Islam Rediscovered
11. Non-Violence and Islam
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violence, as it is understood in modern times. That
patient action is non-violent action and has been
clearly expressed in the Qur’an. According to one
tradition, the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be
upon him, observed: God grants to
rifq
(gentleness)
what he does not grant to
unf
(violence). (Abu
Dawud,
Sunan
, 4/255)
The word
rifq
has been used in this
hadith
as an
antithesis to
unf
. These terms convey exactly what is
meant by violence and nonviolence in present
times. This
hadith
clearly indicates the superiority of
the non-violent method.
God grants to non-violence what He does not grant
to violence is no simple matter. It has very wide and
deep implications. It embodies an eternal law of
nature. By the very law of nature all bad things are
associated with violence, while all good things are
associated with non-violence.
Violent activities breed hatred in society, while non-
violent activities elicit love. Violence is the way of
destruction while non-violence is the way of
construction. In an atmosphere of violence, it is
enmity which flourishes, while in an atmosphere of
