الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينه ونستغفره، ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا، ومن سيئات أعمالنا ، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، وأشهد أن سيدنا محمداً عبده ورسوله ، اللهم صلِّ وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه  ومن تبعه إلى يوم الدين

We are continuing with the study on the names of Allah as part of our answer to the fourth question in the series of the topic entitled:” Your Life in Light of Eternity”.  As a reminder this topic addresses the following four questions:

1. What is the purpose of our lives on earth?
2. What is the nature of this life on earth?
3. What is our role on earth to fulfil the purpose of our lives on it?
4. What are the traits and qualities that we must possess to fulfill our role and achieve our purpose on earth?

We already addressed the first three questions, and we started the answer to the fourth question which is adopting in our character elements of the Names/Attributes of Allah.  We discussed the names, Allah, Al-Rahman, Al-Rahime, Al-Malik and Al-Quddus and today we will, inshallah, discuss the name Al-Salaam.

Allah’s name As-Salaam (السلام) “The Peace” is mentioned once in the Quran and this is in verse 23 in Surat Al-Hashr:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ) الحشر(

“He is Allah, there is no god but He, the King, the Holy, the Peace, The Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the Eminent, the Compeller, the Proud, glory to Allah above the partners they attribute to Him.” (Al-Hashr 59:23)

Abu-Hurairah (أبي هريرة) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

 إن اسم السلام من أسماء الله تعالى فأفشوه بينكم (الطبراني)

“The name Al-Salaam (The Peace) is among the names of Allah, the Most-High, so spread it among yourselves”. (Al-Tabarani)   

It is reported that both Thouban (ثوبان) and Aisha (عَائِشَةَ) said that the Prophet (PBUH) used to say after ending his prayers:

اللَّهم أنْتَ السَّلامُ، ومِنكَ السَّلامُ، تَبَاركتَ يا ذَا الجلالِ والإكرَام(صحيح مسلم)

“O Allah, you are The Peace and from you is peace. Blessed are you, the Majestic and Generous.”  (Muslim)

The name Al-Salaam is derived from the root s-l-m (سلم) which has the following classical Arabic connotations:

1. A source of peace, peaceful, quiet, tranquil, content, secure, healthy and prosperous
2. Free from imperfections, free from faults, complete, pure, whole, and sound

Allah’s name Al-Salaam involves three elements:

1. Allah’s character and attributes are perfect and pure from any impurity.
2. Allah is the source of peace, safety, and security for all creations.
3. Allah’s actions are free from any evil and harm.

Allah’s name Al-Salaam (The Peace) implies that He is the source of all safety, security and peace in the world.  To appreciate that Allah is the source of all the safety and security that we enjoy, let us examine few things that Allah has provided to ensure our safety.

1. When you examine your own body, you realize that the locations and mechanisms that Allah selected for the different body parts are intended to make us safe. For example:
   1. Your blood filtration organ, the kidney, is designed with redundancy; we can survive normal life with only kidney.
   2. The location of the vessels that carry your blood from and to the heart is selected with our safety in mind. The arteries that carry the blood from the heart to the rest of the organs under high pressure are located deep under the skin while the veins that carry the blood to the heart under low pressure are near the skin allowing to take blood samples.  If arteries were to be located near the skin, any cut to the skin could have caused cut to them resulting in great loss of blood because of the high pressure and this can lead to death.
   3. Even as we grow, Allah accommodates the changes in your functions. As an example, the nose of an infant is stiff so it would not bend and close when the infant is being breast fed; otherwise, the child will suffocate.
2. When you study water which is the source of life for all living beings on Earth. You find that Allah designed it with special properties to secure it forever. When it reaches the freezing point, unlike other matters, it expands.  That is why ice is lighter than water and thus floats and acts as thermal insulation to protect the water under it from subfreezing air temperatures.  If it did not, all oceans would be frozen. 

The use of the word Al-Salaam and its derivates are very common in the Islamic vocabulary.

1/ It is used in the common greeting among Muslims which is “As-Salaamu Alaykum” (السلام عليكم) “Peace be unto you”.  In fact, this greeting is not only for Muslims, but it is rather a greeting from all humanity since it is the greeting that Allah taught Prophet Adam to say.  The Prophet (PBUH) said:

عن أبي هريرة -رضي الله عنه- عن النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قال: «لما خلق الله آدم -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قال: اذهب فَسَلِّمْ على أولئك -نَفَرٍ من الملائكة جلوس- فاستمع ما يُحَيُّونَكَ؛ فإنها تَحِيَّتُكَ وتحية ذُرِّيتِكَ. فقال: السلام عليكم، فقالوا: السلام عليك ورحمة الله، فَزَادُوهُ: ورحمة الله».  [متفق عليه.]

