Why is Islam "a religion of peace"?

Question

I want answers especially from muslims.

Answer 1

Answer:

It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of force. The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid spread of Islam.


1. Islam means peace.


Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt).


2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace.


Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace and harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vested interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is precisely for this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and anti-social elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force can only be used to promote peace and justice.


3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary.


The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book "Islam at the cross road" (Page 8):

"History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have ever repeated."


4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years.


Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the sword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain who could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.


5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians.


Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British ruled, and for a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians i.e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.


6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India.


The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the sword.


7. Indonesia and Malaysia.


Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, "Which Muslim army went to Indonesia and Malaysia?"


8. East Coast of Africa.


Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, "Which Muslim army went to the East Coast of Africa?"


9. Thomas Carlyle.


The famous historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book "Heroes and Hero worship", refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam: "The sword indeed, but where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in a minority of one. In one man’s head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he takes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can."


10. No compulsion in religion.


With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use it to spread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse:

"Let there be no compulsion in religion:
Truth stands out clear from error"
[Al-Qur’an 2:256]


11. Sword of the Intellect.


It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people. The Qur’an says in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125:

"Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord
with wisdom and beautiful preaching;
and argue with them in ways that are
best and most gracious."
[Al-Qur’an 16:125]


12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984.


An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, year book 1986, gave the statistics of the increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in ‘The Plain Truth’ magazine. At the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity had increased only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century which converted millions of people to Islam?


13. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe.


Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing religion in Europe in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers?


14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson.


Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, "People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the day MUHAMMED (pbuh) was born".

Answer 2

Because God loves good thing.

True teaching of Islam is peace.

Read the true (from Islam's sources not from some made up stories by non-muslims) history of Islam and Muhammad.

Muhammad bring peace and unite all tribes during the "Jahiliyah" time.

Before Muhammad, Arabians has the lowest level of humanity at that time. The tribes was full of hatreds with each other, they kill each other, they kill kids, drunk, free sex, oppressions.. mainly they have no rules to live a good life.

Muhammad come and bring rules and peace to them.. infact for hundred of years Islam is the biggest power in the world.

Yet, all Non-Muslims can live peacefully in Islamic countries.

Read Islam history from the true Islamic source then u can judge it.

Answer 3

Al Qura'n, Chaptor 3: Vers 64Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will).

What did Allah command us to do ?

Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching with He (Allah) gives you! Truly, Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Seer. The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 4, Verse 58

Say (O Muhammad pbuh ) : “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: be Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; Kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand. The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 6, Verse 151

By the way who fights for their freedom are not terrorists. Who invaded their land and killing innocent people intheir land are terrorists.
Most of the Muslim world now a days is under attack of STATE TERRORISTS. If some enters in your home and try to kill your brothors, sisters, kids what you will do just wach or you will fight?????

Be realistics do not just be victim of media.!

Answer 4

Because Islam doesn't rule out the other religions. The Koran mentions all the prophets which are cited in the Torah and in the Bible. The Bible and the Torah do exclude other religions which leaves less room for compassion and understanding.

People who think Islam is all about Jihad and to die by the sword are ignorant, as ignorant as the people who believe they go to heaven after killing innocent fellow human beings. It's all so simple. Just be good to your neighbors, your friends and your family, especially your wife. Live simple and in moderation. That's all there is to it. All the rest is crap and about power and influence, about imposing oneself on others.

Answer 5

because we are at peace with ourselves, having submitted our free will to God. we don't worry about what others think about us. we don't worry about what clothes we should wear to impress others. we don't worry about what car we drive or what house we live in because these are all temporary posessions of this temporary life.

and it provides a practical system of life to bring the same peace and happiness to all those who choose it.

we hold ourselves to high standards and so does the rest of the world.

being peaceful does not mean that Islam has made us wimps. it gives us full authority to fight oppression so that peace can be established.

I wish you peace.

Answer 6

I'm a Saudi And a Muslim

and I really don't blame anybody who'd think we're terrorists or something because that BinLadin screwd the life of many people and vandalized our image, because his simple mind made him think that if he'd kill people he'd go to heaven.

Believe me its not written in Quran, I mean what that idiot did wasn't abiding the Quran's tellings, and God said in the Quran that ONE CAN'T MAKE A HORRIBLE MISTAKE OTHER THAN WORSHIPPING OTHER GOD, OR KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE!

that's what i read in Quran.. Read and then you'd know the truth, at least be one of the few ppl who knew the truth

Answer 7

because they are...

Unlike common beliefs Muslims are not encouraged to kill anyone. They are a very peaceful religion, and from my experiences living (and currently living) in the Middle East they are very kind people. Do not believe the Media's lies.

Al Qaeda is not true Islam, they are imposters twisting the Qu'ran to fit their disgusting hate towards Christianity and America.

EDIT:

So Timothy McFeigh was a Muslim? So the morons who do school shootings were Muslim? So every dumb person who decides they hate people are Muslim? The guys who perched on buildings in DC with Sniper Rifles and killed drivers were Muslim?

Ignorance is degrading America.

Terrorists are vengeful people with mental disorders, not Muslims.

Answer 8

how can people be so ignorant as to think that any religion wud ask its followers to kill or torture fellow human beings??no religion does tht......Islam is the religion of peace.....we are not allowed to take up arms against any one unless its for self-defence.........and tht includes animals too....false interpretations of the Qur'an and misunderstandings of certain statements lead to this question of religious seperation..........Its ironical tht life is more hard for us muslims in western countries thn westerners in muslim countries.......The al Qaida and other 'Islamist'-terrorist groups are not muslims.they may call themselves that but the true meaning of the word 'muslim' is totally different.....i'm sorry tht u and sum others have a bad impression of our beautiful religion but i request you to research on it before u draw up conclusions on ur own.....

Answer 9

cuz its all abt peace :)
all the teachings in the Quran n by the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) r for the betterment of the society n for peace.. n definitely for succeeding in both the worlds!

theres not one thing in the Quran or ahadith that is contradictory to humanity!!!

Answer 10

I cannot say it better than 'Ignorance is a Bliss' did and she is not a muslim. Open your minds, guys! Do not leave them to be brainwashed by the media! Search for facts yourselves.