YUSUF Islam

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5 Faiths Side-by-Side

Austria
2002

Yusuf Islam, the former pop star Cat Stevens, joined together with the Dalai Lama and representatives of other religious in a unique inter-religious meeting which took place on the Schloberg Hill overlooking the picturesque Austrian Town of Graz on 18 October 2002. Presentations from religious representatives on the subject of “Peace in the World” were made.

Here follows an excerpt from Mr. Islam’s speech “Peace: How to Achieve It”:

We’ll begin with some recitation of Qur’an from Surah ar-Ra’d (13:22-24): Those who patiently persevere, seeking the Face of their Lord, establish regular prayers; spend, out of the gifts We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly; and turn away Evil with Good; for such there is the final attainment of the Eternal Home.

Gardens of perpetual bliss: They shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their parents, their wives and husbands, and their children. And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the greeting): Peace be upon you because you persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final home!

We should understand that peace, first of all, arises in the heart, and that it is the person, the human being, who is either at peace, or at war. The source of peace therefore is not necessarily in the material substance of this world; it is ultimately a condition which arises from the human being himself from within the Self.

The main source of peace begins with God, with Allah. When the heart is turned towards Allah, then the person can attain peace. This, in one word in Arabic, is “dhikr”, remembrance. It says in the Qur’an, “If you remember Me, I will remember you.” What better than we are being remembered by our Lord?

So this peace, as we can understand from the beginning, is not a physical condition, yet in this world, it is the most treasurable of things to seek. We know, for instance, that one of the ninety-nine names of Allah is “as-Salam,” the Source of peace. There is a prayer of the last Prophet, Muhammad, salla’llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, which he taught:

“O Allah, You are the Peace and from You is Peace. So enable us to live, O our Lord, in peace; O Lord of Honour and Glory!”

It is also useful to look at opposites: the opposite of peace, of course, is disturbance, or war. Now what is the connection between Islam and peace? In fact, what they are mostly trying to project in the media today is the opposite to what Islam actually is. Islam is projected in the media today as something connected with disturbance, with bloodshed, with everything except its actual essence. The word Islam comes from “salam”, which is peace. Islam literally means to enter into peace, to have submitted and thus to have gained peace. We must be honest – when looking at Muslims today, we wonder how many Muslims have attained this level of Islam.

Islam the religion of peace? Let’s explain. We’ve said that peace is to do with the heart, it comes with iman or faith, but we should also realise that Islam is not just to be kept in the heart. Faith must be manifested. How it comes out first is the witnessing. When someone becomes Muslim, the first thing that he does is that he declares his faith outwardly. He says, “There is only One God, and Muhammad is the servant and messenger of God.” So from within, it comes out.

Now we must look. Do actions conform to this belief, to this statement? Then we start to see how strong that faith is, how strong that peace is. Yes, we are encouraged to establish peace where we can. Muslims must reconnect with the Source of Peace and then reflect it within the society. People worldwide will then get a better idea of the incredible power for good which Muslims can exert in building a more peaceful world.

If only certain aggressive world leaders and members of the media would also stop igniting hatred against Islam and Muslims, the world would be amazed at how much peace would arise. I pray for that peace to arrive soon.

Articles

5 Faiths Side-by-Side