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<\/p>\nWritten by Encik Mohamad Azhar bin Hashim.\u00a0 Posted in\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the good deeds that are highly enjoined in the teaching of Islam is for one to take the role of a peacemaker when there is conflict among members of the society. Islam recognises the nobility of a sincere peacemaking effort to reconcile any dispute between conflicting individuals, factions or parties. Such an effort has been promised with great reward from God the Almighty, and constitutes one of the major traditions (Sunnah)<\/em><\/span> of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that need to be emulated by the Muslims. Unfortunately, in recent time, the virtue of becoming a peacemaker has been overlooked by the Muslims\u2014at time where dispute and disunity has been a prevalent feature in the Muslims <\/span>U<\/span><\/em>mmah. <\/span><\/em>Ironically, there are Muslims who rather choose to be provocateurs, aggravating the discords by <\/span>adding fuel, <\/span>which sadly, in many cases leads to outright physical fighting and killings among each other. <\/span><\/p>\n In the Quran, Chapter 4 (al-Nisa\u2019), verse 114, God says: \u201cThere is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah<\/em><\/span> (charity in God\u2019s cause), or <\/span>Ma\u2018roof<\/span><\/em> (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which God has ordained), or reconciliation between mankind; and he who does this, seeking the good Pleasure of God, We shall give him a great reward.\u201d Also in Chapter 8 (Al-Anfaal), verse 1, God says: \u201cSo fear God and adjust all matters of difference among you, and obey God and His Messenger (Muhammad), if you are believers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In a hadeeth<\/em><\/span> (the Prophet\u2019s Tradition), the Prophet (peace be upon him) told his Companions that reconciling effort between people is better than observing voluntary fasts, offering voluntary prayers, and giving voluntary charity. It was reporter that Abu Darda (may pleased be with him) said: The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: \u201cShall I not tell you something that is better than the status of (voluntary) fasting, prayer and charity?\u201d They said: \u201cYes.\u201d He said: \u201cReconciling in a case of discord, for the evil of discord is the shaver.\u201d Al-Tirmidhi said: It was narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: \u201cIt is the shaver, and I do not say that it shaves hair, but that it shaves (i.e., destroys) religious commitment.\u201d (Narrated by Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi). <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, an endless and unresolved conflict will in turn affect social harmony, internal peace, and have implication on the overall economic development. The life and well-being of individuals and family members will also be diverted from a healthy course. \u00a0<\/span>The more prolong and intensity of the conflict or dispute among the factions within a society, the more will be the repercussions, which can lead to war and killing of the innocents.<\/span><\/p>\n In another Prophet\u2019s Tradition, it was reported that Abu Hurayrah (may please be with him) said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: \u201cThe gates of Paradise are opened on Monday and Thursday, and everyone who does not associate anything with God is forgiven, except a man who has had an argument with his brother. It is said: \u2018Wait for these two until they reconcile, wait for these two until they reconcile, wait for these two until they reconcile.\u201d (Narrated by Muslim). According to Imam Nawawi \u201cWait for these two\u201d means to wait until they have reconciled, and love has been restored between them.<\/span><\/p>\n Given the importance of the reconciliation and peacemaking effort, Islam even permitted telling lies in order to preserve harmony and good relationship among the members of the society. Hence, it is permissible to tell each party that the other has said good things about them and praised them, even though the truth is otherwise, in order to encourage reconciliation. The Prophet was reported to have said: \u201cHe is not a liar who seeks to reconcile between people and says good things.\u201d (Narrated by Bukhari)<\/span><\/p>\n As human being, we cannot completely eliminate disputes and disagreements in our life. However, it is imperative that other people around the two disputing people, groups, factions or parties, in particular the elderly or the one who is in the position of authority, to wisely play the role of peacemaker in order to prevent the situation from being aggravated and causing a prolonged straining of relationship. <\/span><\/p>\n There was an incident from the seerah<\/em><\/span> (biography) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), where he effectively resolved disputes between conflicting parties to bring about reconciliation. Sahl bin Sa\u2019d reported: \u201cThe people of Quba\u2019 were fighting to the point of throwing stones. The Prophet of God, (peace be upon him), was informed about that, so he said, \u201cGo with us to reconcile them.\u201d (Narrated by Bukhari). <\/span><\/p>\n Muslims once have conquered two-thirds of the world. Guided by the Quran and the tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him), they lead with faith and justice. They have become the torchbearers of guidance that lead people to the path of righteousness. Islamic civilization then had reached its peak with balancing life between arts and science, heaven and earth, world and the hereafter, the mind and heart, individual rights and the public interest. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n However, the Muslims\u2019 society today is no longer the society that once we know to have led the progress of the world\u2019s civilisation. Just look at what is happening now amidst the plight of the Muslims, in the war-torn countries. Indeed, without serious and sincere peacemaking efforts by the Muslims, the innocent people are becoming the casualties of wars, which emanates from the endless, prolonged and unresolved conflicts within the Muslims society itself.<\/span><\/p>\n Lest we forget, the fundamental message of Islam is to bring peace and mercy for all mankind. Therefore, in these trying times, let us be guided and reminded on the nobility of the role of a peacemaker in the sight of God the Almighty.<\/span><\/p>\n
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