compassion for all human beings. The truth is that Islam is the religion of mercy. All its teachings, directly or indirectly, relate to peace and harmony. Islam desires that everyone should have good feelings

is repeatedly given special mention in Islam. A society in which these qualities exist will necessarily make progress. In such a society everyone will find that what he wants for himself will be given to

to him by others rather than what he does not want for himself. Islam is a culture of peace. The gist of Islamic teachings is that people should love one another. They ought to become symbols of mercy for

Wahiduddin Khan, born in 1925, in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, is an Islamic spiritual scholar who is well-versed in both classical Islamic learning and modern disciplines. The mission of his life has been

highest civilian honour in India, and the Demiurgus Peace International Award. He has been called ’Islam’s spiritual ambassador to the world’ and is recognised as one of its most influential Muslims1 . His

As an individual, one can opt for the all good. But, when it comes to society, one has to accept what is practically possible. A wise person is one who knows this difference. In society, people tend to

ISLAM IN HISTORYISLAM IN HISTORY Ideological Power AT the time of the advent of Islam fourteen hundred years ago, the entire world was dominated by superstition at the ideological level and kingship at

world has been set free from both these things, the credit for this goes to Islam. For the first time in human history Islam set a process which culminated in the cessation of the age of kingship and superstition

obstacle in the path of man exploring natural forces and harnessing it for the benefit of humanity. Islam, put an end, all over the world to the worship of everything save one God. Something, which is an

understand any issue in a clear-headed way, nor can he give a response which is adequate to the situation. What is worse is that when an individual is angry, he is all too prone to turn to violence, but the truth

management rather than the art of difference elimination. The Prophet of Islam used this guiding principle in forming an Islamic society in Medina. In 622, he migrated to Medina, where he lived until his

was a multicultural society comprising of Muslims, Christians and Jews. In Medina, the Prophet of Islam issued a declaration called ‘Sahifa-e-Madina’, or the Constitution of Medina. There is a verse in

Wahiduddin Khan, born in 1925, in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, is an Islamic spiritual scholar who is well-versed in both classical Islamic learning and modern disciplines. The mission of his life has been

Sayyidina Imam Al Hassan Peace award for promoting peace in Muslim societies. He has been called ’Islam’s spiritual ambassador to the world’ and is recognized as one of its most influential Muslims . His

countries. He is the founder of the Centre for Peace and Spirituality based in New Delhi. ISLAM AND HINDUISM ISLAM and Hinduism both representing two great traditions, have coexisted for more than one thousand

Discovery of IslamOnce a Muslim scholar from the UK visited India to give a lecture on: ‘Islam and the West.’ During the question hour, an Indian Muslim asked: ‘You have given us so much information about

about Islam and the West, now, would you please tell us what the Muslims should do, when in the minority, in countries such as India?’ The scholar remained silent for a while and then replied: “It is, indeed

indeed, a difficult question. In Islam we find a model for a position of strength. But, there is no model in Islam for the position of modesty.” This is not just a stray remark. In fact, it illustrates

Discovery of IslamOnce a Muslim scholar from the UK visited India to give a lecture on: ‘Islam and the West.’ During the question hour, an Indian Muslim asked: ‘You have given us so much information about

about Islam and the West, now, would you please tell us what the Muslims should do, when in the minority, in countries such as India?’ The scholar remained silent for a while and then replied: “It is, indeed

indeed, a difficult question. In Islam we find a model for a position of strength. But there is no model in Islam for the position of modesty.” This is not just a stray remark. In fact, it illustrates

holds different opinions—and calling him a hypocrite, ill-intentioned and insincere, are entirely un-Islamic reactions. The true believer looks at the issue of difference as a matter of intentions, and limits

matters to escalate. Severing relationships due to differences is not in accordance with the spirit of Islam. Mutual relationships should be maintained, while continuing serious discussion of contentious issues

a difficult task. But its reward too is great. Every right act is treated as an act of worship in Islam; it is therefore an act of superior worship when—in spite of controversies—one keeps one’s heart free

the greatest crime. The so-called Islamic fundamentalism, if judged by its result, is the greatest crime of this kind against humanity. Anything can be eliminated, but what is impossible to eliminate is the

or repentance. Hence, we see the violence perpetrated by the self-styled Islamic fundamentalism which has turned into an un-Islamic theory. One type of movement is that which is based on love. Such a movement

necessary to destroy them altogether. Only then can a system of their own choice be set in place. Islamic fundamentalism—socalled—is a movement of this second type. As a result of this negative thinking

THE CULTURE OF PEACE Part IITeachings of Islam WE often talk of peace in the context of war. But this is a very narrow and restricted notion of peace. The fact is that peace is deeply linked with the

whatsoever. From the above-quoted Quranic verse one can gauge the great importance that Islam gives to peace and security. Islam demands that if a single person is killed, the entire society must react as if it

lives entirely on the basis of the principle of peace. Those who behave to the contrary engage in what is termed in the Quran as fasad or ‘corruption in the land’. They are definitely not engaged in promoting