The mainstay of Islam is its monotheism—tawhid—that is, belief in the oneness of God in the complete sense of the word. God is One. He has no partner. He created all things and has complete control over

with God is alien to the Islamic religious system. Called shirk (associating others with God) it is deemed to be an unpardonable offence. According to the Quran God in Islam is not a symbol, but a reality

of as a kind of working hypothesis on which to found a religious system. On the contrary, God in Islam is a Personality. He has a real and independent existence. He is alive and self-sustaining, self-perpetuating

If Islam is like a stone in water, then it is not Islam at all. Faith should be absorbed in a person like dye dissolved in water. Just as the emotions of love and hate are felt by the whole body so, when

when one adopts Islam in the real sense of the world, it should become an issue affecting one’s whole existence. The Muslim and Islam should become inseparably attached.Worship of GodWorship, in form, consists

examples were to be found only in Islam, out of all the religions. These great thinkers believed, therefore, that for the thorough reconstruction of the country, the Islamic contribution was vital. This was

besides God, lest in their ignorance they should spitefully revile God.’ This principle formulated by Islam is best described not as religious harmony, but as harmony among religious people. This is a principle

soon joined by the Jews, thus resulting in a tripartite dialogue between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This was a truly great congress which the city of Yathrib had witnessed. In it, the three religions

determine its destiny had met, and they did so for the greatest idea and the noblest purpose. Although Islam believes, in the oneness of reality it lays equal stress on the practice of tolerance in everyday

has the indirect support of the majority, who are no less swayed by the political interpretation of Islam. According to Khalil Gibran, “not a single leaf falls from the tree without the silent consent of

of the whole tree.” If then the majority were to withdraw its indirect support and condemn Islamic militancy, these fringe groups would lose their moral courage. That would be the first step. Then the time

principle of non- violence throughout his 23-year prophetic career, except for one and a half days. The Islamic method, being based totally on the principle of non-violence, makes it unlawful for believers to

enemies. Their duty is to peacefully convey to them the message of Islam.THE MODERN AGE AND NON-VIOLENCEThe greatest problem facing Islam today is, as I see it, that Muslims have almost totally forgotten

of human existence; these provide both spiritual as well as physical food for man. The Prophet of Islam observed: when a person plants a tree and the tree grows and yields fruit, then human beings and birds

plant in the earth. Such traditions show how great importance is attached to vegetation in Islam. In this way Islam

of Islam, the age of the pious Caliphs. Afterwards the time came to keep the sword in its sheath and engage in da‘wah work, that is, the call to God, which was the real and permanent goal of Islam. According

According to the explicit command of the Qur’an, the call to God is the true and eternal mission of Islam, whereas war is only temporary and allowed only in exceptional cases. Here it would be pertinent

one does not resort to violence of any kind. We find many instances in the life of the Prophet of Islam where he did not punish people for acts which insulted or humiliated him. Once a person approached

there are verses in the Quran about gatherings where the Makkan people used to abuse the Prophet of Islam. For example: They say, ‘He is certainly mad.’ (Quran 68:51) They say, ‘You to whom the Reminder

(Quran 15:6) The Prophet did not react to such comments and also refrained others also from reacting. Islam provides for complete freedom of expression. This is the spirit that

of human existence; these provide both spiritual as well as physical food for man. The Prophet of Islam observed: when a person plants a tree and the tree grows and yields fruit, then human beings and birds

plant in the earth. Such traditions show how great importance is attached to vegetation in Islam. In this way Islam