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_001.jpg) Perhaps the best way to begin a discussion of the
relationship between Islam and peace and security is to deal with a statement
that is heard often these days: “Islam means peace.” If the one making this
statement means that the actual meaning of the word “Islam” is “peace,” then
this is definitely wrong. It is true that the word Islam and the Arabic word
for peace (salaam) both come from the same root. This demonstrates that
there is going to be a relationship between the two. It is vitally important
to understand what that relationship is and how that relationship occurs.
The word “Islam” is the verbal noun of the verb aslama.
This verb is defined as, “He resigned or submitted himself.” When used with
respect to God, it means, “He became submissive to God.”
Thus, Islam is about an individual recognizing who his Lord is and recognizing
that his attitude toward his Lord and Creator should be one of submission and
worship.
This understanding of what the word Islam means is vital
for understanding the relationship between Islam and peace. Islam, the
submission to God, is what leads to true peace. True peace—both internally and
externally—can only be the result of the correct implementation of Islam. Of
course, what is meant here is not simply peace as in “an absence of a state of
war.” Peace means much more than that. One can be free of war yet still
suffer from anxiety or despair and lack peace. Here, it is referring to a
complete sense of peace. Islam brings about a complete tranquility and peace
of mind that is the result of realizing that one is believing and acting in
accord with the guidance of one’s Creator. This internal peace can then spread
to the family, the community, the society and the world as a whole.
It is a special form of tranquility that can only be produced by the proper
belief in God. Hence, God says:
“Indeed, there has come to you from God a Light and a clear
Book wherewith God guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of
peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides
them to a Straight Way” (Quran 5:15-16)
In fact, God is calling humans to the abode of eternal
peace:
“God calls to the home of peace (Paradise) and guides whom He
wills to a Straight Path” (Quran 10:25)
For those who follow this path, their ultimate reward
will be the abode of peace:
“For them will be the home of peace (Paradise) with their Lord”
(Quran 6:127)
In sum, it is not correct to say, “Islam means peace,”
but certainly true peace comes only via Islam.
How Islam Brings About Peace
True and complete peace can only be had when the
individuals themselves achieve internal peace. This results from Islam or the
true submission to God alone. This is the only way of life consistent with the
nature of human beings. In fact, this is what can be called the “true life.” Thus,
God says:
“O you who believe! Answer God (by obeying Him) and (His)
Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life…” (Quran 8:24)
Knowing God is what can bring about true contentment in
the soul. If the individual does not know his Creator, his soul will always be
yearning for something that is missing in his life. He will always be agitated
and confused. If and when he seeks things other than God—even things which he
believes is his “god”—he will eventually end up in despair when he realizes
that all of the things that he seeks after are not the one Being that his heart
is yearning for.
Ibn Taimiyyah wrote:
You must know
that a human’s need for God¾ that he worship Him and not associate any
partner with Him¾ is a need concerning
which there is no comparison that one can make an analogy to. In some matters,
it resembles the need of the body for food and drink. However, there are many
differences between the two.
The reality
of a human being is in his heart and soul. These cannot be prosperous except
through [their relation] with God, concerning whom there is no other god. There
is[, for example,] no tranquility in this world except in His remembrance. Verily,
man is proceeding toward his Lord and he shall meet Him. He must definitely
meet Him. There is no true goodness for him except in meeting Him.
If the human experiences any pleasure or happiness other than in God, that joy
and happiness will not endure. It will move from one nature to another or from
one person to another. The person will enjoy it at one time or only some of
the time. In fact, sometimes the thing he enjoys and gets pleasure from does
not bring him pleasure or enjoyment. Sometimes it even hurts him when it comes
to him. And he is even more harmed by that. But his God is definitely always
with him under every circumstance and at all times. Wherever he is, He is with
him [by His knowledge and aid]…
If someone
worships anything other than God¾ even
if he loves it and attains some love in this world and some form of pleasure
from that¾ [that false worship] will
destroy the person in a way greater than the harmful displeasure that comes to
a person who ate poison…
You must know
that if anyone loves something other than for the sake of God, then that
beloved thing will definitely be a cause of harm and punishment… If somebody
loves something other than for the sake of God, that thing will harm him
whether it is with him or he is without it…
All of the wealth and the goods of this world will not
be able to bring the human such true internal contentment. Abu Hurairah
narrated that the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:
“True richness is not via much property and
belongings but true richness is in self-contentment.”
Another hadith states:
“True richness is the richness of the heart. True
poverty is the poverty of the heart.”
Once an individual is at peace with himself and free of
any internal agitations, he can then enter into truly peaceful relations with
others. He will have no reason to feel resentment towards the rest of the
world—those whom he may blame for his lack of internal peace. In fact, since
his goal is that of the Hereafter, he has no reason even to feel envy or rage
towards others concerning what they have received in this world—while envy and
rage strike at the very root of peaceful relations towards others.
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