Islam and Extremism: An Overview

Islam is the universal religion of peace, humanity, and welfare of the mankind. In fact, Islam is not a religion of mere formalities and performance of a set of general or traditional rituals. Rather Islam is an eternal and universal religion and the only recognized and selected religion by Allah. It has clearly mentioned in the holy Quran that 'Surely, Islam is the only recognized religion and acceptable life-process (Sura Al-Imran, Verse 19 of the Quran).

Welfare of Mankind

The religion that is approved by Allah, selected by Allah, and respected by Allah cannot be a religion for destruction of evil purposes. It cannot be against the welfare of mankind. Similarly, it cannot be the source of terrorism or extremism. It is not a one-sided version, or an exaggerated statement, or any whimsical or emotional expression. Neither is it a communal feeling. Rather it is definitely a biggest truth and realistic utterances. This is the reason for which being a non-Muslim Guru Dutta Sing, Bar-at-Law (Lahore) was circumstanced to say: 'On principle, Islam is not in favor of war. Moreover, in consideration of manpower and military might, Muslims were never in a position to play the role of an aggressor. They were never in offensive but always played the defensive role.

So, it is a mere laughing matter if somebody wants to put aspersion on Islam as an attacker and warmonger for grabbing others' land in the name of the Prophet Mohammad or Allah. It was not possible for a wise and intelligent man like the Prophet Mohammad to even think of making a big nation like the Arab hostile against Muslim that was a very tiny entity in the Arab world. Under the then prevailing circumstances during the Prophet's era, Islam was a very tiny, unarmed and helpless community in the Arab world.'

Oppressions and Repression

However, there is a saying that when the back of any person dashed with the wall behind, he has no option but to jump forward. In that case it has become indispensable to take up arms in hand for the sake of self-existence and survival. Right to self-defense is a recognized human right. There is a limit of oppression, repression, and annihilation in this world. It is not a sign of gentility or decency if some one remains silent if that limit is crossed or violated. This is rather sign of cowardice and weakness. Heat of fire not only makes water hot but at the same time the flame of fire also makes other heated. The conditions of Muslims were also like that water. Muslims had to undergo inhuman and barbaric tortures in the hands of non-Muslim Arabs for their offence of embracing Islam.

The atrocities, tortures, and cruelty the Arab Muslim experienced for mere accepting the religion of Islam were unprecedented in the world history. In the world history, there is no such instance for believers of any other religions other than Muslims who had to suffer such severe magnitude of tortures by their fellow countrymen only for accepting religion. Rather the patience, and sacrifices made by Muslims in the face of grave oppressions and repression of the cruel Qurayish dynasty was also unprecedented in the world history.

Under such a situation when oppression and repression of the Qurayish dynasty exceeded all limits and the weaker Muslims had attained minimum strength, they picked up arms for mere self-defense. History is the best witness that Muslims under the dynamic commending of the Prophet Mohammad demonstrated highest restrained and patience in the armed clashes against their adversaries. The main objectives of military operations of the Prophet Mohammad were for self-defense and establishing religion of Allah.

Allegiance to Allah

Narrating the tales of conquering Mecca by Mohammad, Barrister Guru Dutta Singh said: 'There is no smile of victory in the lips of the Prophet -- there is only sublime sparkles of forgiveness throughout his face. Tears were rolling down his cheeks -- those drops of tears were dedicated to Almighty Allah as a sign of gratefulness.' Guru Dutta went on saying, 'There are many things to learn from Prophet for those who burst into wild laughter after wining a war, or who feels wild pleasures by torturing the defeated enemies after an armed conflict.' Barrister Dutta says: 'Those of you who have just defeated your adversaries in a war appear before the Prophet, the conqueror of Mecca and ask him why there is a war, take lesion how you should behave with your defeated foes. In addition, ask the Prophet how you will enjoy your victory -- do not pride over your victory; rather express your total allegiance to Allah who has given you power and might to win the battle. Only in that case there will be no aspersion on the mankind and human civilization; only then such victory might be of glory and pride for the victors.'

Islam has come to this world to establish peace, equality, and justice and not for patronizing unjust, corruption, wrong doings, unrest, terrorism, extremism, and other vices. The softness of heart, kindness, fellow feelings and sympathy to all human beings in the character of the Prophet Mohammad has been written in the letters of gold in the pages of history of human civilization. Nobody could ever deny this truth or make any slightest controversy over it.

Personal Magnanimity and Richness of Heart

The personal magnanimity and richness of heart of the Prophet Mohammad could be found in the statements and observations of some non-Muslim sages of the world. Noted British historian Gibbon said: 'Although the Prophet Mohammad attained highest level of spiritual power, he could easily forgive even his biggest enemy. The woman who poured poison in his food, the Prophet Mohammad also forgave her. The women who pulled out the liver of the Prophet Mohammad's grand father and chew it for retaliation, the Prophet Mohammad also pardoned her. The man who was the cause of death of one of his relatives (daughter) was also exonerated by the Prophet Mohammad. Even the Prophet Mohammad forgot and forgave those religious opponents who tortured his followers and disciples and made their lives hales. There is no second instance in the world history of such personal magnanimity and forgiveness that were demonstrated by the Prophet Mohammad toward his defeated enemies in the battle fields.'

Islam always teaches his believers to be gentle, police, honest, and magnanimous -- it never teaches anybody to be terrorists or extremists. There is no scope to be terrorists or extremist by any one if the country is run under Islamic command. Rather, Islam has closed the door of terrorism and extremism once for all under Shari'ah. Nonetheless, Islam has closed the doors of all illegal and immoral activities. Islam is a celestial religion; here there is no scope for any kind of fascism or cruelty. Here one comment made by world famous scholar Dr Gustavo William is very pertinent. He said: 'The Prophet Mohammad has enunciated holy laws and judicial systems instead of blood sucking policy and rules of tyrants. He was such a person who propagated universal laws. He was such a person who made comfortable the hellish lives of the slaves. He was such a person who showed the poor, orphans and widows sublime ray of affection, love and fondness. He used to demonstrate fatherly affection to the downtrodden people.'

World famous non-Muslim scholar Stanley Lane Poole said when the Prophet Mohammad used to send troops in any war field; he gave some instructions and inspirations: 'Go ahead in the name of Allah, have confidence on Allah creator and do not kill any aged persons, women or children who have no ability to take part in war. Do not misappropriate wealth and resources that you collect in the war fields. You rather preserve those and deposit it to the national exchequer. Do not lock in any internecine feuds or quarrel with each others. Be sympathetic to each others and try to love and adorn the creations of Allah.'

Famous Indian Pundit Achariya Profullah Chanda Roy said: ' In this world Islam is the best administrative system that attaches highest importance on democratic norms and values. Islam had succeeded to bring people right from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Sea under the same umbrella with amity and harmony among people of all faiths. Through flourishing liberal policy, Islam rose at the peak of advancement and development by tying people with a same rope.'

A very prestigious book entitled the Islam and Prophet Mohammad was jointly written by Sree Nagendra Nath Bandopaddya and Dr M. Zahurul Haque. The book was published by Makhdumi Library of Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1934. In the preamble of this book, Profullah Chandra Roy wrote: 'Islam is a religion of pace, not a religion of vandalism or muscle power. The Prophet Mohammad took birth only to establish peace in this trouble-torn world.' This truth was established in this book with sufficient documents and arguments.

True Picture of Islam

It is not possible to glorify Islam and its believers by merely such one or two books. An epic or a world almanac can be written on the qualities and good sides of Islam and its true followers. But this is not our objectives. We want to convey to the world community only one message about Islam. We want to unveil the true picture of Islam and Muslims before the international community.

Needless to say that the comments made by the non-Muslim pundits, scholars, historian, and research activists about Islam, the religion of peace are enough to give befitting replies to the critics of Islam. But it is exceptional in case of those who can see bright sun lights in the deep darkness of midnight. There is a universal saying that there are some exceptions in everything of this world. In Islam also there may be some thing exceptional. But exception is always an exception -- it is not an example ever.

Communalism and Narrowness

The holy Quran, Hadith, and observations of non-Muslim scholars have sufficiently proved that there can be no relations of Islam with extremism. Nonetheless, Islam has the strongest position than any other religion of the world against terrorism and extremism. Rather it is the Islam religion, which can give protection against all forms of extremism, terrorism, arson, genocide, and all other forms of destructive designs.

So, raising over all debates sand controversies we can tell it boldly that Islam has no slightest relations with extremism. Islam is the most liberal religion in this world. There is no room for communalism and narrowness in Islam. Sooner this realization came to our minds better it would be for the entire mankind.