A I A P N
413
Blackwell Publishing, Ltd. Oxford, UK MUWO The Muslim World 0027-4909 © 2005 Hartford Seminary 95 3ORIGINAL ARTICLE
A I A P N The Muslim World V 95 2005
An Islamic Approach to
Peace and Nonviolence:
A Turkish Experience
1
Zeki Saritoprak
John Carroll University
Cleveland, Ohio
T
his paper aims to discuss the Islamic approach to peace and
nonviolence through an examination of the Turkish experience.
The first part explores the Qur ’an and the hadith perspective on peace
and nonviolence. The second part deals with Turkish Islamic figures who
promoted peace and nonviolence through their teachings and activities,
such as Suleyman Hilmi Tunahan (1888 –1959), Mehmet Zahit Kotku
(1897–1980) and especially Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (1876 –1960), and
Fethullah Gülen (1941– ).
Islam, as the word itself suggests, has connotations of peace and
submission. Muhammad, in his description of Muslims, says, “A Muslim is one
whose fellow brothers are safe from the harm of his tongue and hands.”
2
The core values of Islam constitute the foundation of nonviolent action in the
tradition.
3
One of the main principles of nonviolence in Islam is stated in the
well-known saying of the Prophet, “La Dharar wa la Dhirar,” which can be
translated as “not to harm and not to be harmed.”
4
In his personal life, the
Prophet was a living example of peace and nonviolence. Neither physical nor
verbal violence was ever attributed to him. In his teaching, violence against all
creatures is prohibited. Although he did defend himself when he and his
followers were attacked, he made peace dominate as soon as it was possible,
even at the risk of his own life. One example of this is the Treaty of
Hudaybiyyah, which had a great impact on the life of the Prophet in his
relationship to idol worshipers. The Prophet accepted the hard conditions of
his opponents for the sake of peace. Disarming himself to enter the city of
Mecca, he placed himself and his followers at great risk so they could perform
their pilgrimage peacefully.
5
The Prophet’s action against the Meccans was a
great example of nonviolent resistance to the oppression in Mecca by the elite.