A Remedy

For much too long now, Allah’s beautiful Religion (Islam) has been maligned and misrepresented. Part of the problem, I believe, stems from certain inappropriate responses by members of the Islamic community to atrocities, such as terrorism, which are attributed to ‘Muslims’. It is anticipated that, with this essay, I will address the issue mentioned above and present a possible remedy which, Insha’Allah, encompasses and focuses on a more fitting Islamic response to such disastrous events.

As we should rightly expect, in the aftermath of a terrorist attack attributed to ‘Muslims’, sincere sympathies are expressed for the victims and their loved ones, the action is vehemently denounced and it is rightly emphasised, by Muslim representatives, that Islam does not condone these appalling crimes. Generally speaking, responses up to that point are good and proper, albeit somewhat deficient with respect to one very important, and invariably overlooked, aspect which I will refer to, and elaborate on, later.  Responses, I think, become a problem when apologists feel compelled to issue appeals to the public at large, through the media, pleading with them not to blame all Muslims for the actions of ‘a few’. I believe that with that type of response, they are inviting repercussions because they are, in effect, painting a picture of the Islamic Community with a very broad and all inclusive brush.

Rather than categorically disowning the perpetrator/s involved, some apologists yield to certain pressures and, on behalf of all Muslims, take responsibility for, and ownership of, the problem. The time is now ripe for a paradigm shift which should, Insha’Allah, enable us to view the problem from outside the square rather than trying to view it while being boxed within it. Muslims, now more than ever before, need to re-examine the factors which constitute their very identity and the essence of their religion as a first step toward finally putting a stop to the viscous cycle of nonsense that we seem condemned to!

The most imperative question that needs to be addressed today, is whether all people who call themselves Muslims are actually Muslim or whether it is, in fact, people’s compliance with Islam which qualifies them as Muslim? Many people will, no doubt, argue that those who profess the Shahada are Muslim, regardless of whether they actually practice Islam or not. But, is that really so? We know, for instance, that the hypocrites during Muhammad’s (SAWS) times also professed the Shahada, to be seen of men, but Allah (SWT) certainly did not refer to them as Muslims.

Islam rejects blind faith and, on the contrary, places a great deal of emphasis on knowledge & understanding of, and conformance to, the actual Message (the Qur’an) sent to mankind by Allah (SWT), through His Messenger Muhammad (SAWS) during a twenty-three year period. Indeed logic dictates that knowledge and understanding of the Message must precede belief in it, and the act of testifying belief in it (i.e. proclaiming the Shahada). The proof of our sincerity, and the degree of it, is demonstrated by our willingness to submit to, and abide by, what Allah (SWT) informs and commands us in the Qur’an.

Unfortunately, there are many people who declare the Shahada although they have never read the entire Qur’an or a translation of it in their own language. So, in light of that, one could be forgiven for asking, “What exactly, do these people think they are actually testifying or avowing to?” It stands to reason that, as a result of their lack of knowledge and understanding, these people are dangerously susceptible to manipulation and they are, moreover, extremely prone to being misled with regard to what is acceptable, and what is not, in Islam. Faith based education may help overcome this problem but, being a medium to long term type solution, we must start investing heavily in it today in order to reap the benefits in the future. But, what about the many people who are already beyond school age and will never, therefore, benefit from faith based education?

Allah will never change the condition of a people until they change that which is within them, because Allah is The Hearer and Knower of all things.  Surah Anfal, verse 53

Here is a remedy, that goes right back to the basics and should, Insha’Allah, help rectify the sad state of affairs in which we find ourselves. It should also, Insha’Allah, help solve a wide range of other problems as well as terrorism, i.e. religious intolerance, vilification, incitement to hatred, etc., in a moderate and democracy friendly manner. There is, of course, varying opinion among Muslims as to the actual source, cause and reasons behind these evil acts. Nevertheless, my suggestion should, Insha’Allah, effectively hit at the very heart of those responsible and, in effect, help eradicate these evils regardless of where they emanate from, who’s behind them or why they occur. It is, Insha’Allah, a simple all round solution to a very complex set of problems…but, Allah (SWT) knows best.

