Introduction:
“Intolerance of groups is often, strangely enough, exhibited more strongly against small differences than against fundamental ones.” Freud
As I think the war on terror has 2 faces, each face of them wasn't interested to hear the other one and understand it. This faces are: Muslims who decided to attack USA, and USA previous president who considered Islam is the real dangerous he must face. Both of them didn't try to understand the other one or even hear to him. It was the just the beginning, and this type of war doesn't come to the end easily like wars between countries and nations, it's more widely because religion and believes are there, many nations then were involved. This was strategic mistake of this war.
The first thing that would come up to anyone’s mind when you mention war is death, horror, destruction, pain and suffering. War is something that no one in his or her right mind would wish to happen. Those who go to war must face the possibility of death or mutilation and even those who don’t fight face the loss of their loved ones. So then why is it that to this day humanity has to resolve to armed violence in order to solve disputes? What could the reasons for war be? “The causes of war are as various as the causes of disputes between married couples” but the main causes for war seem to be such things as social nature, nationalism, imperialism, militarism and of course, lets not forget human nature.
Before this new type of war, human history wasn't in peace at all, it's full of wars everywhere, any time, So thinking about peace will not comes true if we talked only about the modern types of wars, we must consider also the other types of war since the beginning of history up to date, It's necessary to consider and understand the cases and real reasons of these types of wars which happened before.
Cases of wars from history([1]):
If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day. ALEX NOBEL
Trojan War c. 1200 BC lasted for approx. 9 years Greeks vs. people of Troy Trojan prince Paris abducted Helen, wife of Menelaus of Sparta. The Spartans refused to return Helen to Sparta so Menelaus persuaded his brother Agamemnon to lead an army against Troy. They fought for nine years but never were able to defeat he main city. The Greeks then built a large wooden horse in which warriors were hidden inside. The Greeks appeared to leave and the horse was left at the front gates of the city. The Trojans brought the horse inside the gates and the other Greeks returned at night. The people hidden inside the horse opened the gates for these Greeks and they destroyed Troy. This war could also have another motive as to who controlled trade through the Dardanelles.
Punic Wars 264-146 BC Carthaginians vs. Romans
The Carthaginians and Romans fought in three different wars over the course of 118 years. Romans fought the Carthaginians to ruin their hold on a chain of islands that would let them control the Western Mediterranean. The Romans wanted to have control. They then fought over land in Italy, particularly Sicily. In the third conflict, Carthaginians tried to save their city and land from being taken over completely by Romans. In these wars, they mainly fought over trade routes in the Mediterranean. Each wanted power and more territorial possession. Crusades (11th Century-13th Century) in the Holy Land
The emperor of the Byzantine Emperor was upset with Turks encroaching on his empire. He went to the Pope Urban II and complained. He made up atrocities about the Turks. In 1096, The Pope Urban II promoted the Crusade to reclaim the Holy Land from the barbaric Turks. These crusades lasted till the 13th century. In the process, Jews were persecuted and lots of looting took place. Many countries took interest in the Crusades because they were ready for travel and adventure. They wanted to expand trade with the Middle and Far East and so the Crusades gave them a chance to open up trade routes with those countries. They used Christianity to justify the Crusades. In reality, they wanted to expand trade and gain more territorial land.
Chinese History
Often countries or leaders try to put too many restrictions on their subjects or territories and then the people rebel. A perfect example of this is in Chinese history. The Chinese never learned from one dynasty to the next. A person or group would gain power and gain the trust of the people and then start to impose too many restrictions onto the people. The people start to resent the new leadership because of the restrictions and the way they run the government. The people rebel and overthrow the leadership where a new person or group emerges with control of the country/land. That new leader or group will then have the trust of the people but will end up committing the same mistakes as the previous ruler or ruling group. Thirty Year’s War 1618-1648 in Germany
The Thirty Years War was mainly over territorial, dynastic and religious issues. France, Sweden, Denmark, England, and the United Provinces were all against the unity and power of the Holy Roman Empire. The war started with the resistance and revolt of protestant nobles in Bohemia against the Catholic king Ferdinand. The war spread throughout Europe because the German states weren’t united, the Holy Roman Empire was frail, and countries wanted power. People also feared the rise of the Hapsburg dynasty. By the end of the Thirty Years’ War, German states ended up in ruins. The Holy Roman Empire was broken up, and the Hapsburg greatness had declined. This war involved religious conflicts between Catholics, Protestants, and Calvinists. Countries used religion as a justification for war when in reality they just wanted to gain territory.
Seven Years War in 1756-1763 between France, Austria, Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and Spain on one side and Prussia, Great Britain, and Hanover on the other.
In this war, there were two main conflicts: colonial rivalry between France and England and a struggle for supremacy in Germany between Austria and Prussia. Before this war, the last of the French and Indian Wars in America and fighting in India between the French and British were going on. In North America, hostilities broke out which led to a treaty between Hanover and Prussia which guaranteed the neutrality of Hanover. In 1756, France and Austria became Allies. Frederick II of Prussia soon invaded Saxony, and in January 1757 was declared in the name of the Holy Roman Empire. Sweden, Austria, France, and Russia were allies. By the end of the war, Russia and Sweden made peace and Austria and French suffered defeats. France lost most of its overseas possessions. Great Britain ended up as the world’s chief colonial empire, their primary goal in the war. This was also the first venture of Russia into European affairs. This war was another example of countries wanting power over other countries and wanting to gain more territory.
War of 1812 conflict between US and Great Britain 1812-1815
Before the War of 812, there was hostilities between the US and Great Britain concerning blockades and trading routes. Around 1756, Great Britain started to seize US boats. They instituted a partial blockade of the European coast the following year. In 1807, the US supported a total embargo on trade to hopefully force the British to negotiate with them. However, it ended up ineffective. Neutral rights were infringed upon which lead to outbreak of hostilities. Also, Britain was suspected of attempting to prevent American expansion and of working with the Native Americans. Another reason was that frontiersmen wanted free land. War was declared on June 18, 1812. Besides wanting to expel Britain from Canada, the US also wanted to get West Florida from the Spanish. A treaty was signed two years later in 1814. The treaty, however, failed to deal with matters of neutral rights and impressments of Britain which were the “ostensible” cause of the conflict. The war did quicken American nationalism growth, though. The defeats suffered by Native Americans forced them to open their lands for American expansion and sign treaties with the US government. This war is another example of territorial expansion and countries controlling other countries. It showed that while countries may try to have control over other countries, they eventually become oppressive and the suppressed countries revolted
World War I
World War I also dominated the 20th century world. It occurred from 1914-1918. Communism, World War II, and Cold War origins can be traced back to WWI. This war marked the end of absolutist monarchy in Europe, and was a catalyst for Russian Revolution, which inspired revolutions in other countries. The defeat of Germany and issues not solved that had caused WWI in the first place, led to Nazism and WWII. This war also gave way for more modern form of warfare based heavily on technology. It was the war to end all wars which, of course, didn’t happen. People suffered from food shortage, starvation, genocide. This war was to help people in many ways and supposed to be the last “war.” However, this never happened. Some people did benefit from the war. Other countries and people didn’t benefit which led to resentment and reasons for World War II.
