In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. To Allah belong the endowments, befitting perfection, and commendations. I ask Allah to raise the rank of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and to protect his nation (Ummah) from what he fears for it. Thereafter:
Dear brothers and sisters! Know that, the very word Islam etymologically refers to peace and submission to the will of Allah. In that sense Islam is the same as Salam, which is the same as the Hebrew Shalom, meaning peace, with the special connotation of soundness and wholesomeness. Peace is so dear to Islam that every Muslim is ordered to greet another person on meeting “Peace be upon you”(Assalamu-Alaikum). In the Qur’an Allah refers to Himself as as-Salam or Peace, so as a Muslim, the yearning for peace is nothing but yearning for Allah.
Islamic history shows that Muslims and non-Muslims existed and lived in peace in Madinah (first Islamic State/Country) and in the successive states and epochs. Many treaties and pacts were signed between Muslims and non-Muslims. There were numerous treaties which were very important in the early history of Islam that showed tolerance and respect for other religions. Some of them are, for instance:
In Madinah, the Constitution of Madinah (drafted for the State of Madinah, known also as the ‘Sahifat al-Madinah’) was prepared under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in 622 AD, to meet the needs of people of different beliefs residing within the State/Country, and was put into practice as a written legal binding contract. Different communities belonged to different religions (Islam, Judaism and Christianity) and races that had enmity towards one another for more than 100 years became parties to this ‘Pact’ and ultimately could actually live side by side in peace and respect.
According to the Constitution of Madinah, everyone was free to adhere to any belief or religion or to make any political or philosophical choice. People sharing the same views could come together and form a community. Everyone was free to exercise his own justice system. However, anyone who committed a crime would be protected by no-one. The parties to the contract would engage in co-operation with one another, provide support for each other, and would remain under the protection of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Conflicts between the parties would be brought before the Messenger of Allah. This contract was in force from 622 to 632 AD. Through this document, the tribal structures which had formerly been based on blood and kinship were abolished, and people of different cultural, ethnical and geographical backgrounds came together and formed a social unity. The Constitution of Madinah is an excellent example of peaceful coexistence among peoples of different religions.
Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) gave full freedom to the Christians of Najran to offer prayers in their own way in the Mosque – Masjidin Nabawi in Madinah.
Moreover, one of the best testimony to the toleration of the early Muslim government is furnished by the Christian themselves. In the reign of Uthman (the third Caliph of Islam), the Christians patriarch of Merv addressed the bishop of Fars, named Simeon, in the following terms: The Arabs who have been given the Kingdom by Allah do not attack the Christians faith; on the contrary, they help us in our religion; they respect our god and our saints and bestow gifts on our churches and monasteries.
Additionally, the noblest monument of enlightened tolerance is the Charter which the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) granted to the monks of the monastery of St. Catherine, near Mount Sinai and to all Christians. This remarkable document, which has been faithfully preserved by the annalists of Islam, displays a marvellous breadth of view and liberality of conception. By it, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) secured to the Christians privileges and immunities which they did not possess even under sovereigns of their own creed; and declared that any Muslim violating and abusing what was therein ordered, should be regarded as a violators of Allah’s testament, a transgressor of His Commandments, and a slighter of His faith.
He (Peace be upon him) undertook himself and enjoined on his followers to protect the Christians, to defend their churches, the residences of their priests, and to guard them against all injuries. They were not to be unfairly taxed, no bishop was to be driven out of his bishopric, no Christian was to be forced to reject his religion; no monk was to be expelled from his monastery; no pilgrim was to be detained from his pilgrimage. Nor were the Christian’s churches to be pulled down for the sake of building mosque or houses for the Muslims. If Christians should stand in need of assistance for the repair of their churches or monasteries, or any matter pertaining to their religion, the Muslims were to assist them. If happens that the Muslims are to be engaged in war with outside Christians, no Christian resident among Muslims be treated with contempt on account of his creed (i.e., he/she should not be persecuted or harmed just because of him/her being a Christian). Any Muslim so treating a Christian will be severely accounted for by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
Also Muslim Spain furnishes one of the most excellent examples of peaceful co-existence of various cultures and religions. It sets an example for contemporary Muslims how to live peacefully with non-Muslims. For seven centuries the Muslims held Spain, and the beneficence of their rule, in spite, of intestine quarrels and dynastic disputes, is testified to and acknowledged even by their opponents. On their arrival on the soil of Spain, the Saracens (Arabs) published an edict assuring to the subject races, without any difference of race, or creed, the most ample liberty. Suevi, Goth, Vandal, Romans, and Jews were placed on an equal footing with the Muslims. They guaranteed to both Christians and Jews the full exercise of their religions, the free uses of their places of worship, and perfect security of person and property. The high culture attained by Spanish Arabs has been sometimes considered as due principally to frequent marriages between Muslims and Christians. This circumstance, undoubtedly, exercised a great influence on the development of the Spanish Muslims and the growth of that wonderful civilisation to which modern Europe of today owes so much of its advance in the arts of peace.
