28/01/2025
Assalamu'alaikum Sir. Thank you for this great information. MashaAllah.
âAssalamualaikum: The Universal Message of Islamâ
By: Cosanie M Derogongan
âAssalamualaikumâââPeace be upon you.â These words, spoken daily by over a billion Muslims, carry the weight of Islamâs deepest aspiration: to sow peace in the hearts of humanity. More than a greeting, âAssalamualaikumâ is a prayer, a promise, and a reflection of Islamâs foundational belief that true peaceâSalaamâis achieved through submission to the Divine and service to creation. Rooted in the Qurâan and the life of Prophet Muhammad ï·ș, this message transcends time and geography, offering a path to harmony in a world yearning for hope.
Islamâs vision of peace begins with the recognition of divine oneness. The declaration of faith, âThere is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger,â unites humanity under a single Creator, erasing artificial divisions of race, wealth, or status. The Qurâan reminds us that all people are born from âone soulâ (4:1), bound by a shared purpose: to worship God and uphold justice. This spiritual equality is the bedrock of Islamic peaceâa call to see the divine light in every person, regardless of creed or culture.
Central to this message are the Five Pillars of Islam, which are not rituals of isolation but acts of transformation. Daily prayer (Salah), performed five times daily, anchors believers in humility and gratitude. In a world distracted by noise, these moments of stillness reconnect Muslims to their Creator, purifying the heart from greed, anger, and arrogance. The Prophet ï·ș taught that prayer is a sanctuary, a place where the soul finds rest and the mind clarity. Through this discipline, Muslims learn to carry peace within themselves, radiating patience and kindness even in adversity.
Charity (Zakat) is Islamâs answer to inequality. By mandating that Muslims give 2.5% of their wealth annually to the poor, Islam transforms wealth into a tool of mercy. The Qurâan warns against those who âhoard gold and silverâ (9:34), urging believers to âspend in the way of Allahâ (2:195) to uplift the marginalized. Zakat is more than an obligationâit is an act of solidarity, ensuring that no community thrives while others starve. In a world fractured by greed, this pillar embodies the essence of âAssalamualaikumâ: peace cannot exist where hunger and injustice prevail.
The month of Ramadan, with its rigorous fasts from dawn to sunset (Sawm), teaches empathy and self-restraint. By experiencing hunger, Muslims are reminded of the plight of the poor, while abstinence from gossip and malice nurtures inner purity. The Prophet ï·ș said, âWhoever does not abandon falsehood, Allah has no need of their hunger,â emphasizing that true fasting transcends the body to heal the soul. Ramadan is a global classroom where millions learn peace begins with mastering the selfâreplacing greed with gratitude and hatred with compassion.
The pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) culminates in Islamâs message of unity. Each year, millions of Muslims from every nation don simple white garments, standing shoulder-to-shoulder before the Kaaba. Here, all distinctions of race, wealth, and power dissolve, fulfilling the Qurâanâs vision: âO mankind, We created you from male and female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one anotherâ (49:13). Hajj is a living testament to the possibility of global harmony. In this world, diversity is celebrated, not feared.
Yet Islamâs call to peace extends beyond rituals. The Qurâan commands believers to ârepel evil with what is betterâ (41:34), to âstand firmly for justiceâ (4:135), and to greet even strangers with warmth. Prophet Muhammad ï·ș exemplified this mission. When persecuted, he prayed for his enemiesâ guidance. When victorious, he pardoned those who sought his ruin. His life mirrored the Qurâanic ideal: âGood and evil cannot be equal. Repel evil with what is better, and your enemy will become as a close friendâ (41:34).
âAssalamualaikumâ is both an invitation and a challenge. It urges humanity to move beyond passive coexistence to active peacemakingâto feed the hungry, forgive debts, heal divides, and dismantle oppression. Peace, in Islam, is not the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, mercy, and unwavering love for the Creator and His creation.
In an age of war and despair, Islamâs message remains a beacon. The Qurâan declares, âO mankind, there has come to you a conclusive message from your Lord: a guidance and mercy for those who believeâ (10:57). âAssalamualaikumâ is that guidanceâa reminder that peace is not a distant dream but a duty, achievable when we see ourselves in others and serve them as we serve God.
As the Prophet ï·ș taught, âThe best among you are those who bring peace to others.â May this universal messageârooted in faith, justice, and loveâinspire us to answer with our lives:
Wa Alaikum Assalam. And peace be upon you, too.
đïž May peace prevail. đ