Peace and Conflict Transformation instruments in Islam: Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a peaceful response to conflict which allows the parties involved to achieve positive change. At the same time, it is a sign of power and generosity, and a characteristic of the Prophets and God. The Quran says «And it is He who accepts repentance from his worshipers and pardons the sins, and He knows what you do» (Sura: 42, Verse: 25).

There are several verses of the Quran that emphasize the importance of forgiveness as opposed to answering evil with evil, which surely contributes to transform conflicts and improve relations between people and nations «And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward lies with God. Indeed, He does not love the unjust» (Sura: 42, Verse: 40).

This verse shows that if the believer wants to be rewarded by Allah he/she should not answer evil with evil, acting violently and seeking revenge, but learn to forgive, knowing that forgiving the other means to win God’s forgiveness. Quran says: «Those of you who have affluence and means should not refuse to give to the relatives, and the needy, and the emigrants for the sake of God. And let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love for God to forgive you? And God is forgiving and merciful» (Sura: 24, Verse: 22).

The Prophet gave many lessons to show the importance of forgiveness to transform conflicts and improve relationships between people. The best example is with those who persecuted and tortured him and his followers in Mecca. Once he returned peacefully he forgave them and let them live with Muslims in Mecca.

Therefore, forgiveness can be applied as a local instrument for peacefully transforming many of the current conflicts in Muslim societies or with other communities. We only need to instill the Islamic ethics and values to Muslims and explain that Allah loves and forgives the doers of good «Who give in prosperity and adversity, who restrain anger, and who forgive people. God loves the doers of good» (Sura: 3 Verse: 134).

Dr. Said Bahajin, 

Researcher at UNESCO Chair of Philosophy for Peace, Jaume I University, Castellón, Spain

Peace and Conflict Transformation instruments in Islam: Compassion

In Islam, mercy, besides it being one of Allah’s characteristics and is the mission for which the prophet Mohamed was sent. The Quran states «And we have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to mankind» (Sura: 21, Verse: 107). Therefore, the mercy of the Prophet was not only for Muslims but for all of humankinds, animals and nature.

One of the clearest examples of mercy to animals is the saying hadith of the Prophet that tells the story of the man who felt very thirsty. He found a well and went down to it and drank water. When he came out of the well he saw a dog that was also very thirsty. He again went down to the well, filled his leather socks with water and gave it to the dog. For this act, God forgave him all his sins. The followers of the prophet expressed surprise and asked: «O Prophet of God! Have we any reward (for our acts) in regard to animals?” The Prophet said, “There is reward (for every good act done) in regard to every heart fresh of life».

There are abundant Hadiths reporting the life of Prophet Mohamed that show the importance of compassion as a tool to make peace, not only among Muslims but between all human beings. Ibn Dakhil, published in his book entitled The religion of compassion, a hundred sayings of the Prophet related to compassion, among them we can highlight «Allah is only merciful with those who show mercy to others», «Be merciful to those on the earth, so the One above the heavens will be merciful to you».

This compassion is what all believers must apply in their daily life with families, friends and even neighbors, whether they are Muslims or not. Prophet Mohamed may God’s blessings and peace be with him says «[The angel] Gabriel continued to advise me to treat neighbors well until I thought he would make them my heirs». Therefore, Muslims should be kind to their neighbors whether individuals or states, using compassion as peaceful instrument to transform their conflicts with others.

Dr. Said Bahajin, 

Researcher at UNESCO Chair of Philosophy for Peace, Jaume I University, Castellón, Spain