This document discusses Islam's perspective on peace from various angles: 1. The root word of Islam, "al-silm", means "submission" or "surrender" to God, reflecting the religion's emphasis on peace. 2. Islam teaches that diversity among humanity in terms of languages, colors, and opinions is a sign from God, and that all humans should be treated with dignity and equality. 3. While military conflict is allowed in self-defense if peaceful options fail, Islam strongly promotes peace, justice, forgiveness and protecting non-combatants according to hadith and Quranic verses presented. There is no compulsion in religion and religious tolerance is fundamental.

1. A MI C C ULTU
D YN R
EO
DAN AO
F P EA C E
M IN
MI DCO P
:
Its Perspective on PEACE
AbdulGaphor M. Panimbang
Delivered during the Peace seminar-workshop 2011
Xavier University Library American's Corner , Cagayan de Oro City, January 8, 2011
Theme: “"Youth as Advocates of Peace and Transformation amidst Diversity”

2. The Word "Islam"
Islam
Al-Silm Al-Salaam
The root word of which means
Islam is "al-silm" “PEACE”
which means
"submission" or
"surrender."

3. BASIC TENETS: General
• Islam means: Peace & Self-surrender to the Will
of God
• A universal message - confirms preceding
Divine revelations. Prophet Mohamed is God’s
messenger sent to complete & compliment
previous revelations:
BASIC
• Abrahamic religion: “… it is the belief of your
TENETS father Abraham. It is He (God) Who has named
you Muslims, both before and in this
(Revelation)” 22:78
• 6 pillars of faith and 5 pillars of religion
03/27/13 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 3

4. Diversity
“See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With
it We then bring out produce of various colors. And in the
mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of
color, and black intense in hue. And so amongst men and
crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colors.
Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have
knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.”
(Fatir 35:27-28)
Delivered during the Youth Interfaith
Solidarity Conference

5. Diversity among Human Beings
“And from amongst His signs is this that He created you from dust; and
then behold you are humans scattered far and wide.
Among His signs is this that He created for you mates from among
yourselves that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put
love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.
And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the
variations in your languages and colors; verily in that are signs for those
who know.
And among His signs is the sleep that you take by night and by day, and
the quest that you make for livelihood out of His bounty; verily in that are
signs for those who hearken... “
(Ar-Rum:20-23)
Delivered during the Youth Interfaith
Solidarity Conference

6. Diversity of Races, Families and Tribes
“O people, We have created you from a male and a
female and made you into races and tribes so that
you may know each other. Surely the most honored
of you in the sight of God is the one who is the most
righteous of you”
(Al-Hujrat:13).
Delivered during the Youth Interfaith
Solidarity Conference

7. Diversity of Opinions
“…To each among you have We prescribed a Law and an
Open Way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you
a single People, but (His plan is) to test you in what He has
given you; so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of
you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the
matters in which ye dispute.”
(Al-Maidah:48)
Delivered during the Youth Interfaith
Solidarity Conference

8. Four Important Principles
A B
dignity of the human equality of all
beings human beings
Title
C D
fundamental freedom
universal human rights of thought, conscience
and belief
www.themegallery.com

9. Reaffirming Racial and Ethnic Unity

10. Reaffirming the Oneness of Religion

11. Islam and War
Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:
• ‘And if Allah did not check one set of people by
means of another, the earth would indeed be full
of mischief. But Allah is full of Bounty to the
worlds.’
(Surat-al-Baqarah (2), ayah 251)
The All-Mighty also says:
• ‘For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of
another, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, wherein the
Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled
down. Verily Allah will help those who help His (cause).Truly, Allah is
All-Strong, All-mighty.’
(Surah Al-Hajj (22), ayah 40)

12. Why is there Jihad in Islam and
what does that mean?
• 1. The word Jihad does not mean “Holy War”. It means struggle.
Struggle on the personal level and struggle on the social level.
Struggle to do good and struggle to remove injustice and oppression.
Struggle could be spiritual as well as social, economic and political.
• 2. Qital (or military warfare) is permissible in Islam, but only when
other peaceful means such as dialogue, negotiations and treaties fail. It
is a last resort and should be avoided as much as possible.
 Its purpose is not to convert people by force, or to colonize people
or to acquire land or wealth or for self glory.
 Its purpose is basically defense of life, property, land, honor and
freedom for oneself as well as defense of others from injustice and
oppression.
Delivered during the Youth Interfaith
Solidarity Conference

13. Basic rule of Qital in Islam
• Do not begin the hostilities. Work for peace as much as
possible.
• Fight only those who fight, no collective punishment,
non-combatants should not be harmed. Weapons of
mass destruction should not be used.
• Stop hostilities as soon as the other party inclines to
peace
• Observe the treaties and agreements as long as the
enemy observes them.