Islam gives free choice in the case of religion and faith by declaring:
“There is no compulsion in matters of faith. Surely what is right has now become clear from what is wrong.” [Qur’an, 2:256]
Respected brothers and sisters! Every day, we encounter countless kinds of people in our lives. The world is made up of people from different religions, races, tribes, region and belief systems. From the dawn of time, ethnic conflict and communal tensions have been part of human history. Perhaps, because of our inherently quarrelsome nature, even from the earliest days of civilisation, humans have clashed—sometimes fatally—with their kind, including closely related species such as Homo neanderthalensis and Homo erectus. These groups eventually disappeared into the folds of time, leaving Homo sapiens as the sole survivor.
But even among the sapiens, division continued. Tribes, castes, and communities emerged, and the record of ethnic conflict throughout history paints a picture of humanity as a species often bent on destruction rather than peace.
Yet, for the sake of human progress—and for building a just and beautiful society—the ability to live together and be tolerant of each other’s views is crucial.
Recognising this, humans established institutions like the family, society, and the state. At the core of all these institutions lies one vital value: tolerance.
Without tolerance, we cease to be human in the truest sense. We become aggressive and hostile. When we can no longer accept other’s viewpoints and feel compelled to impose our ideologies or beliefs, peaceful coexistence breaks down.
Please, take a look at some of the Nigerian cities today. Are we even aware of our surroundings? Many of us are so busy that we barely know the people who live next door.
This emotional and social distance, despite our physical proximity, interrupts the very notion of peaceful coexistence.
What we need is mutual respect and understanding. We must learn to accept that not everyone will share our opinion, and we must still show tolerance and empathy toward them. That is the foundation of peace.
To emphasise the importance of this value, after the teachings of our great religion – Islam, the United Nations established the International Day of Living Together in Peace, observed annually on 16 May.
According to UNESCO’s official website:
“Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognise, respect and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way.”
The day calls on UN member states, organisations, and civil society to celebrate through education, awareness-building, and cultural activities. The goal is simple yet profound: to promote peace, tolerance, unity, and harmony within diversity. But what exactly does “peaceful coexistence” mean? Is it simply the absence of war or avoiding conflict? Not at all. Peaceful coexistence means creating a society where everyone is tolerant of differing views, where human rights take priority, and where individuals and nations alike stand united in upholding the dignity of every person. It’s about forming connections not only between individuals, but between countries.
The day advocates a world where all countries, regardless of differences, speak in unison for justice and human dignity.
This vision is aligned with the UN Charter, which aims to protect future generations from the scourge of war.
In today’s world, where religious, cultural, tribal, regional and ethnic diversity is ever-growing, the need for dialogue, intercultural respect, and tolerance has never been greater.
This day is open for everyone to celebrate. You can share messages of peace on social media, read books about different cultures, attend cultural events, or have a conversation with your friends and family about the importance of peace and harmony.
You can volunteer at a local peace-building initiative or actively avoid unnecessary conflict in everyday life. You can also join international webinars and discussions to contribute to the global movement for peace.
Because in the end, every small act of tolerance contributes to a more peaceful world. Everyone must develop awareness at a personal level to ensure peaceful coexistence.
We need to learn to accept that differences of opinion are entirely natural. Every individual has genetic distinctions and is shaped by a unique environment. So, expecting everyone to agree on everything is nothing but a fanciful notion. This must be believed and kept in mind.
Since disagreement is natural, we must respect individuality and remain tolerant and respectful toward other’s views.
No one should be attacked for holding a different opinion. Believing in diversity, we must move forward to build an inclusive society.
To create a more peaceful world for future generations, we must uphold tolerance and respect for all, keeping the door open to a better and brighter future.
Allah The Almighty says in the Qur’an:
“If your Lord had so willed, He would have made mankind one people, but they will not cease to differ, except those on whom your Lord and Sustainer has bestowed His mercy; and for this [to be different] did He create them.” [Qur’an, 11: 118-119]
Lastly I ask Allah to end our life with Islam, to assemble us with the Prophets in the Hereafter and to gather us with the Prophets in the highest levels of Paradise. Ameen.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.
And success comes from Allah, and He the Most High knows best.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: [email protected] or +2348038289761.
