Download Sample HSC PowerPoint – Religion and Peace

HSC SYLLABUS
Students learn about:
The understanding of peace in TWO religious traditions
Students learn to:
• Peace expressed through sacred texts for TWO religious traditions
drawn from:
• Investigate the understanding of peace and how it is informed
through significant writings within sacred texts for TWO religious
traditions drawn from:
• Buddhism – Sutta Pitaka, Dhammapada
• Christianity – The New Testament
• Hinduism – Bhagavad Gita
• Islam – The Qur’an and Hadith
• Judaism – the Prophetic vision of peace on Earth
• Principal teachings in TWO religious traditions.
• The contribution of TWO religious traditions to peace in the context
of:
• Buddhism – Sutta Pitaka, Dhammapada
• Christianity – The New Testament
• Hinduism – Bhagavad Gita
• Islam – The Qur’an and Hadith
• Judaism – the Prophetic vision of peace on Earth
• Outline the principal teachings about peace in TWO religious
traditions.
• Demonstrate how TWO religious traditions guide the individual
in achieving inner peace.
• The individual – means of achieving inner peace
• The world – means of achieving world peace
• Discuss how TWO religious traditions are contributing to world
peace.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE
CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Obedience to Christ’s Teachings
The core Christian belief in one creator God and the subsequent belief that God created humanity in his likeness (Gen
1:27) reveals that we are to love and live in peace with all creation including the environment, as stewards (Genesis
2:15) ‘for this is the law and the prophets’ (Matt 7:12).
Christians achieve inner peace via an obedience to Christ’s teachings, thus living their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ as
the source of peace and model of holiness. Obedience to the call to know, love and serve God as it is good for us
(Deuteronomy 10:13) complements to ‘love our neighbour’ as per the ‘Golden Rule’ (Matthew 7:12). The primary
objective is to love God, to know inner peace, to place one’s life in God’s hands and then, through this one can find
peace in one’s family, community and within the human world, even one’s enemies (Matt 5:44).
‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful’ Colossians
3:15.
Peace is the guidance of a Christian’s heart, telling Christians if they are following God's will, or following their own path
or the path of deception (Satan). The New Testament conveys the import of obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
In John 14:23-25 Jesus Christ promised to leave God, as the Holy Spirit, with all believers who loved him and who
obeyed his teaching.
‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.’ (John 14:23-25)
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Steadfastness
Temptation and testing of one’s faith is a human condition. James (1:1-4) acknowledges that the faith of man will
be tested, but steadfastness will create the perfectness, the oneness with God. He writes, ‘If any of you lacks
wisdom, you should ask God.’
Jesus is a model for steadfastness. In his human nature, after being baptised by John, Jesus was tempted in the
wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13). The temptation in the desert shows Jesus, the humble Messiah,
who triumphs over Satan by his total adherence to the plan of salvation willed by the Father. It also reveals how
Jesus suffered, as humanity would, yet triumphed through faithfulness. During times of testing and trial,
Christians believe they are aided by angels who are ministering spirits sent to those who will inherit salvation
(Hebrews 1:14). When there is no compromise to the steadfast fidelity to Christ’s teachings, temptation is
defeated and thus inner conflict destroyed (Psalm 91:11–12) and inner peace is achieved.
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Trust and prayer
To trust in God and bring your concerns to him in prayer is Jesus’ solution to troubling life circumstances. To trust
in God promotes peace and when we experience his peace, harmony is achieved.
Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will
have the light of life.’ (John 8:12)
‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test. (Luke 4:12) said Jesus to Satan when he implored him to prove his
divinity and faith, testing both his divine and human natures.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs
‘For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you
up’ (Psalm 91:12)
Thus inner peace requires the conditional trust in the complete understanding of God.
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Prayer is loving communication with God.
Prayer is the expression of our inner spiritual needs. Through prayer we can find strength of spirit, guidance,
forgiveness, reconciliation, wisdom, joy and inner peace (Psalms 118:5-6, Psalms 138:3, Isaiah 58:9-11,
Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7). Thus the Bible’s New Testament offers teachings on how to pray especially in the
book of Psalms, and what to pray, for example, for praise and worship Psalm 148:1-5, for reconciliation, Lord’s
Prayer (Luke 11), for God’s grace (Psalm 86:5) and God’s justice (Psalm 90:7-11). Thus prayer expresses a
relationship. Jesus spent a lot of time praying. He often went to a solitary place and prayed for hours at a time,
especially at difficult times in His ministry (Matthew 14:23, 26:36-41, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, 6:12).
The famous Lord's Prayer is Jesus' model of the perfect prayer and demonstrates the centrality of reconciliation
and forgiveness ‘forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins against us and lead us not into temptation’ (Luke 11).
Thus prayer is central to Christianity in the individual’s quest for inner peace: ‘Jesus’ filial prayer is the perfect
model of prayer in the New Testament ‘Father, hallow be thy name (Luke 11).
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Prayer
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) conveys prayer by Jesus as central to seeking inner peace. Often
done in solitude and in secret, the prayer of Jesus involves a loving adherence to the will of the Father even to
the cross and an absolute confidence in being heard. (CCC 2620)
Thus individual or communal prayer is a way to seek reconciliation with and forgiveness from God for our sins (1
John 1:9) in order to ‘cleanse us from all unrighteousness’.
The Catholic Church variant of Christianity offers confession to a priest as a path to reconciliation and forgiveness
and therefore inner peace. Other Evangelical variants participate in prayer walks in seeking God’s blessing for the
community. Charismatic Christian communities across many denominations (Anglican, Presbyterian and Catholic)
practice spontaneous prayer as an expression of the action and or gifts of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians.
This form of prayer is not practiced by Orthodox Christians as they differentiate in the theology of the work of the
Holy Spirit.
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Prayer
The New Testament also teaches that God will answer our prayers and give us everything we need and more
(Mark 11:24, John 15:7). But a wise parent will not give a child everything he or she wants.
Similarly, prayer is not a magical trick to get anything we want or a "quick fix" for problems that we should be
solving ourselves.
Many New Testament teachings reiterate that God answers prayer requests in His own way in His own time
(Psalms 40:1-3), and will not grant requests that are against His holy and wise purposes (1 John 5:14-15), are
selfish in nature, are not in our best long-term interest, or those made with impure motives (Psalms 66:18,
Proverbs 28:9, Isaiah 29:13, Isaiah 59:2, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:3).
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66:18
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Serving others
Love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:39).
The Christian life is one of service to others, where they show love and kindness to everyone, even to those who
do not treat them well. Christians can serve others in many ways, through charity, education, work and prayer
and are called to use the opportunity whenever they can.
‘Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:15-17)
Whenever Christians serve others in any way, they are actually serving God and fulfilling one of their purposes as
a faithful believer (Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 25:34-45; Ephesians 6:7).
Christians believe that God has given each person a purpose in fulfilling his goals for creation, a ministry in His
Church and a mission for the world, whether that be in their vocation or in charitable works.
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Jesus as Model - Balancing service with faithful prayer
Yet this serving of others is sustained by prayer, communion with God.
Paul wrote to the Romans, ‘For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace’
(Romans 8:6). Paul speaks here of the self interest and self-sufficiency of those who seek only the human
understanding of their world, rejecting God for self-sufficiency. There can be no peace in this life as it depends
on man for its worth. The faith-centred Christian puts God at their centre, God’s will, thus God’s work, modelled
on Jesus Christ, this is their source of sufficiency. It is this surrender to God and fidelity to the life of Jesus Christ,
that peace comes into the lives of Christians. Thus a sense of purpose and wellbeing is provided through serving
others, guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ.
A balance of prayer, be it petitioning or thanksgiving, and ministering to the service of others is required as
modelled by Jesus. These elements of Christianity are seen as complementary, essential to the fulfilment of
Christ’s teachings. For Christ himself sought to sustain his faith through constant prayer.
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Jesus as Model - Balancing service with faithful prayer
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and
there he prayed. Mark 1:3-5
Jesus taught about personal prayer in Matthew 6:6 ‘go to your inner room shut yourself in, and so pray to the
Father’. He taught his disciples, he healed with prayer, prayed often and all night (Luke 6:12) prior to choosing his
disciples and again before his death he prayed for his disciples and the church (John 17:1-26). Thus prayer is seen
to be a reciprocal inner conversation with God, a personal expression of faith and a sign that the Holy Spirit is
present through faith in Jesus Christ. The New Testament provides guidance to Christians for prayer.
• Faith, to be genuine must inspire prayer and good works.
• Prayer, to be genuine must flow from faith and produce the fruit of good works, always with right intention.
• Good works to be truly Christian must be inspired by faith and lead to prayer.
Thus the balance of service to others, prayer and faith will ensure the individual achievement of inner peace,
whilst an imbalance will hinder the search for inner peace as per the teachings of the New Testament.
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Community works
‘But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is
our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier… He came and preached peace to you
who were far away and peace to those who were near.’ Ephesians 2:13-17
While faith in Jesus Christ, Son of God is not achieved via a community connection and good communal works, this
faith needs expression as indicated previously. A life modelled on the teachings of Jesus Christ, is a communal one,
thus Christians will have a communal life that involves prayer, reading and learning from scripture, praise, celebration
and communal care, all elements that demonstrate their faith in the giver of peace.
Some variants refer to the Church as the body of Christ, as per Jesus’ statement about the Eucharist at the Last Supper
‘This is my body’ (Luke 22:19-20 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-14). Other variants (Protestants) see the Church as a group of
believers as emphasised in the Pauline epistles. Either way in Church, rituals are enacted to restate convictions. Some
variants (Catholic and Eastern Orthodox) believe in transubstantiation, that God himself is within the bread and wine of
the Eucharist, it literally is the ‘body’ of Christ.
The focus on community prevents the individualisation of a Christians relationship with Christ, a self-centred focus,
unlike the inclusive communal teaching and worship modelled by Jesus himself.
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
A Christian community is a representation of Jesus Christ’s teachings. Without vision the people perish (Proverbs
29:18). So Christians as per the teachings of Paul in Romans 12, are to reasonable serve, belong to one another
as ‘one body in Christ’ , and to use our gifts whether prophesy, ministry, teaching or lead or show mercy and be
hospitable, prayerful and live peacefully. All of these things are instructions that relate to the expression of faith
in commune with other Christians.
As seen in the Lords Supper (11:17). Jesus teachings of his disciples and Paul’s dealing with their faith, Christians
do not withdraw from the world. Paul’s Christology and expansion of Christianity began in community as a
support for faithful unity in a search for inner peace. His epistles communicate the sense of community necessary
for fledgling Christian communities and it is still a source of learning, care and support in the contemporary world
and a source of encouragement in faith when world disorder threatens wellbeing.
Practices such as Sunday worship, participation in rites such as Baptism and Eucharist, professions of faith and
bible study all offer a sense of communal belief, security in salvation and unity in faith.
Thus peace is found within the Christian community.
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT
OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
In Islam, true inner peace is found by submitting to Allah, living life in obedience to Allah’s will, making his will a
priority in all aspects of this life, AND remembering Allah (13:28) via the arkan al-Islam in preparation for
Judgement Day (Quran 33:21). Peace is derived from a personal contentment, that comes with submission to
Allah, and a release of one’s personal desires. Therefore inner peace is accepting Islam AND living by the
principles of Islam as per the example of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). God ordained that Muhammad carry
out the mission of Tawhid as messenger of the oneness of God.
Therefore ‘in the remembrance of God, Muslims find rest, an inner peace (Quran 6:162).
‘Say: ‘Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and dying are for God, Lord of all the worlds.’ (Quran 6:162)
‘There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in
Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.’ [Qur’an 33: 21]
Therefore the concept of Peace comes from a peace obtained from submission to Allah, a remembrance, a
relationship with Allah. Peace with oneself is achieved in this submission. In the contented mind, body and soul,
comes a peace with a Muslims place within the world and thus with the world, for it goes beyond the world to
Jannah.
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
To achieve ‘ihsan’ perfection in one’s awareness of God, a Muslim performs the five obligatory prayers
‘salat’, engaging in acts of dhikr such as seeking justice and zakat, and recites and reads the sacred text
‘kutub’ of the Quran, as per the first command of the revelation (Surah 96:1). This facilitates a
Muslim’s connection with our Lord, and is the path to peace, and achieving inner peace. When a
Muslim ignores their Islamic duties, and that connection is severed, anxiety and chaos are sure to
follow suit. Inner peace is a gift from God and can only be achieved in the light of Islam as commanded
in the Qur’an, ‘Purify your vestments’ (74:4). That is, purify moral character for ethical behaviour
complete the need to fulfil Allah’s will, expressing their obedience in behaviour as well as belief. Thus,
Islam has a strong link between faith and ethics, law and behaviour in submission to Allah. Sharia
means ‘watering place or the pathway’. Thus, it can be seen as a way to salvation. (Surah 45:18)
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Allah as the pathway to peace through submission and obedience is expressed in the Basmala, recited
before each chapter of the Qur’an apart from the ninth. In recitation, it supplies a basis for practice as a
Muslim and direction for all worldly endeavours.
