Ideology of Peace
PEACE IN ISLAM
~ 144 ~
“Whenever the Prophet had to choose
between two paths in any problematic
situation, he would always opt for the easier
course.” (Al-Bukhari)
If this principle of taking the easier option is looked
at in the context of the violent versus the peaceful
method, it would be true to say that the way of the
Prophet in any given situation was to refrain
sedulously from using violent methods in dealing
with the matter at hand. The peaceful course,
therefore, must invariably be taken. For there is no
doubt about it, that the violent method falls into the
category of the harder option, while the reverse is
true of the peaceful method.
However, this is not simply a matter of easier or
harder options. It means rather that in our general
dealings, the peaceful method is invariably oriented
towards producing positive results, while the
violent method is merely an exercise in futility. The
violent method not only fails to solve the problem,
but it further aggravates and complicates it. In the
hadith, the harder method implies taking a course
which is strewn with obstacles. On the contrary, the
