ISLÃM THREAT OR SAVIOUR?

[ummtaalib]

ISLÃM THREAT OR SAVIOUR?

 

In the aftermath of the cold war, a new perceived threat to Western ideology has  emerged. The new "bogeyman" of the Western  nations, and the centre piece of America's  foreign policy establishment is the perceived Green Peril, the Islãmic Threat. What is the  basis behind this threat? What is it about Islãm that makes the West's political system geared towards fighting an endless battle against everything Islãm stands for?

 

History of Hatred

The negative attitudes of the West have been deeply embedded into the Western psyche as a result of centuries of misunderstanding, propaganda and fear. These negative perceptions of Islãm have been expressed through every possible medium available, whether through lit, folklore, education, printed material, sound and visual media, and domestic and foreign policies.

 

The most powerful tool in the hands of the West, the media, has been ruthless in its depiction of Islãm. The media should reflect a more sincere approach in understanding what Islãm stands for, the victimisation of the Muslim masses, and appreciate how Islãm has played a pivotal role in the development of current civilisation. Instead of slandering the qualities of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) the West should realise the high moral standard he called for. They should realise that Islãm ruled for 1400 years wherein Christians and Jews lived in safety and comfort. They weren't tortured for their beliefs as the Muslims were in Spain during the Spanish Inquisitions. They weren't thrown to the lions as happened in Rome with the Christians. They weren't thrown out of their houses and left in slums as happened in Palestine only 50 years ago. Even Christian Scholars cannot refute the fact that Christians and Jews were doing financially well and progressed in society, some even taking high ranking administrative positions under Muslim rule.

 

The current Islãmic resurgence is not a reaction to poverty as many would want you to believe, but an awakening to the reality that Islãm offers the solution for today's afflictions. People are converting out of free will, and in droves which includes surges from the Western world. If Islãm was a threat to the well-being of women, then you wouldn't have a conversion rate of 4 women to 1 man. If the Qur'ãn is truly full of contradictions, then at least one book would have been released with some solid evidence, without the need to resort to deceptive measures.

 

Islãm has always been a solution to humanity, at the individual and group level. Islãm guards the honour and rights of each sex. It solidly prohibits any factor which could harm anyone is society, and its laws don't change to accommodate any current trends, electionprospects, or the whims of the leaders. Racial discrimination is something the West has only come to terms with in the late 60's. Yet Islãm gave all nationalities equal rights. Corruption, theft, deceit, fornication, sexual abuse, and disrespect to parents and elders are all not tolerated.

 

Islãm forbids discrimination in judging, and had a superior Justice system which the West is adopting progressively. No person is given favours, there are no concessions available from any leader, president, army official or police chief. Women have custody rights if it is considered preferable for the child. A person is considered innocent before proven guilty, and guilt needs to be firmly established.

 

The Economic and Administrative segment of Islãm is also way ahead of Western standards. Whereas Islãm has always prohibited anti-competitive behaviour in the market, it took 1300 years for the West to follow suit, with the Sherman Act in the US during the late 1800's,and the Trade Practices Act in Australia in the late 1970's. Yet Umar bin Khattab (R.A.), the second ruler after the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had introduced a more equal and supporting welfare system (when western societies were still grappling with the harsh serf system, a sort of slavery where only the land owner significantly profits). It reached a point where under Umar bin Abdul Aziz, there was no one who would accept money from the state due to their well-being. It's only a matter of time before the Islãmic contracts begin to replace the current interest system, which has devastated numerous economies, most recently those of the Asian region.

 

Today's rulers are untouchables. They live in comfort, security, with pride, and do little for the people they are supposed to represent. They live great distances from their people, and don't feel or experience their needs. With the best food,clothing, travel, and pension, they have it made. Yet the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would never fill his stomach, he would fast, eat just like others ate, if not worse, he travelled on a camel or horse, and would allow others to ride with him. His door was always open for anyone who needed help, and he felt shy to ask them to leave. If there was war, he fought along with his men. He didn'tstand behind a desk and issue commands, and take credit for any victories. He did his own cooking, mending and shopping. He lived amongst the people, to the extent that no one would recognise which person was the Prophet, and died amongst them. Even his successors took it upon themselves to imitate the characteristics of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Abu Bakr (R.A.) died with so few possessions left behind, that his successor Umar bin Khattab (R.A.) said "You have left me with such a hard example to follow, O Abu Bakr." Umar bin Khattab (R.A.) would wander the streets at night in search of anyone in need, or who was being oppressed or was not given his or her rights.

 

If the people are happy with the way things are, and fear a leader with the qualities as the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) or his successors, then it is clear why Islam is a Peril for them. If they want a leader like the above, then it only baffles the mind as to why they fear Islãm, and the adherents to its tenants. Islam is now the fastest growing religion in the world. Its followers, unlike the media would like to portray them, are not converting out of poverty or force. Rather, they come from a variety of nations, status, financial sp, and educational attainments.

 

This is a time when Western nations are concerned over their current way of life. The governments enjoy their financial gains and positions of power. Large corporations which thrive on the misery of others would cease to exist if the population turned to Islãm. Criminals fear Islãm because of its punishment system. People involved in gambling, illicit sex, and alcohol hate Islãm because Islãm does not tolerate such vice in society. Politicians hate Islãm because it would take away their power.The general population hate Islãm because they've been only taught so.

 

As for Muslims, our task is a hard and uphill battle. On an individual level, we should always seek to maintain the highest calibre of character and morality. On a society level, we should continue to provide pure and easily accessible material on Islãm, through any media channel available. For non-Muslims, they cannot see Islãm and its vibrant system in action on a large scale. They cannot compare its superiority with other models unless Muslims practically show what true Islãm is.

 

Muslims must show by their actions that Islãm advocates peace and harmony not terror, violence or crime. Muslims can remain devout and loyal to their beliefs along with living with tolerance with people of other and non-faith, upholding all the laws of their non-Muslim home-lands.

 

We need to open Mosques to the public in order to help foster better community relations and an understanding of Muslim beliefs and practices.

 

ISLÃMIC TARBIYAH ACADEMY

45Boothroyd Lane, West Town,

Dewsbury. W. Yorkshire. WF13 2RB