1

Islam and Peaceful Behaviour

Niyaz Ahmad Lone*

Abstract
Undeniably contemporary world is swimming in the ocean of various issues and challenges
ranging from social level to economic level and from religious level to political level. Out of
these issues lack of peace is one of the grave issues at global level, which causes insidious
consequences including human rights violation, destruction of natural resources,
demolishing of religious places, vandalization of the property, etc., and where humanity is
prone to devastation. These indefeasible conditions have constrained the conscious of global
leadership to take some deliberate steps to ensure peace in the societies, and no doubt, they
are doing immense in this regard. However, need of the hour is to animate the religious
manifestations of the Islam in order to bring peace in the society. The sophisticated
comprehension and interpretation of the Islamic teachings can play a vital role in ensuring
the peace in contemporary world. Because the ultimate aim of Islam is to construct a
peaceful and just society where every sort of manipulation and exploitation can be
controlled. Islam as a faith means sincere submission to God, so that one can live in a
peaceful atmosphere. Islam embodies peace and tranquility. In spite of being heterogeneous
nature of the universe, Islam believes in unity. Islam askes to regulate the society in a
peaceful way. Peace occupies an interesting place in the Islamic teachings. There is no scope
for violence in Islam. It talks about the settling of the disputes amicably in a peaceful
atmosphere. Peace is one of the basic elements of the universal message of the Islam. Islam
never allows violence on the earth. Islam seeks the inculcation of harmony, integrity,
equilibrium, and moderation in the society. Therefore, need is to realize the continuing
efficacy of the Islamic discourses in order to restore peace in the contemporary world. The
present paper is a humble attempt to highlight the role of Islam as a peaceful universal
ideology.

Key Words: Islam, Peace, World, Humanity

*
Research Scholar at Islamic Studies, Islamic University
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Introduction

Peace as a concept entails the availability of the equilibrium, harmony, and integrity in a
society. It can be conceptualized as an enduring state of justice. Peace is a social fact, and is a
mechanism to fight against persecution, destruction and turmoil. The Islamic concept of
peace involves the security of human life, property, and honor irrespective of any creed,
colure, religion and race. Islam treats life, property, and honor of the people as scared, and
hence advocates peace a basic principle of the life, and held peace essential in the life. A
large number of Islamic teachings deals with peace, and peace is the most fundamental value
of the Islam. Holy Qur’an mentions, “Do not make God a pretext, when you swear by Him,
to avoid doing good, being righteous and making peace between people. God is all hearing
and all knowing”. (Al-Baqarah, 02:224)i. Islam lays much more emphasis to purify earth for
peace and security, Holy Qur’an mentions, “do not spread corruption on the earth after it
has been set in order- pray to Him with fear and hope, God’s mercy is close to those who do
good.” (Al-A’rāf,07:56). Similarly, the concept of peace has a considerable amount of
importance in the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Peace, according to Islam,
involves not only to abolishing violence, oppression, and corruption, but also helps in solving
the disputes in a peaceful atmosphere, safeguarding and promotion of human rights, and
prosperity and development. Furthermore, the Islamic concept of peace has importance at
individual level, family level, and at society level. Islam adopts all the possible and effective
methods to ensure peace in the world.

Islam means a sincere submission to Allah in order to live a peaceful life. Tawhīd (oneness of
God) which is the central point of Islam, aims to construct a classless society without any sort
of discrimination, and to regulate the society in a peaceful manner. Being divinely revealed,
the central authority of Islam focuses on believe in one God and to ensure peace in the
society. Islam believes in the unity of mankind to bring peace, because without unity among
human beings the target of an absolute peace cannot be achieved. Islam propagates peace.
Being a cosmopolitan ideology, it addresses the whole humanity. Peace, tolerance, and
mutual understanding like revolutionary features occupies an important place in the Islamic
teachings.

The primary aim of Islamic teachings is to ensure peace in the society and to maintain
brotherhood. Islam gives a complete protection to life and property of the individuals. Islam

i
Eng. Transl. by Mawlānā Wahiduddin Khan
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vehemently resists against the exploitation and manipulation of the human beings in the
society. The aim of war in Islam is to establish peace, war is a temporary mechanism in Islam
to ensure peace in the society. Islam assigns three types of responsibilities to its followers,
responsibility towards God, it involves fulfilling the commandments of God. In Islamic
terminology it is known as Huquq-ul- Allah. Responsibility towards self, it involves the
submission of self to the will of God by shunning all those activities which are repugnant to
the Islamic teachings. And responsibility towards other human beings, this responsibility
aims to maintain peace and cordial relation with other people irrespective of their religious
commitment. It also involves to help others, which is known as huquq-ul- ‘ibād.1 Islam
advocates for peaceful environment, and aims to construct a moral and just society where
individuals can live a religious life. Islam provides ample opportunities for peace in the
society.2

