Islam Rediscovered
11. Non-Violence and Islam
~ 149 ~
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
Hudaybiyya. 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
