Facts & Faith

Muslims ruled India for about 1000 years. As a whole, no Muslim ruler forced the non-Muslims in India to accept Islam.


The Truth about Jihad: The Qur’an says in Surah Baqarah Ch. No. 2 V. No. 190:

“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:190]


The Qur’an says, you can fight those who fight you, but do not transgress limits, for Allah (swt), Almighty God, does not like those who transgress. Allah continues in Surah Baqarah Ch. No. 2 V. No. 193:


“Fight them until there is no (more) Fitnah (tumult and oppression) and (until) religion (i.e. worship) is (acknowledged to be) for Allah. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression (i.e. assault) except against the oppressors.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:193]


If you study Islamic history you will come to know the truth. There is a book written by Prof. Rama Krishna Rao on the Life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). In it he states that there were about 22 encounters in the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in which about one thousand and eighteen human beings were killed.


Compare this to the casualties of World War II, in which ten million civilians were killed and ten million soldiers were killed – twenty million dead – and thirty four million were injured. Imagine the magnitude of human suffering caused by these wars.


One can easily realise the difference between the casualties of these wars. Yet people talk about Islam and state that Islam was spread by the sword and killing is prescribed in Islam. Tell us, who talks about World War I and World War II, and criticizes the nations and its leaders that led to these wars and fought in them?


It is a common misconcep-tion that the religion of Islam was spread by the sword. ‘Islam’ is an Arabic word, which comes from the root words ‘SALM’ which means peace and ‘SILM’ which means submitting your will to Allah, the one and only Almighty God. Hence Islam means peace acquired by submitting your will to Allah (swt). Anyone who submits his/her will to Almighty God to acquire peace is called a Muslim. If you translate ‘Islam was spread by the sword’ it means peace was spread by the sword. Islam propagates spreading and maintaining peace in the world. Its teachings state that as far as possible, an individual or the state should not fight, should not be violent, and should not use the sword – except as a last resort. Islam gives permission that force can be used to eliminate tyranny and oppression and to achieve and sustain peace – to let peace prevail.


Every country in the world, every government in the world, has a police force and the police use force against criminals who try to disrupt peace. We praise the police when it uses force against criminals in order to let peace and justice prevail. Similarly, Islam gives permission to use force only as a last resort, when some people create FITNAH (meaning oppression and injustice) and FASAAD (meaning corruption, mischief, and nuisance) in the world. As Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Maidah Ch. No. 5, Verse No. 32


“…Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption (done) in the land - it is as if he had slain humankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved humankind entirely.” [Surah Al-Maidah 5:32]


So Allah tells us in the Qur’an that if any human kills any other human, whether it be a Muslim or Non-Muslim, unless it be for murder or for creating mischief in the land or for creating FITNAH or FASAAD in the land, it is as though as if he killed the whole of humanity. (Allah doesn’t say that only if you kill a Muslim, it is as though as if he killed the whole of humanity).


And if anyone saves any other human being, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, it is as though as if he saved the whole of humanity. This is what this glorious Book proclaims, and people allege that it is the source of violence, the source of disruption of peace! Those who wish to continue with and perpetuate their injustice, tyranny, oppression and falsehoods say such a monstrous lie and calumny.


The glorious Qur’an provides guidance on how peace can prevail. Check it out! Obtain a copy of the translation of the Qur’an. Read it. You will be pleasantly surprised. Discover the truth about all these issues by yourself, directly by reading the translation of the Glorious Qur’an.


The Sword of Islam: Was Islam spread by the Sword? Let’s examine this issue.


The best reply to the allegation that Islam was spread by the sword, is given by De Lacy O’Leary, a very famous historian. He writes on page no. 8 of his book ‘Islam at the Crossroads’: “History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.”


We Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years and we did not use the sword. Later on the crusaders came and wiped out the Muslims – there was not a single Muslim who could openly give the Adhan. The Muslims did not use the sword.


Muslims ruled India for about 1000 years. The Muslims had the power – they ruled India for about 1000 years. They did not use force. As a whole, no Muslim ruler forced the non-Muslims in India to accept Islam. Today, more than 80% of the Indians are non-Muslims. These 80% non-Muslims in India, are giving Shahaadah – they are bearing witness – that Islam was not spread by the sword. If the Muslims had wanted, they could have forced each and every Indian to accept Islam at the point of the sword. They did not do so.


The Muslims ruled the Arab lands for 1400 years. They were the lords and the rulers of the Arab land for 1400 years. The Britishers and the French came and ruled for a few years. But as a whole, the Muslims have been the rulers of the Arab lands for the past 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians. Coptic Christians means that they are Christians since generations. These more than 14 million Coptic Christians, are giving Shahadah, they are bearing witness that Islam was not spread by the sword.


