Islam is inherently a religion of peace

Preface: - It should be noted that Con has not contested the definitions & rules laid out in the opening round, thus we’re in argument on how this debate should be conducted. - Con also used virtually no sources, which makes his references & claims unverifiable. Thus, I shall for now discard these references & claims, most of which are utterly false, until they are properly sourced. Case: - To establish that Islam is a religion that promotes Peace & Coexistence, amongst Muslims & non-Muslims, I am gonna divide my case into 5 parts which will eventually build up to the conclusion I intend to make: Part I: the Message of Islam. Part II: the Teachings of Islam. Part III: the Example of the Prophet. Part IV: non-Muslim in Islam. Part V: Just War in Islam. - This configuration serves the purpose of maintaining an organised method through my case, such that we won’t get lost between the seeming contradictions of Peace/War within Islam. Part I: the Message of Islam The message of Islam is universal: - Islam was founded to be a universal message for all mankind & for all times: * “Verily this is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds” (81: 27) [*]. => We shall thus explore how this concept of universality translates into the real world, & see if it is compatible with Peace or against it. The message of Islam is Equality amongst Mankind: - Islam is unambiguously clear about the Unity of Humanity, in that it unequivocally declares: 1. Equality, of birth, of all mankind: * “Every child is born in the state of Fitrah (equal among all mankind)” the Prophet [1]. 2. Equality, in humanity, amongst all mankind: * “Humans are equal, like a set of a tooth-comb” “there is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor of a non-Arab over an Arab, nor of a white over a black, nor a black over a white, except by piety” the Prophet [2]. 3. Essential Dignity for all members of the human race: * "Verily we have honoured/dignified the Children of Adam (Mankind)." (17:70) [*]. => This aspect of Islam, as it stems from it universal nature, lays very strong foundation for a universal Tolerance, thus Peace, which we will explore even further on. The message of Islam is Brotherhood amongst Muslims: - Islam ordains brotherhood among all Muslims: 1. Between themselves: * “A Muslim is a brother to a Muslim. He should neither deceive him nor lie to him, nor leave him without assistance. Everything belonging to a Muslim is inviolable for a Muslim; his honour, his blood and property.” the Prophet [3]. 2. As a whole community: * ”The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever” the Prophet [4]. => This brotherhood, enjoining kindness, compassion, sympathy & assistance, & also equally banning injustice & oppression amongst its members, individually & as a whole, is a proof of the inherent & fundamental peaceful nature of the message of Islam, amongst Muslims, & also with non-Muslims, as we’ll see shortly. The message of Islam is Tolerance with non-Muslims: - It has been established that Islam unequivocally calls for the equality & dignity of all human beings, whatever their affiliations or status, including Muslims & non-Muslims alike. & this fundamental nature is the primary aspect of Tolerance enjoined in Islam on Muslims towards non-Muslims. This expands to other equally important aspects which Muslims believe in: 1. Qur’anic decree of difference, in Religion, amongst Mankind: i. That it is a divine decree to which God predestined Mankind: * ”And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ." (11:117) [*]. ii. That this divine decree must be accepted in submission to God's Will: * ”And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed - all of them entirely. Then, [O Muhammad], would you compel the people in order that they become believers?" (10:99) [*]. * ”So remind, [O Muhammad]; you are only a reminder. You are not a dictator over them." (88:21-22) [*]. iii. That this decree must extend to our practice the same way it is ordained in our belief: * ”There is no compulsion in religion" (2:256) [*]. 2. Absence of responsibility for calling into account non-Muslims about their disbelief: i. Each person is responsible & accountable only for his own beliefs & actions: * ”Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another." (17:15) [*]. ii. The best Muslims can do is remind non-Muslims, without transgressing that limit: * ”So remind, [O Muhammad]; you are only a reminder. You are not a dictator over them." (88:21-22) [*]. iii. Only God has the final say between Muslims & Non-Muslims & that is beyond the Human's scope: * ”Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which you used to differ." (22:69) [*]. 3. Justice & Mercy must prevail in dealing with non-Muslims: * "Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity." (60:8) [*]. Part II: the Teachings of Islam Islam teaches Mercy for all beings: 1. For All: * * “The merciful are shown mercy by The Most Merciful. Be merciful on the earth, and you will be shown mercy from Who is above the heavens.” the Prophet [5]. 2. For Mankind: * “He will enter Heaven only he who possesses Mercy. It is not the mercy that one has for his friend, but the Mercy for all mankind.” the Prophet [6]. 3. For Animals: * "Do not take any living creature as a target.” the Prophet [7] * “There is a reward for serving any animate (living being).” the Prophet [8]. * "There was a dog moving around a well whom thirst would have killed, an Israeli prostitute saw it and took off her shoe and watered it. So Allah forgave her because of that good deed.” the Prophet [9]. 4. For Nature: * "Eat and drink from the provision of Allah , and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption." (2:60) [*]. * "If anyone cuts a tree (with no just cause), Allah brings him headlong into Hell.” the Prophet [10]. Islam teaches Noble Character above all: - It is no secret that one of the most emphasised & most praised instructions in Islam is the nobility of character towards everyone & in everything * “Those who spend [in Allah's Cause - deeds of charity, alms, etc.] in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).” (3:134) [*]. * "The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character.” the Prophet [11] * “none of you has believed until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself of goodness.” [12]. >> To be continued >> Sources: [1] http://goo.gl... [2] http://goo.gl... / http://goo.gl... [3] http://goo.gl... [4] http://goo.gl... [5] http://goo.gl... / http://goo.gl... [6] http://goo.gl... [7] http://goo.gl... [8] http://goo.gl... [9] http://goo.gl... [10] http://goo.gl... [11] http://sunnah.com... [12] http://sunnah.com...