find them.’ (2:191) Referring to such verses, there are some who attempt to give the impression that Islam is a religion of war and violence. This is totally untrue. Such verses relate in a restricted sense

who have unilaterally attacked the Muslims. The above verse does not convey the general command of Islam. The truth of the matter is that the Quran was not revealed in the complete form in which it exists

amounts only to 3 years. The revelations during the 20 peaceful years were the peaceful teachings of Islam as are conveyed in the verses regarding the realization of God, worship, morality, justice, etc. This

self), ihsan (excellence in worship) and marefat (realization of God)—the goals of Islam.4.DO MUSLIMS LOVE JESUS?In Islam, the Prophet Jesus and the Prophet Muhammad have an equal position in terms of respect

The Quran says: Say, ‘We believe in God and in what has been sent down to us and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes. We believe in what has been given to Moses, Jesus and the prophets from

distinction between any of them. It is to Him that we have surrendered ourselves.’ (Quran 3:84)5.AS A MUSLIM WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON HINDUISM?Every religion has special characteristics. Hinduism has a unique tradition

self), ihsan (excellence in worship) and marefat (realization of God)—the goals of Islam.4.DO MUSLIMS LOVE JESUS?In Islam, the Prophet Jesus and the Prophet Muhammad have an equal position in terms of respect

spirituality. The Quran says: Say, ‘We believe in God and in what has been sent down to us and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes. We believe in what has been given to Moses, Jesus and the prophets from

distinction between any of them. It is to Him that we have surrendered ourselves.’ (Quran 3:84)5.AS A MUSLIM WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON HINDUISM?Every religion has special characteristics. Hinduism has a unique tradition

they cannot act independently. From this Islamic principle it is clear that there is no scope in Islam for non-state actors to engage in war on their own, or what is generally called guerilla war. This is

non-state organisations, rather than by agencies of an established government. If agencies of an Islamic state seek to engage in defensive war, then, in accordance with the commandments of the Quran, they

it must dissolve it. In Islam, war must be openly announced. Undeclared war is not permissible in Islam. Hence, according to Islam, proxy war is illegitimate. All actions in Islam have certain conditions

worldly point of view these two things are essential for human beings. Then God’s general gift is what is shared, more or less by everyone. In principle, it consists of two kinds of things—peaceful circumstances

people denied the favours of God. Therefore, He afflicted them with famine and fear as a punishment for what they did. (16: 112) Two things in this verse are called the blessings of God: peace and provision

whatever else is to come. What is thanksgiving to God? It is that whatever God has given us should be put to proper religious and constructive use. Remaining content with what one already has is thanksgiving

Yet, this did not tantamount to a political interpretation of Islam. Rather, it was simply an expression of what, from the point of view of what these ulema thought of, rightly or wrongly, as a temporary

when it came to Maulana Maududi, it got transformed into a complete interpretation of the deen of Islam. Before this, politics was thought of as but one aspect of the deen and, accordingly, was given the

his followers imagine that, like Marx, he provided a complete picture of the reduced perception of Islamic politics, they may be right in their understanding, but it is this understanding that is the real

From these few examples, it is clear that nonMuslims are also helpful to the cause of Islam in many ways. Islamic development is such a universal process that all Muslim and non-Muslim forces contribute

towards its fulfillment. This aspect of a role for those other than Muslims in the development of Islam serves a moral end as well. It makes Muslims sympathetic towards the rest of the world so that the

hate, enmity and distrust. The contribution of non-Muslims to Islam has not been of a temporary nature. It has continued throughout Islamic history. In present times these contributions made by non-Muslims

firm ground for a real Islamic State to stand on. To establish an ideal Islamic State is not the main target of Islam, as is wrongly projected by some groups of Muslims. An Islamic State is something that

He wills, and not a direct target towards which the Muslim community must struggle. To conclude, Islam begins when one discovers God as the ultimate truth. This results in a spiritual transformation which

sentiments—indeed to the emergence of a whole new personality. A new man is born: he is quite different from what he was before. He now becomes a combination of spirituality, compassion and tranquillity. This is

to be called jihad. However, the actual word for such a war in Arabic is qital, not jihad. Islamic jihad is a positive and continuous process. It is at work in the entire life of a believer War

‘Great Jihad’. This does not refer to military action or physical combat with those who do not believe. What it actually means is that we must continuously engage ourselves in conveying the peaceful message

is the only feasible and result-oriented option. As mentioned above, the position of peace in Islam is sacrosanct, while war is allowed only in exceptional cases when it cannot be avoided. Let us look

Sustainer and Cherisher MONOTHEISM or Tawheed is the essence of Islam. Tawheed means oneness of God. It is a fundamental doctrine of Islam referring to the oneness of God in all its meanings. Thus the declaration

alone;. He is the only possessor of all powers. Nothing can rival Him as a source of power or love. In Islam no mediating power of any kind exists between the Creator and His creation. He is the one who fulfils