Islam seeks enforcement of the justice in the society to ensure peace, because justice involves
the establishment of equilibrium and balance in the society. Holy Qur’an mentions,
“Believers, be steadfast in the cause of God and bear witness with justice. Do not let your
enmity for others turn your away from justice. Deal justly; that is nearer to being God-
fearing. Fear God. God is aware of all that you do.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:8). Islam assigns the duty
to its adherents from individual level to collective level to ensure peace in the society. 3

The concept of non-violence constitutes an important part of the Islamic teachings. Islam
believes in a peace, and seeks the propagation of its teachings in a peaceful atmosphere. The
invitation (daw’ah) of Islam is based on non-violence practice. Islamic way of activism
believes in peace. The perennial nature of the Islam explicitly shows that the teachings of
Islam is based on peace and aims to create a peaceful atmosphere in the world. Islam strongly
condemns all those activities which threats human life, and does not permit corruption. Holy
Qur’an mentions, “When he turns away, he sets out to spread corruption the land, destroying
crops and cattle. God does not love corruption.” (Al-Baqarah, 2:205)4

Peace, security, protection, and safeguard are some revolutionary features of the Islam. Mass
killing, destruction, anarchy, and chaos are not allowed in Islam at any situation. Rather Islam
promotes peace, prosperity, development, peaceful co-existence, tolerance, and moderation.
It embodies forbearance and affection. Islam lays much more emphasis on human dignity.
Holy Qur’an mentions, “That was why we laid it down for the children of Isreal that whoever
killed a human being-except as a punishment for murder or for spreading corruption in the
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land – shall be regarded as having killed all mankind……” (AL-Ma’idah 5:32). This verse
highlights the sanctity of human life. Islam teaches its adherents to exercise respect and
tolerance towards the people of other faith and creed. Islam involves the inculcation of
tolerance, patience, and positive mentality in its adherents. 5

Islam is a complete way of life. Its teachings are based on the concept of unity of Allah. Islam
infuses the spirit of positive and peaceful approach in its followers. God-realization, morality,
justice, human service are the main themes of the Islamic teachings. Furthermore, Islamic
teachings aims to control all those activities which causes war and destruction in the society.
Islam believes in reconciliation in all the issues from family level to state level. 6

The ultimate objective of Islam is to guide the individuals to spend the life in a fairest and
possible way. From the very first day, Islam has discarded the differences of race, color and
language. Islam inculcates a sense of universal brotherhood. Holy Qur’an states, “Surely all
the believers are brothers. So, make peace between your brothers, and fear God, so that
mercy may be shown to you.” (Al-Hujurāt 49:10). Similarly, there are a number of verses of
the same nature. Islam talks about unity among the individuals.7

The most insisting aspect of the Islamic teachings is Tawhīd (unity of God). Islam askes the
individual to believe and worship one God, however, simultaneously, it infuses a spirit of
human services in the individuals and induces them to be kind and patient towards other
fellow beings. Islam never allows its followers to engage in the activities which causes harm
to others.8

Islam in its orientation in human development and dignity gives much more importance to
peace. According to the Islamic teachings, peace is must to regulate the society in a proper
and smooth way. Because of its progressive nature, peace is the precondition for a healthy
life. The importance of peace pervades all the dimensions of the society from indigenous
level to international level. The main target of Islamic teachings is to bring unity among the
people irrespective of any variation, and seeks to reconcile the difference among the
humanity, that is why peace occupies a vast place in Islamic teachings. Islam seeks to
promote and spread peace, harmony and tranquility on the earth. Islam has given much more
importance to the human dignity.9

War in Islam is not ultimate aim, rather it is a situational mechanism to ensure peace in the
society. War in Islam is to fight against the oppressors in order to save the lives, property, and
honor of the people, and to restore peace in the society. Islam never allows war on the basis
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of race, religion, caste, and greed. The force conversion of faith in not allowed in Islam. Holy
Qur’an mentions, “There shall be no compulsion in religion….” (Al-Baqra, 2:256). War in
Islam aims to ensure absolute peace in all the dimensions of the society. 10

The concept of peace in Islam involves cordial relationship with the people of other faiths to
settle disputes through a peaceful dialogue, holy Qur’an mentions, “If two parties of believers
fight against each other, make peace between them….” (Al-Hujurāt 49:9), and to know each
other, as holy Qur’an mentions, “Mankind We have created you from a male and female, and
made you into peoples and tribes, so that you might come to know each other….” (Al-Hujurāt
49:13). Islam induces its followers to maintain peace, security, mutual respect, tolerance and
respect human beings. Not only this, Islam askes to propagate its teachings in a peaceful
way.11

