ISLAM AND TERRORISM

ISLAM AND TERRORISM
BY
DR. ZAKIR NAIK

http://www.irf.net/irf/download/index.htm

MUSLIMS ARE FUNDAMENTALISTS AND TERRORISTS

Question:

Why are most of the Muslims 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 practise 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 practise 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 practise 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 fund amentalist 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 practise 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 labeled
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 antisocial elements in order to promote peace and
justice in the society.