Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | The Sunday Guardian | Oct 1, 2017

There is a very relevant Hadith recorded by Bhukari, which clarifies that when the Prophet had to choose between two paths, he always opted for the easier-the peaceful course of action-than the harder one.

One is free to choose between the two paths of peace and violence. According to on Hadith, the Prophet of Islam defined a believer as the one from whom "people are safe as regards their lives and property."

According to another tradition, the Prophet of Islam observed:

"The believer is like a gentle plant. Whenever the wind blows, it inclines accordingly, and when the wind stops blowing, it again comes back to its upright position. In this way, it saves itself from the impact of the wind."

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There are two ways of leading one's life in a society; one can either live peacefully among one's fellow men, or remain at loggerheads with others. According to this Hadith, the way of the faithful is to live as peaceful citizens. No one should pose any danger to others' lives, property or honour. In no circumstances, should one take the path of violence.

A society in which such self control is exercised is one in which its members can enjoy a feeling of security.

Indeed, a peaceful society is the ideal framework for positive human development. On the contrary, a society fraught with violence is animalistic, not human. It can offer little hope of the realization of individual human potential.

The love of peace is a noble human virtue, whereas the love of violence brings the human being down from the ethical plane to the level of brutishness.