’s oneness is a bond among different societies, with linguistic, geographical and financial disparities.
Apart from following the teachings of all prophets, having faith in the unseen and worshipping Allah, Muslims have to call the people to freedom, struggle against cruelty and discrimination in all manifestations, strengthen security and enforce justice. Security is an important component of human civilisation. A society bereft of the security blessing cannot be characterised as a gratified society. Security means order that no school of thought or political system can afford to ignore. It is not only a basic human need, but also a key factor behind political, educational, cultural, social and economic development.
As a comprehensive and progressive religion, Islam sets great store by and security. To address human needs at all times and all places, it pays special attention to enforcing peace. In line with the Quranic teachings, security is a goal of Allah’s rule and the caliphate of the righteous. In verse number 55 of Surah An-Nur, God says: “Allah has promised those among you who believe and do good deeds that He will certainly grant them succession on the earth, as He granted to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (disobedient).”
Based on this Quranic verse, security in Islam concerns the righteous people, who fear Allah, discharge their duties well and respect the law. In simple terms, efforts for strengthening security are among the traits of good Muslims. Quite obviously, security stems from faith in Creator. Ayah 4 of Surah Fath says: “It is He Who sent down As-Sakinah (calmness and tranquility) into the hearts of the believers, so that they may grow more in faith along with their (present) Faith. And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and earth, and Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.”
Essentially, peace in a wider sense means compassion and brotherhood. Verses 9 and 10 of Surah Hujraat refer to the same point. “And if two parties or groups among the believers resort to fighting, make peace between them. But if one of them rebels against the other, then fight you (all) against the one which rebels till it complies with the Command of Allah; then if it complies, then make reconciliation between them justly, and be equitable. Verily! Allah loves those who are equitable. The believers are nothing else but brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, so that you may be shown mercy.”
In Verse 61 of Surah Anfaal, Allah’s Apostle is asked:“But if they (enemies) are inclined to peace, you also show your inclination and (repose your) trust in Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower.” But making peace with warmongering non-believers is conditional on protecting the believers’ rule and respect.
Caliph Hazrat Ali (RA) wrote in a letter to Malik Al-Ashtar, who was then appointed as the governor of Egypt: “Don’t reject peace to which your enemy may call you and wherein there is the pleasure of Allah, because peace brings rest to your army and relief from your worries and safety for your country. But after peace there is great apprehension from the enemy because often the enemy offers peace to benefit from your negligence. Therefore, be cautious and don’t act wishfullyon this issue.”
Islam underlines the need for tranquility in a Muslim country. To accentuate the imperative, the Prophet of God says: “A country without peace and prosperity offers no good.” From this saying, we can safely infer that prosperity comes about in a secure environment. Minus security, happiness makes little sense. As a matter of principle, no one takes a lawless nation seriously.
In the modern-day world, as the above verses and Hadith prove, Islam is averse to war and chaos. Instead, Islam has come to be acknowledged as a religion of guidance and awakening. Naturally, the forces of tyranny, deceit and arrogance see real Islam as the biggest hurdle to realisation of their nefarious designs. With all their strength and energy, they are trying to project Islam as a religion instigating war, violence and terror.
The reality is that Islam slams as injustice harassment of the individuals without fault, stresses protection of people’s lives and property and calls security an objective of jihad. Given that some individuals opt for cruelty, sins and disobedience, a comprehensive religion like Islam must offer a strategy for removing hurdles in the way of mankind’s guidance.
At times, the use of force becomes inevitable to curbs sins and rebellion. In an eventuality like this, Islam makes jihad mandatory. The Quran also calls for strict action against those who disregard logical orders, create impediments to peace and guidance and deliberately choose to challenge Islam out of enmity or spite.
Islamic teachings on defending borders, military preparedness and jihad -- a significant form of worship -- are clearly different from warnings against going to war and spilling blood. Islam envisions jihad neither for ruling the world nor for the expansion of power. In its pristine form, jihad is a step toward liberation, not enmity. There should be no war if goals of jihad could be achieved without non-militarily. It is precisely for this reason that non-believers should be asked to embrace Islam before the launch of a military campaign.
Allah has declared jihad obligatory for Muslims to rescue victims from the clutches of arrogant tyrants and pave the ground for educating those who are kept in ignorance with regard to Islamic knowledge. Renowned Quran exegetist and jurisprudent Allama Mohammad Hussain Tabatabai explains Islam negates war. He says the philosophy of jihad is focused on glorifying Islam. It is a type of worship in which pious intentions are a must. It is meant to defend the rights of mankind, not to work for personal gains at the expense of others. God says: “Don’t be aggressive, for Allah verily doesn’t like the aggressors.”
So it is amply clear that Islam is not a religion encouraging aggression. In light of Allah’s rule, Islam is the name of combating cruelty and injustice, as well as negating tyranny in the interest of security, peace and humanitarianism.
The writer’s views don’t necessarily reflect Pajhwok’s policy.
