Hindustan Times | October 31, 2001

The reason that is cited most often as a justification for violence is that it is a supremely powerful means of achieving one's objective. But the Quran does not subscribe to this line of thinking. It is very categorical that violence is a negative response that does not yield the desired results. It is neither a useful, nor a positive means of achieving one's objectives, for it only results in death and destruction.

The Quran teaches us that no controversy should be allowed to reach the point of clash and confrontation, and that instead attempts should be made to resolve it at the outset by adopting conciliatory measures. In the words of the Quran: "Reconciliation is the best (way out)." (4:128)

This only shows that Islam stands for conciliation rather than confrontation as the means to deal effectively with controversial situations. It is obvious, therefore, that if this teaching of Islam is followed, no controversy will be allowed to escalate to the point of violence.

There's a relevant aphorism of the Prophet that needs to be reiterated at this point: "God grants to non-violence what he does not grant to violence." (Sunan, Abu Dawood, 4/255) This observation of the Prophet is indicative of the principles of nature. In this world, the system of nature established by God is based on the principle that peaceful methods are far more useful in the achievement of any objective. By resorting to violence, on the other hand, you can only cause destruction that cannot lead to any positive results.

It must be emphasised here that 'Islam' and 'Muslims' are definitely not inter-changeable.

Islam is the name of an ideology; Muslims, on the other hand, constitute a group that claims to have adopted Islam as its religion. This being so, the actions of Muslims must be judged by the teachings of Islam, rather than assumptions being made about Islam on the basis of the sum of all activities of Muslims around the world.

If a Muslims, or even a group of Muslims, indulges in violence, he (they) must be held responsible for this. But their actions cannot be attributed to the influence of Islam. Of those who claim to be Muslims, the Quran observes: "You have not believed yet, but rather say, `We have accepted Islam, 'for the true belief has not yet entered your hearts.' (49:14) Before drawing your conclusions on Islam, keep this in mind.