PEACEMAKING

 

 

In the Name of Allah All-Compassionate, Most Merciful

Points of Guidance for Muslim Peacemakers
Taken from the Generous Qur’an

1. Remember ALLAH first, above all, and throughout the process of peacemaking. No peace can be established without an awareness of God.

Will not Allah defend His servant? Yet they would frighten you with those beside Him. He whom Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide. And he whom Allah guides, for him there can be no misleader. Is not Allah Mighty, Able to Requite (the wrong)? And indeed, if you should ask them: Who created the heavens and the earth? they will say: Allah. Say: Bethink you then of those you worship beside Allah. If Allah willed some hurt for me, could they remove from me His hurt; or if He willed some mercy for me, could they restrain His mercy? Say: Allah is enough for me. In Him do the trusting put their trust. Say: O my people! Act in your manner. I too am acting. (Surah Zumar, 36-39)

2. Try to draw all parties into a common frame of understanding.

Say: “O people of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not from among ourselves Lords and patrons other than Allah.” If then they turn back say: “Bear witness that we (at least) are muslim(embracing Allah’swill).” (Surah Al `Imran, 64)

3. Never cease to remember that all acts have consequences.

Do then those who devise evil feel secure that Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them up or that the wrath will not seize them from directions they little perceive? Or that He may not call them to account in the midst of their goings to and fro without a chance of their frustrating Him? Or that He may not call them to account by a process of slow wastage? For your Lord is indeed full of kindness and mercy. (Surah Nahl, 45-47)

4. Strive for justice. It isn’t easy.

O you who believe! stand out firmly for justice as witnesses to Allah even as against yourselves or your parents or your kin and whether rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts) lest you swerve, and if you distort or decline to do justice, indeed Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do. (Surah Nisa’, 135)

5. Help contestants to clarify their principles, and hold them to the principles they profess. This is not easy either.

To each among you We have prescribed a Law and an Open Way. If Allah had so willed He would have made you all one community but (He wishes) to test you in that which He has given you, so compete with each other in good works. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which you dispute. (Surah Ma’idah, 48)

6. Ease the hearts of the oppressed.

The recompense of an ill deed is the like thereof. But whosoever pardons and amends, his wage is the affair of Allah, who does not love tyrants. (Surah Shura, 40)

7. Respect the human dignity of the opponent.

O you who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that you deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty . Be conscious of Allah: indeed Allah is aware of what you do. (Surah Ma’idah,  8)

8. Lift up the generosity of God.

What can Allah gain by your punishment if you are grateful and keep faith? (Surah Nisa’ 147)

The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel evil with that which is better, then he between whom and you there was enmity will become like an intimate friend. But none is granted it save those who are steadfast, and none is granted it save the holder of great happiness. (Surah Ha Mim, 34-35)