Islam as a set of universal principles offers the best solution to end injustice and achieve global peace.
Conflict is a major issue which affects the entire world. It seems to spread like a virus each day. Most people in the world want to end global conflicts and achieve peace, yet nobody knows how peace can be fulfilled.
It’s really a big question which world leaders and institutions have devoted endless energy and money. Pundits, analysts, and scholars have proposed various solutions to achieve world peace with little success.
In my opinion, the best solution for world peace is Islam.
Islamic ideology originates from the notion of peace and the word “Islam” shares the same root as the Arabic word for peace “Salaam.”
While some people equate Islam with violence, cruelty, corruption, and terrorism, these Islamic versus advocate the exact opposite.
Allah says: مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا”
Translation: That if anyone killed a person, not in retaliation of murder, or to spread corruption in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind.
True Muslim believers know that they cannot take part in violence, terrorism, and bloodshed.
Islam teaches us not to steal, commit adultery and murder.
Allah says: إِنَّمَا جَزَاءُ الَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ اللَّـهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَسَادًا أَن يُقَتَّلُوا أَوْ يُصَلَّبُوا أَوْ تُقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم مِّنْ خِلَافٍ أَوْ يُنفَوْا مِنَ الْأَرْضِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لَهُمْ خِزْيٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, verse 33)
Translation: The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.
Islam established guidelines and laws for crime prevention.
Principle 1 Islam tells us that if you want peace and tranquility, accept belief in one God and do good deeds. In the Quran this principle is stated here:
فَمَنْ آمَنَ وَأَصْلَحَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Translation: Anyone who believes and reforms should have neither fear nor will they be saddened.
World peace is impossible without faith.
Principle 2 The second rule is that worship and prayer should be devoted only to Allah, and not for any type of idol worship.
Allah says: الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُولَـٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ
(Surah Al-Inam, verse 82)
Translation: Those who believe and do not cloak their faith in wrongdoing will feel more secure and will be [better] guided.
Principle 3 Spread compassion and brotherhood in society. Everyone should be their brother’s protector.
Prophet Mohammad said: When every society, every city, and every person performs well for others, the temptation for corruption, civil war and terrorism will end automatically. The world will become a cradle of peace.
Check out more articles on Islam here.
Inayat Ur Rehman is a Political Science and International Relations student. He can be reached at afgyomo@gmail.com. Read other articles by Inayat.
