Islam, according to the Quran, teaches love and compassion for every human being, no matter their religion, says author Adnan Oktar whose television show is watched by millions in Turkey and the Arab world. He believes the problem for the majority of Muslims is that some groups are following traditions and superstitions invented centuries after the Quran was first sent and the Prophet lived, and these have gotten more radical over time.
After the attacks of September 11, 2001, Oktar published a book, Islam Denounces Terrorism . He argues that violent and intolerant beliefs about Islam go against the teachings of the Quran.
Oktar made some sterling revelation that the word“Islam” is derived from the word meaning “peace” in Arabic. Islam is a religion revealed to mankind with the intention of presenting a peaceful life where the infinite compassion and mercy of God manifests on earth. God calls all people to live by the moral values He sets so that compassion, mercy, peace and love can be experienced all over the world.
“O You who believe! Enter absolutely into peace (Islam). Do not follow in the footsteps of satan. He is an outright enemy to you.” (Holy Quran: 2, 208)
In the verse above, Islam intrinsically calls for peace and fosters a life in absolute sincerity and honesty before God. Therefore it is vitally important for an individual to believe in God with his own will and aspiration, and observe God’s commands and advice through personal conscientious contentment: 20 Muslim Inventions that Shaped Our World No One Should be Forced to Believe in Islam “There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned.” (Holy Quran: 2/ 256)
The Quran provides an environment where people can fully enjoy freedom of thought and freedom of religion and allows people to live by the faith and values they believe in. According to Islam, everyone has the right to live freely by his beliefs, whatever they may be. Anyone who wants to support a church, a synagogue or a mosque must be free to do so. In this sense, freedom of religion, or freedom of belief, is one of the basic tenets of Islam. There is always freedom of religion wherever the moral values of the Qur’an prevail.
That is why Muslims also treat Jews and Christians, described in the Qur’an as “the People of the Book,” with great justice, love and compassion. God says in the Qur’an:
“God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just.” (Surat al-Mumtahana, 8) Compete With Each Other in Doing Good
Muslims who share these basic values believe in the need to act together with Christians and Jews. They therefore strive to eliminate prejudices stemming from provocations by unbelievers and fanatics. Jews, Christians and Muslims should strive together to spread moral virtues across the world.
God explicitly states that the existence of people from different faiths and opinions is something that we have to acknowledge and welcome heartily, for this is how He created and predestined humankind in this world.
One of the Qur’anic verse stated that:
“We have appointed a law and a practice for every one of you. Had God willed, He would have made you a single community, but He wanted to test you regarding what has come to you. So compete with each other in doing good. Every one of you will return to God and He will inform you regarding the things about which you differed.” (Surat al-Ma’ida, 48)
In acknowledgment of this fact, Muslims have an inner love and compassion for people of all faiths, races and nations, for they consider them as the manifestations of God in this world and treat them with an heartfelt respect and love. This is the very basis of communities administered by Islamic morality.
Christian Church Destroyed by ISIS Rebuilt by Muslim Residents. The values of theQur’an hold a Muslim responsible for treating all people, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, kindly and justly, protecting the needy and the innocent and “preventing the dissemination of mischief”. Mischief comprises all forms of anarchy and terror that remove security, comfort and peace.
“God does not love corruption”. (Surat al-Baqara, 205).
While Christianity aside being a way of life to many adherents of the religion is clearly stated in so many books in Bible to portray the religion as a Peace base. This can be seen by the teachings of Jesus Christ, a prophet who was send by God to reconcile (Peace) Men back to himself contrary to what is obtainable in the world of perversion (Sin).
The Bible in the book of Hebrew 12: 14 enjoins all christian to make concious effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. So apostle Peter in oje of epistle calling christian to as a matter of to must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
It is in Christianity that I see a teaching that’s charges it followers to pay good for evil or any bad thing done to them.
“Romans12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
1Thessalonian 5:15 put it that:”Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
So many passages in the Holy Bible talks and admonishes all abiding believers to imbibe a peaceful coexistence with other non Christians
“James 3: 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Philippians 4:7
“Philipian 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
“Romans 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
“Collossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful
“Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
“Isaiah 54:10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
“1Peter 3:9-and Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
“10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and o good; they must seek peace and”
It is against this backdrop that of recent the Adamawa Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) under the leadership of Bishop Steven Dame Mamza and his Muslim counterpart, Mallam Sahabo Abubakar Magaji who is the Leader of Adamawa state chapter of Nigeria inter religion council (NIREC) .
Their conjoin mission to preach for peaceful coexistence among adherents of diverse religion, the groups together visited Numan,Lamurde, Shelleng, Guyuk,Demsa and Girei LGAs with the sole aim of preaching Unity and Peace as a sustainable tool to development.
Their visits enable them formed LGAs offices of the area visited, calling on peaceful coexistence as is supported in both the Holy Bible and Holy Quaran.
Executive Governor of Adamawa state, Sen Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla Bindow has has on several occasion preach the message of Peace at any given time to adherents of all the two religion.
”Without peace my government will not succeed,I urge you all to pray and preach peace and unity as the economy base of our diverse religion to thriving.”
The poignant question buggling the mind of many people believe in the power of unity and peace is that why the incessants killings and wanton destruction of property, places of worship and social amenities in the name of religion? Who are those engineering the fights? Why are people perpetrating this heinous crimes are not arrested?
Despite the teachings of this two dominant religion on peace in the two separate books, it seems to be ringing on deaf ears as there are not much strick adherence to the holy teaching.
Tom Garba
Write from Yola
Adamawa state
tomgarba5@gmail.com
