Peace is defined in most dictionaries as “a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.” Islam has defined peace in a different way. The word for peace in Arabic is Salam. When Muslims greet each other, the say As salamu alaikum, may peace be on you. The word Islam has been translated as peace and submission. For Muslims, peace also means the establishment of justice. This is evidenced by the conquest of Palestine by Khalifah Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, when he established the Umari Treaty.1
It has become clear that a year after the current genocide, the Zionists do not want peace. They want the whole of Palestine, and they are finishing the job they started in the 1940s. The latest speech of Benjamin Netanyahu reflects this, “We will fight until we achieve total victory. There is no substitute for it.”2 The expansion of the war into Lebanon is further proof that peace cannot come with the current status quo.
Peace Agreements since 1948 - Palestine
Peace agreements in Palestine resemble attempts to negotiate with intruders who have occupied your home and continue to exploit both you and your property without respite. It is difficult to fathom how such a process could be deemed fair. To those unfamiliar with the historical and political realities, the extensive list of peace agreements and accords may give the illusion of progress or the potential for future resolutions.
- 1949 Armistice Agreements - Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria
- Camp David Accords (1978) - Israel, Egypt
- Madrid Conference (1991) - Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon
- Oslo Accords (1993 & 1995) - Israel, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
- Camp David Summit (2000) - Israel, Palestinian Authority
- Taba Summit (2001) - Israel, Palestinian Authority
- Roadmap for Peace (2003) - Israel, Palestinian Authority
- Annapolis Conference (2007) - Israel, Palestinian Authority
- 2013-2014 Peace Talks - Israel, Palestinian Authority
- Abraham Accords (2020) - Israel, United Arrab Emirates, Bahrain
- Deal of the Century (2020) - Israel, Palestinian Authority (proposed by the United States)
However, as outlined in separate articles on this topic, it is evident that genuine peace for Palestine is unattainable within the framework of the current international order, which consistently reinforces inequality and perpetuates the occupation.
The Betrayal of Peace Accords for Palestinians
Since 1948, numerous peace agreements and negotiations have consistently failed to secure lasting peace for the Palestinian people. The much-hailed Oslo Accords (1993, 1995), which created the Palestinian Authority and offered limited self-rule, also failed to tackle critical issues such as occupation, refugees, and settlements.
These agreements have served as delaying tactics, allowing Israel to continue expanding settlements in the West Bank and tightening control over Palestinian territories. The continued expansion of Israeli settlements, raids in Palestinian homes, imprisonment, and torture suggests that many of these peace initiatives have been more about entrenching Israeli control than about achieving genuine peace.
The Deal of the Century proposed by the Trump administration was hyped as a peace plan, but it did not address the core issues for Palestinians. By proposing a fragmented, demilitarized Palestinian state with limited sovereignty while allowing Israel to annex 30% of the West Bank and retain control over security, the plan further cemented Israel's dominance. It legalized Israeli settlements in the West Bank, undermining the prospects of a Palestinian state, and denied Palestinian refugees the right of return. This agreement, too, was a stalling tactic.
All the agreements limited Palestinian autonomy and legitimized Israeli annexation of large swaths of the West Bank. The agreements have solidified Israeli control over Palestinian land.
Leaders of the Muslim world have failed to support the Palestinian cause by normalization deals under the Abraham Accords (2020): United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan establishing relations with Israel, sidelining the occupation of Palestine. These leaders prioritized their relations with the West, particularly the U.S., at the expense of Palestinian interests.
Quranic Guidance
The Treachery of Rulers and Taking Non-Muslims as Friends
Several Quranic verses emphasize the caution Muslims should exercise in forming alliances with non-Muslims, particularly when those alliances might compromise Islamic values or the well-being of the Muslim community.
“O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:51)
"Let not believers take disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. And whoever [does that] has nothing [to do] with Allah, except when taking precaution against them in prudence. And Allah warns you of Himself, and to Allah is the [final] destination."
(Surah Al-Imran, 3:28)
"O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth…"
(Surah Al-Mumtahina, 60:1)
"O you who have believed, do not take the disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do you wish to give Allah against yourselves a clear case?"
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:144)
Arab Rulers looking for normalization and aligning with Western powers have violated these verses by accepting agreements detrimental to Palestine.
Prophetic Guidance
Sanctity of Muslim Life, Property, and Honor
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said in his Farewell Sermon:
"Your blood, your property, and your honor are sacred to you like the sanctity of this day of yours (Day of Arafah) in this sacred month of yours (Dhul-Hijjah) in this sacred city of yours (Mecca)."