By definition, the word ‘Muslim’ (as a verb) means to submit to Allah’s Will. A verb, as we all know, is an ‘action or doing’ word. It, therefore, follows that only those who act in accordance with Allah’s Will are actually Muslim. So, what is the Will of Allah (SWT)? It is contained, and easily accessible for all to read, within the Holy Qur’an and the Hadiths. Does either the Holy Qur’an or the Hadiths advocate suicide or the killing of innocent people? Certainly not…quite the contrary!

…Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah has been to you Most Merciful. If any do that in rancour and injustice, soon shall We cast them into the Fire: And easy it is for Allah.  Surah Nisaa, verses 29 & 30

…if any one kills  an innocent person, it would be as if he killed  the whole of mankind: and if any one saves a life, it would be as if he saved the whole of mankind…Surah Al Ma’idah, verse 32

How then, can those who commit atrocities, such as terrorism, call themselves Muslim if, by doing those evil deeds, they are opposing the Will of Allah? Moreover, how can Muslims allow the media and others to call them Muslim knowing that, by committing such heinous acts, the perpetrators are clearly not Muslim in deed?

I contend that they, in fact, qualify as enemies of Islam because, by their actions, they cause mischief and spread hatred against Muslims and Islam. Their witting, or unwitting, partners in this crime are the media, who perpetuate the myth by constantly preceding the words 'terrorism' and 'terrorist/s' with the words 'Muslim', ‘Islamic’, 'Islamist' or, otherwise, form similar contemptible derivatives. The effect of this type of persistent mislabelling by the media has been malignant, with many people now considering the words ‘Muslim’ and ‘terrorist’ to be synonymous. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth because, in reality, the phrase ‘Muslim terrorists’ is actually an oxymoron which defames, vilifies and incites hatred against every Muslim in the world. Truly those who commit terrorism are enemies of Islam, but those who commit such acts, calling themselves Muslims and saying that they acted in the name of Islam, are even worse enemies. Moreover, those who broadcast or publish the terrorists’ false claims and defamatory lies are aiding and abetting them and they should all, as a consequence, be brought to account. Enough apologising for the actions of our enemies, it’s time for Muslims to come to a common understanding and to unite, close ranks and act swiftly and decisively, within the law of the land, to eradicate the scourge.

And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector - the Best to protect and the Best to help! Surah Al Hajj, verse78

Allah (SWT) informs us that He protects the Qur’an from corruption. By naming us Muslims and providing an indisputable, clear definition of the word, and by giving us the incorruptible criteria (the Qur’an) which clearly sets out the parameters within which Muslims must abide, Allah (SWT) has, in His Grace and Mercy, given us the way and the means to protect the name, dignity and reputation of those who submit to His Will through Islam. Muslims need to effectively utilise the resources at their disposal and fulfil their duty of upholding the Honour of Allah’s religion and of those who rightly follow it. How will we answer to Allah (SWT), on the Day of Judgement, if asked why we failed to uphold the Honour of His Religion and why we allowed our dignity to be degraded and our reputation to be smeared? We live in a democratic society that has, after all, many avenues in place to protect us against defamation, discrimination, intolerance, incitement to hatred etc., yet we fail to utilise these safeguards. That’s a very sad indictment on us all, but especially on those Islamic organisations which purport to represent us.

Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.  Surah Al ‘Imran, verse104

We should strike terror into the hearts of the enemies of Islam! But, know that the way to their heart is not through violence but, rather, through their hip pocket (wallet) and by exposing falsehood with the true light of Islam.

An organisation should be formed which will, on behalf of all Muslims, sue for defamation, incitement to hatred and religious vilification, anyone who describes terrorists as being Muslim and, furthermore, sue any media outlet which broadcasts or publishes such outrageous lies. If anyone wants to claim that terrorists are Muslim, they should be forced to either prove in a Court of Law that those who commit such heinous acts do so because they have submitted to the Will of Allah (SWT) and are, therefore, Muslims acting in accordance with Islam or else, they should be made to pay the price. Clearly, they will never be able to prove their case and will, as a consequence, invariably face the indignity and the huge cost of having court cases awarded against them.

