Understanding Islam — Page 16
IS ISLAM A VIOLENT RELIGION? 16 In no clearer terms could Prophet Muhammad sa have forbidden any desire or ulterior motives in the hearts of Muslims to fight the enemy. He always desired and wished for peace. These words of Prophet Muhammad sa resonate with the words of Captain John Parker, when he instructed his company of Minutemen assembled to rebuff the approach of the British Redcoats during a battle: Stand your ground. Do not fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here. 14 Prophet Muhammad’s sa desire for peace was so great that he pushed for and established treaties for peace, even when the conditions of the treaty were heavily in favor of the other party. In contrast, he never enacted a single treaty that forced anyone to convert to Islam. This is reflected by the following verse of the Holy Quran which makes it binding upon Muslims to always make peace their top priority: And if they incline towards peace, incline thou also towards it. 15