Through Force or Faith? — Page 285
Chapter 7 — Novelty in the Teachings of Muhammad 285 righteous among you. Surely, Allah is All-knowing, All- Aware ( S u rah al- H ujur ā t, 49:14). Only Islamic teachings can guarantee lasting peace in the world that gives equal rights to all the nations. For international disputes the injunction is that if one nation transgresses against another, all nations should collectively try to persuade the transgressor; and if it does not comply, it can be dis- ciplined, but only to the extent that the offender should cease the transgression. Beyond that there should be no prosecution and the original dispute should be resolved with justice ( S u rah al- H u- jur ā t, 49:10). This rule presented by Islam fourteen hundred years ago is now validated in the form of International laws of the UNO. But still, the world has not reached the height of Islamic principle, and it is common to prosecute the aggressor even after it has been subdued. One example is the division of Germany after World War, and carving out German territories for other coun- tries. Likewise, it is commonplace for the superpowers to cooper- ate in transgression against smaller nations. If the Islamic princi- ple is not fully adopted even now, the world shall not see peace! Islam also teaches to ask for your rights on national level from other nations; and grant them their rights ( S u rah al-Mumta h i- nah, 60:11). Another injunction is not to blockade the passage to their Holy Places as a result of these disputes ( S u rah al-M ā ’idah, 5:3). Again, it is discussed in detail that if a nation violates your rights and commits aggression, you are permitted to defend your- selves ( S u rah al- H ajj, 22:40). However Islam does not condone wars ( S u rah al-Baqarah, 2:217, S u rah al-M ā ’idah, 5:33). Therefore, whenever the enemy makes an offer of peace, you should make