Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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religious impulse. Studies of Islamic approaches to peace and conflict resolution provide new angles of
insight into universal human dilemmas, as well as important supplementation to studies to recognize
contemporary Islamic activism not as backward-looking rejection of the modern world, but as deeply felt
expression of cultural identity and a critique of domestic as well as international political orders.
FIVE ISLAMIC APPROACHES TO PEACE
- Power Politics: Peace through Coercive Power
Based on pessimistic reading of human nature, Islam is used as a language for legitimation of power and
authority and for the preservation or social order; threats to a given political order are often framed as a
threat to Islam. The power-political approach views peace as an absence of war, and underscores political
necessities created by the restlessness of political subjects and the threatening posture of external enemies.
- World Order: Peace through the Power of Law
Peace is a condition of order defined by the presence of such core Islamic values as justice, human dignity,
cultural coexistence and ecological stability, and not merely by an absence of direct violence. A situation in
which these values are not present may be characterized as disorderly, unstable and un-Islamic.
- Conflict Resolution: Peace through the Power of Communication
Traditional Islamic approaches are explored: reconciliation, methods of mediation and arbitration. These
methods affirm a restorative conception of peace and justice, encompassing notions of compensations for
losses, attentiveness to issues of face or social esteem, renunciation for the sake of the whole and
forgiveness.
- Non-Violence: Peace through Will Power
Adherence to Islam requires non-violent solidarity against oppression, the promotion of renewal through
broad-based social movements and training for programs of direct non-violent action. Only a linkage of just
ends with just means can secure authentic justice, peace and human dignity.
- Transformation: Peace through the Power of Love
This approach defines peace as a condition of all embracing harmony perceived through the inward renewal
and transformation of human consciousness. The cultural community is the context and the receptacle of
human realization; renewal takes place within each person through inward cleansing and loving surrender to
the divine.
The purpose of this study is to suggest new ways of organizing knowledge about Islam, within the context of
emerging global perspectives on the promotion of human solidarity and the full utilization of cultural and
spiritual resources for the advancement of peace.
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the Islamic community. The greater emphasis seemed to have been attached to the group; the individual
counted for little by himself. Only through the family, clan or cavitas, to which the individuals belonged, could
they claim the right to protection by means of custom or social mores.
Not only is Society regarded as indispensable for the survival of man, but also inherent in it is the concept of
authority. The Islamic conception of umma presupposes the existence of a set of divine commands,
endowed by a Supreme Legislator, constituting its fundamental law or constitution. This is regarded as
absolutely necessary since society without authority was impossible.
THE JURIDICAL BASIS OF THE STATE
The foundation of the Islamic social polity was made on the basis of a compact of agreement, being
understood that this agreement was by no means one between two equals. It was a compact of submission
which reflects the nature of Allahs covenant with man.
Was the Islamic state based on a single-contract theory or two contracts? According to al-Farabi and
Hobbes, the isolated individuals agreed on a universal contract of submission to a ruler who is vested at
once with exclusive power. Only the possession of sovereignty resided with Allah, while its exercise was
instructed to rule with justice. Allah accordingly was the titular head of the state and its source of governing
authority; Muhammad was its head of government. The position of Muhammad as the executive head of the
governing authority was filled by a caliph, but not his prophetic function of communication and promulgating
the divine law. The caliph declared that he was merely to administer and enforce the divine law. The caliphs
powers were derived from and limited by the divine law; only his appointment was made by the people.
THE DIVINE UNIVERSAL NOMOCRACY
It is to be noted that in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam god never had been regarded as the immediate ruler
of this subjects; only his representatives on earth were the real executives. Hence the divine law, regarded
as the source of governing authority, was the essential feature in the process of control under these
systems. According to the definition of nomocracy which is defined as a system of government based on a
legal code; the rule of law in a community, Israelite, Christian and Islamic states, which were based on
divine legal orders, can be called nomocracies. The universal nomocracy of Islam, like the Republica
Christiana in the West, assumed that mankind constituted one supra-national community, bound by one law
and governed by one ruler. While Islam tolerated Christianity and Judaism as religion, Islamdom and
Christendom, as two universal states, could not peacefully coexist.