World War II 1939-1945 British Commonwealth, France, US, Soviet Union and China vs. Germany, Italy, and Japan
This war was the most costly armed conflict in the history of the world. Approximately 55.5 million lives were lost. The first and only use of the atomic bomb occurred. This war led to the finding of United Nations to prevent another world war yet wars still going on. More civilian causalities came from this war than any other war in history. Because of industrial age technology, mass killing was enabled. One main cause of the war was because of the war reparations demanded of Germany after World War I. Hitler had complete control in Germany. His ways helped to start World War II. During his reign, he tried to exterminate all Jews in Germany. He Hitler was a main reason for Germany’s downfall in World War II. Many of the conflicts not resolved from World War I or came about because of World War I led to World War II. Results of this war led to the Cold War. World War II is just one example of how issues at the end of one war can lead to another war. No war will ever be the last because someone always has a problem or issue that will lead to another war. Korean War 1950-1953 communist North Korea vs. anti-communist South Korea and proxy war between US and Soviet Union
In this conflict, South Korea had allies of US, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and allies of North Korea included the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union. Before the end of WWII, Korea was a Japanese colony. After the war, there was an agreement that Japanese forces north of 38th parallel would surrender to the Soviet Union and south of 38th parallel surrender to the US. It was to be a unified, independent country under an elected government. However, when elections were held in 1948, the Soviet Union refused to allow participation in their occupied zone. They gave power to the communist party under Kim II-Sung. The South elected nationalist exile Syngman Rhee. War is most often blamed on Kim II-Sung who convinced Joseph Stalin into supporting it. Also there is belief in western and South Korean provocation for the war as well. Both the South and North Korean leaders wanted to unite Korea under their own system. In 1950, North Korean forces started to attack the South taking them by surprise. During this conflict, many countries got themselves involved. This was the first armed confrontation of the Cold War. This is an example of one country wanting to gain power over another country.
Iraq Invasion March 2003-present
Supposedly the purpose of this invasion was to depose of the Ba’ath Party regime government and to rid the country of weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein has been captured and the Ba’ath government “destroyed.” However, no weapons of mass destruction have been found and there’s still trouble going on in Iraq. Lots of looting has taken place during this invasion. The US also used this invasion to “secure Iraq’s oil fields and resources.” It was also a chance to eliminate terrorism. The information that George W. Bush used to justify his attack, however, has since been discredited. At first, the US government had information about an alliance between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda, which was not true. They had believed Iraq posed a threat. This invasion was also a chance to end human rights abuses supposedly. Today, there’s controversy over whether the US broke international law or not. Controversy over whether U.S. broke international law. This is an example of the government using one reason for war to gain advantages for its own country. US used its said reason for war to really get rid of Saddam Hussein and have more access to oil fields and resources. Reasons of wars:
One is left with the horrible feeling now that war settles nothing; that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one. Agatha Cristie
As history shows, people use many justifications for war. They have the outer/spoken reasons for the war but also hidden agendas or reasons for each war. Most wars are actually conducted to gain territory, gain power, gain advantage over other countries. They often use religion to justify war, which is just a cover up for the real reasons for war. People are doomed to repeat history, which is evident in the numerous wars that have occurred in the world. Results of one war tend to lead to the occurrence of another war.
In The Wasteland, T.S. Eliot discussed wars and history. He used the poem to analyze history and to break the historical cycle that is going on. He mentions Punic wars in his play. With this war he showed that we don’t learn from our mistakes. He says that science and technology make wars worse, which is true. The timeline above shows that science and technology has made wars more destructive. Eliot believed that another world war is coming. We should take heed to his belief as history shows that we should expect another world war. To break this cycle, we should return to nature and love.
We can consider also opinions of people from different places and cultures, from this web site we read some of discussions about the real reason of the war([2]):
'The true reason is MONEY the rest (religions, moral, politics) are just pretext.'I could not disagree with you more, I believe this claim to be ridiculous in the light of most of the wars that have occured all around the world.
Religion is the key, it is the main reason we go to war. The crusades, wars between neighboring countries (Israel and Pakistan in particular, religion is a massive factor), the Thirty Years War, the wars between Europe and England.
WWW 2 was to stop a tyrannical dictator, who has persecuted and destroyed millions of lives, so many that it is hard to comprehend.
If it was for money, why did Britain not give up? We could have sided with Germany as no one knew that America was going to join in. We didn't, we fought for our ideals.This is a preposterous argument. Yes, some wars are fought for money, but few compare to those fought for religion and territory. I find it terrible that you think so many soldiers in WWW2 died for the sake of 'bankers'. This is not true, they died for their country. Europe was in ruins after 1945- I don't see how the allies were fighting for money, not including the Americans anyway.
'Of course once they have created the conditions for genocides in Germany or in Cambodia they can came after to pretend to be the saviors of the world but the scheme is too easy.'You are deluded if you think people knew what Hitler would do. I cannot believe you are using WWW2 as an example
And this is another opinion: " Of course Religion is a KEY if it wasn't obvious on the light of APPEARANCE I wouldn't have posted what I have posted.
I'm not talking about the OBVIOUS PERCEIVED APPEARANCE I'm talking about the HIDDEN PROFOUND REALITY.
Now let's be practical, let's even suppose that Religion, Racism etc. are the real reason. I'm less interested by intellectual debate than by practical mean. Do you know that for these mads to succeed there is need of MUCH MUCH MONEY: I doubt you don't know. If there is no money that goes to Hitler and others they wouldn't be able to do war. And if you have read John Loftus's site you will learn for example who financed Germany even when officially they were enemies. You will learn that some industries in Germany which fabricate weapons for the Reich were not bombarded because there were an industrial alliance between the Reich and those who financed it."
And those who financed it are the same who today pretend to act for Peace and direct the biggest Affairs Bank in the World. They have the power to use an UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF CREDIT BACKED BY PEOPLE'S TAX FOR CREATING AND MAINTAINING WARS - at the expense of more useful investments. This power is normally UNCONSTITUTIONAL for normally only the CONGRESS in the Constitution of United States has that power. They have given that power to the Big private bankers and they use that Money for financing gigantic wars because gigantic wars mean gigantic and fast profit.
But this is another voice: You really are deluded. A gigantic financial war between Btritain and Germany? I think not. Religion and bravery are not faces for war, they are reasons.
I have already argued my point, I believe my earlier argument still proves a better point that both of yours. Sorry if this seems arrogant, but you seem to be a conspiracy theorist of some kind. You only have to look at WWW2 and the allies, forgetting the USA maybe, to disprove your theory.
The chief weapons inspector of the UN thought there were WMD's in Iraq- that was the main reason Britain went to war- I cannot see them making much money at the moment, with paying the army and policing Iraq.
The use of Hitler and WW2 in your argument is its main weakness. Hitler had complete control of Germany, your focus on money is ridiculous, yes some people profited, but everyone who fought in WWW2 lost, except the USA maybe"
The answer came: The US economy during and after military conflicts has increased by an average of 15-17%. It is war that drives the economy of the US, they did not go tho war for religiuos differences in Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, the Falkens, middle East(twice), or Afghanistan. They were all military actions instigated in order to protect the financial interest of the States and some of its allies. And there were several examples of industry in Germany having special protection from bombings, some of it was strategic, and some were strictly financial(think Fairbain here). American companies were still doing business with Nazi Germany throughout the whole war. They just hid it by using subsidiary companies. Religion is often what leaders will use as a justification for their money grabs but it is not the real reason, it will always be because the "enemy" just happens to have what is wanted or perceived to be needed. And yes you do have to spend money to go to war but it is these continues shows of strength that give power to the economy. People will only invest in companies they know "won't" get bombed back to the stone age, its financial security. I invest in some company in the states because I know that they can maintain their society, there won't be any hiccups like civil war or border clashes with surly neighbors. All wars do is re-instill consumer confidence in the products produced by the States. The knowledge that the country you invested in is not going to be knocked from the peak of the mountain anytime soon is an excellent hedge on your investments. Religion is a nice thing but it is also highly impractical to label it as a cause of war, you can't feed people religion, religion will not produce clothes or provide physical shelter for anyone. Its a mechanism that's all, with the ancillary benefit if population and unemployment control.
"History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling money and it's issuance". -- James Madison
"From now on, depressions will be scientifically created." -- Congressman Charles A.Lindbergh Sr. , 1913
"Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes it's laws" -- Mayer Amschel Bauer Rothschild
Why of course the people don't want war. Why should some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally the common people don't want war neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."
Hermann Goering
The reasons for war usually differ from those generally accepted by the public. It is known that some countries have a long tradition of neutrality, others of militarism and hostility. Militarism in the society, and the very existence of armed forces, in some way, seems to make it ok to use war as a means of solving conflicts. The conditions, which almost inevitably lead to war, are the existence of people who are in a higher power, to whom the possession of power and the rewards of a successful war are the great
Since the causes of war are always caused by humans and by mob mentality, it is in a way useless to hope that reasons for going to war, one day will be totally eliminated. Human species unfortunately is the root of all wars. Violence, greed, aggression and sin are always going to be part of us, to deny them would be the same as denying those very impulses that makes us human. Just like the song by Edwin Starr says “War ...What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.” war should be seen as good for nothing and should be avoided as much as possible.
In conclusion we can consider these reasons as real reasons from the point view of mine as the real reason of wars:
- Power
- Assets (As money, land, or others)
- Religion
- Different views
- Injustice (Unfair)
- offense and Misunderstanding
- Poverty and bad economic situation
- greediness
There are always hidden reasons for wars, Sometimes we know them and other cases keep hidden in the history.
Peace in Islam:
We shall find peace. We shall hear angels. We shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds, Anton Chekov:
It's an important as I think to write this papers to write about Peace in Islam, It's my culture, Muslims are involved in the currant wars, SO it's important to know what Islam say about war.
Karen Armstrong wrote([3]): The True, Peaceful Face Of Islam "The vast majority of Muslims, who are horrified by the atrocity of Sept. 11, must reclaim their faith from those who have so violently hijacked it.",
There are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world, and Islam is the world's fastest-growing religion. If the evil carnage we witnessed on Sept. 11 were typical of the faith, and Islam truly inspired and justified such violence, its growth and the increasing presence of Muslims in both Europe and the U.S. would be a terrifying prospect. Fortunately, this is not the case.
The very word Islam, which means "surrender," is related to the Arabic salam, or peace. When the Prophet Muhammad brought the inspired scripture known as the Koran to the Arabs in the early 7th century A.D., a major part of his mission was devoted precisely to bringing an end to the kind of mass slaughter we witnessed in New York City and Washington. Pre-Islamic Arabia was caught up in a vicious cycle of warfare, in which tribe fought tribe in a pattern of vendetta and countervendetta. Muhammad himself survived several assassination attempts, and the early Muslim community narrowly escaped extermination by the powerful city of Mecca. The Prophet had to fight a deadly war in order to survive, but as soon as he felt his people were probably safe, he devoted his attention to building up a peaceful coalition of tribes and achieved victory by an ingenious and inspiring campaign of nonviolence. When he died in 632, he had almost single-handedly brought peace to war-torn Arabia.
Because the Koran was revealed in the context of an all-out war, several passages deal with the conduct of armed struggle. Warfare was a desperate business on the Arabian Peninsula. A chieftain was not expected to spare survivors after a battle, and some of the Koranic injunctions seem to share this spirit. Muslims are ordered by God to "slay [enemies] wherever you find them!" (4: 89). Extremists such as Osama bin Laden like to quote such verses but do so selectively. They do not include the exhortations to peace, which in almost every case follow these more ferocious passages: "Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them" (4: 90).
In the Koran, therefore, the only permissible war is one of self-defense. Muslims may not begin hostilities (2: 190). Warfare is always evil, but sometimes you have to fight in order to avoid the kind of persecution that Mecca inflicted on the Muslims (2: 191; 2: 217) or to preserve decent values (4: 75; 22: 40). The Koran quotes the Torah, the Jewish scriptures, which permits people to retaliate eye for eye, tooth for tooth, but like the Gospels, the Koran suggests that it is meritorious to forgo revenge in a spirit of charity (5: 45). Hostilities must be brought to an end as quickly as possible and must cease the minute the enemy sues for peace (2: 192-3).
Islam is not addicted to war, and jihad is not one of its "pillars," or essential practices. The primary meaning of the word jihad is not "holy war" but "struggle." It refers to the difficult effort that is needed to put God's will into practice at every level--personal and social as well as political. A very important and much quoted tradition has Muhammad telling his companions as they go home after a battle, "We are returning from the lesser jihad [the battle] to the greater jihad," the far more urgent and momentous task of extirpating wrongdoing from one's own society and one's own heart.
Islam did not impose itself by the sword. In a statement in which the Arabic is extremely emphatic, the Koran insists, "There must be no coercion in matters of faith!" (2: 256). Constantly Muslims are enjoined to respect Jews and Christians, the "People of the Book," who worship the same God (29: 46). In words quoted by Muhammad in one of his last public sermons, God tells all human beings, "O people! We have formed you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another" (49: 13)--not to conquer, convert, subjugate, revile or slaughter but to reach out toward others with intelligence and understanding.
So why the suicide bombing, the hijacking and the massacre of innocent civilians? Far from being endorsed by the Koran, this killing violates some of its most sacred precepts. But during the 20th century, the militant form of piety often known as fundamentalism erupted in every major religion as a rebellion against modernity. Every fundamentalist movement I have studied in Judaism, Christianity and Islam is convinced that liberal, secular society is determined to wipe out religion. Fighting, as they imagine, a battle for survival, fundamentalists often feel justified in ignoring the more compassionate principles of their faith. But in amplifying the more aggressive passages that exist in all our scriptures, they distort the tradition.
It would be as grave a mistake to see Osama bin Laden as an authentic representative of Islam as to consider James Kopp, the alleged killer of an abortion provider in Buffalo, N.Y., a typical Christian or Baruch Goldstein, who shot 29 worshipers in the Hebron mosque in 1994 and died in the attack, a true martyr of Israel. The vast majority of Muslims, who are horrified by the atrocity of Sept. 11, must reclaim their faith from those who have so violently hijacked it.
There are many great reasons for war. There are many circumstances that lead to war. Take the WW I was triggered by an assignation of a prince by an unstable person. Gavrilo Princip a Yugoslav student killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 triggering the great war. The Archduke was a heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne and great offense was taken by Austria-Hungry and the war to end all wars started
Islam not just a religion, It's also complete system of life, it's part of wisdom to read about and know this system before to be involved in wars.
The "root" of the word "Islam" in Arabic is SALAMA which is the origin of the words Peace & / or Submission, a submission to God and peace to all humanity. It is, thus, no wonder why the salutation in Islam is: "Al-Salamu Alaikum or Peace on You."
In this regard, prophet Mohammad ordered his fellow Muslims to salute others Muslims or non-Muslims with peace when he said: "Peace Before Speech"
It is a Rule in Islam that during war time, an enemy warrior who pronounces the word peace is totally immune.
Unlike many other religions where people were offered either conversion and peace or death, Islam came with the just word of our creator. In Quran 2:256; God said "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error..." There are many other verses in the Quran that deals with the nature of spreading God's message. One of my favorites which I keep quoting is Verse 10:99 "If it had been thy Lord's Will, they would all have believed, all who are on earth! Wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!" These verses and many others show how much emphasis Islam places on the mind of people, Muslims or non-Muslims.
