Page 6 - Non-violence and peace-building

Introduction

A common thread running through these essays is
the assertion that one should differentiate between
Islam and Muslims: one should judge Muslims in the
light of Islamic teachings and not vice versa. Islam, as I
show, citing Quranic passages and examples from the
life of the Prophet Muhammad, provides inspiration
and appropriate guidance for peaceful relations between
Muslims and other communities and for non-violent
conflict-prevention and conflict-resolution and peace-
building methods and approaches. Contemporary
instances of Muslims resorting to violence in the name
of their religion is, I stress, in complete contrast to
Islamic teachings.
The approach to conflict-prevention, conflict-
resolution and peace-building outlined in this book is
based on the Quran and the life of the Prophet. It draws
lessons from these sources that can be applied to efforts
to negotiate differences and conflicts at all levels—from
between individuals to between communities and
entire countries. The book also cites many empirical
examples from the particular Indian context, but the
lessons these provide are of universal relevance.

According to the Creation plan of God, everyone
is free. But when an individual is free, he can also
misuse his freedom. As a rule, whenever people find
themselves in problematic situations—and life is full
of such contingencies—there is a tendency to make an
immediate response. This kind of instant reaction,
however, serves only to add new problems to the
existing ones. Reaction unleashes an unending chain of

5