SOLIDARITY IN TRIBES
Characteristics of men: aggressiveness and lust for power. The state or the rulers restrain their subjects
from attacking each other and preserve them from oppression, unless it be the oppression of the state itself.
External aggression is warded off by a defence which can succeed only when men are united by a strong
solidarity arising out of kinship.
SOLIDARITY IS THE BASIS OF SOVEREIGNTY
The end of solidarity is sovereignty. Solidarity is what makes men unite their efforts and defend
themselves. But every society needs a restraint, a chief who will keep men from injuring each other the
chief must have a powerful support, otherwise he will not be able to carry out his function. This domination is
called sovereignty, which exceeds the power of a simple leader followed by others whom he cannot compel.
The sovereign ruler has such power. A leader will always to try to turn his rule into sovereignty, as power is
the desire of mens souls.
SOLIDARITY IS THE BASIS OF KINGSHIP
Kingship and dynasties can only be founded upon solidarity; victory goes indeed to the side with the most
solidarity and whose members are most ready to die for each other. But kingship is fought over with much
competition, war occurs. And the masses are not aware of this struggle as they have forgotten the origin of
their ruler, whose power is consolidated and no longer based upon social solidarity.
NATURE OF KINGSHIP
It is a position natural to mankind. Man can only survive in groups, and if they co-operate it is therefore
impossible to survive in a state of anarchy, without a sanction which restrains them from mutual aggression.
This sanction is provided by a strong king.
CONCENTRATION OF AUTHORITY
It is in the nature of states that authority becomes concentrated in one person. Why? Because of
solidarity, formed by the union of many groups, from which emerges a leading family. A prominent individual
is at the head of this family. He will then have pride and soon think himself as a god. Were there many rulers,
the result would be chaos.
TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE STATE
Each state has appointed territories that it cannot exceed; its functions thereon are to protect against
enemies, enforce orders, raise taxes, awe the population, etc. The state is stronger at the centre than at the
periphery, the centre being like a heart, if it is defeated, all provinces will be wiped out.
RELIGION AS THE BASIS OF THE EMPIRE
A dominion can only be secured by victory, and victory goes to the side with more unity of purpose and
solidarity. Religious fervour can put aside the competitiveness and jealousy felt by the embers of the group
by turning them towards the truth, a truth they are prepared to die for. Inversely, when religious fervour
weakens and gets corrupted, religion ceases to play a role and victory belongs to the more cohesive side.
SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL POWERS
Kingship arises out of the necessary association of human beings and is based on coercion, which is an
animal tendency. Stemming from his aims and desires, the orders of the king may soon become unbearable
burdens for the subjects, who will feel the need to rebel themselves. It is therefore imperative to impose
political laws. The state cannot establish or consolidate itself without them. Laws are founded on reason.
The laws laid down by God are useful for both this and for the after life, for men are not created for this
world of vanity and evil whose end is death and annihilation. Religion leads to happiness in the afterlife and
divine laws seek to prescribe the conduct of men in all affairs. The state is therefore patterned on religion.
Aspects that arise from the sole requirements of statecraft are blameworthy as they lack the light of God.
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Political law reflect apparent, worldly interests, whereas Gods aim is the salvation of mankind. It is
therefore imperative to have the people conform themselves to religious laws in matters concerning both
worlds. Thus Kingship is founded on reason for the proportion of worldly interests. The Caliphate is the
ruling of the people according to the insight of religious dictates and worldly matters derived from them.
The caliphate is thus a guardian of religion and a director of worldly affairs in the light of that religion.
SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL POWERS IN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY
A chief is needed to lead men towards advantageous things and keep away from harmful ones. This is
the Kings objective.
Islam, as all-inclusive, calls for the Jihad, which is obligatory for infidels. In other religions, holy war is
permissible for self defence only, and religious leaders do not concern themselves with worldly affairs. These
religions do not demand dominion over other peoples, but merely the establishing of their faith among
themselves.
