Let Peace Prevail

Peace is an ultimate requirement of all, not only the human beings but of the other creatures of the universe as well. A fish needs to stay calm even during its moments of perpetual vibrancy. A dog needs to practically be calm and peaceful while sniffing something

December 24, 2025 | Khan Hasnain Aaqib

Let me begin with an extremely thoughtful quote by H. W. Longfellow, who in one of his poems writes so subtly:
'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.'
In fact, Gurdudev Rabindranath Tagore goes to the extent of looking straight into the eyes of death and yet preaching human heart to be calm and peaceful:
'Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death but completeness.
Let love melt into memory and pain into songs.
Let the flight through the sky end
In the folding of the wings over the nest.'
Both references prove that peace, in one or the other way, has always been the most sought after commodity but today it has become the one which attracts numerous window shoppers but few actual buyers. To buy peace, one has to pay in kind.
What is peace?
Is there any rhetoric behind the existence of peace in human life?
Ultimately the response emerges as follows :
Peace is an ultimate requirement of all, not only the human beings but of the other creatures of the universe as well. A fish needs to stay calm even during its moments of perpetual vibrancy. A dog needs to practically be calm and peaceful while sniffing something.

And What About Human Beings?

The most outrageous among all the other creatures is human being who plays a double role; the one who seeks peace and the one who creates stir in the peaceful surrounding. He overlooks the fact that peace is one of the most essential conditions for human existence and progress. It is not merely the absence of war or conflict but a state of harmony that allows individuals, communities and nations to thrive. Throughout history, humanity has suffered immense loss due to violence, hatred and misunderstanding. These experiences clearly show that peace is not a luxury or an idealistic dream; it is an ultimate requirement for survival, development, and happiness.
At the individual level, peace brings mental and emotional stability. A peaceful mind enables people to think clearly, make wise decisions and live with dignity. Without inner peace, individuals are often overwhelmed by stress, fear and anger which can lead to destructive behavior. When people cultivate peace within themselves through tolerance, self-control and empathy, they contribute positively to their families and society.
Mother Teresa said that peace begins with a smile.
Prophet Muhammad said: Smiling at someone with compassion and kindness is also a form of charity.
So it goes that the social peace is equally important. In a peaceful society, people coexist despite differences in religion, culture, language or ideology. Mutual respect and understanding replace violence and discrimination. Such an environment encourages cooperation, education and creativity. Schools, workplaces and communities flourish when conflicts are resolved through dialogue rather than force.
Martin Luther King Jr. was of the opinion that ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ And driving out hate is the only way to give way to love. It is the foundation stone of social peace.
Social peace strengthens the bonds that hold a society together and ensures justice and equality for all.
At the national and global levels, peace is vital for development and prosperity. Wars destroy infrastructure, economies and generations of potential. Resources that could be used for education, healthcare and innovation are wasted on weapons and destruction.
Milan Kundera can be quoted as saying: ‘Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring; it was peace.’
In contrast to the warring nations, peaceful nations can focus on growth, diplomacy and collaboration. Global peace promotes international trade, cultural exchange and collective solutions to challenges such as poverty, climate change and disease.
However, peace does not come automatically; it requires conscious effort and responsibility. Governments must uphold justice and human rights while citizens must practice tolerance and nonviolence. Education plays a crucial role in teaching values of peace, respect and coexistence from an early age. Dialogue, understanding and compromise are powerful tools in preventing and resolving conflicts.
Peace is an ultimate requirement for the well-being and holistic health of individuals, societies and the world at large. Without peace, progress is impossible and human suffering multiplies. With peace, humanity can unlock its full potential and build a future based on harmony, dignity and shared prosperity. Therefore, striving for peace should be a collective and continuous commitment of everyone, irrespective of cast, creed and religion.
If you are at peace; the world will be at peace.
So be at peace; you deserve it.
So be at peace; the world may deserve you.