By: Nawab Muhammed Yusuf Ali Khan
American writer Michael Hart described the Prophet Mohammed of Islam as the most successful person in his book ‘The 100’. What was the secret behind the Prophet’s success? The secret lies in the Prophet consistently favoring peaceful resolutions over warfare. He followed a policy of avoidance and reconciliation regarding confrontation and unnecessary conflict and was pivotal in his remarkable success on every front.
Prophet Mohammed’s approach was not rooted in force or conflict but in diplomacy, patience, tolerance, and practical wisdom, which won over the hearts and minds of his followers. Lord Sainath eulogized these sterling qualities in Sai Satcharitra. His goal was a spiritual and intellectual transformation of individuals which can be accomplished through a peaceful environment, goodwill, and wise planning. His dictum of ‘Shraddha’ and ‘Saburi’ are linked to Prophet Mohammed. This is why the Prophet’s teachings are entirely based on peace. Prophet Mohammed was one of the greatest pacifists in human history, using peaceful methods as his most effective tool.
Prophet Mohammed’s commitment to peace was not just a tactic; he saw peace as a complete ideology. Highlighting this unique approach to conflict resolution, he emphasized, “God grants to peace what He does not grant to violence,” Sahih Muslim, Hadith No 2593. He realized that peace is the most effective solution for any situation. Prophet Mohammed’s migration to Medina and the Treaty of al-Hudaybiya are two key examples of this quality. In the former, he quietly left his homeland at midnight to avoid confrontation with the enemy. In the ‘Life of Sai Baba’ we come across Upasani Maharaj leaving Shirdi at midnight even though he was yet to complete the four years of internship prescribed by Sainath Maharaj to be his successor. In the latter, Upasani Maharaj unilaterally accepted all the conditions of violating Sainath’s instructions, showing his unwavering determination not to be worshipped on par with Lord Sainath.
In contrast to Prophet Mohammed, modern Arab leaders call for ‘peace with justice’ and have sacrificed countless lives in pursuit of this ideal, but to no avail. From the example of the Prophet, we learn that justice does not come from peace itself; peace creates opportunities, and justice can be achieved by utilizing them.
This principle, followed by Prophet Mohammed throughout his life and demonstrated during the Treaty of al-Hudaybiya, is something the leaders today must embrace fully. From the Quran and the Prophet’s life, we gather that an ideal solution is not always possible. For example, when Prophet Mohammed faced a conflict with his opponents, like the Arab Israeli issue in the Holy Land, he reached an agreement in 628 CE by unilaterally accepting all the terms set by the opposing side.
This is one of the most notable examples of his peace-oriented strategy. The nonviolent resolution of this conflict showed his foresight and wisdom. He agreed to the Hudaybiya treaty not to impose his conditions but to create opportunities. This agreement ended the ongoing war in Arabia, paving the way for future possibilities.
Prophet Mohammed’s teachings emphasize and echo Lord Sainath’s way of the resolution of conflicts through peaceful means. The leaders today should follow this prophetic guidance and prioritize peace over violence. By focusing on creating peace to open new opportunities, as the Prophet did, modern leaders have the potential to bring about an era of peace and progress. The Prophet’s success was not built on conquest and coercion but on the strength of his character, the wisdom of his strategies, and the deep appeal of his message of peace. Through the columns of SAI AURA, let us rekindle the spirit of peace, remembering that the Quran describes the Prophet as a mercy to all of humanity.
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