Peace and Peacemaking
Peace sits at the heart of Islam. Explore why Muslims value peace, how they work for it through justice, forgiveness and reconciliation, and how Islam and a non-religious view understand conflict.
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A greeting of peace 🕊️
When Muslims meet, they often greet each other with the words As-salamu alaykum, meaning peace be upon you. The word Islam is linked to salam, the Arabic word for peace, so peace sits at the heart of the faith. This module explores how Muslims value peace, work for peace, and understand conflict.
Words to know 🔑
Four ideas run through this topic:
What is salam? 🎯
The Muslim greeting As-salamu alaykum uses the word salam. What does salam mean?
- Peace
- War
- Wealth
- Power
A religion of peace 🌙
Islam teaches that peace is a gift from Allah and a duty for Muslims. Surah 25 verse 63 teaches that the true servants of the Most Merciful walk humbly and answer hostility with words of peace, and Surah 41 teaches Muslims to repel evil with something better, so that an enemy may become a friend. These teachings are shared by Sunni and Shia Muslims alike.
Making peace ❤️
- Justice
- Forgiveness
- Reconciliation
- Charity
- Treating people fairly and standing against wrong
- Letting go of a wrong instead of seeking revenge
- Bringing people back together after a conflict
- Helping people in need, including in disaster and conflict
Two views on conflict ⚖️
Muslims and non-religious people can both want peace, but they may explain conflict differently.
The path to peace 🪜
An interactive activity.
Working for peace ✅
Which THREE are ways Muslims work for peace?
- Seeking justice for people treated unfairly
- Forgiving others instead of taking revenge
- Helping people through charities like Islamic Relief
- Always taking revenge for any wrong
- Ignoring injustice completely
Conflict words 🔗
- Self-defence
- Aggression
- Situation ethics
- Oppression
- Defending yourself only when you are attacked
- Starting a fight or attacking first
- Judging each case on its own circumstances
- Treating a group of people cruelly and unjustly
Complete the idea 🧩
The Muslim greeting As-salamu alaykum means _____ be upon you. Islam teaches Muslims to work for peace through justice, forgiveness and _____. Fighting is allowed only in _____, and never as aggression, because Allah does not love aggressors. A charity such as _____ helps people hit by disaster and conflict. Some non-religious people argue that conflict has many _____, not only religion.
True or not? 🖍️
An interactive activity.
When is fighting allowed? 🛡️
According to Islamic teaching in Surah 2 verses 190 to 195, when is fighting allowed?
- Only in self-defence, within strict limits
- At any time, for any reason
- To attack other people first
- To gain wealth and land
What would help? 🧭
An interactive activity.
Explain the teaching ✍️
An interactive activity.