Islam and Peace
The Policy of Peace in Islam How to attain normalcy in Jerusalem
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What is the solution to this problem? Its solution
lies in a practice (sunnah) of the Prophet
Muhammad: to separate the religious from the
political aspect of the matter. This would enable
men of religion to solve the problem by applying
what is called ‘practical wisdom,’ that is, to avoid
the present problems and grasp the available
opportunities. By following this process, they
would be able to fulfill their cherished religious
desire of which they have been denied
unnecessarily so far. In the process, they would be
able to avoid confrontational situations. Here are
some telling examples of this sunnah of the
Prophet.
1. The Prophet Muhammad emigrated from Mecca
to Medina in July 622. For the first year and a half in
Medina (i.e. till the end of 623) he and his
companions prayed in the direction of al-Bayt al-
Maqdis in Jerusalem. At the beginning of 624, the
faithful, were enjoined, by Qur’anic revelation, to
face in the direction of the Sacred Ka’ba at Mecca to
say their prayers (2:144).