The core of Islamic teachings is non-violence. The three terms- ‘adl(justice),

raham(compassion), and ihsān(benevolence) which has been repeatedly used in Islam,
clearly conveys the point that the ideology of Islam is based on peace. Islam emphasis on the
primacy of peace. Islam insists its followers to adopt right and nonviolent path. Peace is the
dominant feature of Islam.12

Islamic teachings are peacebuilding in nature. Islam has potential to address all the
dimensions of the society, it recognizes all the domains of the public life from individual
level to collective level, and provides values and principles for a peaceful resolution of the
issues. These values and principles provide a strong base for peacebuilding approach.
Forgiveness, mercy, brotherhood, equality, and tolerance are some remarkable values
provided by Islam which helps to construct a just, healthy, and peaceful society. Social
empowerment, which is another target of Islam, is one more approach towards establishing a
peaceful society. Islam encourages its adherents to help the financially and physically weak
people. For that very purpose, Islam has zakat(charity) system, which constitutes third
important pillar of the Islamic teachings, and aims to provide financial assistance to the needy
people.13

A sense of separation among the individuals can contribute immensely towards nonviolence
in the society, therefore, Islam believes in integration of human beings based on the concept
of Tawhīd (unity of God). And Islamic concept of peace involves unity among people. Islam
says all the human beings are allowed to live with safety. Furthermore, Islamic concept of
peace inculcates a sense of responsibility in the Muslims to care for oppressed and other
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persecuted people of the society. Holy Qur’an mentions, “And how should you not fight for
the cause of God, and for helpless old men, women, and children who say, ‘Deliver us, Lord,
from this city of wrongdoers, grant us a protector out of Your grace and grant us a supporter
out of Your grace?” (Al-Nisa,4:75). Not only this, Islam in certain conditions allows the use
of force against the mischief elements of the society who causes corruption, Chaos, and
oppression to ensure peace and provide safety to the people. In this regard holy Qur’an says,
“Permission to fight is granted to those who are attacked, because they have been wronged-
God indeed has the power to help them.” (Al- Hajj 22:39).14

Similarly, Islamic social system is based on the concept that all the human beings has been
sprung from the same parents, and Islam does not recognize the tribal, cultural, national, and
linguistic difference among the people, rather these variations are signs of Allah. Holy
Qur’an mentions, “Mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you
into peoples and tribes, so that you might come to know each other. The noblest of you in
God’s sight is the one who fears God most. God is all knowing and all-aware”. (Al-Hujurāt
49:13) Islam gives a concept of universal brotherhood. In an Islamic state, the constitution
grants all and equal rights to the non-Muslim citizens of the state, and takes full responsibility
of their protection in terms of life, property, and honor, they have right to profess their own
religious beliefs.15

Islam gives first priority to peace at any situation, holy Qur’an mentions, “Then if they should
be inclined to make peace, make peace with them, and put your trust in God. Surely, it is He
Who is all Hearing and All Knowing”. (Al-Anflāl 8:61). The life of Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) is an explicit example in this regard. During the prophetic period of life, Prophet
(SAW) has made a number of peace treaties with non-Muslims, the Treaty of Hudaibiyah is
famous one in the history of Islam.16

The main objective of Islamic teachings is to construct a God oriented society based on
virtues. Islam encourages its followers to adopt good and avoid bad. Islamic teachings shape
the society in a healthy and peaceful way, and lays down clear directions from personal level
to collective level and from religious level to political level to run the society. Islam
recognizes all the dimensions of the society so that an absolute peace can be ensured.17

Islam induces it followers to stand for truth, justice, freedom, and other human values, and to
resist against slavery and other oppressing elements of the society in order to provide peace
to the individuals. Furthermore, Islam is complete in its teachings, it provides directive
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principles for all the aspects of the society. Islam embraces both spiritual as well as mundane
concerns of the individuals and provides a comprehensive guidance in this regard. Not only
this, Islamic teachings guides an individual from personal level to collective level. In
nutshell, Islam wants

to build a society based on justice, morality, peace, and brotherhood where human values and
rights can be preserved.18

Islam as a religion teaches the lessons on peace and co-existence and teaches human beings
to be closer to each other. Islam is based on unity and it emphasizes on justice, peace,
brotherhood, respect and protection for human rights. Islam wants to bring out humanity from
hopeless situation and provide a shelter of peace.19

The Islamic concept of unity involves the eradication of conflicts among the human beings
and to unite them on the basis of Tawhīd (oneness of God), because the absolute submission
to God Almighty is the only effective mechanism through which individuals can assemble in
single platform. And society can be free from conflicts, disorder, corruption, and chaos. Islam
insists its believers to live with peace and harmony and maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
Furthermore, Islam encourages its followers to maintain an interreligious brotherhood with
the people of other faiths. Islamic message, being universal in nature possess love, goodwill,
justice, and kindness to all the creatures of God.20

