Portland State University PDXScholar Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses Summer 9-27-2013 Conflict Resolution in Islam: Document Review of the Early Sources Flamur Vehapi Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds Part of the Islamic Studies Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Vehapi, Flamur, "Conflict Resolution in Islam: Document Review of the Early Sources" (2013). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 1446. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.1445 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. Conflict Resolution in Islam: Document Review of the Early Sources by Flamur Vehapi A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution Thesis committee: Harry Anastasiou, Chair Robert Gould Tom Hastings Portland State University 2013 Copyright © 2013 by Flamur Vehapi Abstract Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion. It is known to have an abundant and very rich amount of knowledge found in the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, and as such, this religion has tremendously contributed not only to Muslim societies but also to the West. One aspect of this contribution explicated in this thesis is its contribution to the field of Conflict Resolution. The primary purpose of this study is to unearth the tradition of peace and conflict resolution that comes out of the religion of Islam, which is unknown to many Muslims today. In this study, existing literature in the field is examined, and a qualitative exploration is carried out, in order to formulate a better understanding of the dynamics of the Qur’an, hadith and other documents of Islam, as they relate to peace and conflict resolution. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, data collected for this study came from two sources: the existing literature regarding Islam and conflict resolution and the participants (Imams and religious scholars of Islam) interviewed through a questionnaire. To begin with, the thesis introduces the fundamentals of Islam and major concepts of the faith. It proceeds with Qur’anic and hadith injunctions on peace and conflict, and how those divine revelations as believed by Muslims, were applied by Prophet Muhammad and his early followers. This work is concluded with the opinions and interpretations of the scholars regarding the original question of this study and the matters discussed in the literature review. The thesis deals with the teachings of the Qur’an and only investigates and analyzes historical events from the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad and the early caliphate of Islam. In the process, to further explore the concept of conflict resolution in i Islam, interpretations of Muslim scholars and imams are included in this document review of the sacred texts of Islam. Some questions addressed in this research are, how might this knowledge be valuable to Muslims today in these times of great turmoil involving the Muslim world after September 11? Where do the primary sources of Islam, the Quran and the hadith, stand as far as peace and conflict are concerned? And most importantly, what does Islam have to teach about conflict resolution? ii Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my beloved parents who brighten my life every time I speak with them while I am away from them during my studies. It is also dedicated to my brother and sister and their families who have been tremendous supporters of my work and what I do as a student of Conflict Resolution; and to Nicole, of course. Last but not least, this work is dedicated to everyone who has come into my world, has left, and continues to leave a positive mark in this journey of mine we call life. iii Acknowledgements There are many wonderful people that I feel honored to have worked with and wish to acknowledge for their great support for my work, growth and understanding of Conflict Resolution. Many thanks to Dr. Harry Anastasiou, Mr. Stan Sitnick, Dr. Robert Gould, Dr. Tom Hastings, Dr. Rachel Cunliffe, Dr. Amanda Byron Smith, and others for their supervision of this research. Heart-felt thanks to Mr. Mamadou Toure, Mr. Burhan Fili, Dr. Abdullah Alkadi, Mr. Amr Khalifa, Mr. Kanaan Kanaan, Stella Williams, Joseph Migliore, and others for their great contributions to this work and above all for their invaluable support and friendship. Special thanks to Dr. Masud and Mrs. Salma Ahmad, Joseph and Shirley DioGuardi, Mike and Linda Tresemer, Judith Jensen, Philip Randall, Carl, Donna, Anne and Richard Offenbacher, Rick Williams, and the following families: Peyralans, Obaidi, Mirza, Jaffar, Taylor, Brady, Rockholt and Manlulu, Seeley, Petersen, Sumariwallah, Sours, and more. iv Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………..