THE ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE
Finding Solutions

IN today’s world, conflicts have become all too common, leading to a surge in acts of violence and bloodshed. This alarming trend has profound implications for societies across the globe.

The Hadith narrations, or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad provide valuable insights into this issue. One Hadith from Sahih Muslim states, “The last Hour will not come unless there is much bloodshed,” and clarifies that this “bloodshed” refers to violence. This prophetic statement suggests that violence will escalate to an unprecedented level in the future.

Moreover, another Hadith from Sahih Muslim prophesies a time when murderers will no longer understand their motivations, and victims will be clueless about why they have been targeted. This implies a state of chaos where violence becomes so rampant that it defies logical explanation.

According to another Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad issues a stern warning about the consequences of Muslims fighting each other with deadly weapons. He states that both the aggressor and the victim will face punishment in the afterlife. (Sunan Nasai). This Hadith underscores the gravity of violence within a community and its dire spiritual consequences.

Now, let’s delve into the root cause of these fanatical acts of violence. When love for their own group or organization escalates into an intense enmity towards others, a dangerous mindset takes hold and they engage in perpetual conspiracies against them.

This self-made belief system fosters intense hatred and a propensity for violence against others. The idea that they must protect their own at all costs often leads to radicalization, making individuals more susceptible to carrying out acts of violence. About such acts Prophet has said: Whoever hurts a believer, God will hurt him and whomever God decides to hurt he will not find anyone to protect him from God. (Sunan Abi Dawood)

The escalation of violence is a pressing concern that transcends geographical boundaries. To combat this dangerous trend, it is essential to promote understanding and acceptance of differences and staying united in spite of them. Every peace loving citizen should join hands to work for this.