subject	Peace
topic	Right of individual to live in peace
grade	Five
time	30 minutes
objective	To enable students to understand the Islamic view on the rights of individuals to live in peace.
instructional material	Info Sheet 5g - The right to live in peace. Question Sheet 5g – The right to live in peace.

INTRODUCTION

"Peace" is the most common word on a Muslim's tongue. Whenever two people meet, they exchange greetings, wishing each other peace: “SALAMU ALAYKUM” ("Peace be upon you").

DEVELOPMENT

Read the Info Sheet with the students.

REINFORCING ACTIVITIES

Let students do the Question Sheet.

INFO SHEET 5g – Right of individual to live in peace

"Peace" is the most common word on a Muslim's tongue. Whenever two people meet, they exchange greetings, wishing each other peace: “SALAMU ALAYKUM” ("Peace be upon you").

But peace cannot prevail except through justice. Therefore, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of the religion, or by those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. At the same time, Islam requires one to treat one's enemy mercifully. It lays down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees, and livestock. Islam also requires that if an enemy declares his desire to end hostilities and seek peace, the Muslims must do the same. The concept of Jihad (struggling in the cause of God) is stated in the Qur'an :

"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." [2:19]

Jihad is never to be waged to force anybody to choose a particular religion. On the contrary, it is to waged to protect his right to choose freely. Therefore, if there is a force in the world that tries to prevent a person from practising this right, Jihad may lead to fighting the force that is trying to prevent him from exercising free will.

Freedom of belief is guaranteed in Islam. It should be very clear that Islam tolerates not only other faiths but even its enemies. This is stated clearly in the Qur'an:

"God 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 God loves those who are just."

[60:8]

It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts to implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves and to govern their own affairs. History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths. For example, when the great leader and second Caliph, Umar, entered Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam guaranteed freedom of worship to all religious communities in the city. In fact, so careful was Umar in setting an example for his people that he not only went to a church to pray, he prayed outside in the courtyard, lest his followers after his death be tempted to convert the church into a mosque.

Islam teaches that the closest to God and the most beloved of God are those who are the best in piety. Thus all people, male and female, and regardless of race, color, nationality or ethnicity, are considered and treated as equal before God and before the law.

Islam has been from its inception very concerned with issues of human rights. Privacy, freedom, dignity, peace and equality are guaranteed in Islam. The Qur'an states clearly:

"There is no compulsion in religion."

There are no reliable reports to confirm the old accusations that when the Muslim armies were expanding into Asia, Africa and Europe the people were put to the sword if they failed to convert to Islam. The best proof is that not only did the Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians and Hindus in those areas not perish or otherwise disappear, they actually flourished as protected minority communities, and many individuals rose to prominent positions in the arts, sciences, even in government. The lives, property and privacy of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred, whether or not the person is Muslim.

Non-Muslims have freedom of worship and the practice of their religions, including their own family law and religious courts. They are obliged to pay a different tax (Jizyah) instead of the Zakah, and the state is obligated to provide both protection and government services. Before the modern era it was extremely rare to find a state or government anywhere in the world that was as solicitous of its minorities and their civil rights as the Islamic states.

In no other religion did women receive such a degree of legal and moral equality and personal respect. Moreover, racism and tribalism are incompatible with Islam, for the Qur'an speaks of human equality in the following terms:

"Mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety “.

SHEET 5g – Right of individual to live in peace

Answer these questions:

1) What is the Islamic greeting meaning “Peace be on you”?

2) When does Islam permit fighting?

3) What is the purpose of “Jihad”?

4) What did the second Caliph Umar do, to make a point to his followers not to convert a Church into a Mosque?

5) What proof is there, that Islam was not spread by the sword?

6) What rights do non-Muslims have, living in an Islamic state?