In
The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
islamicbookshop.com
September/October
Newsletter
"Muslim fundamentalism is fast
becoming the chief threat to global peace and security as well as a cause of
national and local disturbance through terrorism. It is akin to the menace
posed by Nazism and fascism in the 1930's and then by communism in the
50's".
The New York Times /International Herald Tribune (9 Sept 1993)
According to the Reader's Digest
Universal Dictionary "fundamental" means
"having to do with the foundation; elemental; basic", and
"fundamentalism" an "unswerving belief in a set of basic and
unalterable principles of religious or philosophical nature". The term was
traditionally used for Christians who believed the Bible to be the literal
truth even when it was found in conflict with modern scientific discoveries.
"Fundamentalist" soon
became a derogatory term. What purpose does the term serve when used in
connection with Muslims?
Western science is built
on the foundation of scientific discoveries of Muslim Spain before the
inquisition, and unlike the Bible, the Qur'an has never yet been proven to
contradict reality. The Qur'an encourages scientific
research. Somebody believing the Qur'an to be the fundamental or elemental
and basic truth, can hardly be
accused of being irrational. Nor can there be anything wrong with firmly
holding
on to "basic and unalterable
principles". Modern secular society, for example, has agreed on a Universal Declaration of Human Rights to
establish such "basic and
unalterable principles". To try and frighten people of Muslim
fundamentalism, therefore, makes little sense. Still it is being done every
day.
Branding
People for Political Gain
When democratic elections were cancelled in Algeria or when Muslim campaigners
for democracy in Egypt were hung without proper trial, it was enough of a
justification to brand them as Muslim fundamentalists. No further questions
needed to be asked. Fundamentalists meant terrorist. Terrorist meant danger.
Danger justified eliminating those responsible. On the
other hand, when Israel bombed civilian areas in Lebanon or when Serb militia
massacred innocent Muslim men, women and children in Bosnia, the term Jewish,
or Christian fundamentalists was never used to refer to them.
In his book Pity the Nation on the long conflict in the Lebanon, Robert Fisk,
one of he longest serving British Middle East correspondents, spells out how
emotional and ambiguous this use of language is. "But
'terrorism' no longer means terrorism. It is not a definition: it is a
political contrivance. 'Terrorists' are those who use violence against the side
that is using the word. The only terrorist whom Israel acknowledges are those
who oppose Israel. The only terrorist the United States acknowledges,
are those who oppose the United States or their allies. The only terrorists
Palestinians acknowledge - for they too use the term - are those opposed to the
Palestinians. To adopt the word means that we have taken a side in the Middle
East, not between right and wrong, good and evil, David and Goliath, but with
one set of combatants against another. For journalists in the Middle East, the
use of the word 'terrorism' is akin to carrying a gun'.
Yet, The Times he worked for, and The
Independent he now writes for still happily "carry a gun" and
shoot at "Muslim fundamentalists"
or "Muslim terrorists"
instead of objectively reporting the news. Prejudice against Islam is deep
seated, because nobody bothers to find out what Islam really means and what
code of conduct the Qur'an prescribes for Muslims.
The Fundamentals Of Islam Here, then, are some of the
"fundamentals", "basic
and unalterable principles", of the Qur'an, Muslims believe in:
"Let there be no compulsion in
religion: Truth stands out clear from error. Whoever rejects idols and believes
in Allah (Arabic name for the one and only God) has grasped the most
trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all
things."
Surah 2 (al Baqarah / The Cow), verse 256.
"We bestowed (in the past) wisdom on Luqman: Show gratitude to Allah.
Anyone who is grateful does so to the profit of his soul; but if anyone is
ungrateful. Verily Allah is free of all wants, worthy of all praise. Behold,
Luqman said to his son admonishing him: 'O my son, join not in worship (others)
with Allah; for false worship is indeed the highest wrong-doing'.
And We have enjoined on man (to be
good) to his parents. In travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in
two years was his weaning. Show gratitude to Me and your parents; to Me is the
final goal.