In This regard, Muslims are governed by the rules that the relationship with non-Muslims should be based on justice, mutual respect, cooperation, and communication. The Quran is very explicit about the justice part of the relationship when God stated in Verse 60:08 "Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just."
Another prominent example that I keep referring to concerning the just treatment of Islam to non-Muslims; is the fact that while a husband is allowed to ask his Muslim wife not to go to the Mosque; he has no right to ask his wife to go to Church or Synagogue if it happens that the wife is a Christian or a Jew.
Islam sees the central human task as being that of gaining the love of God and thus peace. Therefore, when we speak about peace, we come to the question of the development of man. The main obstacle standing in the way of peace today is the problem of the difference between the poor and the rich parts of the world, as far as opportunities of development are concerned. As is recognized almost unanimously today, the problem of peace involves the question of how we can ensure that as many people as possible in all parts of the world have the freedom and thus the chances of development that they need([4]).
Muslims make a contribution to the peace effort in trying to follow the teaching of Islam.
In fact, generally speaking, when we look more closely, the subject of peace, like that of life itself, is inexhaustible. It has something to do with both the unity and the variety of human existence. As an aim, peace unites man's deepest desires and highest strivings. However, with the help of God, it also reveals to each human being his own way to achieve it, which he then has to struggle for to follow through his own personal efforts, in accordance with his talents. The same applies, in a figurative sense, to the various religious, national and cultural communities, and in fact to every community. And today the emerging world community is striving for peace.
As far as the problem of the differences between human communities is concerned, Islam teaches that variety makes unity possible. For this is where man's task lies, which is why in the Qur'an it is written: "O mankind! We created your from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other". (49, 13).,
Above and beyond all differences, the human being who recognizes himself knows himself in other human beings. This enables him to engage in creative work with others, and to be genuinely tolerant and ready to try to understand others. The whole creation reveals itself to anyone who recognizes himself as one of its creatures. He or she sees the various paths followed by human communities as paths towards a goal which is basically the same. The whole of creation points towards this path. It is a straight path, and yet it is manifold. For it is always being walked on anew. Every generation has to find its own new solutions to the problem of peace. Hope lies in the regeneration of the world, which thus becomes which is why the new moon, as a symbol of the new beginning, has become the symbol of Islam. As such, considered as a goal, peace has a clearly delineated outline. Yet when we speak of the way towards it, it often becomes hidden and all too often unrecognisable.
It is due to this fact that people make statements such as the unattainable dream of and desire for peace is as old as mankind itself. It can only be striven for in an experimental manner, with varying degrees of success. It cannot be aimed at directly. Yet that applies to all ideals. This does not make them less worth while. For where would we be without them? Or perhaps we should ask more concretely: 'Where are we without them?' All those who place peace beyond our reach as something unattainable for man have not understood the real nature of peace. For, in reality, it is something which is as necessary for life as the air we need in order to breath. Without peace, life ceases. This, at any rate, is the situation from the Islamic point of view
How to make peace:
After I addressed this section I felt it's truly difficult to find a real solution for the previous mentioned reasons of wars, The ideas for solution are available, but how to implement those ideas world wide, this is the big question!, It need hard working with special philosophy for long term, this philosophy must be supported by the most powerful countries with fair principles to all people.
Forgiveness is the most and first important principle must be implemented through education world wide, where Making Peace is the closure part of forgiveness. It is the part that makes an affirmative decision to go forward on a path of light, goodness and healing. Making Peace is about compassion, and positive perseverance; it is focussing on the fulfilment of your desires, rather than being tied down by the fears of past inadequacies.
Making Peace is a way of life. It is a new way of being with yourself and with others. It is about healing power being present in every moment of interaction with anyone or anything. When we Make Peace, our entire world opens up in a new direction, one that is Sacred and Holy. In Peace, all is well. All-ways.
Forgiveness is a true and real principle for the real religions like Christianity, Jewish, Islam.. Etc.., so, even the real core of these religions needed to be well educated world wide so their followers can deal with others from the view of brotherhood where we are one human creature live on one earth using the same sources.
We need to make peace with ourselves, with others, with things around us, with nature, with technology, with society, with Allah (God), We need to be educated and learned how to get peace from deep inside ourselves.
This type of peace never comes without fair, without injustice, without real feeling of getting our human rights, when we feel that we really getting our rights, as human then this type of peace education would become effective.
Geov Parrish said: 10 Things You Can Do to Prevent War
1. Educate yourself on the issues.
2. Develop a closer, more respectful relationship to Muslims and the Islamic world.
3. Communicate!
4. Take your case to the community.
5. Raise money for the Third World.
6. Publicize and oppose racial profiling, the curbing of civil liberties and the backlash against immigrants
7. HOPE FOR PEACE BECAUSE WAR NOT INEVITABLE8. CELEBRATE THE ONENESS OF ALL CREATION9. ELIMINATE POVERTY AND OTHER ECONOMIC ORIGINS OF WARS
10. STOP KILLING
There are many other suggestions also to spread the culture of non-violence, I think Kant one of the greatest philosophers who talked well about how to make peace where he wrote Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch, and his main rules were:
1. "No Treaty of Peace Shall Be Held Valid in Which There Is Tacitly Reserved Matter for a Future War"
2. "No Independent States, Large or Small, Shall Come under the Dominion of Another State by Inheritance, Exchange, Purchase, or Donation"
3. "Standing Armies (miles perpetuus) Shall in Time Be Totally Abolished"
4. "National Debts Shall Not Be Contracted with a View to the External Friction of States"
5. "No State Shall by Force Interfere with the Constitution or Government of Another State"
6. "No State Shall, during War, Permit Such Acts of Hostility Which Would Make Mutual Confidence in the Subsequent Peace Impossible: Such Are the Employment of Assassins (percussores), Poisoners (venefici), Breach of Capitulation, and Incitement to Treason (perduellio) in the Opposing State"
His essay, written in 1795, puts forth a plan for a lasting peace between nations and peoples. Kant puts forth necessary means to any peace, and argues that nations can be brought into federation with one another without loss of sovereignty. In one translation, telling of the historical impact of this essay, this federation is called a “league of nations.” The supplements and appendices are of considerable interest on their own. The supplements contain an argument regarding the use which nature makes of war, and the way in which nature, in the end, impels us towards peace. The appendices return to the question of whether his theory is mere theory, or whether it bears translation into practice. In this, he distinguishes between the moral politician and the political moralist, pointing out ways in which practical considerations conceal and excuse behavior that leads us towards discord and war. This essay continues to be relevant, and of great importance today, much to our shame. We hope still to find the perpetual peace which Kant argued as a obligatory goal, and we still have need of fear that we will, as Kant warned, “find Perpetual Peace only in the wide grave which is to cover all the abomination of the deeds of violence and their authors.”
He stated "The Law of Nations Shall be Founded on a Federation of Free States". "The Law of World Citizenship Shall Be Limited to Conditions of Universal Hospitality"
Kant theory talking around these ideas were, Guarantee for Perpetual Peace, Secret Article for Perpetual Peace, On the Opposition Between Morality and Politics With Respect to Perpetual Peace, Of the Harmony Which the Transcendental Concept of Public Right Established Between Morality and Politics
I hope the culture of fair, human rights, justice, and peace be implemented and educated world wide o avoid next periods wars which would be worst ever with the advanced technology of mass destructive weapons.