(Bukhari)
This Hadith indicates that the life, property, and dignity of Muslims are sacred and inviolable. Muslim lands are part of the Ummah’s collective property and honor, and it is considered a major sin to unjustly give away or compromise them.
Betraying the Trust of the Ummah
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
"When a leader entrusted with the affairs of the Muslims dies while he is deceiving them, Allah will forbid him from entering Paradise."
(Muslim)
This Hadith underscores the severity of betraying the trust of the Muslim community, particularly by leaders. Muslim rulers or leaders who give away or sell Muslim lands for personal or political gain are betraying the trust that has been placed in them by Allah and the Ummah.
Unity and Brotherhood of Muslims
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
"The example of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever."
(Bukhari)
This Hadith teaches about the unity of the Muslim Ummah. Giving away Muslim land compromises the well-being of all Muslims, as the Ummah is one body, and its collective interests must be protected.
Standing Firm for Justice
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
"The best jihad is speaking a word of truth to an unjust ruler."
(Sunan Ibn Majah)
This Hadith asks us to speak out when their leaders behave unjustly, such as giving away Islamic land, allowing the killing of even one Muslim, or oppression of the rights of Muslims. It is the duty of believers to stand firm and speak out against such actions.
The Liberation of Palestine
Historical Examples of Leadership to Liberate and Protect Palestine
During the Crusades, Palestine, and Al-Aqsa were occupied for nearly a century, with Crusaders ruling the region and inflicting untold brutality on both the Muslim and Christian populations of Palestine and other areas of Al-Shaam. The visionary leadership of Salahuddin Ayubi, may Allah be pleased with him, through military encounters and strategies, ultimately ended the occupation. His efforts expelled the Crusaders and restored justice and peace to the region through the principles of Islam.
Sultan Abdul Hamid II, the Muslim Khalifah in 1901, was approached by Theodor Herzl, the leader of the Zionist movement, who sought to negotiate the purchase of land in Palestine for a Jewish state. Despite Herzl’s offer of substantial financial support to alleviate debts, Sultan Abdul Hamid II firmly refused. His response became famous: "I cannot sell even an inch of the land, for it does not belong to me but to my people. The Muslims liberated it with their blood, and we will protect it with our blood." His unwavering stance reflected his dedication to preserving Palestine under Islamic rule and safeguarding its lands and Masjid Al-Aqsa.
The Role of the Ummah in Resisting the Usurpation of Palestinian Land
The global Muslim Ummah has risen to resist the occupation and support Palestine despite the inaction of leaders. We must continue to raise awareness and ask those of power and influence to remove the evil of the genocide through Islamic rulings. We must seek Islamic leadership of the calibre of Salahuddin Ayubi and Sultan Abdul Hamid II. We must realise our strength. The large Muslim populations in the Muslim world can become a united voice calling for the restoration of justice through Islam in Palestine.
Establishing Justice
Palestine was liberated during the early Islamic conquests and remains an Islamic land. According to Islamic teachings, the land must remain unified and under Muslim control, and any attempts to divide it are against Islamic law.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, made several statements to this effect:
“If anyone oppresses someone else, even to the extent of a piece of land measuring a hand's width, his neck will be encircled with it from the seven earths.”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
“Whoever takes anything from land without right will be sunk with it until the seven earths on the Day of Judgement.”
(Bukhari)
"There will be a group among my followers who will continue to fight for the truth, and they will be victorious until the Day of Judgment. He was asked, 'Where are they?' He replied, 'In and around Jerusalem.'"
(Sunan Abu Dawood)
This Hadith predicts that a group of righteous Muslims will continue to protect the land of Palestine, particularly Jerusalem, until the end of times.
Palestine will be free by the Nussrah, (help) of Allah.
Map
End Notes
1 Why Muslim Children Should Know about Palestine
2 Netanyahu lashes out at U.N. as he defends Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon
Uzma Ahmed holds an MA in International Relations from Queen Mary University of London. She has served as an educational consultant, primary school principal, curriculum developer, researcher in Islamic education, and teacher trainer for schools around the world. She actively contributes to the community by conducting courses on the Quran, Sirah, Islamic history, and personal development, and she is a public speaker on contemporary issues in the Muslim world. She has authored primary-level English textbooks, reading books, and 5D Thinking science workbooks. She contributes to curriculum development at the Islamic Curriculum Initiative. Currently, she is the Director of Education and Training at the Institute of Integrated Knowledge.
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