Volume five of the Quran series explains the concept of war and peace and all the battles Prophet Muhammad fought against the pagan Arabs and Jews of Arabia. Let's conclude this volume with the words of Jesus of Nazareth, who uttered the revolutionary words that "we should bless our enemies." The concepts Jesus taught are as radical today as they were two thousand years ago. This is because they are counterintuitive to our divisive human nature and humanity's historic compulsion to be at war with itself.
You have heard it was said, love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. In that way, you will act as the true children of your Father in Heaven. For He gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:38-48)