[1] Source: www.worldhistory.com
[2] http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t41701-0.html
[3] Karen Armstrong, Time Magazine, October 1, 2001
[4] On Philosophy Culture and Peace in Islam, Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Zakzouk, Cairo, p 98
“Intolerance of groups is often, strangely enough, exhibited more strongly against small differences than against fundamental ones.” Freud
As I think the war on terror has 2 faces, each face of them wasn't interested to hear the other one and understand it. This faces are: Muslims who decided to attack USA, and USA previous president who considered Islam is the real dangerous he must face. Both of them didn't try to understand the other one or even hear to him. It was the just the beginning, and this type of war doesn't come to the end easily like wars between countries and nations, it's more widely because religion and believes are there, many nations then were involved. This was strategic mistake of this war.
The first thing that would come up to anyone’s mind when you mention war is death, horror, destruction, pain and suffering. War is something that no one in his or her right mind would wish to happen. Those who go to war must face the possibility of death or mutilation and even those who don’t fight face the loss of their loved ones. So then why is it that to this day humanity has to resolve to armed violence in order to solve disputes? What could the reasons for war be? “The causes of war are as various as the causes of disputes between married couples” but the main causes for war seem to be such things as social nature, nationalism, imperialism, militarism and of course, lets not forget human nature.
Before this new type of war, human history wasn't in peace at all, it's full of wars everywhere, any time, So thinking about peace will not comes true if we talked only about the modern types of wars, we must consider also the other types of war since the beginning of history up to date, It's necessary to consider and understand the cases and real reasons of these types of wars which happened before.
Cases of wars from history([1]):
If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day. ALEX NOBEL
Trojan War c. 1200 BC lasted for approx. 9 years Greeks vs. people of Troy Trojan prince Paris abducted Helen, wife of Menelaus of Sparta. The Spartans refused to return Helen to Sparta so Menelaus persuaded his brother Agamemnon to lead an army against Troy. They fought for nine years but never were able to defeat he main city. The Greeks then built a large wooden horse in which warriors were hidden inside. The Greeks appeared to leave and the horse was left at the front gates of the city. The Trojans brought the horse inside the gates and the other Greeks returned at night. The people hidden inside the horse opened the gates for these Greeks and they destroyed Troy. This war could also have another motive as to who controlled trade through the Dardanelles.
Punic Wars 264-146 BC Carthaginians vs. Romans
The Carthaginians and Romans fought in three different wars over the course of 118 years. Romans fought the Carthaginians to ruin their hold on a chain of islands that would let them control the Western Mediterranean. The Romans wanted to have control. They then fought over land in Italy, particularly Sicily. In the third conflict, Carthaginians tried to save their city and land from being taken over completely by Romans. In these wars, they mainly fought over trade routes in the Mediterranean. Each wanted power and more territorial possession. Crusades (11th Century-13th Century) in the Holy Land
The emperor of the Byzantine Emperor was upset with Turks encroaching on his empire. He went to the Pope Urban II and complained. He made up atrocities about the Turks. In 1096, The Pope Urban II promoted the Crusade to reclaim the Holy Land from the barbaric Turks. These crusades lasted till the 13th century. In the process, Jews were persecuted and lots of looting took place. Many countries took interest in the Crusades because they were ready for travel and adventure. They wanted to expand trade with the Middle and Far East and so the Crusades gave them a chance to open up trade routes with those countries. They used Christianity to justify the Crusades. In reality, they wanted to expand trade and gain more territorial land.
Chinese History
Often countries or leaders try to put too many restrictions on their subjects or territories and then the people rebel. A perfect example of this is in Chinese history. The Chinese never learned from one dynasty to the next. A person or group would gain power and gain the trust of the people and then start to impose too many restrictions onto the people. The people start to resent the new leadership because of the restrictions and the way they run the government. The people rebel and overthrow the leadership where a new person or group emerges with control of the country/land. That new leader or group will then have the trust of the people but will end up committing the same mistakes as the previous ruler or ruling group. Thirty Year’s War 1618-1648 in Germany
The Thirty Years War was mainly over territorial, dynastic and religious issues. France, Sweden, Denmark, England, and the United Provinces were all against the unity and power of the Holy Roman Empire. The war started with the resistance and revolt of protestant nobles in Bohemia against the Catholic king Ferdinand. The war spread throughout Europe because the German states weren’t united, the Holy Roman Empire was frail, and countries wanted power. People also feared the rise of the Hapsburg dynasty. By the end of the Thirty Years’ War, German states ended up in ruins. The Holy Roman Empire was broken up, and the Hapsburg greatness had declined. This war involved religious conflicts between Catholics, Protestants, and Calvinists. Countries used religion as a justification for war when in reality they just wanted to gain territory.
Seven Years War in 1756-1763 between France, Austria, Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and Spain on one side and Prussia, Great Britain, and Hanover on the other.
In this war, there were two main conflicts: colonial rivalry between France and England and a struggle for supremacy in Germany between Austria and Prussia. Before this war, the last of the French and Indian Wars in America and fighting in India between the French and British were going on. In North America, hostilities broke out which led to a treaty between Hanover and Prussia which guaranteed the neutrality of Hanover. In 1756, France and Austria became Allies. Frederick II of Prussia soon invaded Saxony, and in January 1757 was declared in the name of the Holy Roman Empire. Sweden, Austria, France, and Russia were allies. By the end of the war, Russia and Sweden made peace and Austria and French suffered defeats. France lost most of its overseas possessions. Great Britain ended up as the world’s chief colonial empire, their primary goal in the war. This was also the first venture of Russia into European affairs. This war was another example of countries wanting power over other countries and wanting to gain more territory.
War of 1812 conflict between US and Great Britain 1812-1815
Before the War of 812, there was hostilities between the US and Great Britain concerning blockades and trading routes. Around 1756, Great Britain started to seize US boats. They instituted a partial blockade of the European coast the following year. In 1807, the US supported a total embargo on trade to hopefully force the British to negotiate with them. However, it ended up ineffective. Neutral rights were infringed upon which lead to outbreak of hostilities. Also, Britain was suspected of attempting to prevent American expansion and of working with the Native Americans. Another reason was that frontiersmen wanted free land. War was declared on June 18, 1812. Besides wanting to expel Britain from Canada, the US also wanted to get West Florida from the Spanish. A treaty was signed two years later in 1814. The treaty, however, failed to deal with matters of neutral rights and impressments of Britain which were the “ostensible” cause of the conflict. The war did quicken American nationalism growth, though. The defeats suffered by Native Americans forced them to open their lands for American expansion and sign treaties with the US government. This war is another example of territorial expansion and countries controlling other countries. It showed that while countries may try to have control over other countries, they eventually become oppressive and the suppressed countries revolted
World War I
World War I also dominated the 20th century world. It occurred from 1914-1918. Communism, World War II, and Cold War origins can be traced back to WWI. This war marked the end of absolutist monarchy in Europe, and was a catalyst for Russian Revolution, which inspired revolutions in other countries. The defeat of Germany and issues not solved that had caused WWI in the first place, led to Nazism and WWII. This war also gave way for more modern form of warfare based heavily on technology. It was the war to end all wars which, of course, didn’t happen. People suffered from food shortage, starvation, genocide. This war was to help people in many ways and supposed to be the last “war.” However, this never happened. Some people did benefit from the war. Other countries and people didn’t benefit which led to resentment and reasons for World War II.