After Allah created Adam, He told him to and greet this group of angels who are there and listen to how they will greet you because it is your greeting and the greeting of your descendants.  Adam went and said “Asalaam Alukum” (Peace be unto you”.  They answered, “Alyk Asalaam Wa Rahmat Allah” (Peace and Mercy of Allah be unto you), they added Mercy of Allah. (Bukhari and Muslim)

2/ it is used by the righteous people when responding to evil people, Allah says:

وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمۡشُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هَوۡنً۬ا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُواْ سَلَـٰمً۬ا) الفُرقان(

  “The righteous slaves of Allah are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant or the belligerent address them, they respond by saying: Peace.” (Al-Fourqan 25:63).

3/ It used as a name for paradise, “Dar Al-Salaam” (دَارِ السَّلَامِ) “abode of peace” because it is a place that is safe, tranquil, secure, prosperous, perfect, and free from any flaw. Allah says:

وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُو إِلَى دَارِ السَّلَامِ وَيَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ

“Allah invites to the abode of peace and guides whomsoever he wants to the straight Path.”  (Yunus 10:25)

4/ Real peace will only be achieved when people enter paradise where they will enter in peace and live in peace because all the causes of conflicts and pain will be eliminated. Allah says:

إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ (٤٥) ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ (٤٦) وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٲنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ (٤٧) لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ۬ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡہَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ (٤٨)

“The righteous will be in gardens that have springs. (45) (They will be told): “Enter here in Peace and Security.” (46) And We shall remove any grudge from their hearts: (they will be) brothers (joyfully) sitting on couches, facing each other. (47) No fatigue shall touch them, nor will they be asked to leave from there.” (Al-Hijr 15:45-48)

Those who will enter paradise will be in total peace because all they can imagine of pleasures and luxury will be there at their fingertips. In a Hadeath Qudsi, the Prophet (PBUH) reported that Allah said about Paradise: 

أعْدَدْتُ لعباديَ الصالحين ما لا عين رأتْ ولا أذن سمعتْ، ولا خطَر على قلبِ بَشَرْ (البخاري ومسلم والترمذي)

‘I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, nor has it occurred to the human heart.” (Bukhari, Muslim and Tirmidhi) 

5/ The greeting in paradise is Salaam (peace), Allah says:

وَأُدۡخِلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِہَا ٱلۡأَنۡہَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِمۡ‌ۖ تَحِيَّتُہُمۡ فِيہَا سَلَـٰمٌ (٢٣)

“And those who believed and did good deeds shall be admitted to Gardens underneath which rivers flow, living there forever by the will of their Lord.  There their greeting is Peace.” (Ibrahim 14:23)

6/ The Quran is the book that guides to the path of peace (سبل السلام), Allah says:

قَدۡ جَآءَڪُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌ۬ وَڪِتَـٰبٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ (١٥) يَهۡدِى بِهِ ٱللَّهُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضۡوَٲنَهُ ۥ سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ

“There has come to you from Allah, a light and clear book (15) With it Allah guides who seeks His pleasure to the path of Peace.” (Al-Maeda 5:15-16)

7/ The salutation received by the successful people who will, on the day of judgment, receive their book of deeds in their right hand will be Salaam (Peace) is for you: Allah says:

وَأَمَّا إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ فَسَلَامٌ لَكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ

“And if he is from among the people of the right, (90) (it will be said to them) “Peace to you,” as you are one of the people of the Right. “  (Al-Waqia 56: 90-91)

8/ The whole message of Islam can be summarized around Allah’s name Al-Salaam (The Peace) in one sentence: “Allah is the Peace (Al-Salaam) and He revealed the Quran to guide mankind to the path of peace (سبل السلام)  to ensure that they live in peace (في سلام) and this leads them to the final destination which is the abode of peace (دار السلام), where they will enter it in  peace (بِسَلَـٰمٍ) and they will greet each other with peace (سلام) greetings..

