Between the Peace of Islam and Gandhian Peace - Discussing Objections to 'Don't Say Islam Is a Religion of Peace'

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah, dear esteemed audience,

Introduction and Context of Objections

After publishing an article titled "Do Not Say Islam is the Religion of Peace," I received several objections, and I believe there is value in discussing them. Firstly, perhaps we will agree more if I put you in the context that led me to issue the statement.

After the events in New Zealand and the increasing interest of non-Muslims globally in learning about Islam—a historic opportunity that should be utilized to the best of our ability—we saw some of our Muslim brothers in the West using the phrase: "Islam is the religion of peace." From my attendance at what was called "interfaith dialogue" in America, this phrase was also repeated.

Now, my brother, if you were to tell me: "I will give a lecture to a group of Western Christians, for example, titled 'Why Islam is the Religion of Peace,'" in which you explain in detail that peace in Islam does not mean submissiveness and humiliation, but rather, peace must be protected by strength, and that Islam does not make peace with the aggressor who seeks to spread corruption on earth, but rather, fighting such people achieves true peace. Therefore, we must redefine peace, and at that point, Islam is the religion of peace, and the commandment of Islam to wage war in some instances does not contradict this, and so on with the meanings you preferred in your objections.

If this were the presentation—that you are giving a lecture in which you define peace for your listeners and paint the complete picture for them—I would say to you: "Very well, excellent, no objection to calling it 'Why Islam is the Religion of Peace.'" And I mentioned at the end of my statement that no religion achieves true, just peace except Islam.

The Problem with the Slogan "Islam is the Religion of Peace"

However, my brothers, this is not what usually happens in dialogues between Muslims and non-Muslims in the West. "Islam is the Religion of Peace"—firstly, what is the immediate meaning that comes to mind? And this is very important to know what meaning the listeners understand when a certain phrase is used. Usually, the immediate meaning is that Islam is a religion of no war, a peaceful religion in its movements and reactions, in the manner of Gandhi. This is the immediate meaning to the Westerner, and it is the meaning that is promoted globally by the international system that wants people to be preoccupied with defending themselves with ineffective methods.

Therefore, my brothers, it is not our concern that we, as Muslims, explain the linguistic meaning of the word "peace" to you, saying: "Rather, Islam is the religion of peace, salvation in the Hereafter, and reaching the Abode of Peace to prove to you that Islam is the religion of peace." Rather, what is important: Are these meanings that you mention the immediate meanings that come to the listener's mind, especially non-Muslims? Does the occasion usually allow for the clarification of these meanings to non-Muslims in occasions such as their visit to mosques to learn about Islam in haste?

This Christian or secular Westerner will go after hearing this word from you, and someone will come to him saying: "They told you Islam is the religion of peace, look what the Quran says," and he will bring him the verses that contain killing and fighting. It will be very easy at that point for this person to feel that you are deceiving him and hiding the truths of your religion to protect yourself from him, not that you care about calling him to the truth that is in your religion, especially since many Muslims in the West are actually controlled by this.

But it needs explanation, detail, and conditions.

Alternative Slogans and the Foundations of Islam

As for the slogan "Islam is the religion of absolute obedience to Allah," "Islam is the religion of truth and justice," "The religion of servitude to Allah alone, not to desires, nor to humans, nor to the international system, nor to the wealthy," these are suitable slogans for all times and places, applicable in the present and the future, and we can evaluate them with everyone without exception, and they are not conditional on any condition. Therefore, they are suitable as slogans because they are the ultimate goals.

Allah the Almighty said: {Indeed, We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and We have sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may stand up for justice.} [Al-Hadid: 25]. "May stand up," not with conditions, therefore, for the establishment of justice, Allah sent the messengers, and revealed the books. The establishment of truth and justice, and that servitude be to Allah, that the entire religion be for Allah, these are the ultimate goals. In order to achieve these goals, we sometimes need peace, and sometimes we need war.

You will find that the Quran prohibits calling for peace in some instances, and Allah the Almighty says: {So do not weaken and call for peace while you are superior, and Allah is with you, and He will never deprive you of your deeds.} [Muhammad: 35]. And our Lord, glorified and exalted be He, never prohibits truth, justice, and absolute obedience to Allah in any place or with anyone. You will find verses commanding jihad instead of making peace in some instances, and you will not find any verse or hadith that commands servitude to other than Allah or to falsehood that is against the truth, because it is divine and preserved. It is not compelled to follow the slogans raised in a certain time to flatter people with it. And when you present it as it is, it will attract those with sound nature, it will attract those with sound nature who are sincere with themselves, and those who are originally disgusted by submissiveness and humiliation, which is suggested to them by the claims that Islam is a religion of peace in an absolute sense, without detail.

Conclusion and Recommendations

For all of this, my brothers, I repeat and say: "Islam is the Religion of Peace" is not suitable as a slogan in our call to non-Muslims, especially when the occasion does not allow for clarification, nor is it suitable as an absolute slogan among Muslims unless they understand the intended meaning, especially since it is promoted among Muslims for the concept of peacefulness in reclaiming rights and repelling injustice, peacefulness instead of defending the people of falsehood and confronting force with force.

And all of this does not mean that we accept that non-Muslims monopolize this meaning of "peace," as if they are more deserving of it than us, for they are liars in their claim, and peace is not spread except by those who are worthy of it, and Islam is the only one that does so. And with this, I have adjusted the title of the statement so that it is not misunderstood.

And I conclude by saying: Some of the brothers who supported the statement responded to the objectors in a hurtful manner, and I strongly object to them in that. Oh my brothers, what is the problem if some of the honorable brothers object and we discuss and correct? None of us is infallible from error, and I benefit from you, and I hope you benefit from me as well, for a man is little by himself but great with his brothers. So be gentle, may Allah have mercy on you. I ask Allah the Almighty to make us all humble to the believers and honored over the disbelievers. And peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.