World War II 1939-1945 British Commonwealth, France, US, Soviet Union and China vs. Germany, Italy, and Japan
This war was the most costly armed conflict in the history of the world. Approximately 55.5 million lives were lost. The first and only use of the atomic bomb occurred. This war led to the finding of United Nations to prevent another world war yet wars still going on. More civilian causalities came from this war than any other war in history. Because of industrial age technology, mass killing was enabled. One main cause of the war was because of the war reparations demanded of Germany after World War I. Hitler had complete control in Germany. His ways helped to start World War II. During his reign, he tried to exterminate all Jews in Germany. He Hitler was a main reason for Germany’s downfall in World War II. Many of the conflicts not resolved from World War I or came about because of World War I led to World War II. Results of this war led to the Cold War. World War II is just one example of how issues at the end of one war can lead to another war. No war will ever be the last because someone always has a problem or issue that will lead to another war. Korean War 1950-1953 communist North Korea vs. anti-communist South Korea and proxy war between US and Soviet Union
In this conflict, South Korea had allies of US, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and allies of North Korea included the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union. Before the end of WWII, Korea was a Japanese colony. After the war, there was an agreement that Japanese forces north of 38th parallel would surrender to the Soviet Union and south of 38th parallel surrender to the US. It was to be a unified, independent country under an elected government. However, when elections were held in 1948, the Soviet Union refused to allow participation in their occupied zone. They gave power to the communist party under Kim II-Sung. The South elected nationalist exile Syngman Rhee. War is most often blamed on Kim II-Sung who convinced Joseph Stalin into supporting it. Also there is belief in western and South Korean provocation for the war as well. Both the South and North Korean leaders wanted to unite Korea under their own system. In 1950, North Korean forces started to attack the South taking them by surprise. During this conflict, many countries got themselves involved. This was the first armed confrontation of the Cold War. This is an example of one country wanting to gain power over another country.
Iraq Invasion March 2003-present
Supposedly the purpose of this invasion was to depose of the Ba’ath Party regime government and to rid the country of weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein has been captured and the Ba’ath government “destroyed.” However, no weapons of mass destruction have been found and there’s still trouble going on in Iraq. Lots of looting has taken place during this invasion. The US also used this invasion to “secure Iraq’s oil fields and resources.” It was also a chance to eliminate terrorism. The information that George W. Bush used to justify his attack, however, has since been discredited. At first, the US government had information about an alliance between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda, which was not true. They had believed Iraq posed a threat. This invasion was also a chance to end human rights abuses supposedly. Today, there’s controversy over whether the US broke international law or not. Controversy over whether U.S. broke international law. This is an example of the government using one reason for war to gain advantages for its own country. US used its said reason for war to really get rid of Saddam Hussein and have more access to oil fields and resources. Reasons of wars:
One is left with the horrible feeling now that war settles nothing; that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one. Agatha Cristie
As history shows, people use many justifications for war. They have the outer/spoken reasons for the war but also hidden agendas or reasons for each war. Most wars are actually conducted to gain territory, gain power, gain advantage over other countries. They often use religion to justify war, which is just a cover up for the real reasons for war. People are doomed to repeat history, which is evident in the numerous wars that have occurred in the world. Results of one war tend to lead to the occurrence of another war.
In The Wasteland, T.S. Eliot discussed wars and history. He used the poem to analyze history and to break the historical cycle that is going on. He mentions Punic wars in his play. With this war he showed that we don’t learn from our mistakes. He says that science and technology make wars worse, which is true. The timeline above shows that science and technology has made wars more destructive. Eliot believed that another world war is coming. We should take heed to his belief as history shows that we should expect another world war. To break this cycle, we should return to nature and love.
We can consider also opinions of people from different places and cultures, from this web site we read some of discussions about the real reason of the war([2]):
'The true reason is MONEY the rest (religions, moral, politics) are just pretext.'I could not disagree with you more, I believe this claim to be ridiculous in the light of most of the wars that have occured all around the world.
Religion is the key, it is the main reason we go to war. The crusades, wars between neighboring countries (Israel and Pakistan in particular, religion is a massive factor), the Thirty Years War, the wars between Europe and England.
WWW 2 was to stop a tyrannical dictator, who has persecuted and destroyed millions of lives, so many that it is hard to comprehend.
If it was for money, why did Britain not give up? We could have sided with Germany as no one knew that America was going to join in. We didn't, we fought for our ideals.This is a preposterous argument. Yes, some wars are fought for money, but few compare to those fought for religion and territory. I find it terrible that you think so many soldiers in WWW2 died for the sake of 'bankers'. This is not true, they died for their country. Europe was in ruins after 1945- I don't see how the allies were fighting for money, not including the Americans anyway.
'Of course once they have created the conditions for genocides in Germany or in Cambodia they can came after to pretend to be the saviors of the world but the scheme is too easy.'You are deluded if you think people knew what Hitler would do. I cannot believe you are using WWW2 as an example
And this is another opinion: " Of course Religion is a KEY if it wasn't obvious on the light of APPEARANCE I wouldn't have posted what I have posted.
I'm not talking about the OBVIOUS PERCEIVED APPEARANCE I'm talking about the HIDDEN PROFOUND REALITY.
Now let's be practical, let's even suppose that Religion, Racism etc. are the real reason. I'm less interested by intellectual debate than by practical mean. Do you know that for these mads to succeed there is need of MUCH MUCH MONEY: I doubt you don't know. If there is no money that goes to Hitler and others they wouldn't be able to do war. And if you have read John Loftus's site you will learn for example who financed Germany even when officially they were enemies. You will learn that some industries in Germany which fabricate weapons for the Reich were not bombarded because there were an industrial alliance between the Reich and those who financed it."
And those who financed it are the same who today pretend to act for Peace and direct the biggest Affairs Bank in the World. They have the power to use an UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF CREDIT BACKED BY PEOPLE'S TAX FOR CREATING AND MAINTAINING WARS - at the expense of more useful investments. This power is normally UNCONSTITUTIONAL for normally only the CONGRESS in the Constitution of United States has that power. They have given that power to the Big private bankers and they use that Money for financing gigantic wars because gigantic wars mean gigantic and fast profit.
But this is another voice: You really are deluded. A gigantic financial war between Btritain and Germany? I think not. Religion and bravery are not faces for war, they are reasons.
I have already argued my point, I believe my earlier argument still proves a better point that both of yours. Sorry if this seems arrogant, but you seem to be a conspiracy theorist of some kind. You only have to look at WWW2 and the allies, forgetting the USA maybe, to disprove your theory.
The chief weapons inspector of the UN thought there were WMD's in Iraq- that was the main reason Britain went to war- I cannot see them making much money at the moment, with paying the army and policing Iraq.
The use of Hitler and WW2 in your argument is its main weakness. Hitler had complete control of Germany, your focus on money is ridiculous, yes some people profited, but everyone who fought in WWW2 lost, except the USA maybe"
The answer came: The US economy during and after military conflicts has increased by an average of 15-17%. It is war that drives the economy of the US, they did not go tho war for religiuos differences in Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, the Falkens, middle East(twice), or Afghanistan. They were all military actions instigated in order to protect the financial interest of the States and some of its allies. And there were several examples of industry in Germany having special protection from bombings, some of it was strategic, and some were strictly financial(think Fairbain here). American companies were still doing business with Nazi Germany throughout the whole war. They just hid it by using subsidiary companies. Religion is often what leaders will use as a justification for their money grabs but it is not the real reason, it will always be because the "enemy" just happens to have what is wanted or perceived to be needed. And yes you do have to spend money to go to war but it is these continues shows of strength that give power to the economy. People will only invest in companies they know "won't" get bombed back to the stone age, its financial security. I invest in some company in the states because I know that they can maintain their society, there won't be any hiccups like civil war or border clashes with surly neighbors. All wars do is re-instill consumer confidence in the products produced by the States. The knowledge that the country you invested in is not going to be knocked from the peak of the mountain anytime soon is an excellent hedge on your investments. Religion is a nice thing but it is also highly impractical to label it as a cause of war, you can't feed people religion, religion will not produce clothes or provide physical shelter for anyone. Its a mechanism that's all, with the ancillary benefit if population and unemployment control.
