HSC ASSESSMENT TASK 3 - STUDIES OF RELIGION
Religion & Peace
Mohammad Albadri
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Question 1 (25 marks)
Discuss how at least ONE religious tradition guides adherents to live a life in peace.
Religion has the capacity to guide adherents towards a life enriched with peace, which entails
an overall sense of wellbeing, a lack of inner conflict, and harmony among communities and
nations. This is demonstrated in Christianity and Islam, two living religious traditions whose
teachings encourage the emulation of peace in one's life. In Christianity, the New Testament
presents the teachings of Jesus Christ, prompting adherents to embody love, compassion and
reconciliation. Similarly, Islam draws upon the Quran and Hadith, where absolute submission
to Allah fosters inner peace, which extends into the Ummah and broader society. Peace is
essential, as it cultivates a sense of tranquillity and reassurance, strengthening social justice
and cohesion. Hence, through the principal beliefs and teachings found in sacred texts,
Tawhid and Greater Jihad in Islam, as well as Pax Christi and pacifism in Christianity, guide
adherents towards a life of peace.
Tawhid is the central Islamic belief in the absolute oneness and unity of God, Allah, who is
the sole creator, sustainer, and ruler of the universe. Tawhid paves the way towards a life of
peace by providing adherents with a clear purpose in life, which is to worship and serve
Allah, for “there is no deity worthy of worship except Him”, as He is the “Entirely Merciful”
(Quran 2:163). This fosters clarity, discipline, and peace of mind, enabling adherents to
1
, navigate life's challenges with unwavering trust in Allah’s will. Practically, this is reinforced
through the second pillar of Islam, Salah, where the five daily prayers continually reorient
adherents’ thoughts and actions, strengthening their submission and inner tranquillity.
Moreover, Tawhid guides adherents to embody peace by teaching that humanity is united
under one creator, as the Quran 49:13 emphasises “O mankind! We created you from a single
male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another”.
This highlights the essence of Tawhid as a call to unity and peaceful interactions,
encouraging dialogue, equality, and opposition to injustice. For example, the Jewish Christian
Muslim Association of Australia advocates against racism, bigotry, and religious intolerance
through interfaith workshops and dialogues, fostering mutual understanding and respect,
promoting peace and cohesion within diverse communities. Hence, the belief in Tawhid
profoundly reinforces peace in an adherent's life by encouraging them to uphold unwavering
faith and social harmony through devotion to Allah.
The Islamic teaching of Greater Jihad, known as Jihad al-nafs, refers to the struggles
experienced in striving to follow Allah’s will, cultivating peace through self-discipline,
growth, and justice. The Quran 29:69 presents “those who struggle” are “surely guided” by
Allah, foregrounding how unconditional submission reflects moral direction. While Jihad is
often misrepresented by some extremist groups that exploit the teaching to spread
destruction, the core principles of Jihad emphasise self-mastery and justice through Taqwa
(God consciousness). This highlights the Prophet's affirmation that "we have returned from
the lesser jihad to the greater jihad" (Hadith), illustrating that conquering the nafs (psyche) is
regarded as more valuable than physical conflict. Sawm, the fourth pillar of Islam, practised
during Ramadan, requires the obligatory abstinence from food, drink, and sexual intercourse,
while significantly encouraging the restraint of anger, gossip, immoral speech, and conflict as
2
Religion & Peace
Mohammad Albadri
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Question 1 (25 marks)
Discuss how at least ONE religious tradition guides adherents to live a life in peace.
Religion has the capacity to guide adherents towards a life enriched with peace, which entails
an overall sense of wellbeing, a lack of inner conflict, and harmony among communities and
nations. This is demonstrated in Christianity and Islam, two living religious traditions whose
teachings encourage the emulation of peace in one's life. In Christianity, the New Testament
presents the teachings of Jesus Christ, prompting adherents to embody love, compassion and
reconciliation. Similarly, Islam draws upon the Quran and Hadith, where absolute submission
to Allah fosters inner peace, which extends into the Ummah and broader society. Peace is
essential, as it cultivates a sense of tranquillity and reassurance, strengthening social justice
and cohesion. Hence, through the principal beliefs and teachings found in sacred texts,
Tawhid and Greater Jihad in Islam, as well as Pax Christi and pacifism in Christianity, guide
adherents towards a life of peace.
Tawhid is the central Islamic belief in the absolute oneness and unity of God, Allah, who is
the sole creator, sustainer, and ruler of the universe. Tawhid paves the way towards a life of
peace by providing adherents with a clear purpose in life, which is to worship and serve
Allah, for “there is no deity worthy of worship except Him”, as He is the “Entirely Merciful”
(Quran 2:163). This fosters clarity, discipline, and peace of mind, enabling adherents to
1
, navigate life's challenges with unwavering trust in Allah’s will. Practically, this is reinforced
through the second pillar of Islam, Salah, where the five daily prayers continually reorient
adherents’ thoughts and actions, strengthening their submission and inner tranquillity.
Moreover, Tawhid guides adherents to embody peace by teaching that humanity is united
under one creator, as the Quran 49:13 emphasises “O mankind! We created you from a single
male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another”.
This highlights the essence of Tawhid as a call to unity and peaceful interactions,
encouraging dialogue, equality, and opposition to injustice. For example, the Jewish Christian
Muslim Association of Australia advocates against racism, bigotry, and religious intolerance
through interfaith workshops and dialogues, fostering mutual understanding and respect,
promoting peace and cohesion within diverse communities. Hence, the belief in Tawhid
profoundly reinforces peace in an adherent's life by encouraging them to uphold unwavering
faith and social harmony through devotion to Allah.
The Islamic teaching of Greater Jihad, known as Jihad al-nafs, refers to the struggles
experienced in striving to follow Allah’s will, cultivating peace through self-discipline,
growth, and justice. The Quran 29:69 presents “those who struggle” are “surely guided” by
Allah, foregrounding how unconditional submission reflects moral direction. While Jihad is
often misrepresented by some extremist groups that exploit the teaching to spread
destruction, the core principles of Jihad emphasise self-mastery and justice through Taqwa
(God consciousness). This highlights the Prophet's affirmation that "we have returned from
the lesser jihad to the greater jihad" (Hadith), illustrating that conquering the nafs (psyche) is
regarded as more valuable than physical conflict. Sawm, the fourth pillar of Islam, practised
during Ramadan, requires the obligatory abstinence from food, drink, and sexual intercourse,
while significantly encouraging the restraint of anger, gossip, immoral speech, and conflict as
2
