Peace - the vision of Islam
Separating truth from falsehood
Many people have heard that Islam, as a religion, means peace, but very few people have seen a parallel depiction in mainstream media — from TV to movies, newspapers to textbooks, etc. — but what does Islam really mean? What does Islam really teach? Is there a clear definition about the principals and concepts behind this religion? Or have we been presented the truth by the media that seems to govern our very ways of thinking?
Islam comes from the root Arabic word, salam, which means “peace.” It is also derived from the Arabic word slim, which means submission (to God). However, if we were looking for a textbook definition of Islam, it would be: “The peace acquired by submitting your will to God.” The dictionary today essentially defines “religion” as a set of practices backed by a set of beliefs — or just a belief in a supernatural being. It is important to distinguish between what society has today understood about what a “religion” is, and what Islam really is.
Islam does have a set of beliefs, which are backed by a set of practices, along with a belief in a supernatural being. However, Islam is much more than that. Islam is a way of life. It dictates how a human being’s life should be led, and the one who follows this way of life or adheres to it from his/her heart, is known as a Muslim. A Muslim, by definition, is “one who has submitted his will to God.” Thus, Islam regulates a comprehensive system of living from the most minute details of eating, drinking and sleeping, to the most complex system of governmental and political law making — all of which the Muslims call, in Arabic, the Shari’ah.
The purpose of Islam is clear: to spread peace within humanity. Suppose someone creates a machine. Who will write the instruction manual for that? Naturally, the creator of that machine will. Similarly, in Islam, Muslims believe that the one who will dictate how our lives should be lived will be our creator.
The instruction manual is the Glorious Qur’an — the holy book of the Muslims — which was revealed to the last and final prophet Muhammad, after whose name Muslims say “peace be upon him.” The Qur’an is not a book for the Arabs or the Muslims only but, as Muslims believe, the book (or instruction manual) has been revealed to instruct all of humanity. This is further reiterated by what the Muslims call in Arabic “the sunnah,” which means the sayings and practices of the “Prophet Muhammad” (peace be upon him).
Islam has received poor publicity from many mainstream sources — associating it with terrorism, lack of women rights and barbaric practices. However, very few of these mainstream sources have verified their propagation before their presentation or depiction. Islam’s aim is not to spread hatred among people, but rather peace in humanity. We cannot judge a car by its driver, and therefore we cannot judge Islam by what very few Muslims are doing. There are black sheep in every community. To smear a religion’s values and principals based on the actions of these black sheep is illogical and unethical.
Islam speaks clearly about the issues that are presented very boldly in the media. As written in the Qur’an, “If any human being [Muslim or non-Muslim], kills another human being [Muslim or non-Muslim . . . ] it is as if he has killed all of humanity; and if any human being [Muslim or non-Muslim], saves another human being [Muslim or non-Muslim], it is as if he has saved all of humanity.”
Islam believes in universal brotherhood — not only among Muslims, but among non-Muslims as well. As the Qur’an states, “We have created you from a single pair of male and female, and divided you among nations and tribes — so that you may recognize one another, not that you may despise on another.”
This concept of brotherhood for which we yearn so deeply today was reiterated several times by Prophet Muhammad over 1,400 years ago, who said: “If you show mercy to those who are in the Earth, he who is in heaven will show mercy to you.”
It’s clear that from the most authentic sources (The Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad) the vision of Islam is to spread peace, tolerance and brotherhood in humanity, not hatred and intolerance. Thus, it’s time we ignore the poor representation of Islam by not only the poorly-practicing “Muslims,” but also by the mainstream media, and separate the truth from falsehood.
Mumtaz Mirza is currently enrolled in the Masters program in the faculty of landscape architecture at the U of M. He has spent the last five years studying Islam and comparative religion on his own time with a hope to clarify Islamic viewpoints.
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Discussion
I would to see someone with no religious affiliation discuss the peace of Islam, or any other religion for that matter. You are bias as any one else who tries to promote their religion against the media protrayals and "misread" scripture.
I know some very peaceful, inspiring, charitable Muslims, and some very sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, bigoted ones as well. As with any religion you have good people and bad people. I don't think the media ever shows The Canadian Muslims at all and usually just the extremist ones in the middle east. However this is just like any other stereotype for any kind of group. The media is always going to show the most sensational stuff rather than the strict boring lives Muslims really lead ( I come from a Muslim background and for any readers, its not evil, just old fashioned, conservative, and boring.. So yea "peaceful")
However, you didn't explain how Islam is peaceful. You just implied it promotes submission and daily control. What does Islam say about leaving the religion? or exploring/understanding other ones for unifying different religions?
Most people can get ahold of the quran, look at various translations, and still see that the Canadian law holds more rights for women, sexual/racial minorities and religious tolerence towards other religions than the Quran does in today's society.
Perhaps the Quran had more rights for women 100 years back but nowadays women don't need their male family members permission for leaving the house or suffer hits/scorn if they are out of line with their husbands(4:34). I know people don't follow that stuff anymore duh, but it's still there for people to misuse it and the fact it is still there shows it does not go with what peace and equality is in today's society.
What mightve been liberating for women 100 years ago does not hold true for today. On top of that, whose Islam are you referring too? Shia and Sunnis practice and follow it different than Ahmadiyyas or Wahabis do. They are literalists like in any other religion, and more liberal progressive (the peaceful ones) types too which are sadly fading away due to "not being true Muslims" by mainstreem ones.
People are thinking of Islam like it is one whole religion and sect, but they are so many sects which may confuse people. At the same time, any who can read can see how people can take verses literal or not literal itself, which is the same issue with other religious scripture.
Bottom line, everyone is out to promote and defend themselves. Just saying it's peaceful does not make it peaceful. Saying "people" are peaceful also doesn't make people peaceful. People want proof. So if you really want to promote the peace in your religion, please back it up scripture with a few translation sources and defend it. I really don't see how some verses can be defended without the typical "out of context, too literal/not literal enough/ poor translation".
I myself see all organized religion as indifferent, and prefer no religious affiliation. I'm not picking on Islam but at the same time I'm tired of cliched rants about religious members and media bias yet none of them take the time to explain why the extremists are wrong and what mainstreamers read / follow differently.
your studies in religion are SO weak. i have studied all religions and their scriptures. and i would be ready to stand at the platform to defend the article that Islam displays the most peace.
Regarding, HOW islam is peaceful, i am ready to debate/dialougue anyone to back up my statements. however, in this particular article, there was no room for it. (max.800 words)
please study all religions from their authentic sources and not by what people say or do. because, as you said: they're are good people and bad people everywhere.
to say that all religions are "indifferent" shows your lack of knowledge and thus, you should investigate more thoroughly before responding.
-Mumtaz Mirza
Each religious writing is in an ideal form. That is fine. However, one who practises and/or follows it, oftentimes, interprets and 'tweeks' it to suit their own needs.
Ideally, Islam might be written to appear most peaceful. Like the lady (above) wrote, it really depends on how it is used by each individual. Idealism is just that: Idealism.
In your case, Mumtaz, you stress you are correct. That is not relious dedication to the belief ... That is bias, not true love of your religion but one of superceding yours over others.
Your article is one sided in its view. However, we are ALL entitled to our view, like you.