Islam and Peace
Non-Violence and Islam
~ 260 ~
The state of affairs of Muslims in modern times
resembles that which prevailed at the time of
Hudaybiya. Today once again – only on a far larger
scale – this
hamiyat al-jahiliya
prejudices prevailing
in pre-Islamic Arabia (48:28) is being displayed by
the other party. In the first phase of Islam its
solution lay in Muslims sedulously avoiding an
equivalent display of prejudice, and in holding
firmly
kalema at-taqwa
they became entitled to the
succour of God and were granted a clear victory
(48:26).
At the time of the Hudaybiya peace treaty, the
Quraysh, who had secured the leadership of Arabia,
were bent on waging war. The Kaaba was in their
possession. They had expelled the Prophet and his
companions from their home town. They had taken
possession of Muslims’ homes and other properties,
and spared no effort in disseminating negative
propaganda against Islam.
Given this state of affairs, there were only two
options before the believers. One was to attempt to
put an end to tyranny and launch an outright war
on the other party in the name of securing their
