Islam
is against any form of bigotry and accordingly does not urge its followers to dogmatism.
Furthermore there is no evidence of any kind in sources of Islam, namely the
Quran and the Traditions of the Prophet, to that effect. The summons to embrace
Islam as stated in the Quran is based on a wise and eloquent invitation and
such conduct can never be considered a manifestation of bigotry:"Invite
all to the Way of Your God with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with
them in ways that are best and most gracious ." (16/125) The Prophet
himself said to the Pagans of Mecca
who refused to believe in the Faith of Islam:"To you be your faith and to
me my faith ."(109/6).
As
regards the divine religions which were revealed before Islam, Muslims are
instructed to believe in the Prophets that preceded Muhammad and this belief in
them is an essential element in the Faith of Islam. This is stated in the
following Quranic verse:
"Say:
We believe in God and in the revelation given to us, and to Ibrahim, Ismail ,
Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes and that given to Moses and Jesus and that given to
(all) Prophets from their God; we make no difference between one and another of
them and we bow to God in Islam. (2/136) This verse states that there is to be
no discrimination between any prophets and this tolerance has no parallel in
any other religion. How can such a religion be accused of bigotry and
fanaticism?
Islam
calls upon all people to become united and to live together in friendship and
affection despite the differences between them
"
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made
you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. '' (49/13). Similarly
Islam invites its followers in explicit terms to live in peace with Non-
Muslims as is clear from the following Quranic verse:"God dose not forbid
with regards to those who do not fight you for (your) Faith, nor drive you out
of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those
who are just ."(60/8)
Islam
urges Muslims to forgive and pardon those who wrong
them:"
And the remission is the nearest to righteousness." (2/237)
Furthermore,
Islam urges Muslims to meet any wrong with kindness in hope that enemy may
become a friend:"Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with
what is better: then will he between whom and you was hatred, become as it were
friend and intimate! "(41/34).
the
Prophet said in one of his sayings:"Announce good news and glad tidings
and do not repel alienate people." This is clearly a summons to reject
bigotry which breeds hatred whereas the announcement of good news and glad
tidings is a sign of tolerance and leniency. Since Islam condemns fanaticism
and extremism it consequently condemns terrorism and terrorizing and killing
people. In fact Islam considers an attack on one single person, an attack on
all mankind:"If anyone slew a person- unless it be for murder or for
spreading mischief in the land-it would be as if he slew whole people."
(5/32)
Accordingly
accusing Islam of terrorism is an absolutely unfounded allegation. If some
Muslims are fanatics or even terrorists that does not mean that Islam should be
held responsible for their actions. It is essential to differentiate between
the tolerant teachings and just principles of Islam and the irresponsible and
bigoted behaviour of some Muslims. We must all keep in mind that bigotry and
fanaticism are not limited to the followers of any one religion and that
terrorism has become an international phenomenon and problem, and this is a
fact which is witnessed by our contemporary world. How then can the Faith of
Islam be blamed for the universal phenomenon of terrorism, which exists among
the followers of all faiths?