The Misuse of Peaceful Language and Double Standards: A Reflective View on the Israel-Iran Conflict

By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 24 June 2025 This reflection was inspired by reading Mr. G.R.D.’s thoughtful piece, “Iran-Israel Conflict: Ethical Reflections from Imam Ali's Legacy in the Light of Nahjul Balagha.” His reflections prompted me to examine the deep contradictions and misuse of language in contemporary political discourse, particularly in the context of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. This reflection is not intended to be scholarly or deeply academic, but rather a humble and free-spirited expression of thought. Words such as peace, restraint, and harmony hold profound significance in human civilization, especially when they are applied sincerely and guided by moral integrity. Theologically, these values form the foundation of our ethical aspirations and spiritual ideals. At this point, a Hadith-e-Qudsi comes to mind, a narration in which the words are spoken by the Prophet Muṣṭafā ﷺ, but the message originates directly from Allāh ﷻ. The Hadith reads: “My mercy prevails over My wrath.” This timeless message serves as a spiritual compass, reminding us that divine mercy outweighs divine punishment, both in magnitude and intent. In Islamic tradition, it reflects the overwhelming nature of Allāh’s ﷻ Mercy. Indeed, God’s mercy stands with the oppressed and His wrath with the oppressors. History, when examined with reflection and sincerity, reaffirms this divine principle. Oppressive tyrants who inflicted suffering and violated justice ultimately invoked the wrath of Allāh ﷻ. They are remembered with shame and condemnation. In contrast, those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle against injustice are honoured and remembered with reverence. Their legacies continue to inspire. At this very moment, the martyrdom of Imam Ḥusayn (may Allah be pleased with him) comes vividly to mind—a timeless symbol of resistance against tyranny and a supreme example of upholding divine justice through unwavering sacrifice. Yet in today’s global political landscape, the very terms peace, restraint, and harmony are often stripped of their essence and weaponized for political manipulation. Time and again, powerful nations invoke these noble ideals while brazenly violating international laws and moral norms. Peace is no longer pursued as a sacred principle—it is reduced to a hollow slogan, often used to justify aggression rather than prevent it. So widespread is the misuse of these terms that even sincere individuals—pure in heart and free from hypocrisy—may struggle to discern between those who are genuinely committed to peace and those who exploit the language of peace to commit acts of injustice. Such individuals cannot be called hypocrites, but they may be seen as naive or unaware of the complex realities around them. Still, they are our fellow human beings—our brothers in humanity—and they deserve to be engaged with compassion, not condemnation. It is our responsibility to help them understand the importance of sound reasoning and clarity through respectful and thoughtful dialogue. As Muslims, we sincerely uphold values like peace, harmony, and the importance of fulfilling promises—principles that are deeply embedded in our faith. However, deceit and fraudulent behaviour have no place in Islamic ethics. We also recognize that some verses in our sacred texts were revealed in specific contexts—particularly during times of conflict or injustice—and must be understood accordingly. Sadly, there are those who distort these teachings and manipulate the language of justice, peace, and human rights to perpetrate grave injustices. They wage wars under the pretext of combating terrorism, commit acts of terror while claiming to prevent it, and violate human rights—all while falsely claiming to defend them. We were stunned by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s claim that global peace can only be achieved through the complete eradication of the people of Gaza, under the pretence of eliminating Hamas—the only remaining line of defence and support for the Palestinians. Such a statement is not only morally abhorrent but also historically ironic. When the legacy of Zionist expansion is marked by bloodshed, genocide, and the occupation of Palestinian land, how can it credibly lay claim to peace? Peace cannot be built upon the graves of innocent civilians, nor can justice arise from the systematic annihilation of a people. One of the most glaring examples of double standards is the conduct of the United States. Under the banner of promoting peace and fighting terrorism, the U.S. launched devastating invasions—first in Iraq, then in Libya—without conclusive evidence, leaving behind broken nations, destabilized societies, and countless civilian deaths. It has consistently supported Israel, turning a blind eye while Israel carries out relentless assaults on Gaza. Thousands of civilians—particularly women and children—have been killed. Hospitals have been bombed. Entire infrastructures have been destroyed. Despite such atrocities, these actions are cynically labelled as “self-defence” or “counter-terrorism.” In the twisted lexicon of global powers, the so-called “war on terror” has too often become a war on Islam itself—a war targeting the very identity, dignity, and existence of Muslim communities. The psychological damage is immense. Muslims have been subjected not only to physical violence but also to mental suffocation—drowned in propaganda, overwhelmed by false narratives, and tortured by the deliberate distortion of truth and justice. In many regions, the root of modern conflicts can be traced to economic ambitions—especially the control of oil—masked by ideological or political justifications. Naturally, various groups began to emerge: some genuinely