In the event of what has happened in Kenya today, and has happened in many other countries, how can Islam be called a peaceful religion?Praise be to Allah.Islam is a peaceful religion because Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, has called Himself as-Salaam (the One Free from all defects; this word also means ‘peace’), and Islam is His religion that He has approved of for mankind. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“He is Allah than Whom there is La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him”
[al-Hashr 59:23].
Islam is a peaceful religion because it forbids mischief on earth. Allah, may He be glorified, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidoon (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupt)”
[al-Qasas 28:77]
“Verily, Allah enjoins Al-Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah Alone - Islamic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsan (i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allahs sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet SAW in a perfect manner), and giving (help) to kith and kin (i.e. all that Allah has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help, etc.): and forbids Al-Fahsha (i.e all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right, etc.), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islamic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds, etc.), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed”
[an-Nahl 16:90].
The blood of the peaceful individual (one who is living under Muslim rule or who has been granted the protection of the Muslim state) is regarded as sacrosanct to such an extent that transgression against a single individual with no justification is regarded as equal to transgression against all of humanity. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief 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. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allah by committing the major sins) in the land”
[al-Maa’idah 5:32].
Islam is a peaceful religion that allows followers of other religions to live in the Islamic state and practice their religion without putting any pressure on them. They are the ones who are known as ahl adh-dhimmah or ahl al-‘ahd (those living under Muslim rule and enjoying the protection of the Muslim state). They are granted complete rights that are not granted to them by the most democratic countries nowadays.
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) ruled Madinah when there were many Jewish tribes living there, and he established a constitution between him and them which required all citizens to defend the state and strive together for its wellbeing, and granted security to them, their property and their children, with freedom of worship, trade and travel. They mixed with the Muslims to such an extent that they used to invite the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to meal...
