All creation is Allah's family; all the children of Adam are born of the same parents. The only way to keep peace and order in society is obedience to Allah and following the beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), the greatest of all people for all time. He was born in the holy month of Rabiul Awal. After 13 long years of enduring oppression and persecution, it was also in Rabiul Awal that he migrated from Makkah to Madina and founded a society of peace there.

Islam teaches peaceful coexistence with all people and does not support conflict. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), a bearer of peace, therefore established a commonwealth with the Muslims, Jews, Christians, idol-worshippers and people of other faiths and backgrounds in Madina and the areas around it. It guaranteed everyone's human, social and religious rights regardless of nation, religion or colour, and established peace and security. This historic agreement is known as the Charter of Madina. Among its aims were peaceful coexistence instead of war, help for the oppressed, and protection of the dignity and religious freedom of all parties to it.

Rabiul Awal brought the fragrance of spring to the society of Madina and changed its religious and political life. It ended long years of anarchy, conflict and war, and built bonds of friendship, harmony and love between warring tribes in place of conflict.

Islam set a unique example of a multinational state and an integrated society. It was declared: "The believing Muslims, and those who follow them, join them and defend the land with them, will be counted as one nation and will deal justly. If there is a terrorist attack, or if anyone tries to spread oppression, commit injustice, transgress limits or cause disorder, all will jointly resist him, even if he is the son of one of them. No believer will kill anyone on behalf of another; Allah's protection is equal for all. Promises must be kept. It is not lawful for anyone who believes in Allah and the Hereafter to help or shelter one who breaks the treaty. Whoever helps or shelters such a person will bear Allah's curse and wrath on the Day of Judgement." (Al-Bidaya wan-Nihaya)

The Prophet's (PBUH) great ideal for social justice was: "Whoever commits a crime, he and those involved in it will be answerable for it. A son cannot be held responsible for his father's crime, nor a father for his son's." "No one shall bear the burden of another's sin." (Surah 6, Al-An'am, verse 164; Surah 17, Bani Israil, verse 15) Anyone who is wronged may defend himself. Promises are to be kept; no one may break his promise, and all are to help the oppressed. A neighbour is to be treated as oneself, and no harm or wrong may be done to him. No oppressor or criminal is to be protected; whoever oppresses and commits crimes is not safe. Allah will help whoever stays faithful to this agreement. (Ibn Kathir)

Peace requires truthfulness and restraint. To control disorder, it was directed that "no one may go out to war without the permission of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)" (that is, without the state's approval). "Surely Allah and Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) are the helpers of the one who is truthful and restrained." (Sirat an-Nabi, Ibn Hisham)

The Prophet (PBUH) left this world in the month of Rabiul Awal, having brought peace to a troubled world. Avoiding conflict and entering into treaties, and binding people in friendship rather than seeking revenge, are clear proof of his love of peace and one of the chief lessons of Rabiul Awal. Besides the Charter of Madina, he entered into many other treaties for peace, including the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. He worked all his life to establish peace.

Allah says: "Repel evil with what is good." (Surah 6, Al-An'am, verse 164) "Good and evil are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then the one who is your deadly enemy will become your dearest friend." (Surah 41, Ha-Mim Sajdah, verse 34)

Source: Prothom Alo. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.