Misconception

Islam derives from the Arabic root word salaam meaning peace. It also means complete submission to the will of Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and what lies between them. Hence, Islam is the eventual way to eternal peace for an individual as for the whole universe.

A misconception about Islam is that it is a religion born about 14 centuries ago in the deserts of Arabia. The Holy Quran explains us that Islam is the divine way of life prescribed for the humankind by its Creator right from the day man stepped for the first time on this earth. The Holy Quran thus says:

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 35, Aayah 24) We have sent you (O Muhammad) with the Truth, as a bearer of good news and a Warner. And there has been no nation which was not visited by a Warner.

To every nation is (sent) an apostle. (Holy Qur’an; Soorah 10, Aayah 47)

On the eve of the zenith of the human civilization, well before the “knowledge explosion” was about to take place and the world started shrinking the Almighty God put in place the final edition and the full version of Islam about 14 centuries ago. The Almighty God declared Holy Quran, the Word of God, and the perfect Ideal of the Life of Prophet Muhammed the Messenger of God as the fountainhead of guidance and welfare of the entire humankind. And for that God promised in the Holy Quran to protect and preserve Quran and invites the entire mankind to emulate the exemplary life of Muhammed, Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him). The two following verses from the Holy Quran stand testimony.

It was We who revealed the Qur’an, and We will certainly preserve it [Holy Qur’an; Soorah 15, Aayah 9]

Even Sir William Muir, a hostile critic, had to acknowledge, "There is probably in the world no other book which has remained twelve centuries with so pure text."

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 33, Aayah 21) There was indeed the best model for you in the Messenger of Allah, for every such person who looks forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.

Prof. K. S. Ramakrishna Rao, Head of the Department of Philosophy, University of Mysore, writes in one of his articles on Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) commented about him as a historic personality, every event of whose life had been most carefully recorded and even the minutest details preserved intact for the posterity.
Human dignity upheld

The Holy Quran elaborates on the importance and superiority that God has given to the man vis-à-vis His entire creation and exalted man as His Vice Regent on the earth.

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 17, Aayah 70) It is a favour that We have honoured the sons of Adam and blessed them with conveyances on land and sea and provided them with good and pure things and exalted them above many of Our other creatures.

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 2, Aayah 30) Just recall the time when your Lord said to the angels, "I am going to appoint a vicegerent on the Earth."

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 2, Aayah 29) He it is Who created for you all that there is on the Earth;_ _ _.

It is He Who has subdued the earth to you. ---- (Holy Qur’an; Soorah 67, Aayah 15).

The first addressee of the Holy Quran is the humankind

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 10, Aayah 57) Men! Now there has come to you an exhortation from your Lord, a healing for the ailments of the hearts, and a guidance and mercy for those who believe.

Islam, being divine in nature, abhors coercion in the matter of religion.

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 2, Aayah 256) There is no compulsion and coercion in regard to religion. The right thing has been made distinct from the wrong thing: now whoever rejects taghut (false gods) and believes in Allah has taken a firm support that never gives way.

In Quran Almighty Allah thus advises His Messenger Mohammed (PBUH)

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 88, Aayah 21-22) Well, (O Prophet,) go on admonishing them, for you are only an admonisher: you are not there to coerce them.

In addition, advises ways to call men to the fold of Islam:

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 16, Aayah 125) O Prophet invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and excellent admonition and discuss things with people in the best manner. Your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Way and He knows best who is rightly guided.

To avoid unwarranted and untoward situations, it is advised to tell unequivocally to the disbelievers

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 109, Aayah 6) For you is your religion and for me is mine.

Terrorism Shunned

Muslims (submitters to the will of God) and terrorism are the two poles apart. Islam forbids the killing of innocent people, irrespective of the cause - religious, political or social beliefs. Islam teaches its believers to have relations based on love, peace, mutual respect and trust.

You shall not kill any man whom Allah has forbidden (you to kill) except in the course of justice. (Holy Qur’an; Soorah 17, Aayah 33)

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 60, Aayah 8) Allah does not forbid you to treat kindly and act equitably towards those who have neither fought you in the matter of religion nor driven you out of your homes. Indeed Allah loves the just.

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 8, Aayah 61) If they incline to peace, incline you as well to it, and trust in Allah. Surely He is All-Hearing. All-Knowing.

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 4, Aayah 90) --- If they leave you alone and do not fight against you and offer you peace, then Allah does not permit you to harm them.

To make it foolproof that any innocent should not suffer from the hands of a believer the Holy Quran exhorts:

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 49, Aayah 6) O you who have believed, if a wicked person brings you some news, inquire into it carefully lest you should harm others unwittingly and then regret what you have done.

This also refrain us from to react on any news from any unreliable and unverified
sources.

Life of Allah's messenger: an excellent example

The life of the last Prophet of Islam, Mohammed (PBUH) is a distinct example for the misguided few who have resorted to un-Islamic ways in support of their causes and is a befitting reply to those who are out to malign Islam citing their misdeeds.

During the entire period of 13 years of persecution in Mecca, Hazrat Mohammed (PBUH) was an embodiment of tolerance and forbearance. He was evicted from Mecca, his place of birth, and the Holy Kaaba , the abode of God. However, Medina welcomed him and embraced Islam. That was not enough for his opponents and they attacked Medina too. In pure self-defense, after repeated efforts of conciliation had utterly failed, circumstances dragged him into the battlefield. But the Prophet of Islam taught self-control and discipline to the extent of praying even on the battlefield. In an age of barbarism, the Battlefield itself was humanized and strict instructions were issued not to cheat, not to break trust, not to mutilate, not to kill a child or woman or an old man, not to chop down date palm nor burn it, not to cut a fruit tree, not to molest any person engaged in worship.

His own treatment with his bitterest enemies is the noblest example for his followers. At the conquest of Mecca, he stood at the zenith of his power. The city which had refused to listen to his mission, which had tortured him and his followers, which had driven him and his people into exile and which had unrelentingly persecuted and boycotted him even when he had taken refuge in a place more than 200 miles away, that city now lay at his feet.By the laws of war, he could have justly avenged all the cruelties inflicted on him and his people. But what treatment did he accord to them?Mohammad's (PBUH) heart flowed with affection and he declared, "This day, there is no REPROOF against you and you are all free." "This day" he proclaimed, "I trample under my feet all distinctions between man and man, all hatred between man and man."

This was one of the chief objects why he permitted war in self defense, that is to unite human beings. And when once this object was achieved, even his worst enemies were pardoned. Even he pardoned those who killed his beloved uncle, Hamzah, mangled his body, ripped it open, even chewed a piece of his liver. His behavior is the perfect practical example of the Quranic verses

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 41, Aayah 34-35) And (O Prophet) goodness and evil are not equal. Repel evil with what is best. You will see that he with whom you had enmity, has become your closest friend. But none can attain to this quality except those who endure with patience, and none can attain to this rank except those who are men of great good fortune.

The principles of universal brotherhood and doctrine of the equality of mankind which he proclaimed represents one very great contribution of Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) to the social uplift of humanity. All great religions have preached the same doctrine but the last Prophet of Islam (PBUH) had put this theory into actual practice and its value will be fully recognized, perhaps centuries hence, when international consciousness being awakened, racial prejudices may disappear and greater brotherhood of humanity come into existence. So justly has Allah the Almighty God in the Holy Quran extolled him:

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 21, Aayah 107) (O Muhammad!) We have sent you to be a real blessing for the people of the world.

"And you (O Muhammad ) stand on an exalted (The greatest) standard of character (Manners, and conduct ). (Holy Qur’an; Soorah 68, Aayah 4)

The mission of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is as relevant today as it was during his lifetime. The same principals of truth, justice and compassion need to be upheld. Love, care and concern for the humanity should flow out from the hearts of those who claim to be his followers besides being kind and good to each other. Let us conclude with what the Holy Qur’an said about the group that His Last Messenger, Muhammad (PBUH) had erected for the welfare of the mankind and keep its conduct be considered by us as a litmus test to judge our own conduct.

(Holy Qur’an; Soorah 3, Aayah 110) You are now the best people brought forth for (the guidance and reform of) humankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.

This article can only be concluded by saying that Islam in no way promotes terrorism or terror driven activities. If anything, it calls for universal peace and prosperity of humankind. So we ask the people who are committing these heinous crimes in the name of Islam, whether they are being true to their religion? Are they not committing sacrilege by using the name of Quran for achieving their ends? It is a matter of introspection and can only be resolved through awareness.