Kamal Ghorui
By Farida Khanam
The month-long military confrontation involving US, Israel, and Iran, which began in late Feb, was suspended on March 25, 2026, under a temporary ceasefire. The conflict claimed nearly 5,000 lives, and left a trail of destruction in terms of infra, environment, and human livelihoods.
In the present age of weapons of mass destruction, the real cost of war has become impossible to ignore. As Chamberlain observed, “In war, whichever side may call itself the victor, there are no winners, but all are losers.” What appears to be a victory ultimately turns into a loss, both material and environmental.
A person in New Delhi associated with medical tourism once remarked on the impact of prolonged wars in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
The effects, he said, have been devastating. The use of explosives and chemical weapons has left entire populations vulnerable to cancer and other serious illnesses.
Even those not directly involved in the fighting have suffered. Physical disabilities, too, have become widespread. This is why the Quran says, “reconciliation is best” (4:128), not that war is best.
Today, nations are deeply interconnected. A conflict in one region quickly affects others. The recent energy crisis is one example. The ongoing tensions in West Asia have had repercussions not only there, but also in Europe, US, India, and across Asia.
In such a world, war is no longer an option. It does not move humanity forward – it pushes it back. For this reason, both religious wisdom and secular thought reject war and urge that every path leading to conflict be closed – even if it requires restraint and compromise.
Prophet Muhammad provides a clear historical example of his method in negotiating the Hudaybiya peace treaty. On the occasion, he brought matters to a successful conclusion by unilaterally accepting his opponents’ conditions.
In this peace treaty, the Prophet had not apparently received justice or his rights. What was in effect a 10-year no-war pact gave the Prophet an opportunity to work uninterruptedly on a constructive programme, which would otherwise have been impossible.
Though it appeared to be a one-sided concession at first, it later proved to be a clear victory. A modern parallel is Japan, which, after apparent submission in making peace with the United States, rapidly advanced in other fields.
The Prophet said that God grants through nonviolence what He does not grant through violence (Sahih Muslim). This shows that peaceful action is superior to violent action. War only deepens hatred, destroys resources, and leads to the loss of precious lives.
As Maulana Wahiduddin Khanwrites, peace is not simply the absence of war, but the creation of opportunities. Peace creates favourable conditions that would enable us to strive for justice and other constructive ends.
Violence and peace both have wide connotations. Violence includes everything fromhatred to war. Peace includes everythingfrom tolerance to love. Peace means normalcy, and normalcy provides opportunitiesthat foster a healthy environment.
Peace is essential for a better way of living: peace of mind, peace in the family, and peace in nature. The way forward must, therefore, rest on peace and negotiation.
The Quran lays down the principle clearly: “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it” (8:61). Promoting a culture of peace is not only necessary, it is more relevant today than ever before.
The writer is chairperson, Centre for Peace and Spirituality International, New Delhi
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