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The contemporary resurgence of islam has focus attention on political and revolutionary dimensions of Islam
in the post cold war era, as theorists of international relations exploit the opportunity to develop the ethnical
dimensions of international thought, Islamic contributions to this project are not in the proportion to its
potential as a source of ethical tradition and an influence of the behaviour of states in the international arena.
States in the international system can be construed as Islamic states, not on the basis of their political
organization but on the religious beliefs on their population.
Islam plays a major role in determining the political legitimacy of leadership and policies in Muslim societies
(whether they are absolute monarchies: Morocco, Saudi Arabia).
According to the authors opinion, the concept of religion requires a sophisticated treatment. Religion was
defined in opposition to the secular in a way that privileges the secular as forward looking and liberating and
undermines the religion as backward, traditional and incarcerating.
Islam is a value system which covers comprehensively the scared and the secular. It is not a value that
applies to the personal and spiritual sphere of human existence. Islam claims to have its own framework that
offers procedures and processes for developing institutions that can cater to the secular sphere.
Terry Nardin has elaborate a systematic study of ethical involving both the authority of traditional beliefs in
the Quran and Sunna and allowing sufficient room for independence judgement and reasoning: ijtihad that
oppose ethical arguments such as those of the Mutazilities and Asharites.
It is difficult to define Islam as a way of life that gives meaning and purpose to life, or as a civilization.
Considering Islam as ethical tradition is a useful way of understanding Islam, it is constituted by the Sharia
(the constitution of Islam) and ethics.
the Quran is the book in which muslums believe was revealed to the prophet muhammed, and the sunna is
the collection of sayings, deeds and sanctions made by the prophet himself.
THE NATURE OF ISLAMIC ETHICAL TRADITION
There are three broad categories of ethical traditions:
Deontological ethics: privilege rules, means duties and obligations.
Utilitarian ethics: give primacy to ends and consequences.
Aristotelian: character and motive.
There are central debates about authority and limits of human agency to exercise independent reasoning in
interpreting religious authority. It is a debat about the role of reason in understanding Islamic obligations.
Challenging the Mutazilites main ethical thesis that man is the creator of this actions, the asharites
contended that God was the author of all action and nothing happened without his consent.
The largely utilitarian interpretation and application of Islamic ethical considerations can be seen in the
political discourse of contemporary Islamic resurgence. Their focus is to realize Islamic law and social ethics
in Muslim states.
In modern world, of nation states, with its global interdependence, separation of politics and ethics, it would
be extremely difficult unilaterally ethical in political pursuits. Also, Islamic terrorism and militancy is a
response to a western hypocrisy.
ISLAMIC ETHICS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADITIONS
Schaybany, is the articulator of the theory of international relations. At the time of the Arabic domination of
Spain, Morocco, Egypt and Turkey.
The sources of Islamic law means that law-making was not only based on interpretation of the authoritative
texts, but had became a more complex process involving an empirical reality and necessities besides
traditionalism.
The mediaeval Islamic conception of the international arena looks very similar to the realist, neorealist and
neorealiberal visions of international relations, but there are several differences.
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For the realists, anarchy implies complete absence of any central authority.
Shaybanis theory is the only systematic theory of international relations advanced from an Islamic
perspective tempred by the political conditions and also by the needs of empire, for by the time Islam was
not just an idea or a philosophy but an empire and a civilization.
In the light of the modern development in international relations, we do need a modern Islamic theory of
international politics.
CONCLUSION
It is in the analysis of contemporary international relations that the hiatus between the proliferation of
normative discourses and the paucity of empirical analysis becomes apparent in the Islamic scholarship.
Most scholar in the international relations treat the treaty of Westphalia as the moment that marks changes
in the character of human civilization this starting point of international relations as we know it today is
generally accepted.
In fact the current system of nation states and international relations based on the principal of the state
sovereignty did not become globalize until after the process of decolonization was complete.
The author at the end expresses that it is hopefully initiate a practice which will hold Muslim states
accountable to the principles of Islamic ethics to protect both Muslims and non Muslims. Criticism and
opposition will be the first step toward the development of an Islamic ethical tradition in the contemporary
international relations.
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To enforce the analogy between the Mutazillites and the Asharites, Hashmi talk about the difference between
the modernist and fundamentalist approach. Although they are both based upon claims of Quranic
authenticity, there exist significant differences between them.
