Islam 4: Peace and Conflict

Question 1

A: 3 Muslims beliefs about peace

Answer 1

word islam is related to peace
quran discourages to do anything that threatens peace
the best believers are those who speak to and direct others in ways that promote peace

Question 2

B: 2 beliefs about the importance of peace

Answer 2

• Muslims are called to be peaceful (1) and
  not to follow in the footsteps of Shaytan
  (Surah 2:208) (1)
• Muslims should walk upon the earth lightly
  (1), and therefore respond to acts of
  aggression with peace (1)
• Muslims should keep peace in the ummah
  (1) out of respect for Allah (1).

Surah 2:208 O believers! Enter into Islam wholeheartedly and do not follow Satan’s footsteps. Surely he is your sworn enemy.

Question 3

A: 3 muslim attitudes to the importance of peace

Answer 3

• Muslims want to live in a peaceful and safe
  society (1)
• Muslims should aim to avoid evil deeds that
  would destroy the peace (1)
• Muslims should treat each other justly to
  maintain harmony (1)
• Everyone wants their children to grow up in a
  peaceful environment (1)
• Muslims should work to promote peace in
  society (1).

Question 4

B: 2 reasons why peace is important in the life of a muslim

Answer 4

Islam aims to provide peace at every level. Therefore peace lies at the heart of Islam and is important in a Muslims life.
Prophet Muhammad was the perfect model of peace. Eg when he signed Treaty of Hudaybiyya “a mercy to all people”

Question 5

D: Peace is the main goal of Islam

Answer 5

FOR:

AGAINST:
Justice: jihad- some it is a 6th pillar- striving for justice
“stand firm against justice”
perhaps pursuit of justice supersedes pursuit of peace
However many muslims would argue that justice is necessary to achieve the greater goal of peace

Question 6

D: Muslims should do more to work for peace

Answer 6

FOR
peacemaking is at the heart of islam
s-l-m
there is currently not world peace, therefore the world could be more peaceful, therefore muslims have more peacemaking to do
EV: muslims are only humans “god wants ease, not difficulty”

conflict between different branches of islam- sunni bombing shia mosques- islams responsibility to fix conflicts it is a contributing factor in- terrorist organisations like Hamas and extremists like Abdul A’ la Mavdudi
EV: extremists are the exception not the rule- the fact we actively label them as extreme shows that their actions are not representative of the entire muslim population
also the ummam declaration to solve this

AGAINST
lots of muslim organisations doing things for peace- MPF who:
- work against injustice and for peace at home and globally
- show a commitment to peace on behalf of all muslims
- reach out to people of other religious traditions to further mutual respect
there is also A common word
- muslim-christian dialogue “O people of the book”
muslims + christian’s make up a majority of the population- so effective
EV: strong- MPF are doing lots
however there still isn’t peace!?
peace takes time

question puts too much responsibility on muslims- it is everyone’s responsibility to work for peace everywhere- including in muslim countries
v strong- we are all made by Allah, we should all work together for each other

CONCLUSION: NO

Question 7

D: Muslims cannot disobey their government

Answer 7

FOR

muhammad- seal of the prophets- shows he is the perfect role model for muslims
he remained committed to to non-vilonce even when Meccans persecuted him and other early muslims
instead he fled- hijra from mecca to medinah
V strong! he is the prophet chosen by allah but STILL obeys government 🤯

also “obey those in authority among you”
many muslims this means government
backed up by “god does not love the treacherous”- can refer to not obeying the government
gods judgement is most important as he is omnipotent and omnibenevolent- decides afterlife
EV: comes from sahib muslim hadith- sahib means reliable and backed up by quran

AGAINST

“… unless these order involve disobedience to Allah” - extremists will have a broader definition of disobedience
“an authority among you” will take this to mean ISIS / boko haram
EV: weak- these actions have led to severe consequences for people in the past so is better not to repeat them

Arab Spring- eg of active pacifism/ civil disobedience in Arab Muslim world
this was a precedent set with Pharaoh- a unjust ruler who enslaved Israelites and rejected musa and allah
Unconvincing: overruled by quran and the action of muhammad etc

CONCLUSION: YES
“

Question 8

D: WMD have more benefits than problems

Answer 8

FOR

deterrent- war less likely if they are in the eq. - good - war costs lives - less lives lost - muslims believe sanctity of live - live is a god given gift
V strong god has created humans, backed up quran “prepare against them whatever forces you can muster [..] to frighten off…”

utilitarian pov: use ensures a quicker end to conflicts - less people dying is better than more people dying - muslims may also agree with this for aforementioned reasons

AGAISNT

inevitable civilian/ non combatant deaths
- for muslims this goes against one of the rules of just war - why they are banned in just war- sanctity of life is gift from god - why should people who aren’t doing anything wrong be killed
EV: weak argument as a refusal to go to war may be worse in some situations - eg WW2 to stop Nazism
humanists accept this

scale of destruction is immeasurable
grand ayatollah (leader of twelve shia muslims) “pose a serious threat to humanity” it is haram
also ecological crimes muwatta of imam malik (hadith) “do not cut down fruit bearing trees”
EV: unconvincing- ayatollah only counts for small number of muslims and hadith is always overruled by Quran

conclusion FOR