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Islam the Religion of Peace

This means that in Islam, governance is not imposed from
outside. Rather, it emerges from within society. It is not a
matter of imposition by anyone. This has been expressed in a
Hadith in these words:
‘As you are, so will be your rulers.’
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The reason for wars in the name of political power has
always been a person’s or group’s desire to establish their rule
in society by removing their rivals from power. This leads to
wars between the two parties. But when the principle adopted
is that political rule is not a matter of imposition, but is rather
something which emerges from within society, the reasons for
war are automatically eliminated.
If anyone has any ideas about the course politics should
take, he or she has only one option, and that is, to peacefully
disseminate his or her ideas. Instead of attempting to impose
one’s ideas upon others, one has to wait until society willingly
accepts them. The enforcement of political ideas is not an
option for anyone.
There are a number of such traditions as enjoin people to
totally refrain from confrontation with their rulers. If they
have any complaints against their rulers, they should change
their field of action. Instead of politics, they should devote
their energies to other fields. There are a number of traditions
under the heading Kitab al-Fitan recorded in books of Hadith.
On this subject al-Imam al-Nawawi has thus described the
opinion of the ulama:

‘Only peaceful advice can be given to the ruler of the
time. So far as revolt (khuruj) and war (qital) against
them are concerned, it is unlawful (haram) by the
consensus of the ulama, even if someone thinks that the
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ruler is corrupt (fasiq) and oppressive (zalim).’
This principle does not mean abandoning politics. Rather,
it has great wisdom in it. It shows that Islam has enjoined
a division of the spheres of activity. If you study the Quran,

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