Witnesses of Mercy for Peace and Reconciliation

66 WITNESSING MERCY FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIAT ION ercy in Islam is a bountiful gift. Islam and mercy are two sides of the same coin. Islam came to implement social security and world peace with mercy and compassion at all times and places. Its message is definitely a require- ment of psychological stability. We believe that Allah, May He be Exalted, has surrounded His religion with peace and mercy in all its aspects, for He Himself is peace ( As-salaam ). “He is Allah, other than whom there is no God, the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One, peace…” He has made “peace” the greeting of Adam’s crea- tion, the peace and mercy for living beings as well as for the dead. He has also made “peace” the greeting of Muslims to His Messenger, and to all believers, within the closing part of each and every Muslim daily prayer. Allah, may He be exalted, has made “peace” His word to His servants on the day of judgment: “(on that day) the word from the merciful Lord is peace”. Also, peace is the believers’ greeting to their Lord in the afterlife. “Their salutation on the day when they shall meet Him will be: peace.” In this life, a Muslim greets others by saying: “Peace and Allah’s mercy be upon you” ( Assal- amu alaykum wa rahmatu Allah ). Whoever has been informed about the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet of Muslims, Peace be Upon Him, has found an incredible munificence and ease, the like of which is not found anywhere else. There is a saying: “An enemy’s testimony (praising the opponent) is truthful.” As the American poet, Ronald Raquel, said after he declared his conversion to Islam: “I was really awed by the munificence that Islam treats its opponents with. A munificence in peace, as well as a munificence in war. The humanitarian aspect of Islam is clear in all its commandments and teachings. If Muslims and non-Muslims understood the life-giving message of Islam, safety would have been spread all over the world.” Islam calls non-Muslims to abstain from judging Islam before understanding its principles and ethics. It calls non-Muslims to not judge Islam by the acts of Muslims, for there is a huge difference between Islam and the acts of many Muslims. When we read the words of the Almighty: “We sent you not, but as a mercy for all creatures,” we realise the capacity of this esteemed Prophet (PBUH), and how he instilled mercy into his character, behaviour, manners and nature. When it was said to him: “Call upon the idolaters,” he (PBUH) said, “I do not seek to curse them, but rather I seek mercy.” Similarly, his mercy included his family, community and companions and he (PBUH) sought the best for the people, his family and commu- nity. With regard to Aisha, of whom God approves, she said: “God’s Prophet (PBUH) never beat a servant and never ever laid hands upon anyone.” At the same time the Qur’an states: “It was by the mercy of Allah that you were lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if you had been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when you are resolved, then put your trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” He taught mercy to the worshippers, to alleviate their bur- dens and shackles. On this matter the Prophet (PBUH) states: “Those who are merciful will be shown mercy by the All-Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth and the His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Bin Adbul Aziz Al-Zaid M HE Dr. Al-Zaid (left) with Dr. Hussein Bin Ghazi Alsamerai at one of the plenary sessions