The primary objective of Islamic teachings is to inculcate a sense of God-realization,

accountability, piety, sincerity in the individuals, and therefore, Islam uses a peaceful
mechanism to inculcate these qualities in the individuals, and invites people through a proper
way. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) throughout his prophetic period of life invited people by
peaceful means, and always tried to take the easy and peaceful way to culminate his prophetic
mission, and the wars which were fought by the Muslims with non-Muslims during the life of
Prophet (SAW) were defensive wars. Islam wants to avoid all the conflicts, and aims to
maintain peace among the individuals at any cost. Islam vehemently condemns religious
persecution, corruption, human rights violation, and exploitation, and permits to fight against
all the mischief elements of the society. Holy Qur’an says, “Fight them until there is no
more(religious) persecution, and religion belongs wholly to God: If they desist, then surely
God is watchful of what they do”, (Al-Anfāl 8:39).21

Islam has been remained pioneer of universal brotherhood from early days. There are
multiple verses in the holy Qur’an which highlights universal character of the Islamic
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teachings. For example, “Hold fast to the cord of God and let nothing divide you. Remember
the blessings He has bestowed upon you; you were enemies and then He united your hearts
and by His grace you became brothers; you were on the brink of an abyss of Fire and He
rescued you from it. Thus, God makes His signs clear to you, so that you may find guidance ”.
(Al- ‘Imrān 3:103). Islam inculcates an international brotherhood.22

Islamic teachings provide rich values for peaceful society. Social justice, enjoying good and
forbidden bad, and empowerment of the weak section of the society are fundamental values
provided by Islam to construct a peaceful and healthy society. Islam insists its adherents to
maintain a communal life and support one another, and to promote the values of plurality and
tolerance.23 Islam, as a peaceful religion aims to provide a peaceful environment to all the
creatures on the earth, and provides a peaceful solution to each and every issue of the society.
Islam gives no consent to intolerance and corruption on the earth. The practical life of the
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) clearly highlights the peaceful nature of the Islam. He was
pioneer of peace, honesty, piety, mercy, and trustworthy like remarkable qualities. He never
tried to take revenge from his opponents in spite of having the capacity throughout his life,
rather he prayed for their good. Conquest of the Makkah is a magnificent example in this
regard where all the opponents of the Prophet (SAW) were pardoned. Affection, love,
tranquility, peaceful nature, tolerance, and coexistence are basic qualities of a true believer in
the sight of Allah (SWT).24

Islamic teachings invite humanity towards right path and brings close together in order to live
a life of peace, security and stability. Islam provides every sort of peace to the individuals. It
gives harmony to the souls and intimacy to the hearts. In, fact, Islam was a revolution against
all the traditional social systems, it broke the chains of all the social customs which were
based on ignorance and superstitious beliefs, and had no value of the humanity. Islam brought
out the society from the darkness of the centuries, and revolutionized all the aspects of the
society through its teachings, and especially gave the human dignity a highest place in the
society, slavery system was abolished forever, women got their rights after the emergence of
Islam. 25

Islam is a revolutionary religion in character. The first and foremost revolutionary character
of the Islam is that it established a firm and living relationship between an individual and
God, and its teachings brought a huge number of the individuals under the concept of Tawhīd
(oneness of God). And furthermore, it brought individuals close together and postulated the
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doctrine of brotherhood. Islam gave the concept of classless and an egalitarian society. Islam
provided a code for a meaningful and successful life, and provided principles for the smooth
and proper function of a welfare state. It provided a social order based on social justice,
public welfare, and moral virtues where there is no scope for any distinction among the
individuals.26

Living in harmony and cooperation is precondition in a society which is characterized by

ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity. Therefore, for that very purpose interfaith dialogue is
must. Interfaith dialogue is not only a theological debate among different religions, rather the
main objective of interfaith dialogue is to promote peace, harmony, and brotherhood among
the adherents of various faiths. So, Islam has given a high place to the interfaith dialogue
from its early inception. Holy Qur’ān mentions, “Say, ‘people of the Book, let us come to
word common to us that we shall worship none but God and that we shall associate no
partner with Him and that none of us shall take others, besides God, for lords.’ And if they
turn away, say, ‘bear witness that we have submitted to God.’’ (Al-Imrān 3:64).27
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Conclusion

Islam is the alone religion in the world which believes in the unity among the human beings
so that peace a harmony can prevail in the world. Islam takes peace as a fundamental
principle. Islam emphasizes on peace in relation with all the human beings in the world. War
has no scope in Islam. Islam says that people are free to accept the religion of their choice,
and says that there is no compulsion in religion. Islam does not permit force and violence at
any condition, it askes its followers to invite people through wisdom and peaceful way. It has
given a paramount importance to the life, honor, and property of the human beings. Islam
seeks the security of human values at any cost. Nevertheless, need is to comprehend the
teachings of the Islam in a sophisticated way.
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