Islam Prohibits Violence And Aggression And Stands For Peace And Justice
Islam clearly prohibits all kinds and forms of aggression and violence against anyone, except in self-defense. Islam is a practical religion, meant to be implemented in every aspect of our life. Therefore, it realizes the fact that a person who commits aggression and violence against others will not cease these actions unless they are deterred by similar actions taken against them.
Islam also places very high importance on justice, and
allows for aggressors and unjust people be punished accordingly, unless they
repent before they are brought to justice. At the same time, Islam encourages
people to forgive those who have wronged them whenever possible.
Evidence of these ideals can be found in the Holy Qur'an,
which is the word of God revealed to the messenger of God, Mohammad peace be
upon him. It can also be found in the (Hadeeth), the sayings of Mohammad peace
be upon him, and in his teachings to Muslims.
A few examples of this are shown below from the Holy
Qur'an:
"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, and
do not transgress; for Allah loveth not transgressors." Surah 2, Verse
190
"But if they cease (fighting you), Allah is
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Surah 2, Verse 192
"But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also)
incline towards peace, and trust in Allah:
for He is the One that Heareth and Knoweth (all
things)." Surah 8, Verse 61
The three verses above instruct Muslims to fight those
who fight them, and not to commit aggression first, as God does not like
transgressors. They also instruct Muslims to stop fighting those who wish to cease fighting them, and
to accept peace with the enemy who becomes inclined towards peace.
"The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so
for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one
transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him.
But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain
themselves." Surah 2, Verse 194
The verse mentioned above instructs Muslims that if
someone transgresses against them, they should respond to them likewise, and it
reminds Muslims to fear God and to restrain themselves to this limit.
" and let not the hatred of some people in (once) shutting
you out of the Sacred Mosque lead you to transgression (and hostility on your
part). Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one
another in sin and rancour: fear Allah: for Allah is strict in
punishment." Surah 5, Verse 2
The verse reminds Muslims not to let hatred of some
people for past reasons to lead them to transgress against those people or be
hostile towards them. It also instructs us to help each other in good and
righteous actions, and not to cooperate in aggression and sin, and it reminds
them finally of the strict punishment of God to encourage them to abide by
these principles.
"Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with
what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were
thy friend and intimate!" Surah 41, Verse 34
The verse reminds us that goodness and evil are never
equal, and that we should repel evil with good actions. This means that when
someone is unjust to us or commits evil against us, we are encouraged to
respond with kind and good actions, so that the hatred between us and that
person will evaporate and will become an intimate friendship!
"O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as
witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin,
and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both.
Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort
(justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all
that ye do." Surah 4, Verse 135
The verse reminds us to stand up for justice, even if it
is against ourselves or our family, and even if it is against those who are
rich or powerful, because justice applies to everyone. It also reminds us that
God knows everything we do, and so if we act unjustly even in our hearts, God
knows what we did and we will be accountable for that.
"God advocates justice, charity, and regarding the
relatives. And He forbids evil, vice, and transgression. He enlightens you,
that you may take heed." Surah 16, Verse 90
The verse informs us that God enjoins us to follow
justice, and that God forbids us from committing evil, vice and transgression.
"And if ye do punish them, punish them no worse than
they punished you: but if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course)
for those who are patient." Surah 16, Verse 126
The verse reminds Muslims that if they are punished, that
they may only respond with the same punishment and not to go over this limit.
However, they are reminded that forgiveness and patience is the best course of
action.
These are the wonderful ideals of Islam:
To pursue peace with everyone including past enemies,
except when they fight the Muslims and refuse peace, then Muslims are allowed
to fight in self-defense.
To ensure that we always apply justice and never
transgress against others even if they are our enemies.
To repel evil actions with good actions, in order to
replace hatred with an intimate friendship.
To respond to punishment with the same punishment, but that
forgiveness and patience is even better than retaliation.
And finally, we greet everyone with the greeting of Islam: Assalamu Alaikum - Peace be upon you
And finally, we greet everyone with the greeting of Islam: Assalamu Alaikum - Peace be upon you