Principles of Islam
30. Non-Violence
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1. According to the Qur’an there are two faculties in
every human being, which are mutually
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 utilized 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
