Most Common Questions asked by Non-Muslims
Q5. Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists
and terrorists?
MUSLIMS ARE FUNDAMENTALISTS AND TERRORISTS
Answer:
This
question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any discussion
on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every form
of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims. In fact,
such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to discrimination and acts
of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-Muslim campaign in the
American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to declare
a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind the attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier
from the American Armed Forces.
Let us
analyze this allegation of ‘fundamentalism’ and ‘terrorism’:
1.Definition of the word ‘fundamentalist’
A
fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of the doctrine
or theory he is following. For a person
to be a good doctor, he should know, follow, and practice the fundamentals of
medicine. In other words, he should be a fundamentalist in the field of
medicine. For a person to be a good mathematician, he should know, follow and practice the fundamentals of mathematics. He should be a fundamentalist in the
field of mathematics. For a person to be a good scientist, he should know,
follow and practice the fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist
in the field of science.
2.Not all ‘fundamentalists’ are the same
One
cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot categorize all
fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of any
fundamentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is a
fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and is
therefore undesirable. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefits
society and earns much respect.
3.I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist
I am a
fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows and strives to practice the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy away from being
a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim because, I know that
the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the whole world. There
is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against the
interests of the human race as a whole. Many people harbour misconceptions
about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be unfair or improper.
This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam. If one critically
analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot escape the fact
that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual and collective levels.
4.Dictionary meaning of the word ‘fundamentalist’
According
to Webster’s dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ was a movement in American Protestanism
that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century. It was a reaction to modernism, and stressed
the infallibility of the Bible, not only in matters of faith and morals but
also as a literal historical record. It stressed on belief in the Bible as the literal
word of God. Thus fundamentalism was a word initially used for a group of Christians
who believed that the Bible was the verbatim word of God without any errors and
mistakes.
According
to the Oxford dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ means ‘strict maintenance of ancient
or fundamental doctrines of any religion, especially Islam’. Today the moment a
person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim who is a terrorist.
5.Every Muslim should be a terrorist
Every
Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror. The moment
a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist for the robber.
Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial elements of society,
such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an anti-social element sees
a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word ‘terrorist’ is
generally used for a person who causes terror among the common people. But a
true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i.e. anti-social
elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a Muslim should be a
source of peace for innocent people.
6.Different labels given to the same individual for the same action, i.e. ‘terrorist’ and ‘patriot’
Before
India achieved independence from British rule, some freedom fighters of India who
did not subscribe to non-violence were labelled as terrorists by the British government.
The same individuals have been lauded by Indians for the same activities and
hailed as ‘patriots’. Thus two different labels have been given to the same
people for the same set of actions. One is calling him a terrorist while the
other is calling him a patriot. Those who believed that Britain had a right to
rule over India called these people terrorists, while those who were of the
view that Britain had no right to rule India called them patriots and freedom
fighters.
It is
therefore important that before a person is judged, he is given a fair hearing.
Both sides of the argument should be heard, the situation should be analyzed,
and the reason and the intention of the person should be taken into account,
and then the person can be judged accordingly.
7.Islam means peace
Islam
is derived from the word ‘salaam’ which means peace. It is a religion of peace whose
fundamentals teach its followers to maintain and promote peace throughout the
world.
Thus
every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e. he should follow the fundamentals of
the Religion of Peace: Islam. He should be a terrorist only towards the anti-social
elements in order to promote peace and justice in the society.
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