From the above discussion, we have already understood comprehensively the significance and magnificence of Islam highlighting its different aspects including practice, moderation as well as its application in the daily lives and dire need on the part of human being to adhere the teachings of Islam.
Based on this a series of questions arise, which are summarized as follows:-
Despite the fact that Islamic teachings contain significance, magnificence and moderation, what does stop the Muslims, the followers of Islam from being in the forefront of other nations at this time?
Why do most of the followers of Islam remain far away from practicing justice, equity, and equality, as commanded in their religion?
What is the correct view as regards to an accusation that Islam promotes terrorism and extremism?
To answer these questions, we have to look at different angles as mentioned below:-
(i) To achieve supremacy among other nations one is required to be dedicated, subservient and practicing. Unfortunately, the Muslims in the contemporary world do not fully comply with the teachings of Islam. Hence they do not reflect or represent the real of Islam. However, it is highly probable for the non-Muslims to assume and misunderstand Islam if they merely look at the deviated behavior of the followers of Islam.
Nevertheless, the world has also witnessed the Muslims, who adhered to the Islamic teachings in the right perspective as a ruling power, who have come out of ignominy and disgrace, disunity and disintegration, poverty and indigence.
However, it is strongly advisable for those who sincerely wished to study the Islamic teachings and what this universal religion preaches he/she should look for the true divine sources such as the Book of Allah (Qur’an) and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
It is also desirable of such person(s) to closely study the lives of those Righteous Predecessors of the Muslim Ummah – the Companions of the Prophet and their true followers from among the earlier Muslim generation.
Looking for other source of learning about true Islam, one should also refer to the authentic books on Islam, written by renowned Muslim scholars. Therefore, it is only after a comprehensive study people can reach to a conclusion in determining the true concept of Islam.
They would come to know that Islam encourages everything that is righteous and made for the benefit of man, which ultimately lead to his well being in this life and the Hereafter.
Islam is the only religion on earth, which makes it compulsory for the human being to search for knowledge. Also, it calls them to strengthen their relationship among one another with a resolve and determination to stay integrated.
Meanwhile, it is wrong to label Islam as a religion that promotes terrorism or extremism based on the activities of certain deviated Muslims, no matter of their number either big or small.
Islam is a comprehensive religion in terms of every aspect of human life. Similarly, it is also incorrect to view Islam as a deficient or imperfect religion because of the extremist behavior of a group of Muslims. In fact, the literal meaning of the word ‘Islam’ is peace. Therefore, Islam promotes only the peace among its followers and not hatred or terrorism.
Those who deviate from the Straight Path of Islam will have to face the consequences. This is because Islam has never ordained them to follow a path of divergence. Rather, Islam has prohibited them against going astray and leaving the straight path or to violate its teachings based truth only.
Therefore, it is incumbent on those to look at the pious and righteous Muslims who follow the true guidance of Islam and implement it in its right perspective upon himself and on others.
Verily, the true Islamic teachings as adhered by the righteous will definitely illuminate the hearts with esteem, veneration and gravity oneself and other.
It is worth mentioning here that the Islamic teaching has no discrimination, whatsoever, except a plain revelation of divine guidance encouraging men both major or minor in their status to adhere to it without innovation.
Similarly, the evildoing or a malicious act has no place in Islam, unless a deterrent and an exemplary punishment to warn others to shun the criminal behavior.
The followers of Islam, who honor every sign of this religion, would be regarded in the highest level of noble morality and manners. They will discipline themselves with the best sanctity and an utmost conduct, which will be witnessed by both people who are close to them and distant, supporters of Islam or its critics with honor and dignity.
As for looking at Muslim, who have been misusing the religion of Islam extravagantly and becoming derailed from the Straight Path are not of those from just and moderate. Rather, the acts, which are done in the name of Islam and such an attitude, would affect the religion negatively bringing bad image.
(ii) The reason why Muslims are backward is that they left the Islamic teachings. Had they been adhered to the teachings of Islam in the right perspective they would never fall back from the caravan of civilization and disintegration.
In fact, such Muslims had neglected the role they were reminded of performing in Islam.
Moreover, Islam is the religion of progress, development, growth and improvement. The world has witnessed during the centuries that when Muslims adhered strictly to the religion they have spread the true values of Islam – its wisdom, justice and knowledge.
Did not the progress in the field of industry and other discoveries of nations of the world based on the science that Muslims discovered after the Crusade war?
Weren’t these nations centuries ago in Dark Age of history and in utmost ignorance and savagery?
Weren’t the supreme Muslim leaders with their ruling prowess governed over other nations?
Wasn’t the city of Islam presented the real status of a bright city, filled with religion, justice and mercy?
Wasn’t such a city inclusive of clemency and benevolence improved the lot of every people even its dissenters, the great enemies?
Did the true religion of Islam really cause Muslims for their backwardness?
Did it prevent them from the real progress and development?
Did the disbelief in Allah cause non-Muslims for any special advantage throughout the centuries? Didn’t they feel disgraced and humiliated?
When Muslims started loosening their grip on the rope of Allah and they stoop so low which followed their disintegration and destruction.
On the other hand, financial gains or materialistic progress and development are not everything in life. It is essential to enrich one’s own soul based on true religious teachings, which sanctify the spirit and heart, and helps to build up noble character.
When the disbelievers progressed in their materialistic life including science and technology neglecting the spiritual angle, they stumbled and strayed falling in pride. Did the material supremacy help to avail them of being savior?