The modernist approach is the rationalist one to Islamic reform, arguing that Quranic messages should be
seen as a moral code upon which a legal system can be constructed. The fundamentalist approach on the
other hand, is the interpretation saying that the Quran ends with the confirmation of divine law. The duty of
the Muslim community is to apply this law. There is one Islam and there is no other meaning of Islam
Hashmi also analyzes the challenges that the modern international world system poses to contemporary
Islamic thought and argues that the international norms accepted by Muslim states have not been addressed
in modern Islamic political thought. He also examines such key issues as justice, human rights, democracy,
distributive justice, and diversity from the point of view of an Islamic political body.
For example in the field of human rights, he poses the question: is there a conception of human rights in
Islam? and answers that the discriminatory provisions of Sharia are based upon specific verses that were
held by jurists to be legal injunctions. He adds that modern Muslims must return to the full ethical context of
the Quran in order to derive new legal injunctions. For him the full ethical context leads us to the principle of
equity and reciprocity. In the domain of democracy, although the West argues that democratic institutions
lack in Muslim countries, the idea of the author is that Muslim societies are influenced by the spread of
democracy throughout the world and organizations adopting democracy spread in Muslim countries too.
Pointing to the disillusionment of Muslim intellectuals and leaders with Western political ideals and their
disturbingly poor implementation and failure in the Islamic world, Hashmi concludes by emphasizing the
positive role that religion has played in building a just and moral human habitat. He argues that religion has
been the most uniting force for human beings in moral community for motivating them towards constructive
behavior. Although religion can make international order difficult; it can contribute to the evolution of a
universal, representative, just society.
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The main processes of conflict resolution are conciliation, facilitation, mediation, negotiation, arbitration and
problem-solving.
Middle Eastern procedures are not defined as disciplinary approaches but those techniques are
practiced as traditional processes, to settle interpersonal, community and inter-religious disputes for
hundreds years. Negotiation is an integral part of the individuals life (souk) but also of the social
organization (the Kadi is also a mediator and arbitrator).
There is no basis for implementing Western strategies in an Islamic context without adjusting such
processes according to local experience. We can describe three categories of conflict resolution. The actual
application of each of these processes is generally different:
-Conflict resolution levels and processes implemented in both cultures.
The assumption, practices and roles of the third party are totally different; in their definition but also in the
aspects of life concerned, wider in the West, in areas like labor and organizational management or
environmental concerns. The West has a distinctive and professional approach that does not exist in Islamic
societies where conflict resolution is used only where traditional norms legitimize such actions. It points out
that practices from the West could enrich the process of professionalization and institutionalization of the
conflict resolution field in Islamic societies.
-Basic assumptions in conflict resolution
Western and Middle Eastern approaches to conflict resolution illustrate the sometimes profound differences
between the two cultures. In the Western context, conflict is normal, positive, and can bring growth and
creativity, based on cooperative frameworks. Any conflict is managed through rational planning, with legal
formality and procedures, leading to a written agreement that is task-oriented. In the Middle Eastern context,
conflict is negative and dangerous, and brings destruction. Group affiliation is the most central identity, in a
process in which social norms and hierarchical procedures prevail over legal forms, characterized by
emotion and spontaneity, leading to a relationship-oriented outcome.
-Third party roles
The main features in the West of a third party are professionalism, impartiality, a focus on the individuals
interests, needs and rights, conformity to legal procedures and the objective of achieving a fair deal for both
parties. The distinctive features in the Middle Eastern context are the age of the intervener, the political and
military power, religious affiliation, the knowledge of the customs and norms. The mediator can have a direct
or indirect interest in the dispute. This contributes to his credibility, which is very important.
The teaching of conflict resolution in the Middle East must be performed by people who know the history,
social values and local norms of Islamic societies.
There are various obstacles to this implementation. Western frameworks assume a different
approach to power relations. Stress is placed more on common interests and implies a desire to live
alongside the other party and manage interactions peacefully. The Western approach is based on
acknowledging the legitimacy or differences in beliefs and interests. It is not compatible with the
fundamentalist groups who see themselves as supreme in their beliefs and wishes. Such an approach to
conflict resolution could be rejected as have been other exported Western ideas, especially without any
adaptation.
