PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE
In this world, a recipe for a peaceful life is to keep all differences on a strictly intellectual plane, so they do not lead to conflict.
Bringing about harmony in human society is undoubtedly a noble goal. However, harmony relates to social behaviour rather than simply adopting a theoretical position. For example, if we want to encourage a warm relationship between two people, one wearing a yellow shirt and the other a blue one, this will not come about by abhorring the difference in the colour of their apparel or insisting on uniformity of colour. On the contrary, the establishment of harmony between these two individuals is possible only if they accept the difference in the colour of their shirts and agree to be on good terms despite this difference.
The same principle applies to harmony between social groups and communities living in a plural society.
The natural formula for promoting a sense of fraternity among people from diverse social, including religious, backgrounds is to accept their differences and to show proper respect for one another’s rights and feelings. This is also the correct Islamic viewpoint in this matter. However, unfortunately, many misunderstandings on this subject have been created by taking certain verses from the Quran out of their context to wrongly claim that the Quran commands the waging of war on, and the subjugation of, the whole world. Based on this erroneous claim, it is contended that the adherents of Islam cannot live peacefully with the followers of other religions. However, this is a sheer misunderstanding. Wherever the Quran has indicated that warfare is in order, it is solely based on self-defense.
Possibly all the nations of the world have it enshrined in their Constitutions that if any country or group attacks them, they will fight to defend themselves. These nations are nevertheless living peacefully under the umbrella of the United Nations. The same is the case with Islam. Islam issues no injunction for war except in case of self-defense, and that too under very clearly specified conditions. In the absence of aggression, no fighting is permissible. The general rule in Islam is peaceful coexistence, with fighting only as a last resort when circumstances might make it completely unavoidable.
Differences are a part of life. Psychological and biological studies have proved that no two human beings think alike. It is so marked a feature of the human psyche that each of the trillions of cells of the human body bears its stamp. Hence, any formula that seeks to eradicate differences to bring unity is impossible. In this regard, the only possible and practicable formula is to tolerate and accept differences so that all people may live in unity and harmony.
A harmonious society is formed by tolerating various viewpoints rather than by bulldozing. The right way to engender tolerance is to bring about that intellectual awakening that will make people realize that whatever the circumstances, they must live in this world through the adjustment to others if they want to lead a peaceful and fulfilling life. In this world, the recipe for a peaceful life is to keep all differences on a strictly intellectual plane, so they do not lead to conflict and violence.