‘In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate the name of Allah,
the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful:
All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Universe
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Owner of the Day of Judgement.
You alone do we worship, and You alone we turn to for help
Guide us to the straight path;
The path of those on whom You have bestowed your grace, not (the way) of those who have earned
Your anger, nor of those who went astray. (Surah 1:1-7).
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
The straight path, is the path to Peace, is the belief in the articles of faith and the active adherence to the Five Pillars as commanded
by Allah.
‘What is faith?’ Allah's Apostle replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in
Resurrection.’
Then he further asked, ‘What is Islam?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly, to
pay the compulsory charity (Zakat), and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan.’
Then he further asked, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" Allah's Apostle replied, ‘To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot
achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:2:48)
From this perspective, Islam is a submission to Allah, accepting His authority, obeying His commands and embracing the messages of
the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and abiding by them. In this sense, a Muslim is one who is guided by Allah to the ways of peace and
is brought from the darkness into the light, guided on the straight path (5:16), the path of peace. Allah wants a Muslim to live
peacefully and to make efforts towards the spread of peace.
‘Make not mischief on the earth," they say: "We are only peacemakers.’ (Surah Al-Baqarah 11). Thus no disturbance to peace, such as
destruction or corruption (2:205) but reconciliation, in reaching peaceful agreement (4:128) is the fundamental message of the
Qur’an. Dar al Salaam is the ‘home of peace’ to which Allah ‘invites’ the believer (10:25) to be guided on the straight path, the
‘protected path’ of peace and righteousness (Surah 6:127).
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
The principal beliefs and arkan al-Islam are devoutly undertaken in accordance to the will of Allah.
The first, shahadah attaches a Muslim to the one creator, the Prophet Muhammad as his messenger and thus a
respect for creation; salat detaches one from the greed and individual pursuit of worldly affairs; zakat releases
the worshipper from greed and pursuit of imbalanced wealth; and fasting detaches the worshipper from the
physical desires and emotional impulses, the obligatory pilgrimage of the Hajj relieves Muslims from the load of
sins, is a cleansing of the pilgrim and unification of the Umma in an act of submission and worship.
Thus the five pillars mould the beliefs, values and ethics of the adherents and are an expression overall of the
peace of Allah, the peace of Islam. They guide Muslims on the straight path (5:16), the path of peace. Allah
wants a Muslim to live peacefully and to make efforts towards the spread of peace. "Make not mischief on the
earth,’ they say: ‘We are only peacemakers.’ (Surah Al-Baqarah 11). The arkan al-Islam is the cornerstone of a
Muslim’s life, the foundation, the pillars that remove barriers between a Muslim and Allah and offer the
individual Muslim peace.
Submission to Allah is the pathway to peace, ‘And the greatest concern of man should be to fear and worship his
Creator ‘(2:165).
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
The Shahadah is the first of the five pillars of Islam (Arkan al-Islam), a bearing witness to one’s faith, the
monotheism of Islam, the example of the Prophet’s practice and action, in a conscious awareness and conviction
to the beliefs within the testimony of faith.
It is a statement of creed in two parts: That there is no God but Allah (The Almighty) and that Muhammad is His
genuine messenger.
The benefit for the inner peace of the Muslim is:
1.
That there is a complete surrender to the will of Allah, a prayer that occurs each morning, and before sleep,
repeated five times in the call to prayer in every mosque and it is whispered into the ear of a newborn, and
is the foundation of prayer on the Hajj, and finally a Muslim who utters the shahada as their last words is
promised Jannah. Thus every Muslim hopes to die with the Shahada on their lips.
2.
Produces those values and ethics in the adherents that are an expression overall of the peace of Allah, the
peace of Islam, such as self-respect, moderate behaviour, and modesty.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
3.
Creates adherents of perseverance and patience, brave in their duty and just in their actions.
4.
Helps adherents observe and obey Allah’s commands and is an expression of Allah’s right to be worshipped,
free from detriment or restriction by one’s naf (desires) or external pressure.
