Misunderstood Islam as a Religion of Violence
Islam and violence is so integrally associated that one can hardly associate it with peace. The Qur’ân in the one hand and sword in the other is the popular proverb, and this proverb is very widely disseminated. Islam and peace are poles apart (as understood by non-Muslim), and as such any attempt to find one in the other is a futile exercise. It is also felt that a study to bring out a compromise between Islam and peace may result in a theoretical adjustment rather than a practical proposition. This misunderstanding is based on two factors:
(i) not studying, understanding and evaluating Islam in its true perspective, and
(ii) a defective and incomplete concept of non-violence.
The former is again based on two factors: the incapability of many Muslim scholars to project their religion properly, not only in its practice, but in its preaching and presentation (especially in local languages), and a preconceived prejudice against Islam and its followers.
Islam may be called a militant religion, but militant in the sense that the religious and social exercise prescribed by it are dynamic and keep its followers disciplined, vigilant and active to remain on the right path. It must be admitted that some not only overdid these exercise (mostly the Muslim rulers and their puppet subordinates), but some also indulged in out-of-bound practices which created a fear of personalities and prejudice against their principles in general among non-Muslim.
It is very unfortunate that amidst the glitter, glamour and glory of the Muslim rulers in this country (India), the real pioneers, who with their spiritual eminence and personal example have attracted innumerable non-Muslim to Islam, are lost sight of. Their exemplary lives and activities are overlooked and forgotten, while their tombs built with inert materials are respected and even worshiped! Many of the common Muslim remain Muslim in name only; as such, their aspirations, ambitions, and activities are not governed by the true tenets of Islam and they, therefore, fail to be true models of Islam, projecting its true principles and practices. Unfortunately, very limited literature of Islam has been produced in the local languages to enable non-Muslim to study it with an open mind and understand it in its true light.
The second point to consider is the exact nature of non-violence in Islamic religious tradition. Is it to abstain from causing physical injury to any living thing, whatever be the circumstances, and thereby to lead a secluded ascetic life? It is worth to quote from writing of Mahatma Gandhi, the great exponent of non-violence in modern times:
“Ahimsa is not the crude thing it has been made to appear. Not to hurt any living thing is no doubt a part of ahimsa. But it is its least expression. Ahimsa to me is the chief glory of Hindu, has been sought to be explained away by our people as being meant for sannyasis (saints) only. I do not share this view.”
Now, let us examine Islam in the light of the above explanation of non-violence. The two fundamental guiding principles of man are peace and compassion. He should live in peace with himself and with the outside world, and shower kindness and compassion on all human beings, treating them as his own brother. One can get peace by submission to God’s will. Therefore, submission and peace are two guiding principles for man of non-violence—the former with the respect of God and the latter with the respect to other human beings resulting in a feeling of universal brotherhood. Submission should be both out of love and fear; love for the Great Power. Who has created us, is sustaining us and is bestowing on us innumerable benefits day in and day out, and the fear that He is watching us and will punish us some day for our evil actions. Islam is the name of the perfect code of conduct based on these two cardinal principles of submission and peace.
Islam is neither a religion of violence, nor violence is integral to it. The very word ‘Islam’ is the very negation of the concept of violence. Islam means surrender to the will of God on the one hand and establishing peace on the other. The word for peace in Arabic is ‘Salam’. When Muslim greet each other, they invoke peace— ‘salam alaykum’ (peace be on you). Not only Muslim, all human beings could be greeted with these words. Thus, it is a religious duty of a Muslim to strive for establishment of peace in society.
A Muslim is one who surrenders to the Will of Allâh and an establisher of peace (while Islam means establishment of peace, Muslim means one who establishes peace through his action and conduct). A true Muslim lives and dies in submission to God and in the establishment of peace in this world. His implicit faith in God based on a dynamic formula ‘la ilaha illAllâh’ (there is no object of worship except God) gives him those values of life which earn him peace and universal brotherhood. He had no greed or ambition in life except to please God, and to carry the message of peace to others so that all may live in happiness and harmony. The Holy Qur’ân shows catholicity and religious tolerance in following passages:
“Lo ! Allâh is my Lord and your God, so serve him. That is the right path.”
Another passage of the Holy Qur’ân pleads religious tolerance:
“Unto each nation have we given sacred rites which they are to perform; so let them not dispute with Thee in the matter, but summon them unto thy Lord.”
With such broad concepts of religion, a Muslim cannot afford to be violent. Above all, Islam is a simple and scientific religion, which has to be understood before it is accepted.
Comments
Post a Comment