2008 Woodie Awards
Letters To The Editor
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Commentary
Peace Is The
True View Of Islam
As campuses across American observe Islamic Awareness Week, you might ask what the word Islam actually means. In Arabic lexicon, Islam literally means 'peace.' A paradox, you say? How could Islam represent a religion of peace when car bombings and suicide missions are seen perpetrated in its name?
To resolve this question, we turn to its original teachings, embodied in its holy book the Quran, and sayings of its founder, the Prophet Muhammad. His practice and recommendations tell a different story.
While most cultures subscribe to various sundry greetings, Muslims, both young and old, were taught by the Prophet to greet one another with the same greeting, 'Peace be upon you.' Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, points out that constantly offering the greeting of peace on all occasions of meeting as prescribed by Islam "would result in the development of love and harmony in society."
Another unique viewpoint offered by Islam is the advancement of peace between different faiths. Whereas some religions condemn non-believers to a fiery hell, the Quran declares, "Surely, those who believe and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians - whichever party from among these truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good deeds, shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve.(8:63)" Thus Islam rejects relegation to doom of non-Muslim groups - indeed, they, too, can attain Paradise.
A further example of the practice of peace between faiths is demonstrated in the remarkable assurance given by the Prophet to Christians in the form of a charter, issued in the sixth year of his migration from Mecca to Medina (628 CE) and known as the 'Charter of Freedom.' Among other notable assurances in this Charter, the Prophet of Islam offered his Christian brethren unconditional assistance in times of need, protection from their enemies, and protection for their houses of worship. Thus, Islam is not only synonymous with its root derivation of peace, but it also provides an exemplary model in advancing the very concept of peace. Muslim extremists should pay heed to the message of Islam and, instead of creating disorder, destroying property or lives, they should follow the high example of establishing peace, as taught by their faith.
-Dr. Sohail Husain,
Assistant Professor,
Yale University.
True View Of Islam
As campuses across American observe Islamic Awareness Week, you might ask what the word Islam actually means. In Arabic lexicon, Islam literally means 'peace.' A paradox, you say? How could Islam represent a religion of peace when car bombings and suicide missions are seen perpetrated in its name?
To resolve this question, we turn to its original teachings, embodied in its holy book the Quran, and sayings of its founder, the Prophet Muhammad. His practice and recommendations tell a different story.
While most cultures subscribe to various sundry greetings, Muslims, both young and old, were taught by the Prophet to greet one another with the same greeting, 'Peace be upon you.' Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, points out that constantly offering the greeting of peace on all occasions of meeting as prescribed by Islam "would result in the development of love and harmony in society."
Another unique viewpoint offered by Islam is the advancement of peace between different faiths. Whereas some religions condemn non-believers to a fiery hell, the Quran declares, "Surely, those who believe and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians - whichever party from among these truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good deeds, shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve.(8:63)" Thus Islam rejects relegation to doom of non-Muslim groups - indeed, they, too, can attain Paradise.
A further example of the practice of peace between faiths is demonstrated in the remarkable assurance given by the Prophet to Christians in the form of a charter, issued in the sixth year of his migration from Mecca to Medina (628 CE) and known as the 'Charter of Freedom.' Among other notable assurances in this Charter, the Prophet of Islam offered his Christian brethren unconditional assistance in times of need, protection from their enemies, and protection for their houses of worship. Thus, Islam is not only synonymous with its root derivation of peace, but it also provides an exemplary model in advancing the very concept of peace. Muslim extremists should pay heed to the message of Islam and, instead of creating disorder, destroying property or lives, they should follow the high example of establishing peace, as taught by their faith.
-Dr. Sohail Husain,
Assistant Professor,
Yale University.
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IC
posted 4/11/08 @ 12:32 PM EST
Hmmm...I wonder if Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Syria will be having reciprocal Christianity and Judaism Awareness weeks?
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