JAVED AHMAD GHAMIDI CONDEMNING TERRORISM **************************************************************** Question: Islam is a well established religion, and is meant to exist forever. However, with time and rapid changes in global politics, the understanding and image of Islam have changed completely. Islam is now being presented to the world as a symbol of terrorism. We believe that some so called representatives of Islam and the western media have played a dominant role in spreading this image. In our talk today, we have invited Mr Jāved Ahmad Ghāmidī, an Islamic scholar and the head of Al-Mawrid (al-mawrid.org), an esteemed organization who will join us from Malaysia. We will discuss important issues related to the ways in which jihād, terrorism and violence are being connected to Islam. A very warm welcome to you Ghāmidī sb and thank you for appearing in the Indian media. We hope that our talk today will be a humble effort towards reducing some misunderstandings about Islam across India. Our first question to you is, do you find anything unusual in what we have said earlier? Answer: You are absolutely right. There is no doubt that Islam is a religion of peace and harmony. It is a blessing for all mankind and it has brought the message of tolerance and co-existence for the entire world. It gives protection to the life, wealth and honour of mankind. It has clarified to all human beings that no actions can be taken to violate any of the said three things. The Prophet (sws) of Islam had said in his last sermon during the month Dhū al-Hijjah pointing to the Baytullāh: Just as this House, this Month and this City is sacred to you, the life, wealth and honour of everyone is equally sacred. There can be no message of peace greater or more meaningful than this one. The prophet meant that no individual has the right to go after anyone’s life, property or honour. This rule forms the very basis of humanity and is laid out as such in the Holy Qur’ān which says that the taking of life of a single person equals killing all mankind and a person who saves the life of a single man in fact saves the life of all mankind. What can be a more comprehensive, trustworthy and encompassing message of peace than this one? Question: Referring to the Qur’ānic verse you have mentioned, one can say that people seem to have changed the meaning and message of the verse. Who are these people who have distorted the whole image of Islam, given a wrong interpretation to it, and made the followers of this religion feel ashamed? The way in which Islam is being presented is harmful not only for the Muslim world but for all mankind. How would you explain this? Answer: The people who are doing this are our brothers and friends. But they are actually causing harm to themselves, their nations and their religion. They are committing a grave crime against all mankind to say the least. For this reason we humbly explain to them that they should try to understand the message of the divine Book they read. What is the basis of their misunderstanding? It lies in the fact that they have taken on some tasks as their responsibility that actually belong to Allah as it is Allah who gives life or takes it away. He will give reward and punishment on the Day of Judgment. Allah also implements His punishments after sending His messengers to a nation that refuses to follow the given message. The mistake these people have committed is that they have taken up these tasks of punishment on themselves. Allah has not given anyone the right to act against the life, wealth or honour of any human being. Even when in the middle of a war, no harm should come to those who are not involved in fighting, according to the laws in Islam. Islam has taught us to avoid killing a person when he gives himself up in the battle field and refuses to fight. It is very unfortunate that non-combatants are killed when sitting in their houses, walking towards mosques for prayer, going to churches for supplications or to temples for worship. This is such a big crime that whenever the Holy Qur’ān discusses jihād it clarifies that if Allah had not permitted jihād, people would have destroyed all the mosques, worship places, churches, and synagogues. This implies that in the eyes of Allah, worship places carry so much importance that He calls His servants to fight in order to save them from being destroyed. Right now we find ourselves in a situation that the fundamental values of our religion are being violated by its very followers. These people have taken up the work that belonged to Allah and this is the basic error that has been made.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 07:39:17 +0000
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