Islamaphobia: Today's threat

Before commencing I must first say that I have chosen such a contentious piece, not because I am a boring and serious individual, but rather to elucidate the many misconceptions held by many students I have spoke to about my religion.

Today, we live in a world where the word Islam has become indivisible from terrorism, injustice, barbarism and the halting of self improvement. It is not hard for one to surf the net and find troves of information slandering this mystical and misunderstood faith. It has been linked to a satanic cult, a sexual cult for those who practice perversions and a whole host of other nefarious unimaginable doings. Yes, one can without any doubt presuppose that today’s Red Army is not a political system but an entire way of life, a religion.

Yet, what is it about this archaic religion that attracts its 1.5 billion followers? What is it about this fundamentalist cult, which makes it the fastest growing religion globally? In a last survey Islam was said to be growing at 240% since the eighties, whilst the runner up, Christianity, only at 44%. Why is it about Islam which invokes such strong passions among its followers like no other religion? The answer: Pure Monotheism. “In the name of Allah Most Beneficent, Most Merciful. Say: He is Allah, the One and Only .Allah, the Eternal, and Absolute. He begetteth not nor is he begotten. And there is none comparable to him”. (Quran: Surah Ikhlas) What a powerful creed! There is no other belief system which describes God with such reverence. It is because of this profound book with such cogent commands that arouses such zealousness among its readers.

However, to those foreign to its teachings, the book and faith is judged by the ineptitude and follies of its many followers. Does this make the belief flawed, because man is flawed? Are the allegations and misconceptions about Islam validated if we delve into authentic Islamic sources or are the refuted by the Quran and Sunnah. The question to put it artlessly is this: What does Islam really teach?

What are the many assumptions made by those ignorant of its teachings? One of the main accusations is that Islam is a religion of violence and plunder. His holiness the pope himself subtly insinuated that it was spread by the sword. How true is this? Then one hears the word jihad and fear is arisen throughout the western world. Another blast, another suicide bomb?

Islam literally means peace. Submission, a total denial of all ones own human desires, in order to succumb to the will of one’s creator. This is the true jihad. Is it in anyway murderous? “Anyone who looks after a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting in the cause of Allah or like a person who prays all night and fasts all day” (hadith) “ The best jihad is to speak the word of reason to an oppressive ruler” (hadith) Does this seem like hateful and heinous instructions?

Islam is also thought to be forced upon people. The typical, “My way or the highway” attitude. How does the Quran support this? “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error.”(2:256)
“Invite al to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious” (16:125)

The prophet (peace be upon him) has also said that whosoever harms a non-Muslim has harmed me. This is the guidance from a man who has been so defamed in the west. He has been portrayed as a sexual pervert, a bloodthirsty tyrant and so many more lies. One would think that Hitler is mild when compared to the prophet of Islam. Yet, his teachings are still being adopted and practiced by millions almost two thousand years after his demise. Surely, the outsider must ask: Is there not something virtuous in his message. Does the enquiring western mind of independent thought and forward thinking not investigate beyond the political slander propagated by those controlling media, to achieve there own agenda. “None of you has faith unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” (hadith) “Visit the sick and hungry and free the captives” (hadith) Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every man or woman (hadith) “here is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab or for a non-Arab over an Arab, or for a white over a black or for a black over a white except by their righteous deeds.” Are these words not compatible with men such as Jesus (peace is upon him) Gandhi and Buddha? Yet, this man is likened to the Stalin’s and Mussolini’s of history.

Islam is not just a religion; it is a way of life for all humanity. It is a beacon of light shining brightly against oppression, immorality, racism and is the way out of anarchy.
Muslims created a tradition of unsurpassable splendour, scientific thought and timeless art. This article is too short to even attempt to eradicate all the fabrications about Islam, or do justice to all its teachings. It is written in the hope that those who are ignorant about Islam will read it and do some self-investigation before conforming to the beliefs of that intent on maligning and distorting the truth.

In conclusion, Islam is a simple religion for all mankind but is misunderstood because of fanaticism on the one hand and negative media coverage on the other.
To my fellow Muslims, the time has come to educate ourselves in our faith, so that we may espouse the values so dear to our prophet. “Hold fast onto the rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves” (3:103)



By: Shazaad Patel