World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace — Page 87
87 T HE P ATH TO P EACE —J UST R ELATIONS B ETWEEN N ATIONS remember that an Arab is not superior to a non-Arab and nor is a non-Arab superior to an Arab. He taught that a white person is not superior to a black person and nor is a black person supe- rior to a white person. Thus, it is a clear teaching of Islam that the people of all nationalities and all races are equal. It is also made clear that all people should be granted equal rights without any discrimination or prejudice. This is the key and golden principle that lays the foundation for harmony between different groups and nations, and for the establishment of peace. However, today we find that there is division and separation between powerful and weaker nations. For example, in the United Nations we find that there is a distinction made between certain countries. Thus, in the Security Council there are some perma- nent members and some non-permanent members. This division has proved to be an internal source of anxiety and frustration and thus we regularly hear reports of certain countries protesting against this inequality. Islam teaches absolute justice and equal- ity in all matters and so we find another very crucial guideline in Chapter 5, verse 3 of the Holy Qur’an. In this verse it states that to fully comply with the requirements of justice, it is neces- sary to treat even those people, who go beyond all limits in their hatred and enmity, with fairness and equity. The Qur’an teaches that wherever and whoever counsels you towards goodness and virtue, you should accept it, and wherever and whoever counsels you towards sinful or unjust behaviour, you should reject it. A question that naturally arises is that what is the standard of justice required by Islam? In Chapter 4, verse 136, the Holy Qur’an states that even if you have to testify against yourself, or your par- ents or your most loved ones, then you must do so in order to