Measures for Peace and Importance of Testimony

When it comes to the distribution of rights, whether on the individual, communal or tribal, or on national level, peace is a prerequisite. It is not possible to safeguard people's rights in a state of chaos and unrest. Peace, in turn, depends upon justice. If the oppressed do not get justice, they will certainly find some outlet for their frustration, which will surely not be the right one. As a result there will be unrest and the rights of many will be violated. Now the provision of justice in turn depends on the evidence and testimony, that a witness must state the truth. Establishment of peace and protection of rights is the real goal of Islam, so as to prevent mischief on Allah^-SWT ’s land, which is a beautiful and comforting place, and has been created to serve mankind. Islam has granted human rights even to non-believers. So much so that according to Fiqh the drinking water left over by any human being is pure even if the person be an infidel, as he is a human being after all. To strive for peace is the duty of every Muslim. As far as possible, he must try to check evil verbally or physically if he can; if this is not within his power then at least he must stay away from places and company where Allah^-SWT ’s Commands are violated.

Yet the most effective effort for peace and justice is the testimony we bear on any matter either in a court, before Mufti (The Shariah Judge) or in a community before fellow people, as the future decisions to a large extent depend on these testimonies. The same testimony provides the foundation for justice; in fact at times the court is compelled to pass a verdict based on the testimony inspite of the fact that even the judge is not satisfied with his decision. Now if the testimony of a witness is corrupted, the very foundation of justice will be lost. When there is no justice, the deserving will not get his due rights and the result will be nothing but trouble and unrest. Indeed the whole system will be shaken. Thus Allah^-SWT Commands to testify fairly and truthfully for His^-SWT sake, and not for any worldly gain or keeping a good name in society and to tell the truth because tomorrow you too have to stand in a court which itself is a witness to the incident to which you are testifying, so better watch your words. Thus faith is vital for promoting peace and harmony since efforts made without faith in Allah^-SWT , can never rise above personal interests. All human actions are motivated by the desire of some gain. If a person believes in Allah^-SWT , the desire to win Allah^-SWT's Pleasure becomes the driving force for all the actions he does. If this is not the case, then the intention behind actions will either be some vested interest, or to attain fame or power. Besides, how can it be expected of everyone to have such high level of sincerity and devotion, which will compel him to abide by the laws even when he is not being monitored by anyone. And today’s Western Society is a living example of this phenomenon that despite making all possible efforts to provide justice and to maintain law and order, they fail to ensure peace. This is because law operates through human beings; it sees through the human eye and hears through the ears of the law-enforcing agencies. It cannot see behind walls or underground, therefore, so many illegal activities still go on and there is nothing the law can do to stop them. In a country' like America, in New York the average number of murders is two per hour. If you are not careful about your car it will be lilted in no time. People are shot dead for paltry cash. All this happens in the face of the fact that in America, all possible measures are taken to enforce and implement the law. Then why so much crime? The reason is that efforts are made without faith in Allah, thus such efforts are devoid of sincerity and the hearts have no fear of Allah^-SWT .

It is only the light of faith and the belief in Allah^-SWT's Omnipresence, which accompanies people behind the walls and under the ground. It does not matter whether a Government official or a fellow citizen is watching them or not, they know Allah^-SWT is! So O' those who believe! You must always give a clear and true testimony for the sake of Allah and speak truthfully even if the testimony goes against your own self, whether it harms you personally or goes against your parents or relatives. Let nothing come between you and the truth as whatever harm might come to you, will be much lesser than Allah^-SWT's Annoyance. The responsibility to uphold peace and social rights is more important than personal considerations. And do not be influenced by anyone's wealth or status, or be callous to someone poor, remember Allah has a closer link with these people than you have, as they are His creation. When He^-SWT Himself^-SWT enjoins truth and justice, then whoever, is guilty of crime will be dealt with in accordance with Allah^-SWT's verdict no matter who he is, and do not attach hopes with him or with anyone else as they too are dependent upon the same Allah^-SWT whom you are being ordered to obey. Never harm justice for the sake of vain desires and temptations, whereby you are lured or influenced into giving twisted or ambiguous testimony; nor should any one deliberately try to evade testifying. You should never do so; otherwise those fundamental rights will be breached which are among the objectives of Islam. All the Muslims are accountable, within their capacity, for contributing to the promotion of peace and justice in the society. However, when it comes to the implementation of law and punishing the culprits, it is the responsibility of the Government. Every citizen cannot take the law in his own hands, but it should be remembered that Allah^-SWT is Aware of all that people do and nothing is concealed from Him^-SWT .

