Minahil Afridi
Research Assistant at Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad
Ideological differences have resulted in the “clash of civilizations” and it is foreseen that religion will become a major source of conflict among nations. Religious Fanaticism has increased in present times, resulting in disharmony, brutal massacres, intolerance, and violence. Humanity needs a solution for the attainment of a global peace and conflict-free world. No religion in the world teaches violence and extremism to its followers, rather they promote tolerance, peace, mutual respect, and cooperation. But the Abrahamic religions are generally misunderstood, Islamic being at top of the list due to the fact that it is used as a tool to perpetuate violence by terrorist groups, that claim to be Muslims, but in reality have no connection with Islam. Islam is a significant component of religious identity in Muslim countries and thus serves as an attractive tool for violent extremists as an instrument for legitimation. However, the main catalysts for extremism and terrorism are political grievances that are intertwined with the misuse of religion. Thus, it is imperative that we understand the true meaning of Islam.
Islam as a propagator of peace
Islam – a religion of peace, put forward the concept of peaceful coexistence and freedom of religion centuries ago. Islam is derived from the notion of peace and the word “Islam” has the same root as the Arabic word for peace- “Salaam.” While some people equate Islam with violence, cruelty, and terrorism, Islamic principles advocate the exact opposite. This is evident by following the teaching of Holy Quran where Allah says: Whosoever kills a person without any reason (of murder or mischief in the earth), it is as though he has killed entire humanity. And whosoever saves a single life, it is as though he has saved all the people.” (Surah al-Maida, 5:32). Today, the non-Muslim communities have come to see Islam and Muslims with suspicion. This owes to the heinous crimes being committed by terrorist outfits against humanity, in the name of Islam. The latest example is the terrorist activities conducted by the self-styled Islamic State of Iraq and Syria – ISIS, along with Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and others who have no legitimacy in Islam. In reality, the terrorists’ version of Islam is the very antithesis of the actual Islamic tenets. Islam encourages Muslims to cultivate good relations with people of other faiths and to live in harmony.
The assessment of Islam that considers all non-Islamic entities as enemies and that Muslims are permitted to use force to convert non-Muslims to Islam is totally wrong. In Islam, the Muslims are clearly forbidden from using force against anyone for expansionism and domination. Prophet Muhammad PBUH preached that do not wish for confrontation with your enemy; instead always ask for peace from God. This depicts that Muslims are not allowed to take the course of confrontation or aggression. The Holy Quran states that if you deal with your enemy positively and return good for evil, Allah will become your closest friend (41:34). These teachings of Quran and Sunnah make it clear that peace is the greatest concern of Islam.
Jihad- a misunderstood concept
The word Jihad originates from the Arabic root meaning “to strive”. Jihad is the only legitimate warfare in Islam that is carefully controlled under Islamic laws including that noncombatants, women, children and old people must not be attacked, and so on. To the common western mind the concept of Jihad is widely misunderstood as it is regarded as an Islamic practice that aims to wage ‘Holy War’ to convert non-Muslims to Islam or to exterminate them. The word ‘Jihad’ has become synonymous with ‘terrorism’ and thus Islam is considered as a ‘militant’ religion. The true meaning of Jihad in Islam is however very different, as imparted and practiced by the Holy Prophet PBUH and his Companions.
Jihad means to make great effort for something, and is definitely not tantamount to what is often mistakenly translated as ‘holy war’. Jihad in Islam is of three types; the struggle against a visible enemy, fight against the devil and struggle to reform one’s self. The greatest form of jihad, stressed by the Islamic principles, is the struggle against evil forces within one’s own self; the practice that Muslim terror groups, of course, do not care at all about and is not highlighted among the world communities. Jihad is interpreted differently by those who infer to Islamic law on the subject and those who promote violence against Muslims and non-Muslims.
The notion of Jihad with the sword is generally misconceived. The reason behind this form of Jihad was that the Muslims had continued to be suppressed at the hands of the Quraish for thirteen long years. After the Muslims left Makkah, Quraish planned to kill the Muslims as a nation, annihilate them and compel them to return to unbelief. In these circumstances came the earliest permission to fight, in verses 39 and 40 of chapter 22 that, “Permission (to fight) is given to those on whom war is made because they are oppressed. And surely Allah is able to assist them – Those who are driven from their homes without a just cause except that they say: Our Lord is Allah. And if Allah did not repel some people by others, cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques, in which Allah’s name is much remembered, would have been pulled down. And surely Allah will help him who helps His cause”. The Prophet Muhammad PBUH fought Quraish in order to survive, but as soon as he felt his people were safe, he devoted the efforts to building up a peaceful coalition of tribes and eventually brought peace to war-torn region of Arabia.
Islam puts no Compulsion
in Religious Matters
Islam respects other religions and their followers’ right to practice their faiths. This is evident from the teachings of the Holy Quran, the life of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH and the Islamic literature. The notion of religious freedom is novel in West, but Islam, since its beginning advocated the idea of acceptance, admiration, and acknowledgment of rights of all human beings. Islamic Shariah strictly forbids contempt and violence towards the people of other faiths and supports the welfare of minorities in an Islamic state. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran: “There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned.” (2/ 256). Islam offers an environment that allows people to enjoy religious freedom and to live by the faith and values they believe in. Freedom of religion, humanity, and equality regardless of caste, color, creed, and religion are the basic tenets of Islam. Allah says in the Quran: “God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just.” (Surat al-Mumtahana, 8). Islam condemns the use of force in religious matters. This can best be described in the verse of the Quran: “To you be your religion, to me be mine.” (Surah Al-Kafirun, Verse 6). The responsibility of the Prophets was to educate the people and show them the path of God, not to force people to accept their message. Allah gave a clear order to his messenger in the Holy Quran that, “You shall remind, for you are the reminder. You are not one to manage (men’s) Affairs.” (88:21-22)
The Message of Kindness
Tolerance, and Love:
The principles of the Quran hold a Muslim accountable for treating all people with kindness and justice, serving the needy, helping the helpless and forbidding the propagation of chaos and terror that confiscates security, comfort, and peace. Islam embraces diversity and mutual respect for all people. In the Holy Quran it is written: “People, We created you all from a single man and a single woman, and made you into races and tribes so that you should get to know one another.” (49:13). Islam values and regards people of all faith and does not differentiate among them. The life of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH is a model of positive engagements with the people around him and with other religions, treating them with love and dignity. His life is a clear manifestation of the high level of tolerance and respect towards the people of other faiths. Prophet Muhammad PBUH said: “The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger 14’ [Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book of Good Manners, chapter 76, hadith 135,( 8: 86-87).
The Madinah Charter
The charter of Madinah serves as the best example of propagation of peace and unity by Muslims. The Madinah Charter was drafted by Prophet Muhammad PBUH for the multi-religious citizens of the city-state of Medina in 622 A.D. Under the jurisdiction of the Charter of Madinah, the citizens, irrespective of their religions, lived in peace and harmony. Conflict resolution was central in the discussion of treaties with non-Muslims during that time. The settlement between Muslims and non-Muslims ensured that once a treaty is made, all people in that area were protected and non-Muslims were safe regardless of the region in which they are located. The charter is an incredible political-constitutional document that depicts the true essence of Islam.
During the time of the Prophet, Arab was a region comprising of various faiths including Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, polytheists, and others. The laws were laid down by the Prophet PBUH, in accordance with the tenets of Islam that ensured harmony, stability and peaceful coexistence of all the people residing in Madinah. The first article of the Madinah Charter stated that all the residents of Madinah were “one nation to the exclusion of all others”, and were considered members of the Madinah society regardless of their faith, race, or origin. In the past, every tribe had made alliances and had enemies within and outside Madinah. The Prophet PBUH assembled these diverse tribes under one system of governance. All tribes had to act as a whole with disregard to individual alliances. Any attack on other religion or tribe was considered an attack on the state and upon the Muslims as well. The Prophet PBUH said: “Whoever kills a person who is part of the treaty with Muslims, will never smell the fragrance of Paradise.” (Saheeh Muslim). Any sort of maltreatment of individuals of other faiths was strictly forbidden under Islamic law. The Prophet PBUH said: “Beware! Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, or curtails their rights, or burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.” (Abu Dawud)
Another article of the Charter stated that “the Jews have their religion and the Muslims have theirs.” This is a clear indication that Islam advocates tolerance and the idea of interfaith harmony, maintaining that although all the people were members of the same society, each had their separate belief which could not be dishonored or violated. Every member of the society was allowed to practice their faith freely. Similarly, the charter explicated that “If any dispute or controversy likely to cause trouble should arise, it must be referred to God and His Messenger.” This clause maintained justice must be served by the leader of the state himself or his nominated representatives. For the non-Muslim tribes, it was decided to refer to their own religious scholars and learned men in dealing their personal affairs. They could also ask the Prophet to judge between them in their matters, as mentioned in the Holy Quran: “…If they do come to you, either judge between them or decline to interfere…” (Quran 5:42)
Islamophobia
There are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world, and Islam is the world’s 2nd largest religion after Christianity. Islamophobia has become an increasingly used term that refers to hostility, fear, and hatred of Islam and Muslims. Islamophobia in the world, particularly the West, manifests itself through individual attitudes and the practices of different organizations/institutions/communities towards Muslims. In recent years, Islamophobia has been aggravated by atrocious terrorist attacks carried out by extremists who claim to represent Islam like the 9/11 attacks, the chaos in Middle East, etc. The terrorist attacks by violent extremists in different parts of the world have increased fear and anxiety among the people. The use of Islam by terrorists, to justify their crimes, has made the world regard Islam as a threat, and fear Muslims as enemies.
The anti-Islam hate speech, bias and discrimination is on the rise. Islam is equated with militant extremism, obscuring the fact that the majority of terrorist victims are Muslims themselves. This notion has had a significant impact on the growth of Islamophobia as well as the policies that threat Muslim civil liberties. This is worsened by public demonstration of Islamophobia in the West, by political speeches and negative portrayals of Muslims in the media. Studies have found that Islamophobia has also increased significantly because, during the election campaigns, the representatives sought to gain public and media attention by making rash statements against Muslims. Ironically these comments are made by those who know nothing about Islam. Media has also played a critical role in spreading a negative image of Islam worldwide. There has been an explosion of social media websites targeting the Muslim community, which has serious consequences. A numerous number of anti-Muslim polemicists have increased, consisting of bloggers, authors, elected officials, and their resourceful funders. Recently in 2018, different incidents happened that showed the serious implications of Islamophobia, including the “Punish a Muslim day” in which letters were sent to Muslim communities that suggested that people could win “points” for a range of activities aimed at humiliating Muslims such as removing a headscarf from a woman or beating a Muslim. Moreover, incidents, like making fun of the veil and referring to it as “ridiculous letter boxes” by senior officials, is becoming normal. There are a lot more cases of humiliating and discriminating Muslims which are increasing the anti-Muslim sentiment across the world.
Conclusion
Islam advocates unity among all communities. The misconception regarding Islam needs to be clarified by playing an active role in presenting the true essence of Islam to the world. This can be best done by initiating open interfaith dialogue in order to mitigate the negative image of Islam and propagate a message of peace and harmony. We need to respect each other on the basis of humanity, not on the basis of ethnicity, nationality or beliefs. In a diverse world where we exist today, interfaith harmony is the key to peace and it can be achieved by tolerance and acceptability for each other.