But if they strive to make you join
in worship with Me things of which you have no knowledge, obey them not, yet
bear their company in this life with justice, and follow the way of those who
turn to Me. In the end the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you all
that you did.·
'O my son', (said Luqman), if there
be but the weight of a mustard seed and it were (hidden) in a rock, or
(anywhere) in the heavens or on earth, Allah will bring it forth, for Allah is
subtle and aware.
O my son, establish regular prayer,
enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong, and bear with patient constancy
whatever afflicts you, for this is firmness in (the conduct) of affairs.
And swell not your cheek (with
pride) at men nor walk in insolence on the earth, for Allah loves not any
arrogant boaster. And be moderate in your pace, and lower your voice, for the
hardest of voices is the braying of the ass."
Surah 31 (Luqman), verse 12 - 19.
"O Mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female,
and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that
you may despise each other). Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of
Allah is (he who is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and
is well acquainted (with all things)."
Surah 49 (Al Hujurat/The Chamber) verse 13
"Say: 'O people of the Book (Christians and Jews), come to common terms as
between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, that we associate no
partners with Him, that we erect not among ourselves lords and patrons other
that Allah,' If then they turn back, say: "Bear witness that we (at least)
submit (to Him)."
Surah 3 (Ali Imran/The Family of lmran), verse 64
"Say: 'We believe in Allah, and what has been revealed to us, and what was
revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes, and to the prophets
from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and
to Allah do we submit."
Surah 3 (Ali Imran/The Family of lmran), verse 84
"Say: Will you dispute with us about Allah, seeing that He is our Lord and
your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and you for yours; and that
we are sincere (in our faith) to Him?"
Surah 2 (Al Baqarah / The Cow), verse 39
"Those who believe (in the Qur'an), Those who follow the Jewish
(scriptures), and the Sabians, and the Christians, and the magicians, and the
polytheists, - Allah will judge between them on the Day of Judgement: for Allah
is witness of all things."
Surah 20 (Al-Hajj), Verse 17
These then, are some fundamentals of Islam.
Do you find anything fundamentally wrong with
them?
Do they make you feel afraid?
Do you feel endangered by someone who follows them?
Surely not.
So next time, somebody talks about "Muslim
fundamentalists" or "Islamic
fundamentalism", let them know the truth, because you know better than
them. Let no one frighten you about Islam, which literally means "a
religion of peace through submission to God".
We, at this point, are not concerned
about looking into who undertook the attack in New York and Washington. However
we assert that America has directed an allegation against Osama Bin Laden
without providing any evidence. All that they have claimed is that he is a
prime suspect.
The rules of Islam forbid any aggression against civilian non-combatants. They
forbid killing of children, the elderly and non-combatant women even in the
battlefield. They forbid the hijacking of civilian aeroplanes carrying innocent
civilians and forbid the destruction of homes and offices which contain innocent
civilians. All of these action are types of aggression which Islam forbids and
Muslims should not undertake such actions. As for Jihad
to fight the enemy who commits aggression against Muslims, usurps their land,
plunders their resources and attempts to control them; not only is this a
legitimate matter but it is an obligation (fard). It is the highest peak of
Islam.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
"The head of the matter is Islam,
its pillar is the prayer and its highest peak is Jihad." Read More...
...The Worlds Worst Terrorists Are Based In Washington
- The Independent
...Lies, Hatred and the Language of Force -
The Independent
...They Can't See Why They Are Hated - The
Guardian
...Did Israel attack the Pentagon and the World Trade
Center? - Info Times
...Thought provoking article from Michael Moore
..."Vigilantes take up arms, vow to expel 'Muslim
filth'" - USA Today
...The Greatest Crime Since World War II?
...Mossad Behind Attacks
...Interview with Chomsky - Radio B92 Belgrade
...It is not going to be easy - Robert Fisk
...The Forgotten Land, The Abandoned Nation -
Afghan Ambassador
...A History of Global US terrorism - Larry
Mosqueda Ph.D
...The True, Peaceful Face of Islam - Time
Magazine
...Inevitable Ring to the Unimaginable - John
Pilger
...Why Are We So Hated? - Pacific News Service
...Article from leading Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz
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Please
pray for all our brothers and sisters who are suffering at the moment,
wherever they may be.
The islamicbookshop.com team
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