ISLAM AND TERRORISM
DR. ZAKIR NAIK
MUSLIMS ARE FUNDAMENTALISTS AND TERRORISTS
Question:
Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists and terrorists?
Answer:
This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, duringany discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuatedin every form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam andMuslims. In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads todiscrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is theanti-Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast,where the press was quick to declare a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind theattack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American ArmedForces.
Let us analyze this allegation of ‘fundamentalism’ and ‘terrorism’:
1. Definition of the word ‘fundamentalist’
A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of thedoctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he shouldknow, follow, and practise the fundamentals of medicine. In other words, heshould be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a goodmathematician, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals ofmathematics. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For aperson to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and practise thefundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science.
2. Not all ‘fundamentalists’ are the same
One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot categorizeall fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of any fundamentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is afundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and istherefore undesirable. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefitssociety and earns much respect.
3. I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist
I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows andstrives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy awayfrom being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim because,I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the wholeworld. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or isagainst the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people harbourmisconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be unfairor improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam. Ifone critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannotescape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual and collectivelevels.
4. Dictionary meaning of the word ‘fundamentalist’
According to Webster’s dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ was a movement in AmericanProtestanism that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century. It was areaction to modernism, and stressed the infallibility of the Bible, not only inmatters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. Itstressed on belief in the Bible as the literal word of God. Thus fundamentalismwas a word initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the Biblewas the verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes.
According to the Oxford dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ means ‘strict maintenanceof ancient or fundamental doctrines of any religion, especially Islam’.
Today the moment a person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslimwho is a terrorist.
5. Every Muslim should be a terrorist
Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror.The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is aterrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for theantisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Wheneversuch an anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is truethat the word ‘terrorist’ is generally used for a person who causes terroramong the common people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist toselective people i.e. anti-social elements, and not to the common innocentpeople. In fact a Muslim should be a source of peace for innocent people.
6. Different labels given to the same individual for the same action, i.e.‘terrorist’ and ‘patriot’
Before India achieved independence from British rule, some freedom fighters ofIndia who did not subscribe to non-violence were labeled as terrorists by theBritish government. The same individuals have been lauded by Indians for thesame activities and hailed as ‘patriots’. Thus two different labels have beengiven to the same people for the same set of actions. One is calling him aterrorist while the other is calling him a patriot. Those who believed thatBritain had a right to rule over India called these people terrorists, whilethose who were of the view that Britain had no right to rule India called thempatriots and freedom fighters.
It is therefore important that before a person is judged, he is given a fairhearing. Both sides of the argument should be heard, the situation should beanalyzed, and the reason and the intention of the person should be taken intoaccount, and then the person can be judged accordingly.
7. Islam means peace
Islam is derived from the word ‘salaam’ which means peace. It is a religion ofpeace whose fundamentals teach its followers to maintain and promote peacethroughout the world.
Thus every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e. he should follow thefundamentals of the Religion of Peace: Islam. He should be a terrorist onlytowards the antisocial elements in order to promote peace and justice in thesociety.
WAS ISLAM SPREAD BY THE SWORD?
Question:
How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?
Answer:
It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not havemillions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the useof force. The following points will make it clear, that far from being spreadby the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that wasresponsible for the rapid spread of Islam.
1. Islam means peace.
Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also meanssubmitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, whichis acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah(swt).
2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace.
Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peaceand harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vestedinterests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is preciselyfor this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals andanti-social elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. Atthe same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression.The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islamforce can only be used to promote peace and justice.
3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary.
The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is givenby the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book ’Islam at the cross road’(Page 8):
’History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweepingthrough the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conqueredraces is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have everrepeated.’
4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years.
Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used thesword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came toSpain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain whocould openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.
5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians.
Muslimswere the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British ruled, andfor a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians i.e.Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would nothave been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.
6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India.
The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they hadthe power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today morethan 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-MuslimIndians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the sword.
7. Indonesia and Malaysia.
Indonesiais a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The majority ofpeople in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, ’Which Muslim army went toIndonesia and Malaysia?’
8. East Coast of Africa.
Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may againask, if Islam was spread by the sword, ’Which Muslim army went to the EastCoast of Africa?’
9. Thomas Carlyle.
The famous historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book ’Heroes and Hero worship’,refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam: ’The sword indeed, butwhere will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is preciselyin a minority of one. In one man’s head alone. There it dwells as yet. One manalone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That hetakes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You mustget your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can.’
10. No compulsion in religion.
Withwhich sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use it tospread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse:
’Let there be no compulsion in religion:
Truth stands out clear from error’
[Al-Qur’an 2:256]
11. Sword of the Intellect.
It isthe sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people.The Qur’an says in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125:
’Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord
with wisdom and beautiful preaching;
and argue with them in ways that are
best and most gracious.’
[Al-Qur’an 16:125]
12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984.
An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, year book 1986, gave the statistics ofthe increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half acentury from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in ‘The Plain Truth’magazine. At the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity hadincreased only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century whichconverted millions of people to Islam?
13. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe.
Todaythe fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing religionin Europe in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islamin such large numbers?
14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson.
Dr.Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, ’People who worry that nuclear weaponry willone day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bombhas been dropped already, it fell the day MUHAMMED (pbuh) was born’
BY
DR. ZAKIR NAIK
MUSLIMS ARE FUNDAMENTALISTS AND TERRORISTS
Question:
Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists and terrorists?
