Society and Global Peace: Coexistence vs. Nationalism

Since the events of September 11, 2001, there has been much discussion on violence in Islam. Especially in the media, Islam has been depicted as intrinsically violent and militant. In this paper, I will examine the Qur’anic discourse on peace and co-existence with the other. I will also discuss the classical juridical and exegetical pronouncements on peace and war and will assess the possibility of an Islamic theology of peace in modern times. The Qur’anic view of peace and tolerance is interwoven to its view of a universal moral discourse that unites all human beings. The Qur’an views human diversity as a basis for understanding and peaceful coexistence. Thus, human diversity should enhance the recognition of rather than confrontation with the other. Fundamental to the Qur’anic conception of peaceful co-existence is the view that human beings are united under one God (2:213). They are to strive towards virtuous deeds (5:48), for the most noble person in the eyes of God is the one who is most pious (49:13). These and other verses command Muslims to build bridges of understanding and cooperation with fellow human beings so as to create a just social order. A discussion on the juridical pronouncement on war and peace necessitates an understanding of the Muslim encounter with the other. Historically, the Qur’anic view of engagement with the “other” was shaped by the socio-political milieu in which it was revealed. Islamic revelation found expression in a pluralistic world in which Muslims had to deal with Arab pagans and adherents of other monotheistic religions. The paper will also examine how later Muslim exegetes interpreted Qur’anic notions of pluralism and how Muslim jurists enunciated theories of peace and warfare within the context of the Muslim socio-political experience