We must also examine conflict resolution considering the religious and historical texts such as the
Quran, Sharia and Hadith. Arabi also deal with power disparity between the parties involved in a conflict.
Researchers should also consider Islamic society itself. It is important to distinguish processes at the
interpersonal or community level and those involving policy making and political groups interactions. One of
the limitation of scholars is that they mainly focus on the second level. The indigenous processes could be
used to bridge gaps on the local level but also between Middle Easterners and Westerners.
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Having looked at all the obstacles to imposing a Western model of conflict resolution in the Middle
East, we can see the pressing need to first examine the principles and procedures that exist within the
Islamic society.
The practice of arbitration is still widespread in Middle Eastern and Muslim societies and indeed it is
historically rooted in the pre-Islamic period.
Conceived as an instrument of dispute resolution in a region that continues to be one of the most troubled
spots on earth, the Tahkim emerged as a cheap mechanism employed among tribes to put an end to their
conflicts.
The arbitrator, whose most important qualifying merit was justice, was presumed to be a wise and fair person
appreciated for his or her superior moral qualities and with a wide knowledge of tribal customs. Arbitration,
however, was not a job and this made it dependent on people themselves who were free to decide whether
to recur to it or not in case of dispute.
When Islam finally gained a central role in the framework of government, many practices related to preIslamic arbitration became part of the Islamic law as customary law, provided that no contradiction would rise
and although no executive power was recognized to arbitrators, submission to their arbitration was
considered as a moral imperative that very often led to the execution of arbitral settlements.
Muhammad gained legitimacy both as a political leader and a final arbitrator, the latter being a role that he
started exerting even before his prophethood. As disposed by the Constitution that both Muslims and nonMuslims signed, he was designated as the chief political administrator and legal authority that had to be
referred to in case of conflicts that could not be handled otherwise.
Being recognized as the political leader by the entire community, which did not just include Muslims,
Muhammad disposed that political judgements be subject to legal enforcement, however, when it came to
arbitration on religious affairs, his arbitrations were never subject to legal enforcement. Non-Muslims were
allowed to choose the method of arbitration in their legal, social and religious affairs, Muslims were not. The
Prophets authority was therefore restricted with regard to the religious dimension, but definitely wide when
considering his political role.
Tahkim however was not limited to economic, social, religious and political affairs but it could be applied to
private law as well.
Muhammads arbitration was reinforced by what God revealed to him, with revelation being deemed as the
final and divine arbitrator.
After Muhammads death, arbitration did not lose its legitimacy and it was transferred to the entire
community, ummah, which was to confer it to the new leader, the caliph; a new political institution which
made Tahkim one of its characteristics.
Moreover, the community also had religious power in the sense that it could interpret the divine text, a
prerogative that was rooted in the need to unify the different interpretations of the Quran that were
eventually leading to the split of the ummah. No one in the community claimed to be the inheritor of
Muhammads power. Members of the ummah consulted first with the caliph and then decisions became
binding as soon as they got the approval of the people through consensus. All the process was based on
arbitration.
Arbitration thus continued to be exerted, but its results were far from being unquestioned to the point of
creating serious frictions. The Khawarij, comparable to nowadays fundamentalists, for instance, refused
arbitration by demanding the pure application of the Quran. They did not accept any human interpretation,
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and their position was deeply questioned by those who, on the contrary, argued that although the Quran
was to be considered the highest arbitrator it did not speak for itself and therefore needed a human
interpreter. The arbitrators spoke for the Quran.
In the years that followed arbitration kept on being exerted though doubts arose on whether to consider its
results as binding or not.
Later on, arbitration became more politicized and progressively started playing a less relevant role.
Arbitration had therefore proven to be effective as long as no religious implications intervened. The
difference between the first Islamic state and the period that followed the Prophets death, lay exactly in
Muhammads capacity to act both as a national arbitrator and as a religious authority. This made it possible
for him to solve disputes and arbitrate although his religious authority was not unanimously accepted, with
the Jews being part of the community as well.
