ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ABOUT VIOLENCE:Morality is essential

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Forensic Psychology (PSY - 513)

Lesson 19

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ABOUT VIOLENCE

Objectives:

To understand the importance of Mercy and Justice in Islamic perspective

To understand the importance of Knowledge in creating equilibrium in Justice

and Mercy

Morality is essential

According to our Islamic perspective morality is essential. Islam can be called the religion of morality.

Islam presents a very effective and comprehensive moral system for all circumstances. Thus whatever

leads to the welfare of the individual or the society is morally good in Islam and whatever is injurious is

morally bad. We find in the Qur'an: "And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character." (

Surah 68: 4)

Good morality in Islam is not a favour but a duty. As if to enlighten the quality of fine morals, the

Qur'an, repeatedly uses the phrase: "those who believe and do good works".

Also we find: "You have indeed in the Apostle of Allah a beautiful pattern of (conduct) for anyone

whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day and who engages much in the praise of Allah." [Surah

33:21]

Muhammad [PBUH] was ennobled by his Lord; he was blessed by the noblest of virtues. He embodies

the totality of virtuous action and thought, the best of which is reflected in the attainment of moral

virtue. The Prophet [PBUH] has acquired the moral characteristics needed for his own moral

development that makes him capable of laying down rules for other people, through laws and the

establishment of justice. He has said "I was sent to complete the good morals."

Thus, by setting God's pleasure as the objective of man's life, and by making Divine revelations as the

primary source of knowledge it gives permanence and stability to the moral standards which afford a

reasonable scope for genuine adjustments, adaptations and innovations, though not for perversions, wild

variation, atomistic relativism or moral fluidity. It provides a sanction to morality in the love and fear of

God, which will impel man to obey the moral law even without any external pressure.

Through belief in God and the Day of Judgment it furnishes a force which enables a person to adopt the

moral conduct with earnestness and sincerity, with all the devotion of heart and soul.

Man's essence is Divine

Man is made in the Divine Image. Hazrat Adam and Hazrat Jesus were send to this earth with divine

essence.

View about punishment

The Holy Quran says. "If someone kills one man it is as if he has killed all mankind." but if you

forgive that is even better. Many Islamic scholars believe that all sins and wrong deeds must be

punished but this concept is borrowed from Bani- Israel, as Judaism is fear based religion.

Only authorized violence is permissible in Islam

As for the meaning of violence as 'rough or injurious physical force or action', Islamic Law opposes all

uses of force in this sense except in the case of war or for punishment of criminals in accordance with

the shari'a. Even in war, however, the inflicting of any injury to women and children is forbidden as is

the use of force against civilians. Only fighters in the field of battle must be confronted with force and it

is only against them that injurious physical force can be used. Inflicting injuries outside of this context

or in the punishment of criminals according to the dictum of the shari'a and the view of a judge is

completely forbidden by Islamic Law.

Forensic Psychology (PSY - 513)

A system based on Justice and Mercy.

Islamic perspective about legal system is purely and completely based on Justice and mercy. Infact

Mercy is considered a step ahead to Justice.

There are many different words in the Quran related to forgiveness. Among them are:

1. Afw: To pardon, to excuse for a fault or an offense or a discourtesy, waiver of punishment and

amnesty.

2. Safhu: to turn away from a sin or a misdeed, ignore

Quran: 2:109, 15:85 and 43:89.

3. Ghafara or Maghrifa: to cover, to forgive and to remit. Quran: 2:263 and 43:43

Following points enlightens the importance of mercy and justice

Mercy is a step ahead to justice.

Justice or "Adl" is a name of God

Mercy: Rahman and Raheem are also Divine Names.

Qahhar, Jabbar, Muntaqim are also Names of Allah and He takes revenge for His

persons.

Synthesis of all of these is essential.

Allah says "My Mercy overcomes my wrath".

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is Mercy upon mankind

Divine names of Allah and importance of mercy and Justice

Al-'Adl

The One who is entitled to do what He does.

The justice, the equitable. The Just.

Rahman and Raheem

The first aya of Al-Fatiha firmly establishes that these two names refer to Allah, the Supreme Power,

and to Him exclusively. They are used together (as a pair) and separately (individually) throughout the

Qur'an extensively to describe or refer to Him in various contexts. The context of usage of these names

in the Qur'an clearly defines their meaning. It is also important that their usage in Al-Fatiha, in aya 1

and again in aya 3, points out the fact that they are, in fact, a pair - as well as indicating the significance

of being a pair.

First, the two names' etymology stems from the same root: RAHM, which could mean "womb" or

"place of origin", the latter of which is here more applicable. Derivatives of this word are mainly in

reference to "raheem" or "merciful", and words of the same "family" of meaning, such as "rahma" or

"mercy", but the name "Al-Rahman" stands alone in its meaning, different than "raheem" or "merciful",

Al-Qahhar

The Subduer who has the perfect Power and is not unable over anything.

The Almighty, the Dominant

Al-Jabbar

The One that nothing happens in His Dominion except that which He willed.

The all Compelling

Forensic Psychology (PSY - 513)

Al-Muntaqim

The One who victoriously prevails over His enemies and punishes them for their sins. It

may mean the One who destroys them.

The Avenger

Forgiveness of Hind, of Quraysh

Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) is mercy for all mankind. The mercy of the Prophet even extended to those

who brutally killed and then mutilated the body of his uncle Hamzah, one of the most beloved of people

to the Prophet. Hamzah was one of the earliest to accept Islam and, through his power and position in

the Quraishite hierarchy, diverted much harm from the Muslims. An Abyssinian slave of the wife of

Abu Sufyan, Hind, sought out and killed Hamzah in the battle of Uhud. The night before the victory of

Mecca, Abu Sufyan accepted Islam, fearing the vengeance of the Prophet, may God praise him. The

latter forgave him and sought no retribution for his years of enmity.

After Hind had killed Hamzah she mutilated his body by cutting his chest and tearing his liver and heart

into pieces. When she quietly came to the Prophet and accepted Islam, he recognized her but did not

say anything. She was so impressed by his magnanimity and stature that she said, "O Messenger of

God, no tent was more deserted in my eyes than yours; but today no tent is more lovely in my eyes than

yours."

Human Emotions and Morality

Judaism is fear-based, legalistic.

Torah talks that an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, life for life.

On the other hand Christianity is Love-based.

Bible talks, turn the other cheek. Means if some one slaps you turn your other cheek for another

slap.

Islam is Knowledge-based.

Holy Quran says "You have the right to do what was done unto you but do not transgress and if

you forgive, Allah loves Muhsineen."

Islam is a religion based upon knowledge for it is ultimately knowledge of the Oneness of God

combined with faith and total commitment to Him that saves man. The text of the Quran is replete with

verses inviting man to use his intellect, to ponder, to think and to know, for the goal of human life is to

discover the Truth which is none other than worshipping God in His Oneness. The Hadith literature is

also full of references to the importance of knowledge. Such sayings of the Prophet as "Seek

knowledge even in China", "Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave", and "Verily the men

of knowledge are the inheritors of the prophets", have echoed throughout the history of Islam and

incited Muslims to seek knowledge wherever it might be found.

How to educate ourselves to avoid violence?

This can be possible through:

1. Equilibrium

2. Educating the soul (Tarbeeyat i- Nafs)

Equilibrium

This word Comes out of word "Adl" "A itidaal".Islamic society is based on knowledge. Peace is only

possible through Tarbiyate nafs and this state only comes through the knowledge. We need to make

equilibrium in fear, love, justice and mercy.the equilibrium in Islam is:

Fear of Allah should be in equilibrium to the passionate Love for Allah

Balancing Justice with Mercy through Knowledge

And knowledge leads to forgiveness and mercy

Islam bases itself upon the idea of establishing equilibrium within the being of man as well as in the

human society where he functions and fulfills the goals of his earthly life. This equilibrium, which is the

Forensic Psychology (PSY - 513)

terrestrial reflection of Divine Justice and the necessary condition for peace in the human domain, is

the basis upon which the soul takes its flight towards that peace which, to use Christian terms, 'passeth

understanding'.

To understand the nature of Islam and the truth about the assertion often made of Islam's espousal of

violence. it is important to analyze this question clearly remembering that the word islam itself means

peace and that the history of Islam has certainly not been witness to any more violence than one finds in

other civilizations, particularly that of the West.

The Islamic concept of justice itself is related to equilibrium, the word for justice (al-'adl) in Arabic

being related in its etymology to the word for equilibrium (ta'adul). All force used under the guidance of

the divine Law with the aim of re-establishing an equilibrium that is destroyed is accepted and in fact

necessary, for it means to carry out and establish justice. Moreover, not to use force in such a way is to

fall prey to other forces which cannot but increase disequilibrium and disorder and result in greater

injustice. Whether the use of force in this manner is swift and intense or gentle and mild depends upon

the circumstances, but in all cases force can only be used with the aim of establishing equilibrium and

harmony and not for personal or sectarian reasons identified with the interests of a person or a particular

group and not the whole.

So shortly equilibrium is:

The Middle Path

Balancing Justice with Mercy through Knowledge.

Fear and Love must be in equilibrium.

Knowledge leads to forgiveness.

Knowledge can help discern when to punish and when to forgive.

Educating the Soul

In Islamic perspective, Tarbeeyat i- Nafs is the key component to avoid violence and aggression Peace

for the soul is possible is only possible through tarbeeyat-i-Nafs, educating the soul.

Islam believes in the potential of every man/woman to develop into a good citizen.

Education can help everyone realize their true potential.

Knowledge is also a Divine Name.

Islam Means Peace

Islam is the religion of peace. Its very name is derived from the word `salam'. Salam is not only the

absence of violence and aggression but it also means total well being and happiness. It means literally

`to be safe, secure, sound, wholesome, unharmed, unimpaired and intact'. From these meanings in the

physical sense it has also acquired the metaphysical and moral meanings, namely, `to be blameless,

faultless and perfect'. In the Qur'an, God is called Al-Salam i.e. the Perfect one (Surah 59:23).

The state of salam is the state where every thing finds its fullness, glory and perfection. Hence the

Qur'an calls Heaven as Dar al-Salam which is the abode of peace and perfection. The paths of

righteousness and virtue that lead to God are also called subul al-salam. and the greeting of peace both

in this world and in the Hereafter is Assalam `alaikum which is emphasized in Islam and is taught as a

proper greeting for the believers. The Prophet -peace be upon him- said, "The best Islam is to give

salam to every one, whether you know that person or not." (al-Bukhari, Hadith no 11).and if once

peace of soul is achieved it leads to the peace of whole community.

Peace for the soul.

Leads to peace for the neighbor.

Leads to peace for the community.

And ultimately leads to peace for the nation.

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