The very word ‘Islam,’ from the Arabic silm, connotes peace. According to a tradition of the Prophet, ‘Peace is Islam’. This means that peace is one of the prerequisites of Islam.
A movement cannot be a jihad just because its leaders describe it as such. An action can be termed a ‘jihad’ only when it fulfils the conditions set by Islam. Any action which is carried out without fulfilling these conditions will not be a jihad but a fasad, which will amount to spreading corruption across the world. Those who engage in such a ‘jihad’ will not deserve any reward. They should expect only divine punishment.
‘Jihad’ essentially is a peaceful struggle. One form of this peaceful struggle is dawah, i.e., communication of the message of God.
While peace is a boon for human society, violence is a curse. Peace fosters a high level of human culture and helps it to flourish, whereas violence breeds a jungle culture. Peace elevates humanity to the level of civilized social existence, whereas violence causes a descent into barbarism. Peace brings the good elements of a society into prominence, while violence does the very opposite.