5.
Offers a guide in the Prophet Muhammad’s model of Islam practice and worship.
The right of Allah to be worshipped is clear.
‘Worship God! You have no other god but Him.’ (Quran 7:59, 7:73; 11:50, 11:84; 23:32)
It is the central aspect of Islamic belief in God, even all of Islam. ‘And your God is One God: there is no god but He.’
(Quran 2:163).
In testifying to Muhammad as the last prophet, Muslims believe in his revelation as the final revealed message. He
serves as a role model through his practice of rituals, pillars, beliefs and rejection of all other ways of life. This
shahadah offers the Muslim, certainty in their knowledge, sincerity in their belief and a truthfulness in their love,
submission and willingness that allows them to avoid shirk (idolatry or polytheism), and be at one with Allah in a
way that frees them from the selfish desires that will destroys peace.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
Salat is the requirement for ritual prayer, of five daily prayers, Friday noon prayers and other occasions like Hajj,
Eid, Ramadan. This allows Muslims to be close to God, strengthens faith - forefront of their mind, offers a purity
of submission and in their rituals, express recitations and movements that convey submission, humility and
worship to God as they seek strength in their faith and its practice and forgiveness for failings. They face Makkah,
in a recall of the Prophets. The various postures Muslims assume during their prayers capture the spirit of
submission; the words remind them of their commitments to God and their belief in Akhira, the Day of
Judgement. This association with God in prayer acts as a dissociation with distractive worldly requirements as
they stand before God mindful of their purpose in life. The Shahada is recited, and the greeting of peace
repeated, to strengthen the individuals inner peace and their relationship with others.
‘Peace be upon all of you and the mercy and blessings of God.’
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
Salat
Dua are separate, non-obligatory individual prayers typically said in an adherent’s own language, the prayers of a
Muslim directly, with no intercession by another, such as an imam etc.
They are in communication directly with Allah, thus a sense of well being, peace and purity is achieved in
submission in practice to Allah’s will.
‘Verily, the prayer prevents one from the shameful and evil deeds.’ Qur’an 29:45.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
Zakat or (Zakah)
The requirement for charity (zakat) is to purify and cleanse wealth, in order for it to be free of greed and
selfishness. For all things belong to Allah, including wealth, which is considered as a trust.
The prescribed charity (zakat) is an obligation on every Muslim at 2.5% of earnings/assets which must be paid
annually to the poor and needy.
The Prophet (peace be on him) said:
‘Allah has made zakah obligatory simply to purify your remaining wealth.’(Surah 9:103)
‘And establish the prayer (Salah) and pay the obligatory charity (Zakah)’ (Surah 73:20)
‘Whoever refuses to pay Zakah, while denying its obligation, has disbelieved. (Surah 9:11)’
As evidenced, in addition to helping the poor, Zakat also serves to purify the soul and bless the wealth. It also
aims to eliminate envy and greed and improves an individual’s community spirit, and cleanse spiritually the
adherent, as the Prophet said, “Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” [Hadith - Ahmed: Muadh
21116]
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
Zakat or Zakah purifies the Muslim from the arrogance that comes from worldly wealth. It engages the Muslim
with the poor and needy which enables sympathy and compassion, bridging a gap between socio-economic
realities, providing social security where there is none, thus reducing poverty and ensuring equality. The ability
to give zakat reminds the Muslim to be grateful for the blessings of Allah. It reduces poverty.
It provides the Muslim with a clear reminder of Akhira, for if Allah entrusts a Muslim with wealth, a lack of charity
is against the will of Allah and hence Judgement Day will reckon this behaviour. As Allah’s messenger Muhammad
said…
‘…this (wealth) may not circulate solely among the rich from among you.’ Qur’an 59:7
Therefore to act greedily and selfishly inhibits inner peace. Zakat helps a Muslim remove this desire.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
Sawm (fasting) is an act of worship which demonstrates an obedience and submission to Allah’s commands.
Muslims fast for the month of Ramadan each year during daylight hours. During this time they abstain from
three key human needs – food, drink and sexual relations.
Intention is significant and therefore a Muslim makes an effort to abstain from all sinful actions in thought
and deed. Sawm is obligatory on every physically and mentally capable adult Muslim. It is observed for piety
and the forgiveness of sins. It honours the revelation of the Qur’an to humanity.
