PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE: AN ISLAMIC ENTITLEMENT

Abstract

The contemporary world is experiencing an era dominated by international organizations, as most nations are now members of the United Nations. The primary objective of these organizations is to uphold peace at local, regional, and international levels. Achieving this requires fostering amicable, equitable, and lawful relationships among all individuals, irrespective of their religion, race, color, or language, and ensuring that every citizen enjoys their full rights within their respective states. The general concept of peaceful coexistence implies sovereignty for each citizen. Although some may consider this concept modern, history reveals that it was already realized in the Islamic state during its golden era. At that time, people of different sects, religions, races, and social statuses lived in an environment of equality and justice, supported by legal texts and historical Islamic precedents, despite facing certain challenges. This led to peace, stability, security, and unity. 

Without peaceful coexistence, societies and states suffer from division, disunity, and civil wars, as seen in several Muslim countries today, such as Sudan, Pakistan, and Yemen. Thus, Muslim states urgently need to revive the early Islamic model of peaceful coexistence to achieve tranquility, development, and progress.