"History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling money and it's issuance". -- James Madison
"From now on, depressions will be scientifically created." -- Congressman Charles A.Lindbergh Sr. , 1913
"Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes it's laws" -- Mayer Amschel Bauer Rothschild
Why of course the people don't want war. Why should some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally the common people don't want war neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."
Hermann Goering
The reasons for war usually differ from those generally accepted by the public. It is known that some countries have a long tradition of neutrality, others of militarism and hostility. Militarism in the society, and the very existence of armed forces, in some way, seems to make it ok to use war as a means of solving conflicts. The conditions, which almost inevitably lead to war, are the existence of people who are in a higher power, to whom the possession of power and the rewards of a successful war are the great
Since the causes of war are always caused by humans and by mob mentality, it is in a way useless to hope that reasons for going to war, one day will be totally eliminated. Human species unfortunately is the root of all wars. Violence, greed, aggression and sin are always going to be part of us, to deny them would be the same as denying those very impulses that makes us human. Just like the song by Edwin Starr says “War ...What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.” war should be seen as good for nothing and should be avoided as much as possible.
In conclusion we can consider these reasons as real reasons from the point view of mine as the real reason of wars:
- Power
- Assets (As money, land, or others)
- Religion
- Different views
- Injustice (Unfair)
- offense and Misunderstanding
- Poverty and bad economic situation
- greediness
There are always hidden reasons for wars, Sometimes we know them and other cases keep hidden in the history.
Peace in Islam:
We shall find peace. We shall hear angels. We shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds, Anton Chekov:
It's an important as I think to write this papers to write about Peace in Islam, It's my culture, Muslims are involved in the currant wars, SO it's important to know what Islam say about war.
Karen Armstrong wrote([3]): The True, Peaceful Face Of Islam "The vast majority of Muslims, who are horrified by the atrocity of Sept. 11, must reclaim their faith from those who have so violently hijacked it.",
There are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world, and Islam is the world's fastest-growing religion. If the evil carnage we witnessed on Sept. 11 were typical of the faith, and Islam truly inspired and justified such violence, its growth and the increasing presence of Muslims in both Europe and the U.S. would be a terrifying prospect. Fortunately, this is not the case.
The very word Islam, which means "surrender," is related to the Arabic salam, or peace. When the Prophet Muhammad brought the inspired scripture known as the Koran to the Arabs in the early 7th century A.D., a major part of his mission was devoted precisely to bringing an end to the kind of mass slaughter we witnessed in New York City and Washington. Pre-Islamic Arabia was caught up in a vicious cycle of warfare, in which tribe fought tribe in a pattern of vendetta and countervendetta. Muhammad himself survived several assassination attempts, and the early Muslim community narrowly escaped extermination by the powerful city of Mecca. The Prophet had to fight a deadly war in order to survive, but as soon as he felt his people were probably safe, he devoted his attention to building up a peaceful coalition of tribes and achieved victory by an ingenious and inspiring campaign of nonviolence. When he died in 632, he had almost single-handedly brought peace to war-torn Arabia.
Because the Koran was revealed in the context of an all-out war, several passages deal with the conduct of armed struggle. Warfare was a desperate business on the Arabian Peninsula. A chieftain was not expected to spare survivors after a battle, and some of the Koranic injunctions seem to share this spirit. Muslims are ordered by God to "slay [enemies] wherever you find them!" (4: 89). Extremists such as Osama bin Laden like to quote such verses but do so selectively. They do not include the exhortations to peace, which in almost every case follow these more ferocious passages: "Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them" (4: 90).
In the Koran, therefore, the only permissible war is one of self-defense. Muslims may not begin hostilities (2: 190). Warfare is always evil, but sometimes you have to fight in order to avoid the kind of persecution that Mecca inflicted on the Muslims (2: 191; 2: 217) or to preserve decent values (4: 75; 22: 40). The Koran quotes the Torah, the Jewish scriptures, which permits people to retaliate eye for eye, tooth for tooth, but like the Gospels, the Koran suggests that it is meritorious to forgo revenge in a spirit of charity (5: 45). Hostilities must be brought to an end as quickly as possible and must cease the minute the enemy sues for peace (2: 192-3).
Islam is not addicted to war, and jihad is not one of its "pillars," or essential practices. The primary meaning of the word jihad is not "holy war" but "struggle." It refers to the difficult effort that is needed to put God's will into practice at every level--personal and social as well as political. A very important and much quoted tradition has Muhammad telling his companions as they go home after a battle, "We are returning from the lesser jihad [the battle] to the greater jihad," the far more urgent and momentous task of extirpating wrongdoing from one's own society and one's own heart.
Islam did not impose itself by the sword. In a statement in which the Arabic is extremely emphatic, the Koran insists, "There must be no coercion in matters of faith!" (2: 256). Constantly Muslims are enjoined to respect Jews and Christians, the "People of the Book," who worship the same God (29: 46). In words quoted by Muhammad in one of his last public sermons, God tells all human beings, "O people! We have formed you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another" (49: 13)--not to conquer, convert, subjugate, revile or slaughter but to reach out toward others with intelligence and understanding.
So why the suicide bombing, the hijacking and the massacre of innocent civilians? Far from being endorsed by the Koran, this killing violates some of its most sacred precepts. But during the 20th century, the militant form of piety often known as fundamentalism erupted in every major religion as a rebellion against modernity. Every fundamentalist movement I have studied in Judaism, Christianity and Islam is convinced that liberal, secular society is determined to wipe out religion. Fighting, as they imagine, a battle for survival, fundamentalists often feel justified in ignoring the more compassionate principles of their faith. But in amplifying the more aggressive passages that exist in all our scriptures, they distort the tradition.
It would be as grave a mistake to see Osama bin Laden as an authentic representative of Islam as to consider James Kopp, the alleged killer of an abortion provider in Buffalo, N.Y., a typical Christian or Baruch Goldstein, who shot 29 worshipers in the Hebron mosque in 1994 and died in the attack, a true martyr of Israel. The vast majority of Muslims, who are horrified by the atrocity of Sept. 11, must reclaim their faith from those who have so violently hijacked it.
There are many great reasons for war. There are many circumstances that lead to war. Take the WW I was triggered by an assignation of a prince by an unstable person. Gavrilo Princip a Yugoslav student killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 triggering the great war. The Archduke was a heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne and great offense was taken by Austria-Hungry and the war to end all wars started
Islam not just a religion, It's also complete system of life, it's part of wisdom to read about and know this system before to be involved in wars.
The "root" of the word "Islam" in Arabic is SALAMA which is the origin of the words Peace & / or Submission, a submission to God and peace to all humanity. It is, thus, no wonder why the salutation in Islam is: "Al-Salamu Alaikum or Peace on You."
In this regard, prophet Mohammad ordered his fellow Muslims to salute others Muslims or non-Muslims with peace when he said: "Peace Before Speech"
It is a Rule in Islam that during war time, an enemy warrior who pronounces the word peace is totally immune.
Unlike many other religions where people were offered either conversion and peace or death, Islam came with the just word of our creator. In Quran 2:256; God said "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error..." There are many other verses in the Quran that deals with the nature of spreading God's message. One of my favorites which I keep quoting is Verse 10:99 "If it had been thy Lord's Will, they would all have believed, all who are on earth! Wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!" These verses and many others show how much emphasis Islam places on the mind of people, Muslims or non-Muslims.
