Towards a Better Understanding of the Quran: Does the Quran Really Advocate Peace?
Dr. Shabir Ally, President of the Islamic Information Center, Toronto, Canada
By Reading Islam Staff
04 April 2013
The Quran does not promote violence at all, though some verses taken out of context may give that impression.
What are the foundations of peace-making in the Quran?
We all want peace.
The violent conflicts around the world call for real solutions.
What does the Quran say about peace-making?
What are some important foundations for world peace in the Quran?
Host: Sister Safiyyah Ally, of “Let The Quran Speak”
Guest: Dr. Shabir Ally, President of the Islamic Information Center, Toronto, Canada
Host: It seems like you’re interested in seeking out the sources of peace within the Quran, and trying to figure out how religion can contribute to world peace?
Dr. Shabir: Yes, it is very important that we be clear about the scriptural foundations for our actions. Many people are calling for peace, and some do so, on the basis of their scriptures.
But do the scriptures actually measure up to our high expectations for peace in the modern world?
Some scriptures are in conflict with each other, or are in conflict within themselves in that you may have one part of the scripture promoting peace and the other part of the scripture being extremely violent, and this has been noticed in the studies of the scriptures of the world’s religions.
When it comes to the scripture of Islam, some people have pointed to a similar type of conflict in that they see that there are some verses that seem to promote peace, and on the other hand there are some verses which seem to promote violence. In fact some Muslims have taken the latter set of verses as their guiding principles, and they commit violent acts in the name of our religion.
So it is essential then that Muslims take a closer look at the Quran, and show how the Quran as an overall message is a message about peace, what are the foundations in the Quran based on which Muslims should be working for and should establish peace. And given those founding principles, how do we understand the verses which may appear to promote violence of some sort.
Does The Quran Promote War?
Host: So do you think that as a package the Quran promotes peace more than it does promote war or violence?
The Quran is really all about peace, and war is treated as the exception
Dr. Shabir: In fact the Quran does not promote violence at all, though some verses taken out of context may give that impression.
When the Quran is studied within the context in which it was revealed, some fourteen hundred years ago, more so specifically within the lifespan of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, responding to the events in his life, and when the verses in the Quran are studied within the context of the Quran itself, one will see that the Quran is really all about peace, and war is treated as the exception.
Where war is done for a good purpose, such as for protecting the oppressed or for preserving religious freedom, then that too comes with limitations and cautions so that aggression should never come from the part of Muslims.
Host: So tell us why you think that the Quran promotes peace as a whole.
Dr. Shabir: There are several factors in the Quran. First, the Quran speaks of a Universal God, so that breaks down barriers immediately.
Second, the Quran speaks about the oneness of humanity, addressing all people as "Children of Adam” that too breaks down barriers. The Quran, in the same vein, speaks about nations and tribes, and languages and colors as being all manifestations of God’s glory and greatness in creation, and not cause for division, so this all speaks to the oneness of humanity.
Third, the Quran addresses the sanctity of life, and the more people die naturally then war is not a good thing. In fact the Quran draws attention to this in that sometimes war falls upon you even though it is something you dislike. Nevertheless, despite the fact that this is something dislikable, it may hold some good that you may eventually find. So it’s a bad thing, but within the Quran world view even bad things may have some good coming out of it, otherwise God would not have permitted something that is absolutely and grossly evil to obtain in the world.
We may mention fourthly that the Quran speaks about the plurality of religion as a given fact. And this has been lost to many Muslim commentators in the past, but it is there stark in the Quran in Surah 5 verse 48, and in many verses as well, it is clear that if God wanted, He could have made all the people of one religion, but He has left it such that people will follow a variety of religions, and then in the end He will judge them according to what they have been given. So what have they been given?
They have been given either a moral conscience that should guide them to choose the good and shun the bad, or they have been given through some religious set of teachings a set of principles and ethical guidelines that they should have followed, and then they will be asked by God why did you not follow what you knew to be right? And of course most of us are given both; the inner conscious and the set of principles, whether it comes from a known religion or through some religious sort of impetus that comes to be manifested in many different societies over time.
