PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN THE LIGHT OF ISLAMIC CONTEXT AND SOLUTION OF CURRENT POLITICAL TURMOIL IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Anything that compromises the sanctity of Islam, Muslim Ummah, and/or Muslim states leads to national and/or international conflict. Islam being the Deen of Peace offers numerous ways to address and resolve such conflicts in the best manner, depending upon the nature of the conflict. Through Siyasat al-Quwwah, Islam defines power politics and teaches to practice peace using coercive authority. For this, Islam explicates the foundations and objectives of political powers. Through Islah and Tajdid, Islam defines the authority of law and conventions. For this, Islamic jurists have explained the jurisdiction of Islam in every modern need. Moreover, Islam has served as an ethical tradition to run successful international relations, since the caliphate era. These ethics, if practiced in real essence, would help Pakistan to counter the ongoing political turmoil, nationally and globally. In the contemporary scenario, referring to the political instability among the leading political parties of Pakistan, Sulh as a mode of peace must be adopted by the leading groups to resolve the current conflicts. Also, Tahkim or arbitration should be practiced by politicians to resolve political disagreements. In the context of Islam in the Arabs era, the practices of Reconciliation can be the guiding path for rejuvenating the political and consequential economic stability in Pakistan. This article is a humble attempt to explore the Islamic concept of peace and conflict resolution followed by an analysis of current political instability in Pakistan. The solutions to counter these conflicts and bring about a peaceful society have been devised using Quran, Sunnah, and other religious and academic sources.