During the last 10 nights of Ramadan, some Muslims retreat to a mosque for even more intensive study and
contemplation.
Fasting during the holy month is considered by many as spiritual development and a way to cleanse the soul,
while gaining empathy for those who are less fortunate.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
Sawm facilitates the forgiveness of sins. The Prophet (PBUH) said,
‘He who fasts Ramadan, with faith and hoping for reward (from Allah), then his past sins are forgiven’. (Hadith
Bukhari 125)
‘Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety’. (Qur’an 2:183)
Sawm promotes spiritual purification of earthy desires (naf). It centres the Muslim’s obedience to Allah by
restraining desires, putting aside the self, promoting self-restraint and patience and promoting steadfastness. It
creates a sense of community, unity and collective identity amongst fasters, and brings together the Umma in a
recognition of hardships.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
Hajj is the fifth foundational pillar of the five pillars of Islam (Arkan-al-Islam), an ‘obligatory pilgrimage’ (Surah
2:196) within ‘Dhul-Hijjah’ for every Muslim in obedience to the Quran, to undertake once in their lives if
physically and financially able.
The rituals of the Hajj encourages unity within the umma. Muslims who undertake the Hajj are repurified and
reborn and ‘will come out as the day he, or she, was born, pure and free from sins’ (Hadith).
The rites of Hajj are considered Abrahamic, modelled after Ibrahim’s faith and submission to Allah’s will.
The Hajj reaffirms the Muslim’s beliefs of Tawhid (Surah 112), Malaika, Qutub, Rusul and Akhira, hence
expressing principle beliefs through worship and submission to Allah, influencing a profound sense of peace,
unity and belief within the Muslim.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
The Hajj is a life-altering experience, encouraging humility, patience and thankfulness to Allah. A sense of unity is
achieved as all Muslims submit to the will of Allah together, regardless of culture, ethnicity, wealth, in a state of
ihram that promotes equality, as they stand equal before Allah.
It is a temporary suspension of all worldly activities, a time for worship, dua supplications in order to seek
forgiveness of Allah and become close with Allah. It unifies Muslims once a year in the worship of the One True
God, thus a sense of identity and belonging is achieved, creating a sense of inner peace.
‘And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for those who can
afford the expenses (for one’s transportation, provision and residence).’ (Qur’an 3:97)
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Arkan al-Islam
Despite the rich variance within cultural and ethnic expressions of belief in Islam, the five pillars remain the
foundation, the core of the Islamic practice that all Muslims follow in submission to Allah’s command. They not
only contribute to the spiritual wellbeing of the Muslim, building strength of mind and purpose, but enhance the
character and practice of an individual, bringing them closer to Allah and thus closer to inner peace.
Islam is accepting God’s supreme authority above ones personal authority, and adopting the logical principles of
Islam to better the Muslim’s life and to attain peace.
Islam comes from the root Arabic word, salam and silm, which refer to peace or ‘making peace’ and ‘al-silm"
which means ‘submission’. The submission of self to obedience’. Allah is called As Salaam – meaning The
Perfection and Giver of Peace. Muslim means ‘one who submits to Allah’. Hence Islam can be seen as the peace
acquired by submitting your will to Allah.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ISLAM TO PEACE IN THE CONTEXT OF:
The individual – means of achieving inner peace
Sufi mysticism
Sufism is not a sect but a mystical-ascetic aspect of Islam that deals with the purification of the inner self in the
quest for inner peace via a oneness with Allah. Sufism teaches that earthly connections and desires distract the
spiritual journey and prevent humanity from recognising their divinity. The adherent must overcome earthly
desires and false egos (nafs) and achieving oneness with Allah.
The whirling dance of the dervishes and the practice of the remembrance of God, chanting the 99 names for God
in the Qur’an are ways to achieve this oneness. Sufi’s are not motivated by fear of hell or the wish or love of
Jannah, but through an all-encompassing love of Allah.
The spiritual journey recognises stages. They are islam (submission), iman (faith), and ihsan (awareness of God).
Ihsan is a perfection of deed and action. The person who fully develops ihsan is aware of God at all times as
recorded in the Hadith (muslim) and has reached the goal of Sufism and thus an inner peace in oneness with
Allah.
‘What is Ihsan (perfection)?’ Allah's Apostle replied, ‘To worship Allah as if you see Him’
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:2:48)