Many people ask, "How can we live together in peace? What must be done for us to be happy with one another?" And how many other questions must we ask? Every person on the planet would have a say in this. No one person could possibly answer this question alone. We are all in this together, and we are all just about the same. We all live with one another. We all sleep, eat, drink. We all have families that need us. We are all made the same way. We have the same basic makeup. We all need, want, and feel. We all frown, cry, smile, laugh, hate, love. Are we really so different?
But we all come from different cultures. We worship different, talk different, dress different, judge different, and are taught different, but we are all still human. We all still come from the same place and we have the same destination.
"O mankind! God created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)." Nobel Qur'an (49:13)
The root of most violence, hate, and difference lies in one word: Ignorance. Ignorance of others breeds hate, and discontent with your fellow man. Being close minded and unwilling to learn about others just complicates the problem. When a person just takes another person’s word about a nation or religion instead of finding out for themselves, this also breeds hatred .Only when a person is willing to break free of this and open his or her mind can we solve this problem. When one seeks knowledge from all available sources and shuts out the propaganda of governments and power hungry groups that harbor hate, our minds begin to open and hate and ignorance slowly begin to fade away. When we travel and see new lands and learn the beauty of the whole world we then love all of the Creation and the Creator. As Muslims we should obey God, and live in peace with all of our brothers no matter what their nationality or skin color, or language. No matter what wrongs people have done to us, we should not hold one responsible for the actions of another. We all came from the same parents, Adam and Eve.
The Prophet Muhammadh (Peace and blessings of God be upon him) said in his last sermon: ‘All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.’
The Prophets of God (May peace be upon them all) were sent to us as role models. We are supposed to live as much like them as possible. They were humble, tolerant, kind, giving, loving and respectful. They had honor and obeyed God, and all of his rules. They did not hate, and they did not dislike. There were many Prophets for us to follow from many tribes and countries. When we learn to live with just half of the love for man they had, this world will be a new place. As you can see the Prophets of Islam are the same as Christianity and Judaism, so why do we hate each other’s religion so much. Why are we fighting all the time? Why do we hate each other so much? In The Qur'an Muslims are told to say:
"We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we submit to God." Nobel Qur'an (2:136)
Muslims are required to ask others to read the Qur'an without force of any kind. To invite others to worship our Creator without associating Him with any other gods.
In Surah (Chapter )Al-Imran, God says:
"O people of the Book! (Jews and Christians) Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than Allah. If they turn back, Say:"Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will)." Nobel Qur'an (3:64)
If we are to live in peace we have to realize that we are not the best, that we are not "God’s gift to the world". We must stop being self centered and egotistic. We have to realize that there are those better than ourselves and many if not all people are better than our self. No man can ever truly know the heart and mind of another, but Allah is most knowing of what men keep in their hearts and minds. So how can we judge another man, when we know not? The true people of God are those who serve only God, Love God and fear God’s punishment, and love all people!
Muslims (all who submit themselves wholeheartedly to the One God) should be the most loving and understanding people of the earth, especially to the non-Muslims. Throughout history Muslims have proven they can do this. They have lived in peace with people from almost every nation and religion on the planet and have always lived in peace. There are those who call themselves Muslims and spread hate, but they are not real Muslims. They cannot be believers of the God who revealed the Glorious Qur’an and live such lives. They are not what they claim to be. We God-loving people from all nations should put away petty differences and open talks and promote love and kindness. We must approach each other with our similarities not our differences. We must come with open minds and as much knowledge of the other as we can, and promote talks with everyone not just those we chose.
Some steps we must take in order for peace to work are as follows:
- We must first think of what we can do for others, than ask what they can do for us.
-We have to let go of selfishness, and realize that there are other people on this earth, and we are not better than them.
-We must realize that not all people will accept Islam and that we should love them no matter what their religion.
-We must realize that God created many people with many colors, and He did this so we could come together no matter our differences. So we could become stronger for overcoming this. And be better servants to Him.
-We have to realize that even though we are different we have the same goal. (We will all return to our Creator). And we can work together even if we are different.
-The future will not improve unless we accept the past and forgive one another and learn from it, accept all culture and ways of life.
-We have to realize that no man is better than the other, No nation has the right to Judge another. But God will have His Day of Judgment where no man will have power. And no matter what your social status you will bow before Allah, the One, and the only one worthy of worship.
-We must realize that all men and women are equal. And the law of man must apply to one just the same as the other. No man is above the law. Allah is the only one above the law.
-We must provide help to all people in need. Not just one race or nation. This aid must be given without any conditions. You should never make a man pay a charity back. And a man must not force an unwanted charity onto another.
-Leaders are not born; leadership is earned, through hard work and God-fearing rules. No person is worthy of leadership unless put in place by the people they rule.
-We must realize that the rights we enjoy were not free. Someone had to pay for them. And if you want to enjoy these rights you must realize they are not just something that is given out. They cost blood, sweat, and tears, even if they weren't yours, you should act as if they were and be humble and respect these rights.
-We must realize that military might does not give a nation more rights. People of the entire world should stand against such actions by any nation. Power through fear and strong arming should be shunned and should not be tolerated.
-Change starts with one, at home, in the family. Our charity should be given freely to those who need it. Raise your children to give excess to those in need. Raise them to love your enemy instead of hate them. Teach your children that kind actions reap kind actions, and bad actions sow more bad actions. The children are the key. Raise them to love, and love they will.
People of the Earth I beg you please, for the sake of us all, Stop hating one another. We are all people. We all have feelings. We all love. No matter how we praise God. No matter what color our skin. Stop believing propaganda and learn for yourself. Stop associating the bad of one with the good of the whole. Stop focusing on the bad and remember and encourage the good. The thought of this brings tears to my eyes, my brothers and sisters, Let us love one another.
This article is dedicated to All the God-loving people of this world. May God bless us all no matter where we live or what color we are or what language we speak. May all we do be for the Glory of The One True God. And may all we do in His name prosper.
Adapted from an article by pintails7886 on HubPages
http://hubpages.com/hub/What-Islam-says-about-loving-thy-neighbor