defending their land and dignity, while others fabricated or misapplied a narrative to misrepresent Islam. These groups falsely projected that every battle or conflict is born from Islamic teachings, thereby manipulating global perception. Intelligence agencies worldwide invested massive resources into dissecting and interpreting this phenomenon. In the 1980s, the Iran-Iraq war unfolded—a conflict layered with ideological tension and political rivalry. Beneath the surface, factions from within the Shia and Sunni camps were vying for power—either for kingdoms or for doctrinal supremacy. This inner struggle further fuelled the arms trade, enriching global powers who ironically “champion peace, human rights, and justice”, while simultaneously profiting from destruction. Then came the events of 9/11—a turning point that transformed global narratives. Islamic scriptures, once studied with depth and scholarly care, were now approached with suspicion. Contextual verses—revealed during wartime or early Islamic expansion—began to be seen as universally prescriptive, even though they were never meant to be read as such. This wave of misinterpretation is a distinctly modern problem. In earlier times, these verses were naturally understood in their proper context, and rarely misused. Today, however, a climate of doubt and paranoia has overtaken sound interpretation, leaving many confused about what Islam actually teaches. In our time, we must remain vigilant and active. Terms like peace and dialogue have become tools of “diplomatic performance” rather than sincere expressions of shared human conscience. These words are now often used to serve political interests rather than to uphold universal ethical values. The true spirit of humanity—a spirit that longs for justice, equality, and real coexistence—has all but vanished from international discourse. Some argue that injustice can be resisted through peaceful means—and while this may be true in certain contexts, the case of Palestine proves otherwise. Israel has shown, over decades, that peaceful protests, diplomatic resolutions, and international appeals have little to no effect. These gestures are not respected, nor responded to in good faith. This has led nations like Iran to question the effectiveness of peace negotiations. Iran, having witnessed the persistent failure of so-called peaceful solutions to deliver justice to the Palestinian people, has drawn a different strategic conclusion. It believes that as long as Israel faces no real consequences, it will continue its aggressive and expansionist behaviour. Iran’s evolving posture reflects this realization. It seeks not only to deter Israeli aggression but also to assert its growing scientific and technological capabilities on the world stage. While Israel’s interceptor and military technologies have been widely praised, Iran appears to be developing countermeasures that are strategically and economically effective. Recent developments suggest that Iran’s low-cost, high-impact tactics are exposing the limitations of Israel’s defence systems. For instance, inexpensive projectiles—metaphorically described as “50-paise toffees”—are being launched, compelling Israel to respond with highly expensive interceptors. This asymmetry has created a significant economic disadvantage for Israel. Among these low-cost attacks, Iran has reportedly embedded a few high-powered, precision-guided missiles that target key intelligence infrastructure. Thus, Iran is advancing its objectives on two fronts—undermining Israel’s defences both economically and technologically. Through this asymmetric warfare strategy, Iran is positioning itself as a formidable force—not merely reacting to Israeli aggression, but reshaping the strategic cost-benefit landscape of modern warfare. By unveiling its hidden scientific achievements, Iran sends a clear message: it is no longer a passive observer of injustice, but a capable and self-asserting power—ready to shape both regional politics and the global scientific arena. This reflection has focused on the current global situation, but since Mr. G.R.D.’s article centred around the legacy of Mawlā ʿAlī (may Allāh be pleased with him), it is only fitting to say a few words in that context. In the noble history of Maula ʿAlī (may Allāh be pleased with him)—the fourth rightly guided caliph, one of the most beloved companions of the Prophet Muṣṭafā ﷺ, and a figure deeply revered by both true Sunnis and Shīʿas—we find a legacy that touches the soul. His remembrance soothes the heart, and the stories of his sons, Imam Hasan and Imam Hussayn (collectively known as Hasnain), along with the tragedy of Karbala, represent the most exalted form of martyrdom in human history. In this sacred legacy, the themes of truth and justice shine with unmatched clarity. Their lives were living embodiments of the principle that one’s entire existence—even to the point of sacrificing life—must be dedicated to the defence of truth, the protection of the oppressed, and the resistance to tyranny. Their legacy is so spiritually rich, so morally uplifting, that entire generations can draw lifelong inspiration from it. We can say with pride and certainty that Marla ʿAli (may Allāh be pleased with him) did not merely speak of peace and justice—he lived and was ultimately martyred for them. His legacy is not one of slogans, but of action, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the principles of divine truth and real peace. ----- A regular columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is a classical Islamic scholar [Aalim, Faazil and Mutakhassis Fi al-Adab al-Arabi wa al-Ulum al-Shariah] with a Sufi background and an English-Arabic-Urdu Translator. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/peaceful-double-standards-israel-iran-conflict/d/135970 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism