An interesting essay by David Shenk called Three Journeys: Jesus - Constantine - Muhammad. The essay addresses three different views of peace in our world today. (Shenk writes from the Anabaptist perspective. One of my favorite comparative books is his Journeys of the Muslim Nation and the Christian Church.)
The real value of the essay is in contrasting the journey Jesus took to the Cross with the journey Mohammed took to become a Statesman. The kingdom of God is so radically different from the kingdoms of this world!
HT: Daniel S.
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You might find this article from my blog of interest:
When two worlds meet: William Shakespeare and Islam. Unwittingly Shakespeare expresses an Islamic understanding of God:
The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.
The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Scene i, lines 180-203
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