World Blog by humble servant.What does the way of Submission (Islam) teach about violence and intolerance? Among the many beautiful attributes that stimulate our reverence, the Quran describes God as “Rahmaan er Raheem” (Most Gracious and Most Merciful).

There are the rare souls who need no reminders, who are able to live and breathe a steady flow of submission. The ones who feel the challenge for this awareness are invited to reflect on the Quran’s guidance.

What does the way of Submission (Islam) teach about violence and intolerance? Among the many beautiful attributes that stimulate our reverence, the Quran describes God as “Rahmaan er Raheem” (Most Gracious and Most Merciful). All but one of the 114 chapters of the Quran begin by introducing God with these qualities; an expression for a Creator who regards life as sacred (Quran 17:33).

There is no justification in the killing of innocent souls. A murder or horrendous crime against one person is considered an assault on humanity while the sparing of one life is sparing the lives of all people (Quran 5:32).

The notion of “jihad,” or holy war, is a misinterpreted oxymoron that represents the battle the soul must wage to surrender and serve God (Quran 22.78).2+2=4+7=11+8=19 .Capital punishment is discouraged and suicide is admonished (Quran 2:178 & 4:29). Oppression is deemed to be worse than murder (Quran 2:217). God encourages kindness, tolerance and equitable reconciliation between the faithful who are fighting (Quran 24:22, 49:9).The way of True Islam (Submission) is resorting to pardon, forgetting, and forgiving; striving to emulate the attributes of the Most Compassionate (Quran 7:199, 64:14). Even in the course of justice, patience is advocated instead of revenge: “…if you resort to patience (instead of revenge), it would be better for the patient ones. You shall resort to patience - and your patience is attainable only with God’s help” (Quran 16:126-7, 42:43).

The genuine strength of character that yields patience is encouraged in response to every interaction: “Not equal is the good response and the bad response. You shall resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend” (Quran 41:34). This conduct is a true test of the unconditional surrender of the soul, the abstention of ego, and the recognition that all dignity belongs to God (Quran 4:139).
Those who claim superiority in the name of their religion or abuse the way of True Islam to hurt other faiths are blinded to the light of unity and equality in the Quran: “Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who believes in God, and believes in the Last Day, and leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve” (Quran 2:62).
The love of God is not reserved for names such as the Protestant, Shi’ite, or Orthodox who remain divided by clinging to an exclusive belief of guaranteed “salvation”. God’s infinite love flows to the charitable, righteous, benevolent, equitable, and just; those who submit a complete submission (Quran 3:134, 3:76, 5:13, 5:42, 49:9, 2:208).