This means that when dealing with conflict resolution involving religious groups, the divine element of the
conflict must be taken into account and then deconstructed into its political components. On this basis
arbitration can later work as a method to solve conflicts.
Nowadays political rule does not represent the divine will because the legislative power is given to the
community through arbitration. The ummah is the sovereign whose application of the divine will is not limited
to an individual or a groups interpretation. No individual or group can claim exclusive rights to interpretation,
government or arbitration except by way of delegation.
Arbitration rests on the contractual authority of the people with the government. The legitimacy of arbitration
could be restored to deal with an even wider set of issues both at the internal as well as at the international
level.
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In conflict resolution, communication skills are very important. In many conflicts, the art of listening is
drowned out by arguments and the never-ending struggle to get ones own point across first. Listening is not
equivalent to ignoring, it is preparing to respond it is a Western approach! But can we use it in the Middle
East? In heart-to-heart conversations, for example in Lebanon, people frequently interrupt each other with
expressions of empathy, of support. It is not a rude interruption; it simply means that people are very
expressive. In another example, in some rural areas of Lebanon, if you dont talk, it means you are dull; the
more you talk, the more it is assumed you know.
Also, we have to note another difference between Western and non-Western approaches. Lebanese
representatives think that conflict management is better than conflict resolution. It is impossible to completely
solve conflicts; the existence of conflicts goes together with human existence.
Western techniques in Arab-Islamic societies are adopted by businessmen, bankers and engineers. But still,
for most people, conflict resolution is handled by the state controlled courts.
Another aspect of cultural difference is the role of gender in society. For example, in Lebanon, the majority of
social workers are women. But in conflicts involving couples, men refuse to deal with social workers. Also, in
the case of divorce children stay with their father.
Arab states dont have individuals with rights and duties, they have individuals belonging to communities. In
resolving conflicts we have to take in account the towns/villages aspect.
THE ROLE OF RITUALS
Rituals, ceremonies, customs are a part of the culture. There is a close connection between rituals and
communicative behaviour, especially concerning efforts to control, reduce and resolve conflict.
The largest contrast between Western and non-western conflict resolution is that the Western approach
underscores the primacy of individual choices in facilitation of the process, whilst the traditional Arab-Islamic
process is communally oriented. In Western mediation, the practitioner is a neutral, unaffiliated outsider, but
in the Arab-Islamic approach the third party has connections to the major disputants, as well as good
relations with the community (age, experience, status, leadership). Similarly, in Western life the responsibility
lies with the participants, but in Arab-Islamic world it is guaranteed by the communal leader.
The Western third party relies on guidelines, experience and legal texts but in Arab-Islamic situations it is
based on sacred texts, religious ideals, history and traditions.
The goals of the Western process are pragmatic, trying to achieve a win-to-win scenario that will delete the
past and commence a new page in history. In contrast, the Arab-Islamic process is continuity-oriented;
history is the source of stability, it shapes the future. Also in the Western world we solve our own problems,
whilst the Arab-Islam approach integrates family and community in this matter.
The Western process includes very structured problem resolution (separate the person from the problem)
which leads to a formal, written agreement. In contrast, the Arab-Islamic approach prioritizes the issues
harmony, solidarity, dignity and prestige.
Sulh and musalaha
One of the most important unofficial responses to conflict in Middle Eastern societies is sulh and musalaha,
which are often simply called sulh. Suhl and musalaha has its origins in tribal and village contexts, although
not legitimated by Middle Easter states. Today it is used in some rural areas of Lebanon where state control
is not very strong. In Jordan however, the ritual of sulh is officially recognised.
The purpose of sulh is to end conflict and hostility, so that parties can conduct a relationship in peace and
amity. It is a form of legal contract.
In general, there are two types of sulh processes: public sulh (treaties between two countries to suspend
fighting and to establish peace for a specific time period) and private sulh (when both the crime and the
guilty party is known and the purpose is to make sure that revenge will not take place leading to another
conflict). The most common condition is to forget what happened and to initiate new and friendly relations.
The mediators in this process are called Jaha who gain the esteem of the community. But the sulh ritual is
not a zero-sum game!
