Peace is a must not only for our advancement, but for our very survival. But peace can be attained by accepting two simple precepts. One, by making all efforts to change what we can, and two learning to live with things we cannot change. In matters which we can change we should be dedicated activists. In matters which we cannot change we should become status quoists. Otherwise, peace for us will forever remain a distant dream.
The peaceful method, in one respect, is another name for status quoism. The status quoism of a peace-loving person is not a form of inaction, it is rather a positive plan of action, in the real sense of the word. That is, the peace-loving person accepts the status quo to remove himself from the point of confrontation to other fields where he may proceed with constructive action. Instead of becoming embroiled in problems he looks to the future and directs his energies towards the availing of opportunities. This is why the status quoism of a peace-loving person is positive status quoism.
In this world of diverse interests, positive status quoism is the optimal base for the conception and implementation of constructive projects. Taking up this position may call for special virtues such as insightfulness as well as the capacity for the most superior type of planning. Thus it brings twofold benefit. First, no disturbance of the peace, and second the guarantee of success. This formula can be summed up thus: Avoid confrontation, adopt peaceful activism.
In our world there are flowers, but there are thorns too. It is therefore a common experience for one who wants to engage in any positive activity to feel that there are obstacles in the way. This applies to the individual as well as to the entire nation. Now one way of addressing such a situation is for the person to set about removing all obstacles from the path and only then beginning to work towards his goal. This method is generally defined as radicalism.
Radicalism greatly appeals to idealists and extremists, or to those who are guided by their emotions. But it is impractical in so far as achieving any positive goal is concerned. While radicalism may be effectively used for the purposes of destruction, it is worse than being useless when it comes to construction. Once the path of radicalism has been chosen, not only does the prevalent system fall apart, but in the process of what are essentially ruinous activities, all those social traditions which had taken centuries to build, simply fall to pieces. Then as a result of bloodshed and violent confrontation, innumerable people fall victim to all kinds of afflictions. While experience shows that the method of radicalism is ideologically very attractive, in terms of its practical outcome, it is devoid of all merit.
Another method is that of avoiding confrontation with the status quo and chalking out a plan for action within possible spheres. By temporarily accepting the status quo, current opportunities may then be availed of. This is the positive status quoism to which I referred to.
The method of radicalism invariably produces violence: on the contrary, positive status quoism fulfills its target by maintaining peace in society. While the former invariably aggravates the problem, the latter, by avoiding friction, proceeds smoothly, without creating any problems. If one is the way to destruction, the other is the way to construction.
Positive status quoism follows the principle of unilateral adjustment in times of conflict. This method is advocated by both reason and religion. In every adverse situation a status quo exists between the two sides. If any party opts for a change in the status quo the result will be breakdown. Instead, by accepting the status quo it will find room for advancement towards its goal. This principle is mentioned in the Quran, which says that reconciliation is the best (4:128). That is, in matters of controversy, the best policy is peaceful settlement rather than confrontation. This is because conciliation or peaceful settlement gives one scope to make progress, whereas confrontation arrests the onward journey to success.