Allah^-SWT Commands the believers to believe in Him^-SWT and His^-SWT Prophet"^-SW  and this maybe done by acting upon the Book that He^-SWT has revealed. In other words they must make Quran the base of all actions. They should set aside all considerations of profit or loss, all perceptions as to who is good or bad, significant or humble and only pay attention to what Allah^-SWT decrees in His Book, which He has revealed unto His^-SWT Prophet^-SW. They must adhere to His^-SWT Commandments and prove that they believe, by acting upon the Book. They must also believe in the Scriptures Allah^-SWT has revealed before the Quran. And it must be seen that the one who is not blessed with faith in Allah^-SWT , nor in His^-SWT Angels^-AS, His^-SWT Books, His^-SWT Prophets^-AS and the Hereafter has indeed strayed far away from the right path. Undoubtedly he had diverged immensely, so far from where he may probably never return. Those who have renounced faith after accepting it and reiterated this behaviour, and progressed in disbelief and transgression, are deprived by Allah^-SWT of forgiveness as well as guidance.

The hypocrites mostly were either from the Jews or the Christians. Allah^-SWT asserts that first they had professed faith in their own Prophets'^-AS; but practically adopted infidelity in the name of Islam and hade now repeated their performance, with the result that they plunged deeper in the quagmire of disbelief. They indulge in evil to such an extent that their hearts lose the capability to repent and ultimately they die as non-believers. Otherwise even if the worst of non-believers repents sincerely, Allah^-SWT's Mercy is far too great compared to his sins. Let these hypocrites know that for them awaits a painful punishment. Hypocrisy is a tree which yields fruit that is always torturous and agonizing, both in this world and in the Hereafter. These are the very people who prefer friendships with non-believer over believers and develop close ties with them. It has been mentioned earlier that there are certain limits to which a relationship with a non-believers is permissible. A connection with them, which may harm Islam or the Muslims, is not allowed at all. It is also not allowed to adopt their appearance and look like them and lo dress up like them, believing that it will add to one's honour. In short, any such action, which may symbolize preference of non-believers over Islam or Muslims and is done with the intention of becoming honourable, is a sin and an absolute misconception. Honour and respect rest with Allah^-SWT . If we talk of the Hereafter and the eternal honour, Allah^-SWT tells us that it is only for Allah^-SWT , His^-SWT Prophet"^-SW and for the believing servants of Allah^-SWT . Talking of this world, this life is in reality a shadow of the Hereafter; those who are destined lo receive respect and dignity in the Hereafter also rule the hearts of people in this life. People respect them from the core of their hearts. The others never win any respect or honour, but people only pretend to respect them while despising them in their hearts. This is all from Allah^-SWT and 'O believers, you have been blessed with His^-SWT Book. Who can be more fortunate than you? It guides you in each and every matter.

It also commands the believers not to sit with people who are violating the laws of Islam, talking against or making fun of them. But if there is a compulsion and such people have to be visited, they must be seen at a time when they are not engaged in evil conduct. For example, if an official needs to be seen for some business, and you visit him while he is sitting in a club drinking, gambling or blaspheming against Islam, and you sit with him and bear such behaviour hoping that he would do your job, is not only forbidden but you also become a party to his sin. He is doubtlessly a hypocrite, and if he utters words of disbelief, he would become a non-believer too, but the person who in the hope of some favour sits with him will also be counted among such characters.

However, if you visit him in his office or court where he is also doing official business, it is permitted to sit with him. Otherwise putting up with disbelief is disbelief itself. It is the duty of every Muslim to work for the eradication of such evil congregations. The least one can do is to stay away from such gatherings thus reducing the attendance at least by one. Scholars have derived a conclusion from this Ayah that it is forbidden to even sit with and listen to those who give such meanings to the Quran, as arc against the teachings of the Holy Prophet^-SW as it tantamount to distortion of meanings. It is much better to be alone than being in such an evil company. One who does not approve of such conduct at heart, but puts up with it, will not be a disbeliever but a grave sinner. If someone is compelled because of worldly constraints such as job, like in the army etc, there is no wrong done on his part. Going to such congregation for the propagation of Islam, through logical arguments and self example, and trying to convince such people of the glory of Islam is Jihad, and the best of worships. In all other cases, the one who joins such a gathering will be considered to be a sinner. The non-believers and the hypocrites were always in search of opportunities to harm the Muslims. When the Muslims would be victorious they would say: 'weren't we with you; didn't we advise you?' In a war, the situation is ever changing. Thus when they would see that the non-believers are taking an edge, these hypocrites would approach them and say: "Have we not played a vital role in saving you by confusing the Muslims?"

These hypocrites will soon discover when they will be judged alongwith the non-believers. When both of these groups are thrown in Hell, they will realize that all their lives they had not been deceiving the Muslims but their own selves. These matters will surely be decided on the Day of Judgement. It is Allah^-SWT's promise, that no matter how much the hypocrites try or the non-believers strive to harm Islam, they will never be granted dominance over Muslims or Islam. Now if the Muslims do not fulfill the requirements of being true Muslims, whose fault is it? Indeed the only guarantee of the survival of Muslims as believers today is that they should repent sincerely wherever they may be, and must submit themselves to the teachings of the Holy Prophet"^-SW. O’ Allah^-SWT please make this be!