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Conclusions: The application of Western style conflict control, reduction and resolution in the Middle East
can be effective but we can never forget about the importance of traditional methods and rituals!
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2. These Thai Muslims were courageous despite severe repression by the state. Because they
submitted to Allah alone, they did not have to fear any mortal.
3. Muslim discipline enabled the gathering, the protest march. Muslims are disciplined in their
everyday life; they pray five times a day.
4. The concept of ummah (community) is very strong among Muslims
5. Islam repeatedly encourages action.
The author claims these pillars correspond well with the sacred Five Pillars of Islam
Shahadat a vow that proclaims there is no god but God and Muhammad is His messenger
Salat Prayers at specific times five times a day from sunrise to sunset, each preceded by proper ablution
(the practice of using ritual washing as one part of a ceremony to remove sin or disease)
Zakah compulsory religious tax that every Muslim has to pay
Sawm Fasting in the month of Ramadan every year by abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to
sunset while purifying both the tongue and the heart in the process
Hajj Pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once in a lifetime if one can afford it
A practicing Muslim should possess the potential for disobedience, discipline, social concern and action,
patience and willingness to suffer for a cause, and the idea of unity all of which a crucial for successful
nonviolent action
Thus, the eight theses on Muslim non-violent action are suggested as a challenge for Muslims and others
who seek to reaffirm the original vision of Islam so that the true meaning of peace the absence of both
structural as well as personal violence - can be obtained.
1. For Islam, the problem of violence is an integral part of the Islamic moral sphere
2. Violence, if any, used by Muslims must be governed by rules prescribed in the Quran and Hadith
3. If violence used cannot discriminate between combatants and non-combatants, then it is
unacceptable in Islam
4. Modern technology of destruction renders discrimination virtually impossible at present
5. In the modern world, Muslims cannot use violence
6. Islam teaches Muslims to fight for justice with the understanding that human lives, as parts of Gods
creation are purposive and sacred
7. In order to be true to Islam, Muslims must utilise non-violent action as a new mode of struggle
8. Islam itself is fertile soil for non-violence because of its potential for disobedience, strong discipline,
sharing and social responsibility, perseverance and self-sacrifice, and the belief in the unity of the
Muslim community and the oneness of mankind.
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Today there are two main trends in the analysis of the relevance of religion in nonviolence and conflict
resolution;
Apologies are being made for historical events involving particular faiths which has lead to
generalisation and idealisation of complex, contemporary realities
Major religions selectively take on board the more favourable aspects of higher universal values, whilst
attempting to extract essential attitudes and practices supporting current efforts to encourage nonviolence on the ground.
The author proposes that there should be a third approach to religion beyond apologies for or appeals to
the religious past. This may in turn allow a deeper understanding of Islam regarding notions of integrity,
intelligence and ignorance and in this way, toward deeper understanding of nonviolence in the heritage of
Islam.
There is no specific term for the notion of nonviolence in the Arabic language. It is often denoted through
expressions such as;
al unf; no force, no violence or no-vehemence
sabr; Stems from the root for patience and fortitude
Nonetheless, there are concepts that embrace aspects of nonviolence.
One reason for the lack of the concept of nonviolence in Muslim teachings comes from unfamiliarity with the
textual and conceptual bases of the term.
What has until now inhibited a proper grasp of Islamic teachings on peace and conflict is a blind-spot among
non-Muslims concerning the real nature of Islamic thought and practice. This is rooted in the events of
Medieval times as well as ignorance. Today it is exasperated by efforts to demonise Islam as the antithesis
to Judaeo-Christian-Hellenistic cultural values which stems from the threat posed by Muslim
fundamentalism and the exploitation of the term terrorism by certain governments.
Misconceptions of Islam also stem from the failure of many Muslims to actively promote an intelligent
presentation of their own tradition in a language and in a manner accessible to the masses and
understandable in the contemporary mentality of the world.
The author suggests that the growing Muslim Diaspora in Europe and North America, alongside the
longstanding Muslim minority communities in India, China and South East Asia may be the place to find a
fresh approach to promoting an understanding of Islam.
