Islam and Terrorism (Mansoor Alam, Toledo Ohio)
By admin | November 23, 2009
That some Muslims are engaged in acts of terrorism is beyond question. But these acts are not confined to Muslims alone. Terrorists come from every religion. However, when it comes to Muslims, the popular media often likes to use the term Islamic terrorists or Islamic terrorism implying that terrorism is associated with Islam. It is our duty as Muslims to present the true picture of Islam; that it does not teach terrorism under any circumstances. It forbids killing of innocent civilians. The holy Book of Islam, the Quran, says: “If anyone murders an innocent person… it will be as if he had murdered the whole of humanity.” So, who are these Muslims who commit such heinous acts in the name of Islam? It is obvious from the above injunction of the Quran that they do not follow true Islam. Therefore, they must be driven not by Islam but by some other motive (such as hate or revenge). Muslims all over the world, no matter what their mother tongue, greet (or are supposed to greet) each other (and others) using the Arabic words, Assalamu ‘Alaikum which mean: “Peace be unto you”. There is no doubt that some Muslims, while using such a benevolent greeting, carry malevolent intentions in their hearts. The holy Book of Islam, the Quran, condemns such people by saying: “Why do you say that which you do not practice?” Such Muslims, therefore, do not represent Islam. Islam has nothing to do with those who commit acts of terrorism. Therefore, it is wise to differentiate between Muslims and Islam. Just as acts of terrorism committed by Christians cannot be attributed to Christianity, so acts of terrorism committed by Muslims must not be attributed to Islam or its teachings. There is a popular feeling in the West, and justifiably so, that Islam is a very oppressive and retrogressive religion. But this is based on a misperception of Islam, unfortunately, due to the practice of Islam by some Islamic countries, notably Saudi Arabia, Iran, and lately Afghanistan. Do these countries practice Islam as they profess? The Quran, (unequivocally and unconditionally) says: “There is no compulsion in religion.” However, we see all kinds of compulsion in these countries. (The Taliban’s brand of Islam, for example, compels men to grow beards and women to cover themselves from head-to-toe; it forbids preaching other faiths, etc.) People in these countries are deprived of most of their basic human rights. They are afraid to express their opinions against the government’s practice of Islam in public for fear of persecution. How can these countries claim to be practicing Islam when they violate its basic principle of compassion and tolerance? They practice Rajm (i.e., stoning to death) for adultery although there is no such punishment in the Quran. Their rulers invoke God’s compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. They themselves show very little or none at all. So, what is true Islam? Islam is an Arabic word whose root is silm, meaning peace and protection from danger. ==== WebEditor’s Note ==== A comprehensive essay on this subject written by late G. A. Parwez appeared in Monthly Tolu-e-Islam, issue of November 2009. The remaining part of the essay will appear in next issue.
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Is Life Without Purpose? (Allamah Ghulam Ahmad Parwez)
By admin | October 8, 2009
The Holy Quran tells us that the Almighty created man and the universe for a supreme purpose. These were not brought into being merely for sport. “We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in mere idle play: none of this have We created without ( an inner) truth- but most of them understand it not” (44:38-39) The Quran informs us why the universe was created: “And Allah has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with (an inner) truth, and (has therefore willed) that every human being shall be recompensed for what he has earned, and none shall be wronged.” (45:22) The Almighty directs a question to the children of Adam: “Do you think that We have created you in vain and that you will not be returned to Us”? (23: 115)
This verse establishes the inescapable responsibility of human actions. Man is not created in vain: he will be returned to his Lord to face the consequences of what he does in this life. “Does man think that he will be left aimless?” (75:36). This kind of thinking is invalid. Man has not been left to go about at will without accountability. The caravan of life does not go on without destination.
The creation of man is not without purpose. Every breath of his life indicates whether he is reaching towards his goal, or moving away from it. He has to traverse many terrains, and the purpose of his life on earth is that he must endeavour to develop and nourish his personality, to such an extent that after his physical death he may become capable, and adequately equipped to rise and progress to even higher planes. Death, actually, is the ultimate test of the fact that to what degree ha has succeeded in attaining his purpose in life. “He Who has created death and life that He might put you to a test (and thus show) which of you is best in conduct….” (67:2) The same fact has been explained in the following words in Surah Yunus: “He initiates the first creation, then he reproduces it, so that He may reward with equity those who believe and do good.”(10:4)Life after death is thus the first step towards the fulfilment of this purpose. “And this is indeed the most certain Truth (in which there is absolutely NO room for doubt).” (56:95)
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THOUGHT The Search for rational foundations in Islam may be regarded to have begun with the Prophet (S) himself. His constant prayer was: “God! Grant me knowledge of the ultimate nature of things!” Allamah Mohammad Iqbal |
Courtesy of Al-Balaagh, South Africa
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