9/ The Prophet (PBUH) emphasized that to enter paradise in peace, we must spread peace, he (PBUH) said:

عن عبدِاللَّهِ بنِ سَلاَمٍ ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قالَ: أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَفْشوا السَّلامَ، وَأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ، وَصَلُّوا باللَّيْل وَالنَّاسُ نِيامٌ، تَدخُلُوا الجَنَّةَ بِسَلام] رواه أحمد والترمذي والحاكم [

“O people, spread peace, offer the food and pray at night while people are sleeping, you will enter paradise in peace. (Ahmad, Tirmidhi)

The Prophet (PBUH) also said:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (لا تدخلون الجنة حتى تؤمنوا، ولا تؤمنوا حتى تحابوا، أولا أدلكم على شيء إذا فعلتموه تحاببتم: أفشوا السلام بينكم) رواه مسلم،

“You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love each other. Shall I tell you something which if you did, you would love each other? Spread peace among yourselves” (Muslim)

Throughout his life, the prophet (PBUH) demonstrated his keen desire for peace, and this is best demonstrated by two examples. 

The first is Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (صَلَح ٱلْحُدَيْبِيَّة):  This is the unfair treaty that the Prophet (PBUH) signed with his archenemy, the people of Mecca, to ensure peace and stop all conflicts.  The terms of this agreement were as follows: 

“In the name of almighty Allah. These are the conditions of Peace between Muhammad, son of Abdullah, and Suhayl ibn Amr, the envoy of Mecca. The conditions of this agreement are as follows:

1. There will be no fighting for ten years.
2. Anyone who wishes to join Muhammad and to enter into any agreement with him is free to do so and should abide by this agreement. Anyone who wishes to join the Quraish and to enter into any agreement with them is free to do so and should abide by this agreement.
3. If a young man, or one whose father is alive, converts to Islam and joins Muhammad without permission from his father or guardian, will be returned to his father or guardian. But if Muslin reverts from Islam and goes to the Quraish, he will not be returned.

Most of the Prophet’s companions were distressed by the 3^rd term of the agreement, but still the Prophet (PBUH) signed it, just to secure the 10 years of peace.

The second was related the outcome of the violation of the agreement by the people of Mecca.  The People of Mecca violated this agreement when they supported a tribe that joined the agreement as their ally in their attack of one of the tribes that joined the agreement as allies of the Prophet.  The Prophet wrote to the people of Mecca and offered them the option to resolve the violation by 1) Paying blood money for the victims of the victimized tribe that was an ally of the Prophet, and 2) The people in Mecca terminate their alliance with the tribe that violated the agreement.

The Prophet (PBUH) informed them that the treaty is considered nullified if they reject these two conditions. When the people of Mecca refused the conditions, the Prophet (PBUH) went to Mecca with an army and gained victory over them.  When the people of Mecca from whom the Prophet (PBUH) suffered for over 20 years and were responsible of nullifying the peace treaty asked him what he is going to do with them.  He said:

(‏فإني أقول لكم كما قال يوسف لإخوته‏:‏ ‏{‏لاَ تَثْرَيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ‏}‏ اذهبوا فأنتم الطلقاء‏)‏‏.‏

“I only tell you what Yusuf (Joseph) told his brothers: “No reproach you”, you are all free.”

The Prophet (PBUH) emphasized to Muslims that the believer is the one from whom people around him are totally safe and secure.  It is reported in Bukhari (البخاري) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “By Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe.”  (واللهِ لا يُؤْمِن، والله لا يؤمن، والله لا يؤمن)

The people asked:  O’ Messenger of Allah, who is that? (مَن يا رسول الله ؟)

He said: (الذي لا يأمَن جارُه بَوائِقَهُ) He is the one whose neighbor is not safe from his evils.” 

Since Allah’s name of Al-Salaam implies that all His actions are free from evil and are intended to ensure peace, safety, and security for mankind, how can we reconcile seeing evil, wars and suffering in this world that is under Allah’s control and authority?

 If you examine the world, we can say with certainty that there is no absolute evil which is evil of no purpose other than evil itself.  But this does not mean that Allah will never allow evil to occur, because He will allow relative evil to occur so that it will result in something good. As example, Allah allowed knives to exist.  Using a knife to cut the flesh of an innocent person is perceived to be evil, but if the person doing the cutting is a surgeon to remove an inflamed appendix, it will have a good outcome.  This point is clearly demonstrated in surah Al-Kahf in the encounter between Prophet Moses and Al Khidr, the man whom Allah has provided with secret knowledge of the future.  Prophet Moses interpreted Al Khidr’s actions, e.g., drilling a hole in the ship, as evil but when he was told the reason was to force its owners to return to shore to avoid the attacks by the pirates, he understood that the apparent evil act led to good consequence.