Indonesia is the country which has the maximum number of Muslims. Let me pose you this question:


Which Muslim army went to Indonesia?

Malaysia has more than 50% of its population as Muslims.


Which Muslim army went to Malaysia?

Which Muslim army went to the East Coast of Africa?

Which sword are we talking of?


Thomas Carlyle gives the reply. In his book “Heroes and Hero worship”, he says, “The sword indeed, but where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in a minority of one, in one man’s head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he takes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can.”


He is talking about the sword of intellect.


Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an in Surah Nahl:

“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction and argue with them in a way that is best.” [Surah An-Nahl 16:125]


The Qur’an speaks of the sword of intellect which conquers the hearts of human beings. We have to find the correct sword.


An article had appeared in “The Plain Truth” Magazine. It was a reproduction of the Reader’s Digest Almanac year book, 1986. It gave a report of the increase in the major world religions in a span of 50 years, between 1934 to 1984. It stated, ‘In this span of 50 years between 1934 and 1984 the religion that grew the maximum was Islam. It grew by 235%, while Christianity grew by a mere 47%.


Let me once again ask a simple question: which war took place between 1934 and 1984 which forced human beings to accept Islam? Which war?


Today, the fastest growing religion in America and also in Europe is Islam. Who is forcing these Americans at the point of the sword to accept Islam? Who is forcing the Europeans to accept Islam at the point of the sword? Who?


The Truth of Islam shall Prevail

Do you know that after 11th September 2001, the CNN relayed a news item in the month of June 2002 that said that after 11th September 2001 in a span of approximately ten months, 34000 Americans accepted Islam? The more they attack Islam, the more the truth of Islam will prevail.


As Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an: And say, “Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, (by nature), ever bound to depart.” [Surah Al-Isra 17:81]


The more you try and suppress the truth, the more the truth will prevail. Imagine, with all the media that they have at their disposal: the CNN, the BBC, other news channels – and everyone attacking Islam, yet the best seller in America today is the Bible of the Muslims – they don’t even know the Qur’an by its name!


The translation of the Qur’an is the best seller. People want to know what kind of religion Islam is, and when they read the Qur’an, it opens up their hearts. The sword conquers their hearts and they accept Islam.


This is a fulfillment of a promise given by Almighty God in the Qur’an in no less than three different places. Almighty God says in Surah At-Tawbah Chapter No. 9 Verse No. 33 and in Surah As-Saff Chapter No. 61 Verse No. 9:


“It is He who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to manifest it over all religion, although those who associate others with Allah dislike it.” [Surah At-Tawbah 9:33] and [Surah As-Saff 61:9]


Allah repeats the message for the third time in Surah Al-Fath Chapter No. 48, verse No. 28, where Allah says:


“It is He who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to manifest it over all religion. And sufficient is Allah as a Witness.” [Surah Al-Fath 48:28]


Allah’s promise is: the more they attack this ‘deen’ of Haq (the truth), the more the truth of Islam will prevail. And you will find that Allah has his own ways of making this happen.


As Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-e-Imran Chapter No. 3 Verse No. 54

“And they (i.e. the disbelievers) planned, but Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners.” [Surah Al-e-Imran 3:54]




I would like to end this treatise with the following quotation of Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson: “People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realise that the Islamic bomb has been dropped already - it fell the day MUHAMMAD (pbuh) was born.”


(To be concluded)

(The English translation of verses of the Glorious Qur’an is taken from the translation published by Saheeh International.)


(Dr Zakir Naik is the President of the Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation and can be reached at zakir@irf.net)

Islam condemns the killing of human beings and provides full protection to the non-Muslims under covenant(the Dhimmis).


Islam teaches that Allah (swt) is the sole Creator, Sustainer and Absolute Master of humanity, the Universe and all creation. He has given all humans honour and dignity. He has breathed into humankind of His own spirit. All humans are born equal and form one universal community.


Every person, irrespective of the country of his or her birth, and irrespective of his or her religious beliefs, has some basic human rights simply because he/she is a human being.


Human beings are a special creation of Allah (swt). Human life is given by Allah (swt) alone, and as such, belongs to Him. None has the right to take human life without any just cause. Human blood is sacred and should not be spilt without justification. Violating this rule is equivalent to killing of the entire humanity.


Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Qur’an:

“… Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption (done) in the land - it is as if he had slain humankind entirely: and whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” 1


None has any right by himself to take human life in retaliation or as revenge or for prevention of corruption – this matter has to be decided only by a competent court of law. Thus, it is incumbent on every human being that under no circumstances should he be guilty of taking a human life. These instructions have been repeated in the Glorious Qur’an in another verse:


“And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden (to be killed) except by (legal) right.” 2


In all these verses, the word ‘soul’ (nafs) has been used in general terms, which does not apply to the citizens of any country, or people of a particular race or religion, but it rather applies to all human beings without any distinction.


