ALL the religious communities have to work jointly and united for the promotion of human solidarity and world tranquility. It is possible for persons belonging to various religions and cultures to come together on common ground to formulate some amicable principles to co-exist as a global community, adhering to the norm of “unity with diversity.” Islam recognizes the existence of human brotherhood based on mutual understanding and affection among peoples. Allah has given the concept of one human family and declares that all men are descended from the same origin, thus establishing the unity of mankind and disdaining the tyranny of racial prejudices. It has established a measure of human worth that rests exclusively on the obedience to and awe of Allah, as well as doing what is good to fellow-men. Although Islam lays stress on universal brotherhood, it recognizes diversities within humankind and seeks to bring peaceful understanding between various creeds, races and communities. Its view religion as a mean of man's relationship with his Creator and a guide to lead a successful life on the Earth. The Islamic concept of God is all-embracing. Islam is an embodiment of peace upon which rest two outstanding principles: Firstly, it is peace with Allah, which implies total submission to the will of God in all manifestations. Secondly, it is peace with man, which connotes doing good to fellow beings and refraining from causing injury to them. Thus, Islam leads to the most straight way to achieve peace. It teaches love for fellow-beings and ensures benevolent treatment of even those hostile to Islam, provided they do not break the peace. As such, Muslims' primary obligation is to ensure tranquility within their midst, even at the cost of their lives. They are enjoined to exert themselves for the betterment of both life on this earth and the Hereafter. This includes, among other things: sanctity of life and prohibition of bloodshed; reverence of piety and abhorrence of evil; proclamation of virtue and prevention of vice; promotion of peace and aversion to war; promulgation of justice and dislike for its disparagement, defense of religion and resistance against its defilement; respect of faiths and opposition to their defamation; sacredness of holy books and resentment against their desecration; inviolability of holy places and aversion to their profanation support of noble deeds and hatred toward blasphemous acts; respect for creatures and detestation of their abuse, protection of women and revulsion against their exploitation; protection of the oppressed and disgust at their suppression; safeguarding of the innocent and hatred toward their degradation; preservation of environment and repulsion against its destruction; conservation of resources and struggle for their preservation and beautification of the Earth and maintenance of its balance. Islam recognizes fundamental rights of all faiths and denies coercion in matters relating to religion; it allows religious freedom as a person's own choice to take the path of righteousness or damnation on his own volition according to his free choice. Islam stands for mutual responsibility. It imposes on its followers not only the obligation of not harming others but also of preventing with all their might injuries from being inflicted on others in order to safeguard their lives, wealth and honour. Failure to do so amounts to sin and the injured is entitled to hold the negligent accountable before the law and demand reparation for the injuries suffered. Thus, it is easy to prove that all the basic human rights are enshrined in the teachings of Islam. Human beings have to cooperate and make covenants to establish binding relationships to live together in peace. Islam lays great emphasis on strict observance of benevolence and veneration towards the adherents of other religions who do not transgress. It attaches utmost importance to the fulfillment of their obligations, regardless of the inclination of the parties involved. Islam recognizes and respects the existence of the zone of accord (dar ul-ahad), besides the peace zone (dar us-salam) and the war zone (dar ul-harb). It lauds any compact that is bound to help the wronged and deter the wrongdoer. It is religion of love, compassion and cooperation, and believes in resolution of differences through amicable means, such as negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, adjudication and enquiry. The foregoing amply demonstrates that Islam was taught, preached and practiced in a most humane way, even though Muslims always remained on the defensive. For more than a decade, the Prophet made all attempts to let the hostile tribes leave Muslims alone to follow their own faith in peace on the basis of mutual tolerance. But the pagan tribes tyrannized the believers and prevented them from performing their religious rites. The Noble Prophet was persecuted and Muslims were subjected to the severest torture, which ultimately compelled them to migrate and take refuge in Madina. Yet, when the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) returned triumphantly to the city of his birth where he faced a series of tribulations he accorded to the citizens of Makkah such a congenial treatment as they never deserved or imagined. The Messenger of Allah carried out the divine injunctions into practice and concluded peace treaties with the unbelievers. – Courtesy: The Muslim World League Journal, Makkah (To be continued) __
