Wisdom of Gandhi is still relevant

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"My reading of the Quran has convinced me that the basis of Islam is not violence, but is unadulterated peace. It regards forbearance as superior to vengeance. The very word Islam means peace, which is nonviolence."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Philly.Com
By Amitabh Pal | February 01, 2013

Sixty-five years ago on Jan. 30, three bullets ended the life of the greatest pacifist of the modern era: Mahatma Gandhi. But his message lives on, and people around the world urgently need to heed it.

The first people who should do so are those from the subcontinent where Gandhi lived. Clashes between India and Pakistan over the past month have killed a number of soldiers, raising temperatures in the region. What makes an India-Pakistan confrontation scary is the nuclear arsenals they have openly possessed since 1998. Gandhi was horrified by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and warned, "Unless now the world adopts nonviolence, it will spell certain suicide for humanity."

Gandhi's interpretation of Islam is also relevant for extremist groups that have distorted their religion's teachings.

"My reading of the Quran has convinced me that the basis of Islam is not violence, but is unadulterated peace," Gandhi said. "It regards forbearance as superior to vengeance. The very word Islam means peace, which is nonviolence." Gandhi had studied the religion and its early history closely, and often cited Islam's prophet, Muhammad, and his martyred grandsons, Hasan and Hussein, as inspirations.

Gandhi had astute insights for followers of other religions, too.

He appreciated Christianity, especially its teachings about helping the poor and turning the other cheek. "I saw that the Sermon on the Mount was the whole of Christianity for one who wanted to live a Christian life," he said. "It is that sermon that has endeared Jesus to me." But he also cautioned that, while Christians say they give all glory to God and believe in peace on Earth, "there seems to be neither glory to God or peace on Earth."

Until his final breath, Gandhi was unwavering in his belief in the power of pacifism.

"During my half-century of experience, I have not yet come across a situation when I had to say that I was helpless, that I had no remedy in terms of nonviolence," he remarked.

This was matched by a deep faith in the capacities of ordinary people.

"All mankind in essence are alike," Gandhi remarked. "What is, therefore, possible for me is possible for everyone." And he urged us all to take care of those less fortunate than us. "Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him," he said.

Gandhi's wise advice and profound commitments should guide us still, even 65 years after this remarkable man died.

Amitabh Pal is the author of "'Islam' Means Peace: Understanding the Muslim Principle of Nonviolence Today."




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