Scholar: Prophet’s Message, Method Rooted in Peace and Tolerance
This is according to Hojat-ol-Islam Yahya Jahangiri, a university and Islamic seminary lecturer, who made the statements at an IQNA-organized international webinar titled “15 Centuries of Following the Messenger of Light and Mercy” on Tuesday.
Jahangiri emphasized that Islam itself is derived from the word “peace.” “Islam is peace. Whoever reads the Quran and becomes more violent has not understood Islam.
“The true Muslim, the more he engages with Islamic teachings, should become more peaceful and more tolerant to others,” he stressed.
He noted that peace in Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) life should be understood from two perspectives: the content of the message and the method of communication. According to him, both were equally important. “Not only was the message peaceful, but also the way of delivering it, training the community to be Muslim, was full of peace,” he said.
The scholar referred to passages in the Quran (9:61) that describe the Prophet as a “good ear” who listened carefully to others. “Some companions asked why the Prophet listened so much… but Allah told him not to worry about criticism and to continue being a good listener,” he explained.
He added that listening and respecting different voices was a foundation for building tolerance in society.
Quoting the Quran, he highlighted that discussions with others should be conducted “with wisdom and respect.”
He stressed that the Prophet never forced others to accept his message. “He was full of truth, but he never said you must accept me. Instead, he invited people to share their views and search for the truth together,” he said.
Read More:
He also pointed to the rapid spread of Islam during the Prophet’s lifetime as evidence of the effectiveness of his method. “In just 23 years, starting with only three followers, he gained more than 100,000. There was no social media, yet the message spread. This was because of both the content and the peaceful way it was delivered,” he said.
Concluding, the scholar called on Muslims to reflect on the Prophet’s example, especially on his birthday. It is not only important to know Islam, but also how to preach Islam, he said, adding that if the method is not peaceful and tolerant, people will turn away.
