Islam and Peace
Non-Violence and Islam
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antipathetic. One is the ego, and the other is the
conscience called respectively
nafs ammara
and
nafs
lawwama.
(The Qur’an, 12:53; 75:26) What the
violent method invariably does is to awaken the ego
which necessarily results in a breakdown of social
equilibrium. On the other hand, non-violent
activism awakens the conscience. From this results
an awakening in people of introspection and self-
appraisal. And according to the Qur’an, the
miraculous outcome of this is that “he who is your
enemy will become your dearest friend.” (41:34)
2. A great advantage of the non-violent method is
that, by following it, no part of one’s time is wasted.
The opportunities available in any given situation
may then be exploited to the fullest extent – as
happened after the no-war pact of Hudaybiya. This
peace treaty enabled the energies of the believers to
be utilised in peaceful constructive activities instead
of being dissipated in a futile armed encounter. One
great harm done by violent activism is the breaking
of social traditions in the launching of militant
movements. Conversely, the great benefit that
accrues from non-violent activism is that it can be
