Peace In Christianity And Islam

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Both Christianity and Islam use their respective sacred texts to obtain information about peace and through principal teachings adherents are able to demonstrate what each teaches about peace. Inner peace can be found through prayer, as it is personal and helps one to find a tranquil state of mind. Global or world peace is achieved through finding serenity and using it to benefit others. For Christians, the Bible, in particular the New Testament, guides adherents to a life that is with God, which can only be achieved by finding peace with those around them. The Gospels state the importance of peace with those around them as expressed through the ‘Ten Commandments’ and ‘Beatitudes’. The Islamic faith teaches through the Qur’an, Sunnah and Hadith that by submission to Allah, adherents are enabled to live peaceful lives. Living a life that is Halal will only be achieved by following the six articles of faith, which are the core ethical teachings that are highlighted in the Qur’an and the five pillars, practices.

Within the Islamic faith teachings on peace come from the Sacred Texts, Qur’an, Hadith and Sunnah, in which the principal teachings, articles of faith, are evidenced. Living their life in accordance to the divine Allah by living a life around the central and core sacred texts would enable an adherent to find an inner state of tranquillity and thus are able to contribute to world peace. The Hadith teaches and has emphasis on the priority of peace within Islam and states “The merciful are shown mercy by the All Merciful. Show mercy to those on earth and God will show mercy to you.” (Hadith – al Tirmidhi and Abu Da’ud) The “articles of faith” outline the 6 principal teachings of Islam. Showing mercy to those on earth inevitabl...

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...h their belief in salvation they are committed to undoing these oppressions by first coming to peace with themselves.

Peace found by personal and global means is central to Christianity and Islam as recorded directly in the Bible and Qur’an. The sacred texts therefor outline the principal teachings that are adhered to by all adherents to both faiths. For adherents of Islam by following the Qur’an and the five pillars, in particular Hajj and Zakat, they are able to fully submit to Allah enabling them to find peace within and express this peace those around them e.g. Muslim Peace Fellowship. Christian adherents in following what the Bible teaches, Ten Commandments, are able to continue to create a world that is in the image of God and thus find agape and their calm and universal peace that they show towards every single human being e.g. Christian Peacemaker Teams.

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