The Prophet (pbuh) has declared homicide as the greatest sin only next to polytheism. The tradition says: “The greatest sins are to associate something with God and to kill a human being…”3


In an Islamic state, every individual, whether Muslim or Non-Muslim has a right to protection of life and it is the duty of that state to provide security to the people living within its boundaries. The lives of Non-Muslims are equally important as that of Muslims.


The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever killed a Mu’ahid (a person who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of 40 years (of travelling).” 4


The fourth Rightly Guide Caliph, Ali (RA) had said: “They pay Jizyah so that the sanctity of their lives and properties may become like that of ours (i.e. the Muslims).” 5


The Dhimmis (i.e. Non-Muslims under covenant) are given the assurance of protection and support of the Islamic state that includes every aggression from outside and every oppression and tyranny within, so that they may live on a stable basis in perfect peace and tranquility; protection from outside is their right in the same way as that of the Muslims.


Imam Qarani Maliki in his book “Al Farooq” cites the saying of Imam Ibn-e-Hazam Zahiri from his book “Maratib-ul-Ijma”:


“If those at war with us catch hold of some dhimmi and bring him to our country, it will be binding on us to come out and give them (our enemies) a fight with our full might and for the protection of the life of that dhimmi, who has been offered protection by Allah and His Messenger. We should lay down our lives since without that much action, allowing them to do with the dhimmis what they like shall be regarded avoiding the proper discharge of our duty (towards the dhimmis).” 6


All of the above evidences prove that Islam condemns the killing of human beings and provides full protection to the non-Muslims under covenant (i.e. dhimmis); not only from within the Islamic state, but also from any type of attack from outside the state.


A striking example of this principle being put into action can be seen from the concern shown by Ibn Taymiyah (r) to the Jews and the Christians who were dhimmis:


When Syria came under the domination of Tartars, Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (r) went to their commander Qatlu Shah; for the release of the prisoners of war. Qatlu Shah agreed to the release of Muslim prisoners, but refused to release dhimmis. Shaykh-ul-Islam (r) said that they could not allow Jews and Christians to remain prisoners since they were under the protection and as such their responsibility. “We cannot leave behind any prisoner, Muslim or Non-Muslim”. Qatlu Shah in view of the stern attitude of Ibn Taymiyah (r), set free all of them.


References

1. Surah Al-Maidah 5:32

2. Surah Al-An’aam 6:151

3. Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.9 Hadith No.6871

4. Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.9 Hadith No.6914

5. Al-Mughni Vol.13 p.49 & 250

6. Al Farooq Vol.3 p.14-15 n

We must show that there also exist among us people who are trustworthy, and people who work for the social upliftment of all Muslims and non-Muslims.


The name Saddam Hussain is synonymous to torture and brutality, just as the name Osama Bin Laden and his followers are another name for inhumanity and terror. Whether it is the explosions at the World Trade Centre or the attack on temples in India or the bomb blasts in London, it all has one thing in common. They were executed by people who call themselves Muslims and raise their hands in prayers to the same Allah that you and I do.


Saddam Hussain or Osama Bin Laden or any other terrorist may have their own valid reasons for their actions, but they have mutilated the lives of every common Muslim today. Any Muslim name is a suspect, looked upon with contempt or sneered at. It is like when one member in the family commits a crime, his whole family is ostracized by the entire community. But what happens when not just one member, but more and more members begin to spread violence? The community then is justified to treat the entire family with suspicion. Where does that leave us, the common Muslim who has no connection to terrorism or politics? More important, where does that leave our children? They will face hurdles and discriminations in admissions, in jobs, in promotions and everywhere. They will always be repressed to the second position or at a lower level.


Is there anything that can be done or should we just shrug our shoulders and continue to live life? Would anything be achieved by silence or by protests? What we really need now is to analyse the entire situation and review ourselves and what each one of us can do to change, if not world opinion, at least the opinion of our neighbour. What can we do as individuals.


If one Bin Laden can mar the name of Islam, one can redeem it. If one act of violence can misinterpret Allah’s commandment, then another act of humanity must interpret His law. We will have to counter one violent act with one equally benevolent act. We must show that there also exist among us people who are trustworthy, people who work for mass construction and social upliftment of all, Muslims and non-Muslims.


We must reveal to the world what the holy Quran says and how it has been misinterpreted. Each one of us can do it in our own small way. Read the holy Quran, understand its meaning and practice it towards all men, irrespective of religion.


The future of Islam now is in the hands of the common Muslim. He or she alone in his small way can slowly remove the distrust and misconceptions and reveal by his actions what wonder the holy Quran actually holds in its depths.