Strengthening the Pacifist Islam

Pacifism (Latin: pacificus) is the opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, 845). This term refers to the notion and movement of nonviolent resistance against tyranny, despotism, and authoritarianism of the rulers –either political or religious ones. Unlike the radicals who choose violence, the pacifists preferred peaceful action. However, pacifism is not identical with quietism as accused by the anti-pacifism group.

Their opponents ridiculed pacifism as “passivism”, passive attitude against injustice. They accused the pacifists of prioritizing peace and subordinating justice. These accusations from the radicals and proponents of war were unjustified, biased, and a “misreading” upon the basic meaning of pacifism.

A thinker and advocate of pacifism, Gene Sharp -a senior scholar in Albert Einstein Institution in Boston- has clarified about the nonviolent notion and movement in his book, The Politics of Nonviolent Action. Pacifism does not mean passivity or submission toward injustice and any arbitrary actions. Pacifism does not neglect justice. 

The pacifists were aware that justice is an important element of peace. Peace cannot be achieved or is hard to achieve without the settlement of justice.  Peace is not only indicated by the absence of war, but by the existence of justice as well. Therefore, this group works in two levels - peace and justice- and in what the Thailand Muslim peace activist,  Chaiwat Satha-Anand (Quader Muheideen), has called as “active nonviolent resistance”.

Anti-War Movement and Violence

The Pacifists resisted against war, imperialism, colonialism, militarism, and the use of violence. In US, coalition of the pacifists of various religious backgrounds becomes important elements of the opposition against George Bush’s ‘war on terror’ agenda. The element of this group, like Christian Peacemakers, coordinated anti war movement throughout demonstrations, petition, lobby, and anti war messages in TV, radio etc.

In Christianity, pacifism is firmly rooted in the figure of Jesus who was anti-violence and commanded his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Thus resistance against violence, as John Howard Yoder said, is an “intrinsic element of Christian profession” (Zimmerman 2007, 16).

Christian pacifists believe that any Christian who participate or endorse any action that promotes conflict and violence (including war) is a fundamental corruptor of Christian theology. They harshly criticized Bush and the proponents of war (mainly the conservative Christian church).

The tradition of Pacifism is also firmly rooted in Judaism. The rabbinic texts for instance mentioned about “Gadol hashalom” –peace is the highest value. Hebrew Bible also consisted of principles of peace, justice, and anti-violence (for instance Jer. 16:5, Ps 85.11). These principles inspired Jewish pacifist like Rabi Jeremy Milgrom, the founder of Clergy for Peace, an ex-Israeli soldier who now engages in peace movement and human right bodies supporting the Arab-Jews reconciliation.

Hence, the tradition of pacifism in both religions was strongly embedded within their theological concepts. The pacifists of both religions, along with Muslim pacifists who were endorsed by the spirit of anti-war and love of peace, work together for peace making such as Seeds of Peace organization in Palestine and Israel. They were aware that violence in the Middle East contained of political-economical incentive rather than religious one. In many cases, religion is a “free rider” of conflict.

Pacifism in Islam

Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is conceptually close to the tradition of pacifism. Quran emphasized the teaching of peace and justice. The word “Islam” in The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic means “submission, acceptance and reconciliation” (upon God’s will) besides “peace, salvation, safety, welfare, etc” (Cowan, ed., 1976: 425-426).

Peace is very essential in Islam since it is embedded within the doctrine of tawheed which means “unity of Godhead”, “unity of humanity”, “unity of creation” and “unity of existence or wahdatul wujud”. Quran asserted: “Unto Allah belong the East and the West” (Q.S. 2:115). Tawheed is the “principle of unity” and therefore a fertile land for the growth of spirituality and Islamic faith. 

Because of this principle of “unity”, Islam regards plurality, harmony, tolerance, and human relation as the fundamental values of peace. The principle of “unity” also asserted that human soul is “sacred” and therefore must be preserved by all mankind. Quran said: “…that whosoever killed a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saved the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind.” (QS. 5:32)

Prophet Muhammad was totally aware of the importance of peace thus he had been holding dialog and building sound relationship with Jewish and Christians throughout his life as narrated in his biographies written by Ibn Ishaq, Ibnu Hisyam, al-Baladhuri, or al-Tabari. In A History of Jews of Arabia, Gordon Newby affirmed the harmonious relationship between Prophet with Jewish community.

Probably, the most monumental event is the Mecca Invasion when the Prophet called his enemies for peace and reconciliation. On the “occupation” of Mecca, the Prophet forbade destruction of Jewish and Christian symbols, as narrated by Martin Lings in Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources. Following the death of Prophet Muhammad, Muslims continued to treat the members of other religions with tolerance and respect as written by Nabia Abbot in Studies in Arabic Literary Papyri.

As “Muslim big family”, we have to turn to prophet Muhammad for inspiration and realize the messages of tawheed in daily life, instead of being anti non-Muslim or anti pluralism by violence act, destruction, vandalism, terrorism etc. This is an “immoral situation” as Seikh Mahmud Syaltut called it and a deviation over the Islamic spirit as religion of peace.