Voice of British Muslim Women

Iffat Mirza, Raynes Park

It’s strange to think that a headline itself can make headlines. On 22^nd March 2019 the New Zealand newspaper The Press published the paper with a blank front page, with only the Arabic word Salaam written on it, accompanied with a translation in English: Peace.

This was in response to the white supremacist shooting at a mosque in Christchurch New Zealand, the week before. Such a headline made it clear that world peace is a necessity that is of the utmost urgency. Violence is rife. Whether that is in the name of nation, religion, or even freedom, the world is edging ever closer to a global catastrophe.

I have not been living under a rock. I know many terrorist attacks and conflicts have been waged under the name of Islam. But I am also aware enough that those who instigate these attacks and conflicts who profess to be Muslim are cowards hiding behind the veil of how they distort teachings of Islam.

September 21st has been declared by the United Nations as the International Day of Peace. On such a day, it is vital to remember that peace is not only an achievable dream but is a necessity that must be attained, and despite the widespread erroneous notion that Islam is a violent religion, perhaps we could learn some key teachings of peace from it.

As The Press clarified on 22^nd March, Islam literally means peace. This begs the question: if Islam  means peace, why don’t its teachings and followers reflect that?

In such an instance, it is vital to remember that humankind is prone to corruption. In fact, the Holy Qur’an recognised, over 1,400 years ago that there will be people who will exploit the religion: It states: “And when it is said to them: ‘Create not disorder on the earth,’ they say: ‘We are only promoters of peace.”[1]

When looking at groups such as ISIS, it is almost laughable though deeply sobering that they would call themselves Muslim. Do they not claim to be ‘promoters of peace’ when in reality they create disorder on the earth? They are so far-removed from religion that the French journalist who had been a group prisoner for 10 months, Didier Francois, revealed upon his release, that in his entire time as a prisoner he did not see a single copy of the Holy Qur’an.[2]

Furthermore, Muslims believe in 99 attributes of God, those which we are taught to emulate in order to live a moral and pious life. One of the many divine attributes is As Salaam – the Source of Peace. Therefore, we can accurately draw the conclusion that Muslims are taught not only to live peaceful lives themselves, but also seek to spread peace around the world. Indeed, we see that this is further supported by Islamic teaching. Again, the Qur’an states: “…Whenever they kindle a fire of war, Allah extinguishes it. And they strive to create disorder in the earth, and Allah loves not those who create disorder.” [3]

As-Salaam makes it very clear to us that once peace and security are established, then peace and tranquillity should not be disturbed and all hopes should always be put in the Source of Peace. God promises justice and has indeed taught humans of right and wrong in everything including warfare to ensure peace.

Islam draws an unbreakable link between peace and justice. The two are so vital to uphold, that Islam teaches even if one must go against oneself, one must speak the truth and promote absolute justice: “O ye who believe! be strict in observing justice, and be witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or against parents and kindred…”[4] It is this teaching that reminds Muslims that good of  wider society must always be at the heart of our actions. In fact, I would even argue that nations would benefit most greatly if they were to take heed of this teaching.

In an era of globalisation, this means that we must develop an international community that holds justice as the highest priority. It shuns arrogance and selfishness that causes nations to act unjustly with those that are too poor or weak to defend themselves. Such wisdom of the Holy Qur’an is further explained by His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the fifth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Community, stating that Islam “teaches that no party should be given preferential treatment, or favoured unduly. It should be that a wrongdoer knows that if he tries to act unjustly towards any country, no matter its size or status, he will not be allowed to do so by the international community.”[5] It is absolutely imperative that such standards are met.

Efforts to create this international community have been made yet we have still not achieved the desired peace. No doubt that world peace is, or at least, should be, a top priority for all world leaders. Indeed, we have attempted to avoid global catastrophes in the past, with the creation of the League of Nations and its successor the United Nations. Yet we have not been very successful. Conflicts rage on and it is always, without an exception, the innocent who suffer the most. We cannot sit with our arms crossed as we watch the unforgiving wrath of conflict be fuelled by selfishness and greed.

[1] Chapter 2 Verse 12 Holy Qur’an English translation by Maulvi Sher Ali(ra)

[2] https://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/03/intl_world/amanpour-didier-francois/index.html

[3] Chapter 5 verse 65 English translation by Maulvi Sher Ali(ra)

[4] Chapter 4 Verse 136 Ibid.

[5] World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Page 110