research title: the role of islam in establishing peace in the contemporary world tranformation...

Research Title: The Role of Islam in Establishing Peace in the Contemporary World

TRANFORMATION PARADIGM TO PEACE

By Naghma Siddiqi, Research Scholar, Department of Islamic Studies and Social Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi

PEACE IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

“And God Calls to the Home of Peace.” (The Quran, 10:25)

• In today’s world peace is considered the greatest good or summom bonum.

• Throughout history man thought of peace as merely the absence of war. Today it is considered much more.

• The 19th centuries witnessed organization for peace.

• The 20th century saw pacifism established as a discipline and the formation of a supra-regulatory body – the United Nations to strengthen peace.

• The 21st century sees peace as a distant dream.


TRANSFORMATION PARADIGM TO PEACEby Naghma Siddiqi, Research Scholar,

Department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi

Pacifism refers to the making of peace. Many approaches have been forwarded for pacifism. Johan Galtung, the founder of

peace and conflict studies, sees pacifism going in three directions absence of organized collective violence,1 the ideal of

the sum total of “all good” values in the world,2 and peace associated with the fulfillment of certain conditions.3 The five

paradigms to peace being taught in conflict studies courses are:1. Coercive Power Paradigm

2. World Order Paradigm3. Conflict Resolution Paradigm

4. Nonviolence Paradigm

5. Transformation Paradigm


PACIFIST APPROACHES



In the research, The Role of Islam in Establishing Peace in the Contemporary World around thirty paradigms of peace have been grouped into five approaches. These will be analyzed for their results and vis-à-vis the concept of peace in Islam to arrive at approach/s and methodology/s to establish peace in the contemporary world.

1.Ideal Approach to Peace

2.Condition-First Approach to Peace

3.Remove Problem First Approach to Peace

4.Peace-First Approach to Peace

5.Transformation Approach to Peace


THE STUDY: ANALYSIS OF PARADIGMS TO PEACE



One of the oldest approaches to peace is the ideal approach in which peace is linked to an ideal and endeavours to achieve

the ideal is pursued in the name of peace. •Universal Good Paradigm1

•Christian Pacifism Paradigm2

•Complete Freedom Paradigm3

•Security Paradigm4

•World-embracing collective security (Bahai)5 •Democracy Paradigm6 •Human Welfare Paradigm7


I. IDEAL PARADIGM TO PEACE



The condition-first approach to peace is when certain conditions are placed for peace such as world government, world order,

cooperation, human rights, and even war. Endeavours to realize the condition are pursued in the name of peace.

“And God Calls to the Home of Peace.” (The Quran, 10:25) “And God Calls to the Home of Peace.” (The Quran, 10:25)

II. CONDITION-FIRST PARADIGM TO PEACE

• Cooperation Paradigm1

• Globalization Paradigm2

• Isolationism and Non-Interventionism3

• Self-Organized Peace4

• Security First Paradigm5

• Human Rights First Paradigm6

• Justice First Paradigm7

• Development Paradigm8

• Democratic Paradigm9

• Capitalism Peace Theory10

• Economic Norms Theory of Peace11

• Mutual Assured Destruction Approach to Peace12

• War Paradigm to Peace13



The remove problem-first approach to peace is to consider a problem to be an obstacle to peace and then initiating efforts

to remove the problem first in order to achieve peace.•Removal of War Paradigm1

•Removal of Direct Violence Paradigm2

•Removal of Indirect Violence Paradigm3

•Satyagraha Approach to Peace4

•Ahimsa Approach to Peace5

•Nuclear Disarmament Paradigm to Peace6 •Removal, Management of Conflict Paradigm to Peace7


III. REMOVE PROBLEM FIRST PARADIGM TO PEACE



The peace-first approach considers peace as the natural state of affairs and a pre-requisite to attain anything positive. As per

this approach peace is not linked with anything, it has to be established first, unilaterally. Once peace is established

opportunities will present themselves, which when availed will lead to all positive ends.

Secular Peace First Paradigm1

Religious Peace First Paradigm2


IV. PEACE-FIRST PARADIGM



The final approach to peacemaking is the transformation paradigm, which focuses on the centrality of education, cultural change, and spirituality to make peace a reality. In this approach the focus is on the transformation of the individual to the culture of peace who becomes the instrument of broader changes.

•Meditative Paradigm1

•Buddhist Approach to Peace2

•World Peace Though Inner Means (Hindu Concept)3

•Transformation of the Mind Paradigm4


V. TRANSFORMATION PARADIGM TO PEACE



All approaches agree that in order to achieve peace

individuals must first learn to become peaceful or transform

themselves toward peace. We will analyze this approach in

the light of the secular and religious sources to see how this

can help in achieving peace in the contemporary world.

“Peaceful behaviour is learned behaviour, and each

individual is a potential and needed contributor to a

culture of peace”


TRANSFORMATION TO THE CULTURE OF PEACE



“Change begins with individuals who work to make their

dreams come true. We begin by believing that a culture

of violence can change to a culture of peace.” – UNESCO

Manifesto 2000 for Culture of Peace and Non-Violence

“The Culture of Peace is a set of values, attitudes,

modes of behaviour and ways of life…” – UNESCO

Manifesto 2000 for Culture of Peace and Non-Violence


UNESCO’S CULTURE FOR PEACE



Individuals are the foundation of society; it is only by

changing the individuals that society will change

towards the culture of peace.

– Institute of Individual and World Peace




INDIVIDUAL: TARGET OF THE TRANSFORMATION

"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of

men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” –

UNESCOs Preamble

“As regards the reformation of human beings, there is only

one really important thing and that is, the reformation of the

heart. Change people’s hearts (or minds) and their whole life

will be changed.” – Sahih Al-Bukhari, No: 50


THE MIND: THE TARGET OF CHANGE



The aim of the transformation is man’s positive spiritual

development and the turning of each individual into a

responsible peaceful citizen of society.

“Positive thinking at an individual level is called

spirituality; when this positive thinking reaches a

collective level in society, it results in what is known as

peace.”


POSITIVE, SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION



“Peace is the best option.” – Quran 4:128

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. (Matthew 5: 9)

"Hatred is never appeased by hatred; Hatred is only appeased by Love (or, non-enmity). -- Pali Dhammapada, Verse 423

Let there be Peace on Earth,…

May the Vedas spread peace everywhere,…

And may that peace come to us and remain with us forever. – Yajur Veda


RELIGIONS OFFER GUIDELINES FOR PEACE



Religions provides man with a set of comprehensive guiding principles to transform oneself positively on spiritual lines.

‘A believer is one who likes for others what he likes for himself.’ – Sahih Al-Bukhari, No:13

Do unto others as you would have them do to you’ - Luke 6:31


COMPREHENSIVE PRINCIPLE FOR TRANSFORMATION



Another law of nature is that non-violence is result-oriented, while violence is destruction-oriented. A violent reaction may satisfy one’s emotions, but it cannot be good for constructive goals. Such goals require sustainable effort, which is possible

only through non-violent methods.

“If we want to reap the harvest of dialogical coexistence in the future, we will have to sow seeds of non-violence.” – M K Gandhi

“God grants to non-violence what he does not grant to violence.” – Sahih Muslim, No: 4697


NON-VIOLENCE



The transformation paradigm to peace postulates unilateral terms, not bilateral, saying that positivity has to be maintained

unilaterally even in the face of negativity from others.

“Repel evil with good. And you will find that one who was your enemy will become your dearest friend.” - Quran 23:96

"Love your enemies." - Matthew 5: 44

"One's mind finds no peace; neither enjoys pleasure or delight, nor goes to sleep, nor feels secure while the dart of hatred is stuck in the heart" - Santideva, Bodhicaryavatara, Chapter, 6: verse 2


UNILATERAL TRANSFORMATION



Patience is another pre-requisite to transforming oneself

towards peace as negative reaction on the part of the

individual is the greatest factor responsible for disrupting

peace in daily life.

The patient man is the helper of God. (61:14)

Surely the patient will be paid their wages in full without measure. Al-Quran, 39:10


SABR OR PATIENCE



Forgiveness is important in the transformation process as without forgiving one continues to ponder over the negative actions of others. It is only when we are able to forgive others that we are able to go beyond the issue.

“One who does not forgive the faults of others will not have His sins be forgiven by God.” – Al-Adabul-Mufrad, No: 137 “...Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37


FORGIVENESS



In Islamic terms such a transformation is referred to as tazkia-e-nafs or purification of the self in the Quran. It is given as one

of the four responsibilities for which Almighty God sent him. (2:129)

Islam not only gives tazkia as a method of transformation but gives al-jannah as the positive motivation to individuals to

purify themselves, as mentioned in the Quran:

“Gardens of eternity, through which rivers flow - that is the recompense for those who purify themselves.” (20:76)


TAZKIA-E-NAFS AND TRANSFORMATION



According to Islam for individuals who have been able to transform their personalities on positive lines, based on the

universal principles mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah, God has prepared the eternal positive, peaceful world of paradise. It is for such peaceful souls that our most compassionate Lord

will say:

‘O soul at peace, return to your Lord, well-pleased and well-pleasing. Join My servants. Enter My Paradise.’ (89: 27-29)


AN-NAFSUN-MUTMAINNA



The Transformation Paradigm to peacemaking can be used as an effective tool in making individuals transform themselves from the culture of violence to the culture of peace:

•Using guidelines and motivation given in Islamic, other religious and secular sources.

•By educating individuals giving the formula, “If you want peace change yourself towards the culture of peace.”

For this a sample survey is planned as a part/extension of the research to test the effectiveness of the conclusions.


WORKING TOWARDS TRANSFORMATION



عليكم السالم




I invite all to work towards the culture of peace.

research title: the role of islam in establishing peace in the contemporary world tranformation...

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