……………..i Dedication……………………………………………………………..…………….iii Acknowledgements…………………………………………….……….…………....iv Glossary………………………………………………...…………………………….vi Preface……………………………………………….……………………………...viii Part 1: Islam, its Major Concepts, and Misconceptions……..……………………….1 Part 2: Literature Review…………………………………………...……………….33 Part 3: Methodology, Discussion, Results………………………..………………....94 Conclusion ……………………………………………………….………………..121 References………………………………………………………….………………124 Appendices A. Research Questionnaire…………………………….….………..….…133 B. HSRRC Application Proposal………………………………….……..135 C. Consent Form…………………………………………………………139 D. Selected Qur’anic Verses……………………………………………..142 E. Selected Hadith……………………………………………………….144 F. The Constitution of Madinah………………………………………....146 G. The Treaty of Hudaibiyyah…………………………………..……….148 H. The Agreement of Umar……………………………………………...149 I. Just War Theory Requirements ……………………………………...150 J. In the Footsteps of the Prophet ……………………………………....151 K. Supplemental Files………………………………………………...….153 v Glossary Abd: Literally “Servant/slave of” used in Arabic names, usually before one of the names of God, like Abdullah or AbdulAziz. Allah: the Arabic word for God used by Muslim and non-Muslim Arabic speakers alike Caliph: successor to Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community Dar al-Islam: “abode of peace,” Islamic territory, i.e., where Islamic law is in force Emir/amir: “a prince” or commander, army commander Fatwah: non-binding legal opinion Fitrah: the pure and original human nature as created by God Fiqh: a term referring to doctrinal rules derived from the Islamic sources by Muslim jurists Hadith: written narrative reports of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings, actions and approvals Hajj: the pilgrimage to Makkah in the Month of Dhul-Hijjah (it is one of the five pillars of Islam) Halal: something permitted by the Shariah Haram: something forbidden by Shariah Hijab: veil or head scarf worn by Muslim women and men Hijrah: Literarily meaning emigration; it refers to the journey of the Prophet from Makkah to Madinah, and it also marks year one of the Islamic calendar. Hudaybiyyah: A place where a peace treaty was signed between the Prophet and the Quraysh tribe Ijma: Agreeing upon; consensus of the community, particularly the learned ones. Ijtihad: independent analysis or interpretation of Islamic law Imam: “Leader,” prayer leader Iman: the concept of faith consisting on belief in God, angels, the books of God, the prophets and the Day of Judgment where everyone will be taken into account Islam: Submission to the will of God alone Jihad: struggle in the path of God for the greater good Jizyah: head tax paid by non-Muslims for living safely in the Islamic state Kabah: The Sacred House of Islam in Makkah Khalifa: caretaker, vicegerent or representative of God Madrasa: School or college to teach Islamic law, etc Mufti: specialist on Islamic law competent to deliver a fatwa (legal ruling) Muslim: One who submits to the will of God, a follower of the religion of Islam Nafs: soul, self. Quraysh: the tribe of Prophet Muhammad Qur’an: “Recitations,” the books of Muslims revealed to Prophet Muhammad by God through Archangel Gabriel Qiblah: the direction of prayer (towards the Kabah) Ruh: The spirit that God blew into Adam, the first human created out of clay. Sahabah: Companions of Prophet Muhammad, those who met him and accepted his message Salaam: peace Salah: prayer (one of the five pillars of Islam) vi Shahadah: profession of faith: “there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His final messenger” (the first pillar of Islam) Shariah: Islamic law or “path,” rules and regulations that govern the day-to-day life of Muslims Shiite/Shia: Literally “party,” one who believes that the authority of Prophet Muhammad is to pass to his descendants Shirk: Associating others with God, the only unforgivable sin in Islam if the person dies in such a state Shurah: Consultation and cooperation for the benefit of the community Sunnah: Traditions (sayings, actions and approvals) of Prophet Muhammad Sunni: One who follows the ways and customs of Prophet Muhammad, and believes that the authority of Prophet Muhammad was to pass down to any qualified Muslim through the consensus of the Muslim community Surah: A chapter of the Qur’an Taqwah: God-consciousness, God-wariness, Ulama: religious scholars or clergy Ummah: Community of the faithful, refers to the worldwide Muslim community Vezir: adviser to a ruler, government minister Zakah: Poor-due,