14. Islamic Principle: There is no
Compulsion in Religion
Delivered during the Youth Interfaith
Solidarity Conference

15. Islam condones violence against
non-Muslims
Aggression is a vice in Islam
 The Prophet defined the Muslim as one causing no verbal or physical
harm to others
 Islam’s greeting to everyone is “peace be upon you”
 Murder of one person or causing devastation of any form is equated
with killing all humanity
• “Jihad”: Striving to do good for the sake of God - A broad concept
• Coming from a battle the Prophet said to the Muslims: “You came from
the minor ‘Jihad’ back to the major ‘Jihad’” Asked to explain, he replied:
“Inner self ‘Jihad’”
03/27/13 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 15

16. Islam condones violence against
non-Muslims
Religious Tolerance most fundamental to Islam
 “No compulsion in religion, Truth stands out clear from Wrong”
2:255-256 - Applies to Muslims & Non-Muslims
 Christians & Jews called “People of the Scriptures” - under an
Islamic state are regarded as “protected subjects” with complete
autonomy
 The Prophet’s Charter to the Monks of Sinai
 Christians & Jews never persecuted for their beliefs in Islamic
empire. Then & now Christians keep customs, start schools, visited
03/27/13 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 16
by missionaries

17. Islam condones violence against
non-Muslims
Even in cases of war
 General: “Don’t fight those who don’t declare war on you for
your faith or don’t attempt to take over your homeland” 60:8-9
 “Fight for the sake of God (ie not for economic or political gain)
those that fight you and do not attack first” ”
 If the other side want peace then make peace 4:90, 8:61
 If a member of the other side seeks asylum award it & ensure
safety 9:6
 Forbidden to kill the elderly, women, children, animals or to cut
a tree
03/27/13 (C) N. Al-Ali, 2001 17

18. Wonderful ideals of Islam:
• To pursue peace with everyone including past enemies,
except when they fight the Muslims and refuse peace, then
Muslims are allowed to fight in self-defense.
• To ensure that we always apply justice and never
transgress against others even if they are our enemies.
• To repel evil actions with good actions, in order to replace
hatred with an intimate friendship.
• To respond to punishment with the same punishment, but
that forgiveness and patience is even better than

19. In order to promote unity in
diversity
• 1. Other cultures and religions should not be
misrepresented. Educational institutions and media outlets
should be held responsible not to propagate or perpetuate
hate against any group of people and their recognized
faiths and values.
• 2. Tolerance must be practiced on all levels: individual,
groups and states. It should be a political and legal
requirement. Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds
human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism),
democracy and the rule of law.
Delivered during the Youth Interfaith
Solidarity Conference

20. ROBERTSON: Ladies and gentlemen, I don't know what it's going to take to wake up the
American, especially the American left, to the danger that Islam faces, or presents to all of
us. But here's what Muhammad said, he said, "If you find an unbeliever and he will submit
to Islam and pay alms, then let him go in peace. If not, kill him." So, in other words, when
they were taking over a country, people were forced to convert to Islam under the penalty of
death. And now, on the other hand, they say if somebody wants to leave Islam, they're going
to kill them on the other side. Who ever heard of such a bloody, bloody, brutal type of
religion? But that's what it is. It is not a religion of peace. Islam means submission.
Submission to the Quran, to Muhammad, to the quote, "will of Allah, as revealed by
Muhammad." And the penalty of not submitting is death. A penalty of leaving, in many of
these countries, as [700 Club correspondent] Erick Stakelbeck has so eloquently shown, is
also death. (From the April 28 edition of The 700 Club:)

21. Al-Hudaybiya Agreement
sending a messenger to meet the other
Party to discuss the issue under dispute;
Choosing the right man in the right place
during the processes conflict resolution
Treating prisoners and captives decently
Meeting
Principles & drafting peace agreements and
achieve reconciliation
Values
The negotiation principle
signing peace agreement
consultancy

22. Agenda for Reconciliation
efine Objective

23. Delivered during the Youth Interfaith
Solidarity Conference