the name of Islam has come to be linked with violence. Thanks to the foolish and imprudent acts of certain Muslims, coupled with the propaganda campaign launched by Islam’s antagonists, Islam and violence

violence have come to be regarded as interchangeable terms. But the truth about Islam is the very opposite. The word Islam itself means peace, having been derived from the Arabic root silm meaning peace. And

not even an animal. To call such a religion one of violence is therefore highly inappropriate. Islam came to mankind in an age when violence was an integral part of every nation’s culture and, as such

interests. On the third level, dawah is to be performed directly. Those who have the ability to present Islam through public speaking, writing or through the modern means of communication should call upon people

believers would be right. The principle of divine law for man is that he will held accountable only for what he is capable of. Whatever capability a man possesses, to that extent only will he be held responsible

a zealous Muslim political leader of the modern age, the emigration would appear as a flight, for what he would advocate in a similar situation would be a fight to the death; he would be looking no further

results of the emigration of the Prophet, one can see that it was clearly the greatest watershed in Islamic history. When faced with enemy onslaughts people usually take retaliatory measures of their own:

consolidated after passing through the dangers and challenges of the various phases of their history. Now, what we must grasp is how such problems and challenges were formerly faced by the Ummah. The sole answer

by history is that on each occasion of adversity success was achieved through the dawah power of Islam. The Mongols, barbarous and bloody in their methods of warfare, succeeded in inflicting extraordinary

middle of the thirteenth century. They appeared invincible. But then, miraculously, the dawah power of Islam emerged and the Mongols were conquered. Referring to this event, an orientalist observes: ‘The religion

pre-dates the advent of Islam by about twenty five thousand years. During this long period man made little progress in knowledge and science. True scientific progress was made only when Islam broke with the ancient

acceptance. It is rather between criticism and mental stagnation. If curbs are placed on criticism, what results in reality is mental stagnation rather than a state of uncomplaining acceptance. Where intellectual

community to flourish.40.DOES ISLAM SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE POLITICAL PROCESS TO ELECT A GOVERNMENT?Formation of a rule or government is not the goal of Islam, and therefore Islam does not prescribe any absolute

absolute model. The main concern of Islam is to convey to people the creation plan of God. When it comes to electing a government, Islam does not endorse a specific model. We can understand this by observing

community to flourish.40.DOES ISLAM SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE POLITICAL PROCESS TO ELECT A GOVERNMENT?Formation of a rule or government is not the goal of Islam, and therefore Islam does not prescribe any absolute

absolute model. The main concern of Islam is to convey to people the creation plan of God. When it comes to electing a government, Islam does not endorse a specific model. We can understand this by observing

instance, a Muslim state is at war with a particular nation, and this war is in conformance with Islamic principles, it should still not permit any destructive activities against non-combatants (civilians)

(civilians), as was done on September 11, 2001, in New York and Washington. Similarly in Islamic war, Muslims are not permitted to commit suicidal bombings in order to destroy the enemy. Strapping explosives

killing oneself deliberately, is totally un- Islamic. This can in no way be termed ‘shahadah’ (martyrdom). According to Islam we can become According to Islam we can become martyrs, but we cannot court

without delay, abandon any ideas of community prestige, and, under the guidance of the Prophet of Islam, they must resolve that at all events they will opt for the way of peace and reconciliation, rather

Paradise. We learn from history that in later times Hasan ibn Ali became unpopular with the Muslims. What was the reason? The reason was that, when he spoke, he kept a low profile. Those who regard one who

who behaves in this way as a degraded person are of a very strange mentality. The decree of both Islam and reason is that those who keep a high profile can expect only destruction in this world of God,

today find it hard to believe that Islam may be a religion of peace. But if Muslims stop engaging in violent activities and give people the opportunity to appreciate Islam in its original form, then certainly

certainly a great number of people would realize as they never had before that Islam was a peaceful religion and they would rush to it, saying and that it was exactly the religion which their souls had been