In This regard, Muslims are governed by the rules that the relationship with non-Muslims should be based on justice, mutual respect, cooperation, and communication. The Quran is very explicit about the justice part of the relationship when God stated in Verse 60:08 "Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just."
Another prominent example that I keep referring to concerning the just treatment of Islam to non-Muslims; is the fact that while a husband is allowed to ask his Muslim wife not to go to the Mosque; he has no right to ask his wife to go to Church or Synagogue if it happens that the wife is a Christian or a Jew.
Islam sees the central human task as being that of gaining the love of God and thus peace. Therefore, when we speak about peace, we come to the question of the development of man. The main obstacle standing in the way of peace today is the problem of the difference between the poor and the rich parts of the world, as far as opportunities of development are concerned. As is recognized almost unanimously today, the problem of peace involves the question of how we can ensure that as many people as possible in all parts of the world have the freedom and thus the chances of development that they need([4]).
Muslims make a contribution to the peace effort in trying to follow the teaching of Islam.
In fact, generally speaking, when we look more closely, the subject of peace, like that of life itself, is inexhaustible. It has something to do with both the unity and the variety of human existence. As an aim, peace unites man's deepest desires and highest strivings. However, with the help of God, it also reveals to each human being his own way to achieve it, which he then has to struggle for to follow through his own personal efforts, in accordance with his talents. The same applies, in a figurative sense, to the various religious, national and cultural communities, and in fact to every community. And today the emerging world community is striving for peace.
As far as the problem of the differences between human communities is concerned, Islam teaches that variety makes unity possible. For this is where man's task lies, which is why in the Qur'an it is written: "O mankind! We created your from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other". (49, 13).,
Above and beyond all differences, the human being who recognizes himself knows himself in other human beings. This enables him to engage in creative work with others, and to be genuinely tolerant and ready to try to understand others. The whole creation reveals itself to anyone who recognizes himself as one of its creatures. He or she sees the various paths followed by human communities as paths towards a goal which is basically the same. The whole of creation points towards this path. It is a straight path, and yet it is manifold. For it is always being walked on anew. Every generation has to find its own new solutions to the problem of peace. Hope lies in the regeneration of the world, which thus becomes which is why the new moon, as a symbol of the new beginning, has become the symbol of Islam. As such, considered as a goal, peace has a clearly delineated outline. Yet when we speak of the way towards it, it often becomes hidden and all too often unrecognisable.
It is due to this fact that people make statements such as the unattainable dream of and desire for peace is as old as mankind itself. It can only be striven for in an experimental manner, with varying degrees of success. It cannot be aimed at directly. Yet that applies to all ideals. This does not make them less worth while. For where would we be without them? Or perhaps we should ask more concretely: 'Where are we without them?' All those who place peace beyond our reach as something unattainable for man have not understood the real nature of peace. For, in reality, it is something which is as necessary for life as the air we need in order to breath. Without peace, life ceases. This, at any rate, is the situation from the Islamic point of view
How to make peace:
After I addressed this section I felt it's truly difficult to find a real solution for the previous mentioned reasons of wars, The ideas for solution are available, but how to implement those ideas world wide, this is the big question!, It need hard working with special philosophy for long term, this philosophy must be supported by the most powerful countries with fair principles to all people.
Forgiveness is the most and first important principle must be implemented through education world wide, where Making Peace is the closure part of forgiveness. It is the part that makes an affirmative decision to go forward on a path of light, goodness and healing. Making Peace is about compassion, and positive perseverance; it is focussing on the fulfilment of your desires, rather than being tied down by the fears of past inadequacies.
Making Peace is a way of life. It is a new way of being with yourself and with others. It is about healing power being present in every moment of interaction with anyone or anything. When we Make Peace, our entire world opens up in a new direction, one that is Sacred and Holy. In Peace, all is well. All-ways.
Forgiveness is a true and real principle for the real religions like Christianity, Jewish, Islam.. Etc.., so, even the real core of these religions needed to be well educated world wide so their followers can deal with others from the view of brotherhood where we are one human creature live on one earth using the same sources.
We need to make peace with ourselves, with others, with things around us, with nature, with technology, with society, with Allah (God), We need to be educated and learned how to get peace from deep inside ourselves.
This type of peace never comes without fair, without injustice, without real feeling of getting our human rights, when we feel that we really getting our rights, as human then this type of peace education would become effective.
Geov Parrish said: 10 Things You Can Do to Prevent War
1. Educate yourself on the issues.
2. Develop a closer, more respectful relationship to Muslims and the Islamic world.
3. Communicate!
4. Take your case to the community.
5. Raise money for the Third World.
6. Publicize and oppose racial profiling, the curbing of civil liberties and the backlash against immigrants
7. HOPE FOR PEACE BECAUSE WAR NOT INEVITABLE8. CELEBRATE THE ONENESS OF ALL CREATION9. ELIMINATE POVERTY AND OTHER ECONOMIC ORIGINS OF WARS
10. STOP KILLING
There are many other suggestions also to spread the culture of non-violence, I think Kant one of the greatest philosophers who talked well about how to make peace where he wrote Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch, and his main rules were:
1. "No Treaty of Peace Shall Be Held Valid in Which There Is Tacitly Reserved Matter for a Future War"
2. "No Independent States, Large or Small, Shall Come under the Dominion of Another State by Inheritance, Exchange, Purchase, or Donation"
3. "Standing Armies (miles perpetuus) Shall in Time Be Totally Abolished"
4. "National Debts Shall Not Be Contracted with a View to the External Friction of States"
5. "No State Shall by Force Interfere with the Constitution or Government of Another State"
6. "No State Shall, during War, Permit Such Acts of Hostility Which Would Make Mutual Confidence in the Subsequent Peace Impossible: Such Are the Employment of Assassins (percussores), Poisoners (venefici), Breach of Capitulation, and Incitement to Treason (perduellio) in the Opposing State"
His essay, written in 1795, puts forth a plan for a lasting peace between nations and peoples. Kant puts forth necessary means to any peace, and argues that nations can be brought into federation with one another without loss of sovereignty. In one translation, telling of the historical impact of this essay, this federation is called a “league of nations.” The supplements and appendices are of considerable interest on their own. The supplements contain an argument regarding the use which nature makes of war, and the way in which nature, in the end, impels us towards peace. The appendices return to the question of whether his theory is mere theory, or whether it bears translation into practice. In this, he distinguishes between the moral politician and the political moralist, pointing out ways in which practical considerations conceal and excuse behavior that leads us towards discord and war. This essay continues to be relevant, and of great importance today, much to our shame. We hope still to find the perpetual peace which Kant argued as a obligatory goal, and we still have need of fear that we will, as Kant warned, “find Perpetual Peace only in the wide grave which is to cover all the abomination of the deeds of violence and their authors.”
He stated "The Law of Nations Shall be Founded on a Federation of Free States". "The Law of World Citizenship Shall Be Limited to Conditions of Universal Hospitality"
Kant theory talking around these ideas were, Guarantee for Perpetual Peace, Secret Article for Perpetual Peace, On the Opposition Between Morality and Politics With Respect to Perpetual Peace, Of the Harmony Which the Transcendental Concept of Public Right Established Between Morality and Politics
I hope the culture of fair, human rights, justice, and peace be implemented and educated world wide o avoid next periods wars which would be worst ever with the advanced technology of mass destructive weapons.
[1] Source: www.worldhistory.com
[2] http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t41701-0.html
[3] Karen Armstrong, Time Magazine, October 1, 2001
[4] On Philosophy Culture and Peace in Islam, Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Zakzouk, Cairo, p 98
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