Principal teachings about peace in Islam
Centrality of peace
The religion of Islam is based on the notion of peace as an essential element. The
word "Islam" itself comes from the Arabic words for peace selm and salam. The
traditional Muslim greeting "As-Salamu-Alaykum" means peace be with you.
The opening verse of the Qur'an expresses an important element of the Muslim
understanding of peace. " In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most
compassionate." This tone continues in many places throughout the revealed text.
This verse is repeated in the Qur'an no less than 114 times. Included among the
Qur'anic names for Allah is "As Salaam" which means peace.
Paths of peace
The Qur'an refers to Islam as 'the paths of peace' (5:16). It describes reconciliation
as a basic stance (4:128) and states that Allah abhors disturbance of the peace.
(2:205) Islam regards the mission of the Prophet Muhammad as one of peace and
mercy to humankind. (21:107)
Permitted use of force
It is therefore clear that the principal teachings of Islam strongly advocate peace.
However, there are also clear teachings in Islam which permit the use of force in
certain situations.
Unfortunately, the teachings of Islam on the use of force have frequently been
misrepresented both by extremist elements claiming to be Muslim and others outside
the Muslim tradition who seek to portray all Muslims as extremists.
Jihad misrepresented
The concept of "Jihad" in Islam is very often the source of the misrepresentation.
Jihad is a central teaching of Islam but is not, as many believe, synonymous for war. It
is not even the term used in the Qur'an to refer to war When Qur'an refers to war or
fighting it uses the word "qital" and not jihad.
Jihad literally means to strive or to struggle. In its proper usage it refers mostly to the
essential struggle in overcoming obstacles to submission to Allah. It can, and does
also refer to the military struggle to achieve religious freedom for Muslims and the
protection of Muslim values, however, the use of force is always a last resort and war
of aggression is not permitted Islam.
Peace fundamental aim of Islam
A close analysis of Islamic texts and the history of Islam demonstrate clearly that
peace is the fundamental aim of Islam. Wars can be fought, however, to defend
against acts of aggression and overcome oppression, but only as the last resort. For
Muslims war is not a way to advance ideology or extend political power and
influence.
Peace in Islam does not just mean the absence of war, but extends to the absence of
oppression and tyranny. For Muslims, true peace can only exist where there is
justice. Therefore, Islam justifies war against oppressive regimes that prevent people
from living in freedom and upholding their religious beliefs and practices. It does not,
however, justify war against non-Muslim people for the purposes of forcefully
spreading the influence of Islam.
dar al Islam and dar al Harb
The idea that Islam supports the use of force in order to propagate itself stems largely
from doctrines that were developed during the classical period of Islamic scholarship.
Including in this period of scholarship was a doctrine that divided the world into two
domains. These two domains were broadly understood as the areas or regions under
the influence of Islam "dar al lslam" and "dar al Harb", the regions not under
the influence of Islam or Islamic law. Some scholars have regarded the second
region "dar al Harb" as a zone of struggle or conflict which Muslims should seek to
bring under Islamic influence.
Muslim influence
The division of the world into these two domains and the notion that Muslims ought
to strive to bring "dar al Harb" under Islamic influence is the idea that is used by
Muslim extremists to promote their ideology of an aggressive propagation of Islam.
Some such extremists use the term "jihad" to describe their campaigns of violence.
Thus the term "jihad" has, in the minds of many, come to be associated with the
idea of a holy war against all who do not embrace Islam.
Such extremist views, however, are clearly matters of ideology rather than an
authentic vision of Islam and there is no doubt that authentic Islam abhors the use
of force and seeks to promote peace.
Muslim pacifism
In the early years of Islam, under persistent threats of persecution and harassment
Muslims adopted a pacifist stance in Makkah. Even when this pacifism was
abandoned during the time in Madinah, force was only used in response to those
who attacked the Muslims. This permission to use force is expressed in the Qur'an
"to those against whom war is made, permission to fight is given" (22:39)
In Madinah, the Muslims remained at peace with the Jews who lived in the city.
Muhammad forged an alliance of cooperation and friendship with the Jews which
assured them of their freedom of religion as well as their security in the Muslim
world.
Conflict with Byzantium
The notion of the two domains "dar al lslam" and "dar al Harb" did not arise until
sometime later during a period of conflict between Islam and the Byzantine empire.
It is understandable during such conflicts that extremist attitudes develop towards the
other. Previously peaceful relations had existed between the Islamic world and the
Christian realm of Abyssinia.
Muslim scholars had no notion of "dar al lslam" and "dar al Harb" until later periods
when conflict prevailed. Thus this sense of polarisation between Muslims and non
Muslims is not a reflection of the authentic teaching of Islam but a response to a
period of conflict. Extremists seeking to use the name of Islam to further their
ideologies often call upon this division as a basis for their campaign, however, such
hostility and division is not representative of Islam.
Use of Qur'an by extremists
The Qur'an has also been used to provide support for extremists in their
campaigns. Surahs such as 2:193 at face value suggest an endorsement of a
campaign to force others to submit to Islam. "And fight them on until there is no more
Fitnah and religion should be only for Allah. (2:193).
However, in context this surah clearly refers to a defence of Islam in the face of
aggression by others. "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not
commit aggression, for Allah loves not aggressors." (2:190) . but if they cease, let
there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. (2:193)
Aggression towards non Muslims
Another section of the Qur'an seems to invite aggression towards non Muslims "slay
the mushrikin wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait
for them in every stratagem; but if they repent, and establish Salat and pay Zakat, then
open the way for them" (9:5). Yet the context is clearly a reference to the non
Muslims at the time of Muhammad who were actively plotting against the Muslims
in Madinah.
Therefore, while this surah is not an endorsement of hostility towards non
Muslims it does contain the basis for the Muslim support of a pre-emptive strike
where the evidence of an imminent attack is unmistakable.
Permitted use of war
In Islam, the permitted use of war is to establish and assure justice, and to overcome
oppression and tyranny. Four situations can be seen where an Islamic state is
justified in using force.
The first situation is to overcome oppression where there is the denial of religious
freedom
The second situation is when individual Muslims and their property are under
attack from another group in the community.
The third situation is where an Islamic state is invaded by a foreign power. In this
situation, the use of a pre-emptive strike is also permitted if the evidence of an
impending attack is unmistakable.
The fourth situation relates to law enforcement where there is a need to subdue
rebellion against legitimate authority within an Islamic state. This does not refer to
opposition to public policy or reasonable protest. Rather it relates to a kind of
insurrection which seeks to use violence and force to achieve ideological goals. In this
context, the use of force by Muslim authorities is understood as being aimed at the
protection of other people and their property.
Force necessary in some situations
Muslims see the use of force as necessary in certain contexts, believing that without
the responsible use of force there would be chaos and the triumph of tyranny in the
community.
"Had it not been (the Will of) Allah that one set of people is repelled by another,
certainly the earth would have been in a state of disorder." (2:251)
"Had it not been (the Will of) Allah that one set of people is repelled by another,
certainly there would have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and
mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure."
(22:40)