Understanding Islam

Dialogue is the best form of communication between different civilisations and cultures.  Through dialogue, accurate information can be discerned and disseminated to penetrate hearts and minds to eradicate doubt and allow people see issues in light of plain facts, free from distortion, exaggeration or fabrication.

Ignorance and distortion have been woven against Islam by Western mass media and prejudiced individuals especially orientalists thereby creating a totally bad image about Islam’s history, civilisation and its community.  The purpose of my discourse is to enlighten Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam.

The events of September 11, 2001 are still fresh in the minds of the American people and the world at large. The damage caused to Islam by the people behind this terrorist act is irreparable.  Islam is a religion of peace as the word ‘Islam’ connotes ‘peace’ it does not approve of terrorism. The doctrines, laws and history of Islam do not condone hurting people for no just reason.  There is nowhere in the Qur’an where Muslims are instructed to wage acts of terrorism against anybody.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived peacefully with Jews and Christians during his lifetime in Madinah.  He never waged war on Jews or Christians.  The Jews that connived with the hypocrites in Madinah to undermine Islam and even kill Prophet Muhammad were expelled and exiled. He waged wars against non-believers principally idol-worshippers of that time that continuously attacked Islam and Muslims.

 ‘Islam’ is a word derived from the Arabic word for submission to Allah the Exalted.  Islam entails submission to the Oneness of Allah (in His Lordship, His most perfect names and attributes).  Islam also entails following Allah’s Messengers from Adam to Jesus.  In this respect, Islam is the same religion that was preached by all prophets before Muhammad (PBUH). All of them were sent by Allah to order their people to associate none in worship with Allah and to obey them in what they convey unto the people from Him.

Allah the Exalted says in the Qur’an in Surah Anbiya, Verse 21, Chapter 25:

And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad) but We inspired him saying: “La ilaha illallah” (none has the right to be worshipped but I, Allah, so worship Me Alone and none else).

According to the Qur’an, Surah Al-Imran, Verse 3, Chapter 64, Prophet Muhammad was sent not only to Muslims, but to Jews and Christians as well. The verse says:

Say (O Muhammad), “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Lords besides Allah”. Then if they turn away, say, “Bear witness that we are Muslims”.

A Christian friend of mine who had a negative view of Islam was amazed after I dialogued with him and explained to him Islam and what it teaches.  After suffering four religious crises that caused him to lose close relatives and properties, his view of Islam was totally negative but I cleared his mind after explaining to him the difference between extremism and fundamentalism.