Islam and Peace
Non-Violence and Islam
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By ‘goats and camels’ are meant the opportunities
in non-political fields which exist, even when the
political institutions are corrupted. This injunction
given by the Prophet meant that the Muslims
should avail of such opportunities by avoiding
clash and confrontation in the political field. In
short, by ignoring the political problem, they
should avail of the non-political opportunities.
These injunctions of the Prophet of Islam were so
clear that the Muslim ulema of later times formed a
consensus to make insurrection against the rulers
unlawful.
Imam An-Nawawi, commenting upon some
traditions as set forth by Sahih Muslim
(Kitab AI-
Imarah)
observes:
“You should not come into conflict with the rulers
in matters of their power. Even if you find them
going against express Islamic injunctions, you
should attempt to make the truth clear to them
solely through words of wisdom and advice. So far
as revolt and war against them in order to unseat
them is concerned, that is totally unlawful
according to the consensus of the ulema, even when
