‘ISLAM’ is an Arabic word,
which literally carries the meaning of ‘peace’ as also ‘submission’ /
‘self-surrender’. If you submit to GOD’s commandments, you will be peaceful. If
you fail to surrender to HIS will, then you will be bereft of peace. The word
‘Islam’, therefore, signifies this great truth. The people who follow Islam are
called Muslims. The Arabic word Muslim also carries the meaning as to one who
is in a state or condition of submission to God’s will and therefore is peaceful.
(The
word Islam and Muslim have the same root letters s,l,m). To attain peace
and to give peace are a Muslim’s primary duties.
‘A person who does not harm others either
through words or deed alone is a true Muslim’. ‘A person who safeguards lives
and possessions of other people alone is a true believer’. ‘A person who has a
sumptuous feast while his neighbour is hungry is not a true believer’. These
are some of the sayings of the Prophet (pbuh) that further endorse the basic
meaning of Islam as peace.
Some people call Islam as Mohammadan religion
and call Muslims as Mohammadans. However, these words have slowly faded away
from usage. If we accept the term ‘Mohammadan religion’, then it follows that
Islam was founded by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), which is not true. As we have
seen earlier, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the last Prophet. He came to expound
the truths that were already told by the earlier Prophets.
Say ye: “We believe in Allah, and the
revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes,
and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their
Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to
Allah (In Islam)” (Holy Quran 2:136)
From the above verse it is clear that the Prophet
(pbuh) did not initiate a new religion. Mohammadan would imply that Muslims
worship Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). But truth be told, Muslims do not worship Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh). They worship the only God. They regard Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
to be a messenger of God and as a role model to be followed. Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) always maintained that he was also human and that he would die one day.
Islam was created by God. It is, therefore,
true that it is not linked to any particular person or race. In this universe,
all creations, both animate and inanimate, except man act as ordained by God.
They do not have the capacity, knowledge or freedom to deviate from these laid
down laws. The Earth rotates at its pre-determined velocity. It cannot deviate
from its pre-determined path, speed and time. This rule is applicable to
everything that exists in this universe except man. Hence all these creations,
perhaps except man, are acting peacefully.
Man alone has been bestowed with the privilege
of thinking and acting as per his will. When man attempts to misuse this
privilege, then he loses peace. ‘Drinking is the mother of all evils’ said God.
Instead, man converted that as the mother of all earnings. This has resulted in
family quarrels, divorces, murder, loot and sexual violence. ‘People are
progeny of a single man and woman. Therefore all are equal’ said God. However,
man created all types of inequalities. The result is that society is divided on
class or communal lines with incessant conflicts. ‘Don’t even go near shameful
acts’, said God. Man stepped beyond his limits engaging in prostitution,
illegitimate and forbidden relationships resulting in sexually transmitted
diseases, AIDS and deteriorating moral standards. Hence God addressed these
people saying ‘and peace to all who follow guidance’. (Holy Quran 20:47)
Man will attain three types of benefits if he
follows the commandments of the Lord.
They are peace with God, peace with creation and peace with self. Islam
shows the way for all these three types of peace.
1. Peace with God
Accepting the only God, worshipping HIM and
surrendering to HIS commandments will lead us to peace with God. HE has created
us as the crown jewel of creation and has provided us with capabilities, means
of livelihood and guidance. Therefore, if we remember HIM and be grateful, we
shall be peaceful. When HIS likes become our likes and when his dislikes become
our dislikes, then we become worthy of God’s love. ‘By remembering God, mind
becomes peaceful’. (Holy Quran)
2. Peace with creation
We can be at peace with all of creation if we
accept that all men, nations and languages are equal; grant human rights;
discharge our duties and responsibilities properly; act with justice and be
loving.
3. Peace with Self
We can attain peace with ourselves if we keep
our mind and body pure. We need to discard some of the negative thoughts or
traits like being overly materialistic, being obsessed with one’s position,
ostentation, arrogance, jealousy and a vindictive attitude. Instead, if we
cultivate love, compassion, truthfulness, forgiving attitude, sacrifice in our
mind, then our mind will become peaceful. ‘Truly he succeeds that purifies it’.
(Holy Quran 91:9)
We can attain also attain peace of mind if we
keep our bodies also clean like our mind. We need to abstain from drinking,
drugs, smoking, illegitimate and prohibited relationships. We also should not
indulge in self-harm. ‘Make not your own hands contribute to your own
destruction’. (Holy Quran 2:195)
Islam advocates greeting each other with the
phrase ‘As-salam Alaikum’ which means ‘peace be unto you’. Islam also
reiterates that we need to greet in the same manner when we finish our prayers
as also while entering the house. Islam, therefore, endeavours to create a
peaceful man and a peaceful society.
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