Didn’t their civilization establish influence over other weaker nations based on injustice and oppression, cupidity and avarice, despotism and tyranny, enslavement and subjugation, as well as predominance?
Didn’t the treachery, stealing, suicide, and killings spread in their community as well as increase in the psychological disorder and sexual diseases?
A merely soul searching will provide evidence that the material and financial gains would harm the people if they abandon the Islamic guidance. Islamic teaching is the only way out to achieve sanctity and peace of mind.
(iii) The claim that Islam a religion that promotes extremism or terrorism is categorically rejected and refuted. Such an accusation is fabricated and based on prejudice against Islam.
Islam signifies peace, which is a religion of mercy, compassion and tolerance. Muslims unsheathe their sword and wage jihad, a holy war for the Cause of Allah. This action is nothing but an apparatus of an honest doctor, who uses it to operate on an ailing organ of his patient’s body to cure its disease.
The ultimate goal of jihad in Islam is not aimed at spilling the blood and destruction but the supreme purpose is to elevate the Divine Words of Allah and rescue the humanity from oppression and suppression.
It is also meant to bring people to worship their Lord in the right perspective after they receive true guidance and lead a happy and prosperous life.
Muslim nation (Ummah) has emerged to be the best community, which should be the living model for the entire humanity. They strive and fight in the Way of Allah and exert efforts successfully to spread His message.
Whenever they conquered, they always showed mercy for others. Moreover, when they ruled over other nations they acted justly. Freedom of thought prevailed and the wisdom overcome after it was totally depleted.
A peep into the history revealed that how nations were living in the Dark Age with deception when a bright light (Islam) emerged illuminating the night sky, even a blind person has seen its guidance. Since then, the people thrived living in prosperity and honor.
What was the behavior of Muslims when they conquered against their foes? Were they arrogant and ruled the nation with tyranny, breaching all norms of ethics? Did they kill the old men, women and children, as rulers?
What did the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) do when he conquered over his foes, who annoyed him by harming and hurting? Hasn’t he pardoned them? Hasn’t he blessed them by granting war booties and other amounts?
What the Muslims did when they conquered the Caesar and Khosrau? Did they deal treacherously or fraudulently? Did they attack women? Did they cause blasphemy to the monks in the monastery? Did they spread corruption on earth? Did they demolish houses or cut trees?
What did Salah Ad-Din Al-Ayyubi do when he conquered crusaders, who committed numerous cruelties and tortures against Muslims? Hadn’t he pardoned the commander of the enemy? Hadn’t he extended medical treatment to the ailing enemy commander? Hadn’t he freed the prisoners of war?
These are the only few bold and noble gestures the Muslims had showed to the non-Muslims, though the Islamic history is filled with several other similar noble acts when the Muslims commanded influence. However, the Islam was spread only through preaching the word of Allah. The non-Muslims embraced Islam with firm conviction after they were convinced of the true message of Allah.
Did the non-Muslims in the contemporary world ever deal like this? Did the West exemplify such a behavior?
The answer is obvious as you read in the history books. How did Hitler, Mussolini, Lenin, Stalin and other war criminals escape?
Hasn’t the Europe facilitated the safe passage to escape such criminals and their ilk, which have massacred millions of human beings and caused them endless physical and mental tortures?
Hadn’t these people regarded as being the well protectors of European civilization?
If this was the case, then who were the real perpetrators, the barbarians, oppressors and tyrants? Who are the real terrorists and extremists?
Who is producing weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear bombs, cluster bombs, atomic bombs, germ and or bacteriological warfare arms and ammunitions?
Who is polluting the air and the world environment by dumping wastes in the rivers and lands, etc.?
Who is accessing the world through corrupted ways, which will lead to nowhere but an unjust and unfair goal? What is the cause of women to suffer from infertility? Who is stealing the wealth of the public and their freedom? Who is spreading the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)?
Isn’t it the West and those following their pathway? Who is backing up the Zionists while they commit every act of terrorism and extremism?
Nothing is hidden from the very eyes of the world. This is the plain truth, which explains obviously who is terrorist and controls the lives of innocent with unjust predominance.
Muslims wage Jihad to fulfill the real truth and eliminate the falsehood. They wage Jihad to defend their religion, souls and the land and country forcibly occupied by terrorists and extremists. Muslims’ struggle is based on truth, justice and equality.
What some of the so-called Muslim groups committing acts are serious mistakes based misconduct and poor wisdom. But such groups are comparatively in very few in numbers.
Nevertheless, the policies of the West are discriminatory and inhumane. Although the wrongdoing by such Muslim minorities is due to own shortsightedness, no one could blame either the religion of Islam or the members of the majority of Muslims.
This might be justified for sometime, though some unbelievers also have committed the same as some Muslim groups did responding with the same manners. It is wise on both parties to limit their blame restricting it the real perpetrators without generalizing, as in every community there are good people and bad people.
This is how every right thinking person and the moderate intellectual should respond while addressing the issue. Their statement should be issued in a manner aimed at defusing the tension and preserve sanctity of human life rejecting injustice, corruption, and shortsightedness.
After finding these facts one would wonder and astonish thinking how the Europeans and the Americans never exerted any efforts to discover the real image and truth of Islam.
However, Islam would be the major element of their investigation, which they knew guarantees the ultimate happiness. Are they really ignorant or turning a blind eye about the real image of Islam?