Islam and Peace

Before one is to discuss whether or not Islam can be accurately described as “a religion of peace,” one must determine what it means to be “a religion of peace.” I believe that there are two definitions that will be useful in exploring this topic: the first definition posits that a religion of peace is one that requires of its adherents a commitment to fostering peace and living a life of nonviolence; the second definition claims that a religion of peace is one that, when lived out properly, ensures peace and security for its adherents. A reading of the Qur’an tells one that Islam cannot claim the former definition, and its resemblance to the latter is debatable.

In regards to the first definition, that a religion of peace requires nonviolence of its members, it is simply not applicable to Islam. Before Sura 2 is completed, the reader will find Allah exhorting the Prophet to tell his people:

“Fight in God’s cause against those who fight you, but do not overstep the limits: God does not love those who overstep the limits. Kill them wherever you encounter them, and drive them out from where they drove you out, for persecution is more serious than killing. Do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they fight you there. If they do fight you, kill them- this is what such disbelievers deserve,” (2: 190-191).

Later, this same Sura includes such writings as “fighting is ordained for you,” (2:216). Such blatant calls for warfare, defensive or offensive, are simply not the hallmarks of what ought to be considered “a religion of peace.”

The second definition, which states that a religion of peace provides security to its adherents, is arguably more accurate than the first in regards to Islam. The Catholic Church, it must be said, recognizes the validity of such ideas as “a just war” and the necessity, however unhappy, of battle in order to preserve long-term peace. In terms of defensive warfare, Sura 3 tells of Muslims to whom it was told “Come, fight for God’s cause, or at least defend yourselves,” (3:167). Certainly, defensive battle to protect one’s life and property has a place even in the lives of peaceful men. This, however, is not the peace Muhammad seemed to settle with. Other places in the Qur’an tell of Allah’s will for Muslim domination (4:91); the history of the religion is parallel. After battle, it could be argued, that under complete Muslim subjugation of the globe, peace would be secured by the victorious Islamic warriors and their submissive dhimmi. This is, I doubt, what most people have in mind when describing a “religion of peace.” Textual evidence from the Qur’an, then, leaves one doubtful of the veracity of the claim that Islam is a “religion of peace.”