Host: So this verse and others suggest that co-existence is important in the Quran?
Dr. Shabir: Yes, and in fact the Quran speaks more directly about peace and says that making reconciliation “al-sulh” this is best, and the flip side of that “Fasad” – corruption or upheaval – this is condemned again. In the very beginning of the Quran in the second chapter, which is really just at the beginning of the Quran since the first chapter has only a mere seven verses, we find God condemning those who while claiming to be peace makers are actually “Mufsidoun” they are causes of “Fasad” or corruption which is condemned again and again in the Quran.
As opposed to corruption or “Fasad” which some people choose, later on in that chapter God says “idkhulou fis-silm kaafah” enter into peace all of you together, completely, and the believers are being addressed here. This is the 208th. Verse of the second chapter, this calls for a kind of universal entry into peace on the part of all Muslims.
Host: Does the Quran address the first community of Muslims, the Muslims at the time of Prophet Muhammad, telling them anything about peace-making?
Dr. Shabir: Yes, of course this particular verse that I just mentioned is a prime example of this, addressing believers in particular, but more so it addresses in many different verses the Prophet and his companions. The revelation period is generally divided into two phases: the Makkan phase and the Medinan phase. The Makkan phase lasted some thirteen years, and during those years the verses that were revealed to the Prophet, peace be upon him, generally spoke about peace and peaceful living, such as the 109th. Chapter of the Quran which ends by saying {you have your religion, and I have mine.} (109:6)
This shows that there is acquiescence to the fact that people who are at odds with each other over religion, but we’re not going to fight over it. You have your religion that’s fine, I have my religion, that’s fine for me, let’s agree to disagree.
When is War Necessary?
There seems to be three justifications for war that are mentioned in the Quran.
Host: So when is war necessary?
You previously hinted at this but maybe you can bring that out a little bit more.
Dr. Shabir: There seems to be three justifications for war that are mentioned in the Quran.
One is obviously self-defense, which everyone recognizes. Sometimes you have to use violence in order to protect yourself if your life is in eminent danger, and this is widely recognized. The Quran in Surah 22, verses 39 & 40, speaks to this reality and says that permission has been to the believers to respond in a military encounter because they have been oppressed, because they have been driven out of their homes for no other reason except that they said that we are believers in God.
A further justification is mentioned here that if it had not been for the fact that God used some people to drive back some others, then the churches, the synagogues, the monasteries and the mosques, in which the name of God is being recited much, would have been demolished. So that shows that the preservation of the freedom of worship and the places of worship now become a Muslim responsibility, as Muslims are responsible for protecting the mosques, and also for protecting other places of worship.
You see, if you hold a certain principle, we are here in Canada, and we enjoy the fact that Canada offers the freedom for anyone to worship, Muslims should protect that freedom, even though it may mean at times coming to the defense of some minority groups whose freedom in this respect are being denied. A Muslim should never say OK that’s their problem. No, it’s everyone’s problem, because this is a moral principle that we uphold, that there should be freedom of religion, and if any group is threatened or their freedom is taken away in this respect, then it becomes our responsibility to uphold that right, and of course once that right is upheld then we benefit from the same right as well.
Host: So what you are suggesting is that as a Muslim one can form a community of peace with non-Muslims?
Dr. Shabir: Yes, not only can but should.
The other justification for war, since you are asking about that, in the Quran is mentioned in Surah 4, the 75th. Verse. There is says that there are weak people who are oppressed, women and children in particular, who are calling out for help, they are asking God when will You send someone to rescue us from our oppressors?
So the Quran then is calling on believers to help those people. We cannot sit idly by and see that people are oppressed and we just leave things be, it becomes a global responsibility to take care of the weak and the down-trodden, wherever they are being oppressed in any part of the world.
Host: Alright, we’ll leave it at that. Thank you brother Shabir
Dr. Shabir: You’re welcome.
Source: http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/understanding-islam/belief/revelation/462087-does-the-quran-really-advocate-peace.html
URL: https://newageislam.com/interview/towards-better-understanding-quran-quran/d/11122