Post via Islamic Emirate

Recently the news of peace talks is widely circulating. The blessed word of peace has buoyed up hopes among the Afghans because peace is a genuine demand of the Afghan nation. It is a dire need for the development of our beloved country. It is peace which creates an atmosphere of civilized and prosperous life for humans. Therefore it would be better to first define peace and then strive for its implementation. Our intention and goal should be that the cunning and unscrupulous people of the time are not allowed to play another game by distorting the realities and cashing in on the name of peace or God forbid, we face another tragedy and problem.

In Pashto language, the word peace (سوله) is derived from Arabic word (صلح) and (سلم) which means cessation of hostilities and disputes. In Islamic Shariah some conditions and restrictions are added to the definition of peace with the intention to coincide with human interests, dignity and civilization. For example, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) says:

 الصلح جائز بین المسلمین إلا صلحا حَرَّمَ حلالا أو أَحَلَّ حراما) رواه الترمذي وأبو داود وغیرهما)

“Reconciliation is allowed among the Muslims, except for reconciliation that makes the lawful unlawful or the unlawful lawful” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and others

So our nation should pay attention to this point.

Peace according to Fiqh:

 عقد وُضِعَ لرفع المنازعة) – رد المحتار: ج ۴- ص ۴۹۳-)

It means that peace is a treaty which eliminates disputes and differences among rival sides. The above definition indicates three points. First, two or more sides (of a conflict) should exist because peace is an agreement. Second: there would be hostilities among these sides because if there is no hostility then there is no need for a peace process. Third, the belligerent sides would have willingness to make peace and at the end, all sides should have agreed upon the articles of peace agreement. That following definition of the book Mujalat ul Ahkam would illustrate it further.

  عقدٌ يتّفق فيه المتنازعون في حقّ على ما يَرفع النزاع بينهما) مجلّة الأحكام العدليّة: ج ۱- ص ۵۹۹، المادّة: ۱۵۳۱)

According to Islamic Shariah, the role of mediator is very important in peace process. Allah, the Almighty commands believers.

 {إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ) {الحجرات- ۱۰)

“the believers are brethren. Make peace among your brethren and fear Allah, so that you may be shown mercy” (Verse:10, Surah:49)

It means that believers should make peace among hostile believers and should fear Almighty Allah in their decision making. In verse nine of Surah Al Hujarat, Almighty Allah commands believers to maintain justice in making peace. Now, the important point is that in the issue of Afghanistan, one side is Muslims and they are Mujahideen while the invaders make-up the other side who are non-Mulims, invaders and combatants. Peace with combatants is a separate topic and needs another discussion. In many verses of the Holy Quran and sayings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), the role of peace-maker is appreciated and a promise of success is also made with them if they are sincere and have good intention.

  {إِنْ يُرِيدَا إِصْلاحًا يُوَفِّقِ اللَّهُ بَيْنَهُمَ) {لنساء- ۳۵)

“if they wish to set things right, Allah will bring harmony between the two” (Verse:35, Surah 4)

There are several other interesting discussions regarding peace and one could refer to the sources of Islamic Shariah for further research and study.

The people of Afghanistan want peace according to the principles and rules of Islamic Shariah. They respect and welcome mediation of Muslims and Islamic countries. But recent efforts of invaders have raised doubts among our countrymen regarding peace (and their sincerity); what good can one expect from the invading enemy and butcher of thousands of the Afghans? On the other hand, all our friends and opponents know that the Afghan nation will never accept the decision contrary to Islamic Shariah. No doubt every decision which paves the way for prolongation of invasion or creates hurdles in the way of Islamic system creates further chaos instead of peace and prolongs war, is not acceptable to the Afghan nation.

End

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.