When faced with the clear ultimatum, to either stop casting aspersions on Islam and refrain from defaming all Muslims, or face the prospect of having to pay a hefty price, we will soon see the choices that will be made. If they desist, the objective will have been achieved. However, if there exists, as many Muslims suspect, an agenda to wage a concerted and public war against Islam, through the media, by way of fanning the flames of hatred and inciting violence, vilification and intolerance against all Muslims, the proposed organisation should, through the mechanisms of the law, extinguish the perpetrators’ flames by pursuing just retribution and equitable remedies for their crimes. Within the existing Statutes of Limitation, the organisation should also reserve the right to pursue damages and seek the imposition of penalties, fines and convictions etc., on those guilty of past offences. Clearly, no one is immune from the law in a democracy, and the passing of time should not, and indeed does not, diminish the severity of previously committed crimes.

It is hoped that from this endeavour, an organisation will be formed to oversee and implement the proposal contained herein, and to effectively manage the funds generated by this honourable enterprise. I envisage the formation of a non-profit organisation that should divert all surplus funds at its disposal to:

• Charity
• Islamic based education
• Promoting Islam with advertisements in the media

The mission of the proposed organisation should be:

• To protect Muslims from defamation 
• To remove and repel all aspersions cast on Islam
• To display Islam in its untarnished pristine beauty, and its full glory, for everyone to see and, Insha’Allah, embrace.

It is anticipated that by effectively implementing this proposal, the following outcomes should, Insha’Allah, be achieved but Allah (SWT) knows best:

1. It should encourage many people to actually read the Qur’an and Hadiths and thereby eliminate all doubt about Allah’s Will.
2. It should stop the enemies of Islam from committing atrocities and laying the blame on Muslims.
3. It should stop the media from, wittingly or unwittingly, inciting hatred against Muslims and promoting misinformation about Islam. 
4. It should stop and expose as enemies of Islam those so called ‘Sheikhs’, ‘Imams’, ‘Muftis’, ‘Mullahs’ and other charismatic leaders who advocate and encourage their ignorant followers to wrongful actions in the eyes of Allah (SWT) by falsely claiming them to be sanctified.
5. It should educate or re-educate those who support these evil actions, thinking wrongly that they are in accordance with Allah’s Will, because they will subsequently have to produce their evidence, or re-examine their flimsy reasoning which is simply, definitively and irrevocably refuted by the true light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAWS).
6. It should remove and repel all aspersions cast on Islam and protect Muslims from defamation.
7. It should provide funds for charity, Islamic based education and for the promotion of Islam in all advertising media.

Since 9/11, in spite of all the negative publicity, the rate of Muslim converts has increased fourfold, proving that in the case of Islam the old adage, ‘any publicity is good publicity’ is very true. The mass exposure and positive promotion of Islam, generated by acting on this proposal may, Insha’Allah, entice many more people to learn about and subsequently embrace Islam and, furthermore, it may, Insha’Allah, bring on the victory as described in Surah Nasr…Amin.

Bismillaahir – Rahmannir – Rahiim

And thou dost see the people enter Allah’s Religion in crowds,

Celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness: For He is Oft-Returning (in Grace and Mercy).

The greatest virtues of a democracy are:

• That it guarantees certain human rights and protections
• That it allows, within reasonable limits,  the freedom of speech
• That it allows, to a very large degree, the freedom to practice ones religion 
• That the country is governed in accordance with the wishes of the majority of its citizens

Rather than being at odds with democracy, as is often suggested, I believe that Islam can easily flourish within it.

As this proposal should, Insha'Allah, bring about a desirable outcome for everyone concerned, the organisation - once established - should even lobby governments from around the world for assistance in this regard. I believe the ‘War on Terror’ will be won, not with guns, but within the many Law Courts around the world in the short term, and with the establishment of more Islamic based education and effective Islamic propagation in the long term.

“Behold”, thy Lord said to the Angels, “I will create a vicegerent on Earth.” They said, “Wilt Thou place therein, one who will make mischief therein, and shed blood, whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy Holy Name?” He said, “I know what ye know not.”  Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 30.

 
Allah (SWT) knows best.

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