Islam: Is The Religion of Peace? -Hamidur Rashid Jamil

Islam is a religion of peace in the fullest sense of the word. The Qur’an calls its way ‘the paths of peace’ (5:16). It states that God abhors any disturbance of peace (2:205).

In fact, the root word of Islam is ‘silm’ which itself means peace. So the spirit of Islam is the spirit of peace. The first verse of the Qur’an breathes the spirit of peace. It reads: In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.

This verse is repeated in the Qur’an no less than 113 times. It shows the great importance Islam attaches to such values as Mercy and Compassion. One of God’s names, according to the Qur’an, is As-Salam, which means peace. Moreover, the Qur’an states that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH was sent to the world as a mercy to the humankind. (21:107)
A perusal of the Qur’an shows that most verses of the Qur’an (and the Hadith) are based on peace and kindness, either directly or indirectly. The ideal society, according to the Qur’an is Dar as-Salam, that is, the house of peace (10:25).

Islam attaches great importance to peace. In fact, Islam cannot afford not to be in a state of peace because all that Islam aims at—spiritual progress, intellectual development, character building, social reform, educational activities, and above all Missionary work —can be achieved only in an atmosphere of peace and harmony.
Islam is a religion of peace and submission to Almighty God. It is a continuation of monotheistic belief and was preached by Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) who was born in Arabia in 570 A.D. He started preaching Islam at age 40 after receiving a divine revelation over a 23-year time span that, at its completion, became the Holy Quran, which still exists in its original Arabic text. Translations are available in different languages side by side with the original Arabic text.

The Holy Quran contains a complete code of life for humankind. It came at a time when Arabia was passing through dark ages and detached from other civilizations. Tribal warfare, worship of idols, and the killing of female children at birth were the norm.

The Prophet did not receive any formal education. God was his teacher through the angel Gabriel. The Quran informs about previous prophets from Adam to the Prophet Jesus (p.b.u.h) and their teachings. Muslims are supposed to revere and believe all prophets equally.
The teachings of the Prophet are really derived from the teachings of the Quran, which also mentions many historical and scientific facts discovered only in modern times.

Islam is the religion of peace and mercy for all creatures. However, nowadays, some extremist has spread misconception about Islam, that as it is the religion of sword for terror. However, the fact is that Islam is the religion of peace, and it condemns extremism and violence. Islam promotes peace, calm, harmony, and tranquillity in society. Islam is a peaceful religion, its best examples, we can see, in the practical life of the Holy Prophet (SAW). He was the Messenger of Allah (SWT) to convey the message of honesty, piousness, peace, mercy, integrity, and love. He had never done any activity, which indicates the act of terrorizing, misconduct, racism and violation against humanity. He showed mercy to the animals, insects and plants. The world knows him, as a ‘Rahmatul-lil-A’lamyn'(Mercy to the world). From the life of Holy Prophet (SAW), it is concluded that Islam is the religion of peace and humanity. It did not spread by the force of the sword, rather, it spread by its golden qualities.

Islam is a righteous religion for all living things and teaches that lead a simple, peaceful life to human beings and sympathy about other creatures – flora and fauna. Unfortunately, now a day, some extremist spreading a vague statement that Islam is the religion of extremist, terrorist and violence, which is totally a wrong statement. Islam is the religion that gave equal rights of all human beings; no one is superior to others in the teachings of Islam. In Muslims religious book “Al Quran”, it is clearly stated that:

“Did I not charge you, O children of Adam! That you should not serve Satan. Surely, he is your open enemy, and that you should serve me; this is the right way. Moreover, certainly, he led astray numerous people from among you. What! Could you not then understand? This is the hell with which you were threatened”.
Thus, Islam is a religion of peace in the complete sense of the word. Every teaching of Islam is based on the principles of peace and avoidance. Any deviation from the model is a deviation from Islam and is due to misconceptions. We should, therefore, understand the ideology of peace given by Islam and base our actions upon this ideology so that peace prevails in the world.