Two Leaders, Two Strategies
Subhas Chandra Bose (1897–1945) was a prominent leader in India’s freedom movement. His goal was clear: to liberate India from British rule. His call to the people was bold and uncompromising:
“Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom.”
Inspired by this slogan, Indians gave their blood through the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army). Yet, the strategy failed completely. Subhas Chandra Bose tragically died in an accident before realizing his dream.
In contrast, Mahatma Gandhi emerged as the true leader of India’s independence struggle. His approach was radically different. Gandhi’s slogan was:
“Help me in my non-violent activism, and I will give you freedom.”
His peaceful method worked. On August 15, 1947, India achieved independence—without resorting to violence.
Why One Strategy Failed and the Other Succeeded
The strategy of Bose was rooted in violence. It was bound to provoke counter-violence from the British rulers, who were far stronger militarily. As a result, his movement collapsed.
Gandhi’s approach, however, was the opposite. When he declared that the struggle would continue but through peace, not violence, the British lost all moral justification for their force.
It is said that after Gandhi’s announcement, a British collector telegraphed his secretariat:
“Kindly wire instructions how to kill a tiger non-violently.”
This experience of Indian politics illustrates a universal truth: the power of peace is far greater than the power of violence.
The Prophetic Example of Peace
A similar lesson can be drawn from history. In 610 CE, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ began his mission in Arabia—a land steeped in tribal culture. Initially, due to prevailing conditions, violent clashes occurred between the Prophet and his opponents, and the situation remained tense.
But in 628 CE, the Prophet concluded a historic peace agreement: the Hudaybiyyah Treaty. This no-war pact opened new doors for the Prophet’s mission. In the peaceful environment that followed, Islam spread rapidly. Within just a few years, the whole of Arabia embraced the new faith.
American writer Michael H. Hart called the Prophet Muhammad “the most supremely successful man in history.” What was the secret of this success? It was peace. Through wise planning, the Prophet established peace, which created opportunities for positive action.
The Prophet’s Guiding Principle
The general policy of the Prophet is summarized in this hadith:
“Whenever the Prophet had to choose between two options, he always chose the easier one.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 3560)
Here, the easier course refers to peace, while the harder course refers to violence. This principle was the foundation of his extraordinary success.
Why Peace Works Better Than Violence
Peaceful planning requires patience, which in turn fosters clear thinking. When one is free from prejudice and anger, one can strategize objectively. Historians acknowledge that the Prophet’s success stemmed from his clarity in planning along peaceful lines.
But why is peace so powerful? The answer lies in the nature of goals:
• Violent methods aim to make the opponent suffer—a negative target.
• Peaceful methods aim to strengthen oneself—a positive target.
No matter how much damage you inflict on others, it never makes you strong. Real success lies in building your own strength, and this is possible only through constructive, peaceful efforts.
A Timeless Lesson
History—from Gandhi to the Prophet Muhammad—teaches us this enduring truth:
Peace is not weakness; peace is strength.
It opens doors that violence can never open. It transforms adversity into opportunity and turns opponents into partners.
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