Islam: a home of tolerance, not fanaticism
By Yusuf Islam
Media speculation since the horrific terrorist attacks on America has
pointed the finger at Muslims and the Arab world, and that has meant
ordinary citizens of the US and other Western countries becoming easy
prey for anti-faith hooligans. Shame.
Sadly, the latest horror to hit the US looks to have been caused by
people of Middle Eastern origin, bearing Muslim names. Again, shame.
This fuels more hatred for a religion and a people who have nothing to
do with these events. This is why I want to explain some basic facts
about this noble way we call Islam, before, God forbid, another
disaster occurs -- next time probably aimed at Muslims.
I came to Islam in my late 20s, during my searching period as a
wandering pop star. I found a religion that blended scientific reason
with spiritual reality, in a unifying faith far removed from the
headlines of violence, destruction and terrorism.
One of the first interesting things I learned in the Quran was that
the name of the faith comes from the word Salaam -- peace. Far from
the kind of Turko-Arab-centric message I expected, the Quran presented
a belief in the universal existence of God, one God for all. It does
not discriminate against peoples; it says we may be different colors
and from different tribes, but we are all human and "the best of
people are the most God-conscious".
Today, as a Muslim, I have been shattered by the horror of recent
events; the display of death and indiscriminate killing we've all
witnessed has dented humanity's confidence in itself. Terror on this
scale affects everybody on this small planet, and no one is free from
the fallout. Yet, we should remember that such violence is almost an
everyday occurrence in some Muslim lands: it should not be exacerbated
by revenge attacks on more innocent families and communities.
Along with most Muslims, I feel it a duty to make clear that such
orchestrated acts of incomprehensible carnage have nothing to do with
the beliefs of most Muslims. The Quran specifically declares (what
means): "If anyone murders an (innocent) person, it will be as if he
has murdered the whole of humanity. And if anyone saves a person it
will be as if he has saved the whole of humanity." [Quran 5:32]
The Quran that our young people learn is full of stories and lessons
from the history of humanity as a whole. The Injeel (Gospels) and the
Torah are referred to; 'Eesaa (Jesus) and Ibraaheem (Abraham), may
Allaah exalt their mention, are mentioned. In fact there is more
mention in the Quran of the prophet Moosaa (Moses) than of any other.
It acknowledges the coexistence of other faiths, and in doing so,
acknowledges that other cultures can live together in peace.
It states (what means): "There is no compulsion in religion" [Quran
2:256] meaning that people should not be compelled to change their
faith. Elsewhere it states (what means): "To you, your religion; to me
mine." [Quran 109:6]
Respect for religious values and justice is at the Quran's core. The
Quranic history we teach our young provides ample examples of inter-
religious and international relation****ps of how to live together.
But some extremists take elements of the sacred scriptures out of
context. They act as individuals, and when they can't come together as
part of a political structure or consultative process, you find these
dissident factions creating their own rules, contrary to the spirit of
the Quran -- which demands that those recognized as being in charge of
Muslims must consult together regarding society's affairs. There is a
whole chapter in the Quran entitled =91Consultation=92.
Communal wellbeing is central to human life, so there is a concept in
Islam called Istihsaan, which means "to look for the common good".
Even though the Quran may lay down a diktat, scholars are also
supposed to consider the cir***stances prevalent at the time.
Sometimes that means choosing the lesser of two evils or even
suspending legislation if necessary: for instance, a person who steals
bread during a famine is not treated as a thief.
Once I wrote in a song: "Where do the children play?" Our sympathy and
thoughts go out to the families of all those who lost their lives in
these tragic acts of violence, as well as all those injured. But life
must go on. Children still need to play and people need to live and
learn more about their neighbors, so that ignorance doesn't breed more
blind fanaticism. Moderation is part of faith, so those who accuse
Muslim schools of fostering fanaticism should learn a bit more about
Islam.
The Prophet , said: "Ruined are those who insist on hard****p in faith"
and "A believer remains within the scope of his religion as long as he
doesn't kill another person illegally." Such knowledge and words of
guidance are desperately needed at this time, to separate fact from
falsehood, and to recognize the Last Prophet's , own definition of
that which makes a person representative or otherwise, of the faith he
lived and the one we try to teach.
http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=3DE&id=3D117332
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