Islam the Religion Of Peace, Tolerance, Brotherhood and Humanity.
The word Islam originates from "SILM" which means getting free from invard EVILs. Muslims greet by saying As-salamu A'laikum, that is Peace be on you.
Quran Invoke to follow the best of the word.
Those who listen to the word, then follow the best of it. give good tidings to them. They are those whome Allah has guided(towards Right Path) and those are men (of wisdom) understanding. Ch 39:18
Before islam the world was a scene of total chaos, prejudice and oppression. People were obsessed with self pride and glorification and depending on their localities.People adopted various belief and superstition.
Relationship between people, individually and collectively was based on the theory "MIGHT IS RIGHT". Islam leads mankind towards Peace, Equality of human beings and Justice.
Islam does not like anyone to be force to believe in its messages. The quran says...
And if your Lord had pleased, surely all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them; will you then force men till they become believers? 10:99
This shows Islam aimed at spreading its message throught Peaceful means by patient persuation and logical reasoning.
Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and have disputations with them in the best manner; surely your Lord best knows those who go astray from His path, and He knows best those who follow the right way. 16:125 quran
There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower. 16:125 quran
In this way islam is also insists upon its follower to maintain good and amicable relations with NON Muslims.
In the caliphate of Maula Ali ibne abi talib(a.s), when maula ali(a.s) asked a begger why he was begging? He replied that since he was not a Muslim he could not get any assistance from the public treasury. maula ali(a.s) explained to him that since he had contributed to the economy of the state when he was strong and able. Now it was duty of the state to take care of him when he was old, irrespective of his faith
"Those who, should We establish them in the land, will keep up prayer and pay the poor rate and enjoin good and forbid evil; and Allah’s is the end of affairs." (22: 39-41)
Thus muslims are allowed only to fight in SELF DEFENCE against oppression and tyranny and in that also there are various rules that they had to follow.
As Quran says.
And what has happened to you that you would not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, of those who say: Our Lord! Cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors and give us from Thee a guardian and give us from Thee a helper!" (4: 75)
It means during the fights muslims were forbidden to kill women, children, the old and sick and those who did not participated in fighting and also not allowed to kill wounded enemies and those who run away from battle field.
Islam also prohibits to cut essencial supplies ie Water? Food ect from reaching the enemy. Muslims were ordained to treat the prisnors of wars with kindness.
quran says..
And feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan and the prisoner, for love of Allah, 76:8
More important is if enemy say peace then muslims are not allowed to continue war.
"And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and trust in Allah; surely He is the Hearing and the Knowing;
"And if they intend to deceive you- then surely Allah is sufficient for you; He it is who strengthened you with his help and with the believers;
"And united their hearts; had you spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah united them, surely He is Mighty, Wise.
"O Prophet! Allah is sufficient for you and (for) such of the believers as follow you." (8: 61-64)
During to caliphate of Imam ali ibne abi talib. maula ali (a.s) ordered his governer to care for all the people and said there are two type of subjects.
Those who are your brethern in faith(muslims) and those who are your brethern in humanity(Non muslims).
What can be a better example of Brotherhood? That is why i non muslim scholar from india Swami vivekanad said..
My experience is that if ever any religion approaches to this equality in an appreciable manner. It is Islam and Islam Alone.
Letter of vivekanand pg379
I wanted to know the best of one who holds today's undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind....I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to this friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the 2nd volume (of the Prophet's biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read of the great life."
Miss. Sarojini Naidu, Poetess, in Ideals of Islam:
"It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy; for in the mosque, when the minaret is sounded and the worshipers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and the king kneel side by side and proclaim, God alone is great." The great poetess of India continues, "I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes a man instinctively a brother. When you meet an Egyptian, an Algerian and Indian and a Turk in London, it matters not that Egypt is the motherland of one and India is the motherland of another."
Prof. Ramakrishna Rao, in "Muhammad the Prophet of Islam":
It [Islam] replaced monkishness by manliness. It gives hope to the slave, brotherhood to mankind, and recognition of the fundamental facts of human nature.
- Canon Taylor
Paper read before the Church Congress at Walverhamton,
Oct. 7, 1887.
Quoted by Arnold in The Preaching of Islam pp. 71-72.
The] sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because as I read in the Qur'an I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to the whole world.
- Sarojini Naidu
Lectures on "The Ideals of Islam."
Speeches and Writings of Sarojini Naidu Madras, 1918, p. 167.
I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him ذ the wonderful man ذ and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness. I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.
