Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) was sent
by almighty Allah to the world purposely to unite the people of the world and
to ensure that peace reign among men. Before the advent of the Prophet the
entire world was full of inter-tribal and communal crises. There were wars
everywhere, while slavery and man inhumanity to man assumed a hellish proportion and wickedness was reigning
supreme. The purpose of Islam is to arrest or minimize the problems and when
the Prophet arrived, the first thing he had done was to proclaim that all
human beings are one and equal irrespective of their ethnicity and religions
and that human blood should not be shed unlawfully. The Prophet also taught
that any person who destroyed properties of the others or confiscate any property
belonging to another without justification shall be guilty of a crime and
should be brought to justice.
Islam recognizes the existence of
different ethnic groups and religions, and Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) made it
clear that the divert religions and ethnic groups or races should not create
enmity and class struggle among the peoples of the world. The Prophet therefore says, Allah
will not allow any person to go unpunished if he does not regard the sanctity of
life. In this regard, Quran says:
“If anyone kills a person not in retaliation of murder, or to spread
evil in the land, it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved
a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. Quran 5:32
“And whosoever kills a faithful intentionally, his recompense is hell
fire, to abide therein forever, and the wrath and curse of Allah are upon him,
a great punishment is prepared for him”. Quran 4:94
However, Islam believes that
there are bound to be disputes and misunderstanding among people as long as
this world exists. Crises in the world among people either within the same ethnic group or between different tribes
or ethnic groups are inevitable; but the Prophet says whenever any such problem
occurs, dialogue with the aim of resolving the problem between the warring
ethnic groups or nations should be employed.
Allah wants peace, understanding, tolerance
and love to reign in the world, so Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) in Quran says:
“And if two parties among the faithfuls fall into fighting, then make
peace between them both, but if one of them outrages against the other, then
fight you (all) against the one that which outrages till it complies with the
command of Allah. Then if it complies, then make reconciliation between them
justly, and be equitable. Verily, Allah loves those who are the equitable”. Quran
49:9
All religions in Nigeria such as
Islam, Christianity and tradition preach peace, love. Islam is known universally
as ‘religion of peace’. Allah is regarded
as ‘Al-Salam’ which means “The Peace”. Christians regard Jesus as the Son of God and
One with a message of Peace. Traditionalists also believe that their god/goddesses
are peace and loving ones. That is to say, there is one common thing among all
followers of every religion, that is ‘peace and love are the centre’.
Take for instance, Christians believe
that God does not want even sinners to die in their sins, that is why
Christians believe that God sent Jesus to die for the remission of sins, so
that whoever repents of his sins will be forgiven. In the Holy Bible, there is
this popular warning through prophet Ezekiel that Christians usually quotes and
it states:
“…As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the
wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from
your evil ways; for why will ye die...” Ezekiel 33:11
We should therefore stop causing
religious crises and killings for God in the name of religion. And my candid
advice is that we should shun religious fanaticism and allow peace to reign
according to the design and purpose of God.
Aminat Adesope is one of our Staff writers.
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