A popularised tradition which has a profound impact on the formation of values at all levels of society is the
religious teachings which centre on the discipline of the akhlaq (virtuous character traits). These originate
from the Quran and the hadith (sometimes referred to as hadith-based ethics). This states that within a
person, there is an internal psychological dualism not a body/mind dualism. There is a dichotomy between
a persons al aql (intelligence and self restraint) and al-hawa (passion, whim or desire). Aql is also
opposed to jahl (folly or ignorance). Aql reflects wisdom in the sense of moral self-restraint and
harmonious conduct in a social communal context, while jahl signifies all that is perverse and discordant in
the person leading to inner blindness, conflict and social disorder. In other words, the dialectic notion of aqljahl can be said to be fundamental in leading one ultimately toward a human predisposition toward
nonviolence as a poised spiritual trait.
The cultivation of character traits remains the basis for the individuals personal engagement with God in
service and devotion, and for loving-kindness and charity in the self-sacrificing service of ones fellows.
Relevant character traits in Islam include;
Ihsan; putting the good and the beautiful into practice
Ikhlas; purity of sincerity or the internalisation of works and faith
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understanding, oppressor will merely succeed oppressor and the secret of the Prophets victory will remain a
secret.
NONVIOLENCE: RETURN TO THE REPRESSED
Several interpretations:
- Unarmed struggle has been superseded by armed struggle, which is now obligatory upon then faithful until
Islam is acknowledged everywhere.
- The armed struggle is superior, but must wait, for practical reasons, upon the accumulation of sufficient
military power.
- Armed struggle is only a branch, which dies if torn from its root for it is only unarmed struggle that
teaches reliance on God. The assumption here is that power, by essence, is non-coercive.
Muslim proponents of non-violence can challenge the world peace community to reconsider its fundamental
goal. Is the universal core of non-violence the quietism, which is appropriate to some spiritual traditions, or is
it to struggle for justice in a just fashion with the goal that our current opponents might gladly become our
future allies?
nation-state system have overridden traditionalist imperatives for cultural diversity. They also affirm the clear
preference in Islam for non-violence over violence, and forgiveness over retribution.
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In addition to the five-time prayer, God ordained five obligatory duties to the Muslim community. The first
obligatory duty is to surrender to Allah with absolute faith. The second duty is to worship Allah alone, without
thinking for a moment that He might have any equal or partner. Charity, fasting, and pilgrimage were three
other duties made obligatory for those who had not fully comprehended the first two duties.
Beyond these five outer weapons, Allah has also given six inner weapons, which the Sufis have explained.
You may find them in your eye, your nostril, your ear, your tongue, and your heart. We who are in Islam must
understand and act in accordance with both the inner and outer duties.
Those who do not govern peoples hearts, but instead rule over the earth, really govern in hell. Pride is hell,
and the attractions of earth, gold, sensual pleasures, and possessions are advertisements that lure us to the
seven hells. To overcome those hells we must begin to govern hearts with good qualities, with prayer, and
with worship.
The wars we are engaged in today are being fought for the sake of conquering nations, capturing countries,
and killing and vanquishing others. This is not the kind of war that true Islam wages. We must realize that it
is not right for us to harbour hatred.
Enmity cannot be overcome with enmity. Hostility cannot be overcome by hostility. Vengeance cannot be
overcome by vengeance. Jealousy cannot be overcome by jealousy. Hatred cannot be overcome by hatred.
It is our own satanic qualities that must be overcome with inner patience, contentment, trust in God, giving all
praise to God. Once we understand what the true weapons of Islam are, we will never take a life, we will not
murder, we will not even see any brother separate from ourselves.
But over the last hundred years some people of Islam and of other religions have changed. Faith has
decreased to the point where many say God does not exist. The satanic qualities of jealousy, vengeance,
anger, sin, and pride have come into us. We must strengthen our faith and using the weapons of the fivetime prayer and of patience, contentment, trust in god, and praise of God. If everyone in the community of
Islam understand this and tried to establish peace, tolerance, and patience, that alone would bring peace to
the world. The weapons of peace and tranquillity will grant us victory no matter what enmity, what hostility,
threatens us.
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