Peace OR Piece?

Al-Islam: The Deen to attain Peace, NOT a Piece of Religion

1. Peace - A Misconception

The most common translation of the word ‘Islam’ is ‘peace’, and whilst this notion is contained within its many meanings, the peace aspect is grossly misunderstood and abused. The peace that Al-Islam talks about refers to the end state after the Deen of Al-Islam has been established and prevailed in your life. It is important to realise that a process is needed in order to achieve this state of peace and security. This process is simply following God’s – that is, Allah’s (swt) - Laws as laid down in The Qur’an. The simple reason why peace and security has not prevailed on Earth and why oppression and destruction are everywhere is because The Laws of Allah (swt) as laid down in The Qur’an is not being implemented anywhere.

2. The Two Deens

The Qur’an mentions only two Deens (or systems of power-relations): one is referred to explicitly (that is, by name), while the other is referred to implicitly (as the ‘other’ to the first). One Deen will bring peace and security. This Deen is the one that is mentioned by name in The Qur’an and it is called Al-Islam. Peace and security result from following God’s commandments in The Qur’an, which is a book of guidance for the WHOLE of humanity. This makes you a servant/slave/worshipper of God and exclusively to him. The ‘other’ Deen is based on rejecting the exclusivity of God’s worship/servitude and normally takes the form of obedience to man-made laws that contradict God’s Laws.

3. Reason and Intellect

God – that is, Allah (swt) - gave man reason and intellect for a reason (that is, for a purpose) - to think and ponder. We are not supposed to follow blindly what other people say, no matter who they are, what qualifications they have and what titles they possess. Irrespective of who they are, they have at least one thing in common: they are all human beings, mortal and fallible. Messengers of God – peace be upon them all - have come and gone and the only true message of guidance that remains is within The Qur’an.

It is important that the reader verifies for himself (or herself) what is being written in this article – in fact, anything that they hear or read. Take time to think, ponder and reflect. A major problem in the world today is that people are not encouraged to do this. We are like “mice on a treadmill, 24-7; not enough time to contemplate heaven; all tied up in material pursuits that are bearing fruits that are profane.”

It is up to you to make time.

4. Deen NOT Religion

Al-Islam is not a religion. It is a Deen. There is no Arabic word for religion in The Qur’an and it is a misconception to refer to Al-Islam as a religion. A religion (at least in the sense used here) is something that is personal and ritualistic, whereas Al-Islam is a system of power relations between the human being as slave and God – that is, Allah (swt) - as Master that provides the basis for organising the affairs of individuals and societies in all spheres of activity, including economics, education, entertainment, labour, language, law, politics, sex and war.

The next time you explain what Al-Islam is do not let the ‘peace’ word dilute its true meaning. Yes, it is a state that we all, God willing want to achieve, but we must go through a process of submitting/surrendering to God’s Laws as laid down in The Qur’an before this can be attained. Our actions must be constructive and we must put a stop to destructive actions. There can be no peace without justice.

Al-Islam is much more than praying, fasting in one month, paying charity and completing the pilgrimage. If you open up The Qur’an and read and reflect upon its contents, you will quickly come to see how comprehensive it is and how its message can transform individuals and societies from a state of conflict and fear to a state of peace and security. Religion has never done this; in fact, religion cannot do this.

Only the Deen of Al-Islam can.