THE DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. YawmulAhad. 7th day of Rabeeu ath-thaani, 1445AH (Sunday, 22nd October, 2023). ISLAMIC SOLUTION TO RESOLVING CONFLICTS. BismilLah. 

The Islamic precepts are meant to maintain peaceful, healthy, meaningful relationships with ALLAH and with all of humanity. This relationship is disrupted by conflicts, whether interpersonal, communal, national or international. Its restoration is essential for the sake of fairness and justice. Peace-building efforts work towards preventing an escalation of conflict and establishing a durable and self-sustaining peace.

Peace is intimately tied with justice in its Islamic understanding. You cannot achieve one without the other. Legitimate grievances of the affected party must be addressed, if real and essential peace is to be achieved. 

Here are some relevant verses from the Qur'an addressed to the Islamic community: "O You who believe! Stand out firmly for ALLAH, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear ALLAH. For ALLAH is well-acquainted with all you do" (Al Maidah 5:8). 

And: "O You who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to ALLAH, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or you kin, and whether it be against rich or poor: For ALLAH can best protect both. Follow not the lusts of your hearts, lest you swerve, and if distort justice or decline to do justice, verily ALLAH is well-acquainted with all that you do" (Al Nisa 4:135). 

Towards this end Islamic scholars also emphasize promoting Islamic ethics in order to prevent, mediate, and resolve various conflicts. This must take place along with a personal transformation, developing spiritual awareness through Dhikr (constant remembering ALLAH and HIS Grace), praying, and fasting. As well as through acts of charity and love for other human beings. 

One should exercise compassion and forgive others who have done him harm, and move away from greed, egocentricity, crass materialism, and harming others and work to live peacefully in cooperation with each other. 

The Qur'an constantly uses the word Sulha in resolving all types of conflicts. It means seeking peace, reconciliation, compromise and settlement. 

As such, during the early Islamic history Muslim jurists developed a number of legal structures and institutions, using a variety of techniques to resolve conflicts amicably, and achieve peace. HOW DID THEY DO THAT? To be continued tomorrow in shaaALLAH. May ALLAH keeps guiding us all and increases us in beneficial knowledge. Aameen.