2.4b Peace and Conflict in Islam

1. Islam as a religion of peace. This statement means that _______

• the Qur'an is seen to promote messages of peace, and Muslims promote peace and unity through being part of the Ummah.
• Islam is a religion that has been misrepresented to be peaceful.
• there are many no examples of peace being shown within Islam, demonstrating its lack of importance.

2. Allah created the world with the intention that peace would be part of his creation. This statements means that ...

• Muslims believe only in the personal struggle
• You must go to war to secure peace
• Standing up for justice in the world is one way of achieving peace.

3. Forgiveness is important in peacemaking because ...

• Recognise everyone makes mistakes and put sanctions.
• Muslims believe Allah is merciful and they should follow his example and try to forgive others when they wrong
• It helps achieve peace through just punishments

4. The importance of reconciliation in peacemaking is needed ...

• to live in a wild and hostile community as Allah intends
• to live in the midst of criminals
• to live in an ordered and peaceful world as Allah intends

5. One of the importance of justice in peacemaking is that ...

• If justice is attained then crime will increase
• If justice is attained then peace will follow
• If justice is attained then the death penalty will be justified

5. Why do Muslims work for peace?

• To follow the teachings of Islam, which promote peace and working together rather than conflict.
• To follow the teachings of the Ali and the Twelvers, which promote conditional peace and working together rather than conflict.
• To follow the teachings of Malaikah, who blows the judgment trumpet and record human deeds.

6. Two examples of Muslim organisations working for peace are ...

• Islamic Relief and Islamic Shariah Courts
• Islamic Relief and Muslim Peace Fellowship
• Muslim Peacekeepers and Christian Peace Fellowship

7. One of the causes of conflict include ...

• not wanting resources that another country has e.g. oil
• holding different views about what set of policies or ideas a country should follow.
• not believing one particular ethnic group or culture is superior to another

8. One Muslim teaching about the nature and causes of conflict is that...

• the Qur'an highlights how people who claim to be promoting peace such as by fighting an enemy are actually going to heaven.
• the Qur'an highlights how people who claim to be promoting peace such as by fighting an enemy are actually doing the right thing.
• the Qur'an highlights how people who claim to be promoting peace such as by fighting an enemy are actually doing the opposite.

9. Two Muslim responses to problems conflict causes within society are: (a)..., and (b)...

• (a) If all efforts to reach peace have failed then war is permissible but only under very strict conditions, (b) Use only enough force to stop the problem.
• (a) Muslims must not try to reconcile groups who are in conflict. (b) Muslims must go beyond the action needed to resolve a conflict.
• (a) If war is needed to achieve love then it may be okay. (b) Muslims must go beyond the action needed to resolve a conflict.