World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace — Page 125
125 C AN M USLIMS I NTEGRATE I NTO W ESTERN S OCIETIES ? is an expression of true love for your country. A just citizen cannot bear to see the reputation of his country being tarnished or even disgraced amongst the international community and so by call- ing his country to account he is manifesting his love and loyalty towards it. As far as the international community and its institutions are concerned, Islam teaches that where a country is unjustly at- tacked, other nations should unite and seek to stop the aggressor. If the aggressive nation comes to its senses and withdraws, then cruel punishments and unjust decisions should not be imposed upon it in revenge or as a means to take advantage of the situation. Therefore, Islam provides the answers and remedies to all possi- ble situations. The essence of Islamic teachings is that you must spread peace, to the extent that the Holy Prophet sa has defined a Muslim as a person from whose hand and tongue all other peace- ful people are safe. As I have already said, Islam has taught that you must never assist in cruelty or oppression. It is this beautiful and wise teaching that leads a true Muslim to hold a position of honour and dignity within whichever country he lives. There is no doubt that all sincere and decent people would wish to have such peaceful and considerate people within their societies. The Holy Prophet Muhammad sa has given Muslims another beautiful teaching to live their lives by. He taught that a true be- liever should always search for anything that is good and pure. He taught that wherever a Muslim comes across a word of wisdom or anything noble, he should treat it as his personal inheritance. Thus, with the same determination that a person seeks to acquire his rightful inheritance, Muslims are taught they should strive to obtain and benefit from wise counsel and goodness wherever it