TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE
We often talk of peace in the context of war. But this is a very narrow and restricted notion of peace. Peace is deeply linked with the entirety of human life. Peace is a complete ideology in itself. Peace is the only religion for both—man and the universe. It is the master-key that opens the doors to every success. Peace creates a favourable atmosphere for success in every endeavour. Without peace, no positive action—small or big—is possible.
PEACE BETTER THAN POLITICAL SUPREMACY
PEOPLE are generally obsessed with politics. They believe that acquiring a territory and establishing political rule over it, is the greatest kind of success. According to the Quran, peace is the summum bonum. While political supremacy is limited in its scope, the ambit of peace is unlimited. Peace is greater than political rule. In the chapter entitled Al-Fath (Victory), the Quran refers to the Hudaibiya agreement—a peace treaty drawn up between the Prophet and his opponents, which was finalized in the year AD 628. The Quran mentions it as a “clear” victory (48: 1)—a victory which is beyond any doubt. Then in the chapter entitled Al-Nasr (Help), the Quran refers to political victory over Makkah in AD 630. Here the Quran uses the word fath (victory).
Peace opens the door to multiple opportunities and by availing of those opportunities, you can achieve all kinds of success, including political rule.
This difference in terminology proves that, according to the Quran, political victory is the superseding of opponents in the control of a particular geographical area, whereas establishing peace, a “clear” victory, is the greater victory. It means that establishing peace has more importance than a political victory. Why is there this difference? Because political victory gives you only one thing and that is administrative control over a piece of land. But peace has greater potential than this. Peace opens the door to multiple opportunities and by availing of those opportunities, you can achieve all kinds of success, including political rule. The early history of Islam is clear proof of this. For example, before the peace agreement of Hudaibiya was signed, Islam seemed to be trapped in a blind alley. But after the Hudaibiya agreement, the Prophet of Islam and his Companions endeavoured to avail of all those opportunities that had been opened up to them and, within two years, Islam had spread all over the Arabian peninsula.
Peace is a bilateral issue, but peace can be established only by a unilateral initiative, otherwise there can be no peace. This Quranic concept of peace is set forth in the chapter entitled Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War) of the Quran. The translation of the relevant verse is as follows:
“Then if they should be inclined to make peace, make peace with them, and put your trust in God. Surely, it is He Who is All Hearing and All Knowing. Should they seek to deceive you, God is enough for you: it was He Who strengthened you with His help, and rallied the faithful around you, and bound their hearts together.” (8: 61-62)
Peace is a bilateral issue, but peace can be established only by a unilateral initiative, otherwise there can be no peace.
Where there has been a controversy between two parties, and finally an agreement has been reached, each party fears that the other party may not strictly follow the agreement or in other ways will try to act deceitfully. This kind of suspicion is a great obstacle to establishing peace. But the Quran advises believers to place their trust in God. They ought not to think about the behaviour of the other party, but simply believe that God will be on their side and that the peace settlement will be successful.
Trust in God means, in effect, trust in the laws of nature. Following the laws of nature designed by the Creator is the only practicable course to adopt in this world. If you insist on raising controversial points, you will arouse the ego of the other party and the desired settlement will become more difficult to achieve than ever before. Insistence on your own point only causes a reaction, i.e., the other party becomes more cautious, and then reaching a settlement becomes almost impossible. Avoid controversy at any cost, as this will enable you to discover the common ground between the two parties.
Self-control is undoubtedly
a very great strength.