BY MARIAM KHALIFEH
My concept was inspired by the recent
terrorist attacks in Lebanon, France, Syria, and Iraq and their association
with Islam. Checking my Facebook lately, all I see are videos and news of
governors condemning Islam and planning to limit Muslim refugee access to their
countries. سلام the word itself says ..اسلام; yet
it is extremely ironic that Islam is the one religion that is constantly
accused of promoting violence and terrorism. Thus, I felt an urge to draw something that reminds
the world of what Islam really is. I felt an urge to give a
glimpse about Islam to those who do not know much about it by just using canvas
and some paint.
Putting the newsfeeds and shared
videos aside, looking deep into the message of Islam, one cannot but sense its
peaceful message. The message of Islam is peaceful in all aspects. Islam
promotes tolerance and forgiveness with other religions. It
even came in the
Holy Quran that There is no compulsion where
the religion is concerned” (Holy Quran: 2/ 256). According to Islam, the three
holy religions should coexist peacefully. Islam even granted Muslim men the
right to marry women from other holy religions which reinforces the acceptance
and respect Islam has for different religions. I presented this on my art work
by putting a symbol for each religion on the letter “S” of the word “Salam,” meaning
peace.
In addition,
despite the common misconception about the treatment of women in Islam, Islam
actually enhanced the status of women. Islam
gave rights to women fourteen hundred years ago that some women do not have
until the current day. It also stopped the burial of girls, which was a common
practice before Islam. Islam honored mothers and granted them heaven. “And we
have enjoined on and to be dutiful and kind to his parents, his mother bears
him with hardship and she brings him with hardship” (Holy Quran: 46/15).
Moreover, Islam did not distinguish between women and men in the way they pray
and love God; women and men worship God the same exact way in Islam. The
prophet Mohammed peace be upon him also encouraged Muslim men to treat their
wives the best way possible and granted them heaven for well-raised daughters.
I presented this by drawing a sketch of a woman on the letter “L” of the word
“Salam.”
Islam is not only peaceful towards adults, but also towards children.
Islam condemns abortion whatever the reason is. Hence, it came in the Quran “kill
not your children because of poverty - We provide sustenance for you and for
them” (Holy Quran: 6/151). Islam does not even permit termination of pregnancy
because of financial difficulties; it encourages couples facing financial
difficulties to be patient and believe that God will provide for them and their
children. Islam gave parents the responsibility to raise their children with
righteous morals and respectful manners. Islam also stressed on the importance
of education of children and teaching them the right from wrong. Therefore, I
represented the peace of Islam towards children by drawing a child on top of
the “A” letter of the word “Salam.”
Islam’s peacefulness extended beyond family borders. Islam emphasized on
the necessity of respect and forgiveness between neighbors. In fact, Prophet
Mohammed, peace be upon him, is a great example of a respectful neighbor. It is
known that he once had a neighbor that did not believe in Islam and always left
his garbage at the door of the prophet. The prophet never said anything but
always threw away the garbage. One day, the man stopped throwing his garbage on
the prophet’s doorsteps. So, the prophet got worried about his neighbor and
went to visit him. The neighbor was sick and was mesmerized by the manners of
Prophet Mohammed. Islam gave rights to neighbors and a verse from the Holy
Quran supports this by stating “And be good to the neighbor who
is your relative and to the neighbor who is not a relative” (Holy Quran: 4/36).
I showed this on my painting by drawing two houses next to each other
representing neighbors.
Islam
did not exclude environmental aspects from its peaceful purpose. Islam proposes
that God provided Earth for humans to live on, protect, and take care of. The
prophet, peace be upon him, once said: “The Earth is green and beautiful, and
Allah has appointed you his stewards over it. The whole earth has been created
a place of worship, pure and clean. Whoever plants a tree and diligently looks
after it until it matures and bears fruit is rewarded. If a Muslim plants a
tree or sows a field and humans and beasts and birds eat from it, all of it
is love on his part” – Hadith. In addition, the Quran stresses on the
idea that God created everything for a wise purpose and humans
should not disrupt that purpose. On that note, the prophet said: “The world is
beautiful and verdant, and verily God, be He exalted, has made you His stewards
in it, and He sees how you acquit yourselves.” Hence, taking care of the
environment is embedded in the message of Islam. I presented this by drawing a
tree with its’ roots on the letter “M” of the word Salam.
Finally,
Islam’s gracefulness reached all insects and animals as both the Quran and the
prophet stressed on the kind treatment for animals. The Quran reminds humans
that animals form communities just like animals do: "There is not an
animal that lives on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but they
form communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they all
shall be gathered to their Lord in the end" (Holy Quran: 6/38). “The Quran
further describes animals, and all living things, as Muslims - in the
sense that they live in the way that Allah created them to live, and obey
Allah's laws in the natural world.” The prophet forbid the cruel treatment to
animals. He was always seen treating cats nicely and feeding them. He also once
said with reference to animals: “Fear Allah in these beasts who cannot
speak" – Hadith. I represented the peaceful
message of Islam towards animals by drawing a cat on the top of the “M” letter
of the word Salam.
Using just
a few aspects, I was able to represent the peace of Islam in the word “Salam.”
However, there are many other topics that the peaceful messages of Islam reach
to. Islam promotes peace even in wars and fights. The misrepresentation of
Islam has put the religion in a cave of injustice. I may not be the only one or
the first one to try to deliver this message; but be it by me or by anyone
else, I truly do hope that the message gets delivered. Islam in itself is Salam
- Peace.
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Biography:
Mariam
Khalifeh, 20 years old Palestinian engineering student. Passionate about
politics, poetry, and music.
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References:
and The Holy Quran.
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