- G. B. Shaw
The Genuine Islam, Vol. 1, No. 81936.
Quran Invoke to follow the best of the word.
Those who listen to the word, then follow the best of it. give good tidings to them. They are those whome Allah has guided(towards Right Path) and those are men (of wisdom) understanding. Ch 39:18
Before islam the world was a scene of total chaos, prejudice and oppression. People were obsessed with self pride and glorification and depending on their localities.People adopted various belief and superstition.
Relationship between people, individually and collectively was based on the theory "MIGHT IS RIGHT". Islam leads mankind towards Peace, Equality of human beings and Justice.
Islam does not like anyone to be force to believe in its messages. The quran says...
And if your Lord had pleased, surely all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them; will you then force men till they become believers? 10:99
This shows Islam aimed at spreading its message throught Peaceful means by patient persuation and logical reasoning.
Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and have disputations with them in the best manner; surely your Lord best knows those who go astray from His path, and He knows best those who follow the right way. 16:125 quran
There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower. 16:125 quran
In this way islam is also insists upon its follower to maintain good and amicable relations with NON Muslims.
In the caliphate of Maula Ali ibne abi talib(a.s), when maula ali(a.s) asked a begger why he was begging? He replied that since he was not a Muslim he could not get any assistance from the public treasury. maula ali(a.s) explained to him that since he had contributed to the economy of the state when he was strong and able. Now it was duty of the state to take care of him when he was old, irrespective of his faith
"Those who, should We establish them in the land, will keep up prayer and pay the poor rate and enjoin good and forbid evil; and Allah’s is the end of affairs." (22: 39-41)
Thus muslims are allowed only to fight in SELF DEFENCE against oppression and tyranny and in that also there are various rules that they had to follow.
As Quran says.
And what has happened to you that you would not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, of those who say: Our Lord! Cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors and give us from Thee a guardian and give us from Thee a helper!" (4: 75)
It means during the fights muslims were forbidden to kill women, children, the old and sick and those who did not participated in fighting and also not allowed to kill wounded enemies and those who run away from battle field.
Islam also prohibits to cut essencial supplies ie Water? Food ect from reaching the enemy. Muslims were ordained to treat the prisnors of wars with kindness.
quran says..
And feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan and the prisoner, for love of Allah, 76:8
More important is if enemy say peace then muslims are not allowed to continue war.
"And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and trust in Allah; surely He is the Hearing and the Knowing;
"And if they intend to deceive you- then surely Allah is sufficient for you; He it is who strengthened you with his help and with the believers;
"And united their hearts; had you spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah united them, surely He is Mighty, Wise.
"O Prophet! Allah is sufficient for you and (for) such of the believers as follow you." (8: 61-64)
During to caliphate of Imam ali ibne abi talib. maula ali (a.s) ordered his governer to care for all the people and said there are two type of subjects.
Those who are your brethern in faith(muslims) and those who are your brethern in humanity(Non muslims).
What can be a better example of Brotherhood? That is why i non muslim scholar from india Swami vivekanad said..
My experience is that if ever any religion approaches to this equality in an appreciable manner. It is Islam and Islam Alone.
Letter of vivekanand pg379
I wanted to know the best of one who holds today's undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind....I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to this friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the 2nd volume (of the Prophet's biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read of the great life."
Miss. Sarojini Naidu, Poetess, in Ideals of Islam:
"It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy; for in the mosque, when the minaret is sounded and the worshipers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and the king kneel side by side and proclaim, God alone is great." The great poetess of India continues, "I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes a man instinctively a brother. When you meet an Egyptian, an Algerian and Indian and a Turk in London, it matters not that Egypt is the motherland of one and India is the motherland of another."
Prof. Ramakrishna Rao, in "Muhammad the Prophet of Islam":
It [Islam] replaced monkishness by manliness. It gives hope to the slave, brotherhood to mankind, and recognition of the fundamental facts of human nature.
- Canon Taylor
Paper read before the Church Congress at Walverhamton,
Oct. 7, 1887.
Quoted by Arnold in The Preaching of Islam pp. 71-72.
The] sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because as I read in the Qur'an I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to the whole world.
- Sarojini Naidu
Lectures on "The Ideals of Islam."
Speeches and Writings of Sarojini Naidu Madras, 1918, p. 167.
I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him ذ the wonderful man ذ and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness. I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.
- G. B. Shaw
The Genuine Islam, Vol. 1, No. 81936.