Peace, Rationality and Social Development: An Islamic Perspective

• Main Author: Bendebka, Ramzi
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English; English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: BPH72 Economic development. Growth. Sustainable development. Sustainability; BPH830.3 Social systems. Urban groups. Cities and towns. Sustainable urban development; HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform; JA Political science (General); JZ International relations
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/99259/1/Last%20SAP%202022.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/99259/2/IMG-20220805-WA0037.jpg; http://irep.iium.edu.my/99259/3/Ramzi-1.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/99259/4/Rationality%2C%20Peace%20and%20Social%20Development.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/99259/

This paper aims to discuss the interactive relationship between peace and rationality, highlighting this relationship's role in social development. While analyzing the concepts, this paper claims that the absence of war does not necessarily mean the existence of peace in rational terms. Dealing with the concepts of war and peace is profoundly related to dichotomies, and this is devoted to the existence of a gap in the literature about the true meaning of peace and its relationship to rationality. On the other hand, global challenges such as the war on terrorism, extremism, and Islamophobia are making the understanding of peace more complex. Moreover, Islam is a religion of peace, however, so many Muslim countries are still suffering from social conflicts among their members, and that leads us to question how Muslims use reason to promote peace and thus contribute to social development. Hence, the role of rationality in promoting peace in Islam requires the consideration of different dimensions such as self-peace, societal peace, and world peace. Some practices, such as community and religious blocs, must also be considered. Therefore, the paper not only addresses definitions from an Islamic perspective but also tries to explain that relationship and give it the appropriate status in Islamic thought.