Allah may inflict a person with pain and suffering to force him to change the path from one leading him to Hell to a path that leads to the abode of peace, Paradise.  No loving father would leave his son or daughter uncorrected if he sees them doing something wrong!  Obviously, from the child’s viewpoint, the father’s actions are unjust and even abusive. Only when the child grows, he will realize that his father’s actions were the best for his success, and they were all motivated by love.

We must realize that the absolute evil has no place in the actions of Allah, and that all the evil may exist are consequences of people actions.  Allah confirms this point in the following verses:

ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

“Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of people have earned; so (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds, in order that they may turn back (from Evil).” (Al-Rom 30:41)

وَمَا أَصَابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَنْ كَثِيرٍ

“Whatever misfortune happens to you, it is because of the things your hands have brought, and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness.” (Al-Shura 42:30)

Even when Allah allows wars to happen, they are done as a demonstration of His name Al-Salaam, The Peace, if only people follow His commands.   Allah forbids all wars for unjust gain and oppression, but He does not ignore the reality that this life is a test and thus evil men who wish to do evil will exist and thus it would be self-defeating for believers to tolerate oppression and injustice.  Fighting was sanctioned by Allah for three reasons: 1) self-defense, 2) repulsion of aggression and 3) protecting freedom of belief.   The following verses from the holy Quran present the conditions under which fighting is permissible:

أُذِنَ لِلَّذِينَ يُقَاتَلُونَ بِأَنَّهُمْ ظُلِمُوا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى نَصْرِهِمْ لَقَدِيرٌ الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا مِنْ دِيَارِهِمْ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّا أَنْ يَقُولُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَاتٌ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا وَلَيَنْصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ الَّذِينَ إِنْ مَكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَلِلَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ

“Permission to fight is given to those against whom fighting is launched, because they have been wronged, and Allah is powerful to give them victory. Those who have been driven from their home unjustly just because they said: Our Lord is Allah, and Allah is indeed able to give them victory.  If it were not because Allah repels some men by means of others, cloisters, churches, synagogues and mosques, where Allah’s name is frequently mentioned, would have been demolished.  Allah supports those who support Him – Allah is Strong, Powerful.  We (God) will give victory to those who, if we give them power in the land, would establish worship and pay the welfare tax and enjoin kindness and forbid iniquity” (Al-Hajj 22:39-41).

The same point that emphasizes that Muslims are only allowed to engage in war if provoked is given in the following verse:

وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

 “Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not initiate hostilities; Allah does not love aggressors.”  (Al-Baqara 2:190). 

Maybe the most revealing command about the restrictions imposed on Muslims during a war is illustrated by the following verse in Surah Al-Anfal which commands Muslims to go against their self-interest by stopping the fight even when they are victorious as soon as the enemy asks to negotiate peace.  This is even though Muslims may be suspicious that the enemy is only asking for negotiation as a tactical move to deceive the Muslim army and deprive it from securing the victory:  Allah says:

وَإِنْ جَنَحُوا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ وَإِنْ يُرِيدُوا أَنْ يَخْدَعُوكَ فَإِنَّ حَسْبَكَ اللَّهُ هُوَ الَّذِي أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِ وَبِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ

“And if they incline to peace, then incline to it also, and rely on Allah, He is Alert, Aware.  Should they intend to deceive you, let Allah serve as your protector.” (Al-Anfal 8:61-62).

Elements to Adopt in our Character

In order for Muslims to possess part of Allah’s name, As-Salaam, they need to strive to fulfill four elements:

1. Muslims must always feel confident that each time they mention Allah; they are l safe and secure. Allah says:

أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ

“Without a doubt, by the mention of Allah’s name, the hearts feel secure” (Al-Raad 13:28)

2. Muslims should strive to have a flawless heart that is free from all forms of evil such as deceit, hatred, envy, jealousy, etc. The purity of the heart is a prerequisite for success in the Hereafter, Allah says:

يَوْمَ لَا يَنْفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

“At that day neither wealth nor progeny shall be of benefit, except one who comes to Allah with a pure heart.” (Al-Shuara 26:88-89

