World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace — Page 90
90 certainly take measures to stop such cruelty—but they should always act with justice when doing so. The circumstances for taking action, based on Islamic teach- ings are detailed in the Qur’an, in Chapter 49. * It teaches that when two nations are in dispute and this leads to war, then other governments should strongly counsel them towards dialogue and diplomacy so that they can come to an agreement and reconcili- ation on the basis of a negotiated settlement. If, however, one of the parties does not accept the terms of agreement and wages war, then other countries should unite together and fight to stop that aggressor. When the aggressive nation is defeated and agrees to mutual negotiation, then all parties should work towards an agreement that leads to long-standing peace and reconciliation. Harsh and unjust conditions should not be enforced that leads to the hands of any nation being tied, because in the long-term that will lead to restlessness, which will ferment and spread. The result of such restlessness will be further disorder. In circumstances where a third-party government seeks to bring about reconciliation between two parties, then it should act with sincerity and total impartiality. This impartiality should remain even if one of the parties speaks against it. Therefore, the third-party should display no anger in such circumstances, it should seek no revenge, nor should it act in an unfair manner. All parties should be afforded their due rights. Thus, for the requirements of justice to be fulfilled, it is es- sential that the countries that are negotiating a settlement should themselves not seek to fulfil their own personal interests, nor try * ch. 49: v. 10