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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books War,peace and Non-violence Part Three : Non-violence in the Teachings of Islam In this paper the author addresses the issue of non-violence as prescribed in the teachings of Islam; that violence is severely condemned and non-violence is encouraged. The author then goes on to c lassify violence, and non-violence, into three categories.

The author shows how non-violence produces the desired results in all aspects of life, and it is therefore incumbent for the Islamic reform movement to adhere to non-violence if they want to achieve reforms in their societies successfully. This paper is an ex tract from Imam Shirazi's book, The Islamic Government, pp 66-88, volume 102 of the "Al-Fiqh series. Translated by Z.

Olyabek One of the most important princip les that the forthcoming Islamic government, as well as the Islamic movement, must adhere to is the condition of non-violence. A substantial body of the holy tradition and reports condemns violence as may be found in "The Shi'a Guide to Shari'ah (Islamic Law)"58 and "Supplement to The Shi'a Guide to the Shari'ah"59 . It is also reported "Violence is also part of the army of ignorance".

Furthermore, there is eq ually substantial evidence in the holy traditions and reports encouraging and promoting non-violence, leniency and kindness. To show the correlation between violence and non-violence the following introduction is presented. Ancient philosophers considered the universe to be composed of four elements; namely water, earth, fire and air. Furthermore all four elements were consid ered to be the derivatives of one entity called primordial matter.

The four elements were considered to have interchangeable states, just as different shapes and structures can be made from clay whereas the basic substance, clay, remains the same. Sociologists make similar statements in relation to power. To them power is an essence that may manifest itself in a tribe, wealth, knowledge, the natio n state, or public op inion and so on, all o f which may transform from one state to another.

For example the tribal chief may transfer his power and influence to the domain of public opinion, and from there to the nation state. As seen in the case of an individual who gains power through the support and vote of public opinion. The legislators state a similar argument regarding law and custom. They are both of the same essence, and one may be transmuted into the other and vice versa.