3. Achieve internal peace by ensuring that all your actions are free from any violation of Allah’s rules.  Muslims should strive to ensure that their limbs that Allah put under their control are pleased and at peace by only using them on what is pleasing to Allah. Muslims know that if they distress their limbs by engaging them in sins, they will testify against their own person on the first opportunity they are allowed to speak.  Allah says:  

وَيَوۡمَ يُحۡشَرُ أَعۡدَآءُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ فَهُمۡ يُوزَعُونَ (١٩) حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا مَا جَآءُوهَا شَہِدَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ سَمۡعُهُمۡ وَأَبۡصَـٰرُهُمۡ وَجُلُودُهُم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ (٢٠) وَقَالُواْ لِجُلُودِهِمۡ لِمَ شَهِدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡنَا‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ أَنطَقَنَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنطَقَ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَهُوَ خَلَقَكُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ۬ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ (٢١) وَمَا كُنتُمۡ تَسۡتَتِرُونَ أَن يَشۡہَدَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ سَمۡعُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَبۡصَـٰرُكُمۡ وَلَا جُلُودُكُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن ظَنَنتُمۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَعۡلَمُ كَثِيرً۬ا مِّمَّا تَعۡمَلُونَ (٢٢) وَذَٲلِكُمۡ ظَنُّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى ظَنَنتُم بِرَبِّكُمۡ أَرۡدَٮٰكُمۡ فَأَصۡبَحۡتُم مِّنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ (٢٣)

“Remind them of the Day when the enemies of Allah will be gathered unto the Fire, they will be driven on. (19) Until when they will come to it, their hearing, their sight, and their skins will testify against about what they used to do. (20) They will say to their skins: “Why did you testify against us?” They will say: “Allah made us speak― (He) Who made everything speak: He created you for the first time, and to Him were you to return. (21) “You did not seek to hide yourselves from your hearing, your sight, and your skins that they would bear witness against you! But you thought that Allah does not know much of what you used to do! (22) But this thought of yours which you conceived about your Lord brought you to ruin and (now) you become among the losers.” (Fussilat 41:19-21)

4. Muslims should always be the source of peace and security for everyone. People must feel safe from our tongue and our hand. The Prophet (PBUH) defined the Muslim and the believer by saying:

عن أبو هريرة ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قالَ المسلم من سلم الناس من لسانه ويده، والمؤمن من أمنه الناس على دمائهم وأموالهم . ]الترمذي  والنسائي وأحمد  [

“The Muslim is the one people are safe from his tongue and his hand and the believer is the one people feel secure from him about their lives and their money”.

Any Muslim who believes in Allah, Al-Salaam, he/she would live in peace and be a source of peace and security for all people.

We pray to Allah to help us to live in total peace and to be a source of peace to all.

Next time, we will inshallah continue with the other names of Allah in verses 23 of Surat Al-Hashr (59).

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ) الحشر(

DUA

An important implementation of Allah’s name Al-Salaam is manifested by the Prophet’s keen interest to protect the civilians of their enemies during the war. The Prophet (PBUH) established several rules that should govern the conduct of any Muslim’s army.  These rules include:

1. Islam forbids surprise attacks and commands Muslims to warn their enemies of impending war when negotiations have been terminated. Muslim jurists have maintained that the time interval that follows the final ultimatum must be sufficient to enable the enemy to alert all sections of his country.
2. Islam entitles foreign subjects with rights that cannot be violated by reasons of war between Muslims and the subjects’ country of origin. They are entitled to security of life and property and to protection to ensure their safe return to their original homeland. Islam forbids setting a time limit for them to settle their financial affairs to avoid forcing them to do so under adverse conditions.
3. Islam forbids the killing of all who are not participating in combat (i.e. civilians). Muslim jurists have advocated those hostilities should cease if civilians are caught between the ranks of the fighting forces.
4. Islam forbids forcing the enemy into submission by sanctions to starving the warring nation that result in collective punishment.
5. Islam forbids burning plants, cutting down trees, poisoning water, depriving civilians from their lands that lay in the path of advancing and withdrawing armies.
6. Islam commands compassion and kindness to prisoners, to the extent that they should receive a treatment equal to that of the orphans and poor. Allah said:

وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنْكُمْ جَزَاءً وَلَا شُكُورًا

“And they feed, for the love of Allah, the needy, the orphan and the prisoner. And say we feed you for the sake of Allah only; we seek no reward from you, nor any thanks” (Al-Insan 76:8-9).