Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

About the Author

Foreword to the Present Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Introduction

Absence of Peace

Islam’s Contribution to World Peace

1. Inter-Religious Peace

Religious Values Have Become Redundant

Universality of Prophethood

All Prophets Are Equal

Can Rank be Different if Authenticity is Equal?

Salvation Cannot Be Monopolised by Any Single Religion

Promotion of Harmony and Mutual Respect Amongst Religions

The Universality Concept

Islam Is a Universal Religion

Instruments of Struggle—No Compulsion

Survival of the Fittest

Freedom of Speech

Liberty and Emancipation in the Context of the Contemporary World

Blasphemy

Inter-Religious Cooperation

Conclusion

2. Social Peace

Contemporary Social Order

Two Climates of Social Order

Vanity of a Materialistic Society and Its Ultimate Destination

Rejection of Life to Come

Four Characteristics of a Materialistic Society

Accountability

Islamic Social Climate

Fundamentals of an Islamic Society

Chastity

Segregation of Sexes

The Dawn of a New Age in Women’s Rights

Equal Rights for Women

Polygamy

Care of the Aged

The Future Generation

Wasteful, Vain Pursuits Discouraged

Bridling of Desires

Building of Trust and Inviolability of Trusts and Treaties

Eradication of Evil—A Collective Responsibility

Do’s and Don’ts

DO’S

DON’TS

Rejection of Racialism

3. Socio-Economic Peace

Economic Justice under Capitalism, Socialism and Islam

Spending in a Good Cause Even in Adversity

Spending in the Cause of the Poor

Gratitude

No Human Reward for Favours

Begging

What Can Be Given in Charity?

Giving Openly and Secretly

Social Responsibilities

An Example from Early Islam

Extended Boundaries of Expenditure

Service to Others

Prohibition of Drinking and Gambling

4. Economic Peace

Economic Philosophies of Capital­ism, Communism and Islam

Capitalism

Scientific Socialism

Islamic Concept

Four Characteristics of a Capitalist Society

Capitalism Ultimately Leads to Destruction

The Changing Economic Order

Islamic Economic System

Zakat

Prohibition of Interest

High Interest Rates in Britain

Other Evils of Interest

Interest as a Threat to Peace

Prohibition of Hoarding of Wealth

Simple Lifestyle

Matrimonial Expense

Accepting Invitations from The Poor

Moderation in Eating Habits

Borrowing Money

Economic Class Differences

Islamic Law of Inheritance

Prohibition of Bribery

Commercial Ethics

Basic Needs

Worship as a Means of Economic Unity

International Obligations

5. Political Peace

Political Peace Has to Be Carefully Examined at the National and International Level

No Outright Condemnation of Any Political System

Monarchy

Defining Democracy

Islamic Definition of Democracy

Two Pillars of Islamic Concept of Democracy

Mutual Consultation Preferred

The Confusion as to the True Nature of Islamic Government

Divine Authority

Mullahism

Divided Loyalties between the State and the Religion

Should Religion Have Exclusive Legislative Authority?

Islamic Statecraft

International Relations—The Principle of Absolute Justice Equally Applicable to All

The Role of the United Nations Organisation

6. Individual Peace

To Be at Peace with Oneself

Vying with One Another in Good Deeds

Love Between Kith and Kin

Serving Others

Seeking the Pleasure of God

A Constant Awareness of Other Human Beings

A Wider Sphere of Loving Care

The Object of Man’s Creation

Without God, There Can Be No Peace

Index