Islam is the religion of peace. The root of the word Islam, slim, refers to “making peace, being in a mutually peaceful environment, greetings, rescue, safety, being secure, finding peace, reaching salvation and well being or being far from danger, attaining goodness, comfort, and favour, keeping away from troubles and disasters, submitting the self and obeying, respect, being far from wrong. A true Muslim should seek to bring others close to him, not to drive them away from him. Allah says:
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
“The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say words of peace.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:63)
Islam is a religion of peace in the fullest sense of the word. Allah in the Quran has encouraged the establishment of peace and has told the followers of Islam to be moderate in their behaviour and adopt the qualities of kindness, love, and respect for others. This leads to a more balanced and optimistic outlook on life. Allah says:
فَلَا تَهِنُوا وَتَدْعُوا إِلَى السَّلْمِ وَأَنتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ وَاللَّهُ مَعَكُمْ وَلَن يَتِرَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ
“So (do) not weaken and call for peace while you (are) superior, and Allah (is) with you and never will deprive you (of) your deeds.” (Surah Muhammad 47:35)
Islam encourages the believer to remain free from the extremes of worldly happiness that may cause one to forget God and the extremes of sadness that may cause one to lose hope and blame God. By not being overly attached to the material world, a Muslim is empowered not only to better handle any calamities but to be beneficial and generous to society. Allah says:
وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُو إِلَىٰ دَارِ السَّلَامِ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
“And Allah calls to (the) Home (of) the Peace, and guides whom He wills to (the) straight path.” (Surah Yunus 10:25)
Every teaching of Islam is based on the principles of peace and avoidance. Muslims have made every effort to establish peace and serenity everywhere in all divergent fields, only taking military measures when their enemies tried to hinder these efforts for humankind.
Here are some important benefits of Peace in Islam:
- Peace is a mental peace without disturbing thoughts
- Peace is dedicated our lives to prayer or spirituality
- Peace is to embrace feelings rather than ignoring
- Peace is recognizing our control over our moods
- Peace is taking responsibility for your reactions
- Peace is to finish unresolved issues in your life
- Peace is a state of emotional and mental peace
- Peace improves our relationships with others
- Peace teaches one should not harm others
- Peace allows a person to truly God’s love
- Peace is to be thankful to Allah Almighty
- Peace teaches us about good and bad
- Peace is to seek the pleasure of Allah
- Peace is using relaxation techniques
- Peace develop a peaceful society
- Peace tells the entire truth
- Peace encourages God’s mercy
- Peace is decluttered your world
- Peace considers to rights of others
- Peace find that you are able to cope
- Peace is more about being than doing
- Peace is to avoid worldly comparisons
- Peace disconnect and escape for a while
- Peace is stepped over, even the small stuff
- Peace improves our ability to focus our mind
- Peace helps us to show patience and tolerance
- Peace provides us with the ability to sleep better
- Peace is control over our activities and reactions
- Peace helps us to cope with our stresses and anxieties
- Peace allows our minds to not only focus but to slow down
Islam is a religion in which faith is based on clear proof. It encourages people to use their God-given intelligence to think and ponder over their life and the universe. Islam encourages a balance between hope in God’s mercy and fear of His punishment – both of which are required to lead a positive and humble life. God created us and knows we are imperfect and commit sins, but the key is how we react to committing those mistakes. Allah says:
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Say, “O Those who have transgressed against themselves, (do), not despair of (the) Mercy (of) Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives sins all. Indeed He, He (is) the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:53)
Islam is a religion of peace in the fullest sense of the word. Islam teaches that God is the Most Merciful and will forgive and pardon those who sincerely want to repent. The beautiful steps for repentance include being sincere, remorseful, refraining from committing the sin as well as having the intention not to repeat it. Allah says:
There are so many Quran verses on the importance of peace in Islam:
- “Enter it in peace, secure.” (Al-Hijr 15:46)
- “And peace on the apostles!” (Surah As-Saffat, 181)
- “Only the saying, “peace! peace.” (Surah Al-Waqia, 26)
- “Enter ye here in peace and security.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 46)
- “Enter it in peace. That (is) a Day (of) Eternity.” (Qaf 50:34)
- “Allah only accepts from the people of taqwa.” (Quran, 5:27)
- “Then We will save the ones who had taqwa.” (Quran, 19:72)
- “Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
- “O peaceful soul, come and enter my paradise.” (Quran 89:28)
- “The reward of goodness is nothing but goodness. ” (Quran 55:61)
- “It states that God abhors any disturbance of the peace.” (Quran 2:205)
- “And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out.” (Quran, 65:2)
- “It is He (Allah) who sent down tranquillity into the hearts of the believers.” (Quran, 48:4)
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 disparity from the model is a disparity between Islam and is due to misinterpretation. Allah:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
“O you who believe[d]! Enter in submission/Islam completely, and (do) not follow footsteps (of) the Shaitaan. Indeed, he (is) for you an enemy open.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:208)
We should, therefore, understand the ideology of peace given in Islam and our actions should base upon this ideology so that peace will overrule in the world. It is due to the lack of understanding that Muslims have forgotten the true preaching of the religion and have succumbed to false interpretations.
Islam creates a sense of peace with one’s creator and one’s self:
- Islam is a religion of peace: 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. Muslims should avoid war, even in a defensive situation.
- Pursuing the straight path: Pursuing the straight path can be understood as being truthful and honest in all circumstances, as well as embracing a moderate way of life that encourages good relations with everyone.
- Mercy and forgiveness: Divine compassion and Prophetic mercy assign special importance to forgiveness and tolerance.
- Trustworthiness: An important dimension of being a Muslim is trustworthiness. Every Prophet is introduced in the Qur’an with the attribute of trustworthiness. The lack of trust destroys the family, as well as social, cultural, and economic life.
- Love and respect for God: In Islam, good morals, love and respect for God and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are expected from believers. Appropriate love, mercy and compassion are to be shown, not only to people but also to every creature in nature.
- Peace, reform, and virtuous deeds: Islah means one’s reach of peace and serenity while leaving conflicts and deviations; in other words, it refers to leaving confusion by settling a dispute between two people or two sides.
- The purpose of Islam: A true Muslim follows the straight path. That means that he or she is faithful, honest, and just, is calm, lives to perfectly observe his or her religion and in guidance of reason.
- Social peace: In Islam, the right to life is an absolute value. Good deeds are actions that are beneficial for people and society, as well as actions that are taken to establish peace and serenity.
وَإِن جَنَحُوا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“And if they incline to peace, then you (also) incline to it and put (your) trust in Allah. Indeed, He (is) All-Hearer, All-Knower.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:61)
Islam encourages a continuous process of self-development and self-purification. This process happens directly between the individual and God – there is no need for sins to be shared or “confessed” to a righteous person/priest. Muslims should respect others and try to maintain peace and should follow the straight path. Allah says:
لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا إِلَّا سَلَامًا وَلَهُمْ رِزْقُهُمْ فِيهَا بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا
“Not they will hear therein vain talk but peace. And for them (is) their provision therein, morning and evening.” (Surah Maryam 19:62)
A true Muslim is one who truly follows Islam, someone who is at perfect peace, with himself and with others. Spread peace at an individual level as well as social level so that we can live a peaceful life with other Muslims and also we can portray a very good and peaceful image of our religion Islam. We should spread peace to portray the real image of the religion Islam. The Quran emphasizes peace and reconciliation as basic to all social and even international relations.