Answer:
This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, duringany discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuatedin every form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam andMuslims. In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads todiscrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is theanti-Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast,where the press was quick to declare a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind theattack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American ArmedForces.
Let us analyze this allegation of ‘fundamentalism’ and ‘terrorism’:
1. Definition of the word ‘fundamentalist’
A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of thedoctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he shouldknow, follow, and practise the fundamentals of medicine. In other words, heshould be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a goodmathematician, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals ofmathematics. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For aperson to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and practise thefundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science.
2. Not all ‘fundamentalists’ are the same
One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot categorizeall fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of any fundamentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is afundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and istherefore undesirable. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefitssociety and earns much respect.
3. I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist
I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows andstrives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy awayfrom being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim because,I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the wholeworld. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or isagainst the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people harbourmisconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be unfairor improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam. Ifone critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannotescape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual and collectivelevels.
4. Dictionary meaning of the word ‘fundamentalist’
According to Webster’s dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ was a movement in AmericanProtestanism that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century. It was areaction to modernism, and stressed the infallibility of the Bible, not only inmatters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. Itstressed on belief in the Bible as the literal word of God. Thus fundamentalismwas a word initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the Biblewas the verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes.
According to the Oxford dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ means ‘strict maintenanceof ancient or fundamental doctrines of any religion, especially Islam’.
Today the moment a person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslimwho is a terrorist.
5. Every Muslim should be a terrorist
Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror.The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is aterrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for theantisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Wheneversuch an anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is truethat the word ‘terrorist’ is generally used for a person who causes terroramong the common people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist toselective people i.e. anti-social elements, and not to the common innocentpeople. In fact a Muslim should be a source of peace for innocent people.
6. Different labels given to the same individual for the same action, i.e.‘terrorist’ and ‘patriot’
Before India achieved independence from British rule, some freedom fighters ofIndia who did not subscribe to non-violence were labeled as terrorists by theBritish government. The same individuals have been lauded by Indians for thesame activities and hailed as ‘patriots’. Thus two different labels have beengiven to the same people for the same set of actions. One is calling him aterrorist while the other is calling him a patriot. Those who believed thatBritain had a right to rule over India called these people terrorists, whilethose who were of the view that Britain had no right to rule India called thempatriots and freedom fighters.
It is therefore important that before a person is judged, he is given a fairhearing. Both sides of the argument should be heard, the situation should beanalyzed, and the reason and the intention of the person should be taken intoaccount, and then the person can be judged accordingly.
7. Islam means peace
Islam is derived from the word ‘salaam’ which means peace. It is a religion ofpeace whose fundamentals teach its followers to maintain and promote peacethroughout the world.
Thus every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e. he should follow thefundamentals of the Religion of Peace: Islam. He should be a terrorist onlytowards the antisocial elements in order to promote peace and justice in thesociety.
WAS ISLAM SPREAD BY THE SWORD?
Question:
How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?
Answer:
It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not havemillions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the useof force. The following points will make it clear, that far from being spreadby the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that wasresponsible for the rapid spread of Islam.
1. Islam means peace.
Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also meanssubmitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, whichis acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah(swt).
2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace.
Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peaceand harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vestedinterests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is preciselyfor this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals andanti-social elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. Atthe same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression.The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islamforce can only be used to promote peace and justice.
3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary.
The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is givenby the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book ’Islam at the cross road’(Page 8):
’History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweepingthrough the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conqueredraces is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have everrepeated.’
4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years.
Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used thesword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came toSpain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain whocould openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.
5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians.
Muslimswere the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British ruled, andfor a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians i.e.Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would nothave been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.
6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India.
The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they hadthe power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today morethan 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-MuslimIndians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the sword.
7. Indonesia and Malaysia.
Indonesiais a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The majority ofpeople in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, ’Which Muslim army went toIndonesia and Malaysia?’
8. East Coast of Africa.
Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may againask, if Islam was spread by the sword, ’Which Muslim army went to the EastCoast of Africa?’
9. Thomas Carlyle.
The famous historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book ’Heroes and Hero worship’,refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam: ’The sword indeed, butwhere will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is preciselyin a minority of one. In one man’s head alone. There it dwells as yet. One manalone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That hetakes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You mustget your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can.’
10. No compulsion in religion.
Withwhich sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use it tospread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse:
’Let there be no compulsion in religion:
Truth stands out clear from error’
[Al-Qur’an 2:256]
11. Sword of the Intellect.
It isthe sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people.The Qur’an says in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125:
’Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord
with wisdom and beautiful preaching;
and argue with them in ways that are
best and most gracious.’
[Al-Qur’an 16:125]
12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984.
An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, year book 1986, gave the statistics ofthe increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half acentury from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in ‘The Plain Truth’magazine. At the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity hadincreased only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century whichconverted millions of people to Islam?
13. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe.
Todaythe fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing religionin Europe in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islamin such large numbers?
14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson.
Dr.Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, ’People who worry that nuclear weaponry willone day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bombhas been dropped already, it fell the day MUHAMMED (pbuh) was born’
via منتديات ماجدة http://majdah.maktoob.com/vb/majdah323813/?amp;goto=newpost
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق