terrified. But, instead of shouting at the boy as he normally did, the man spoke to him very gently. “Son, what are you doing there?” he asked. Then, very lovingly, he requested the boy to slowly get down the pole

was not complied with, the riots took place out of anger. In this episode the pertinent question is, what Shariah rule is it to insist that during the Muslim prayer-time a non-Muslim should not ring a bell

people. In India, most communal riots are triggered off by such small incidents. What is the reason for this? When the Islamic Shariah has not ordered us to stop non-Muslim processions passing by our mosques

is peaceful activism but it has been misinterpreted as violent activism. Jihad is a fact of life. What is called ‘effort’ or ‘struggle’ in English is called ‘jihad’ in Arabic. Jihad is not something mysterious

efforts or striving for a particular purpose.3.WHAT DO MUSLIMS HAVE TO DO TO REMOVE ISLAMOPHOBIA FROM PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS?I do not believe that ‘Islamophobia’ exists. The irony is that this term has not

it has been so named by the Muslim community themselves. Thus, Islamophobia is simply an allegation, and not a real phenomenon. In Islamic terms, this is a case of ‘calling others by offensive nicknames’

is peaceful activism but it has been misinterpreted as violent activism. Jihad is a fact of life. What is called ‘effort’ or ‘struggle’ in English is called ‘jihad’ in Arabic. Jihad is not something mysterious

efforts or striving for a particular purpose.3.WHAT DO MUSLIMS HAVE TO DO TO REMOVE ISLAMOPHOBIA FROM PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS?I do not believe that ‘Islamophobia’ exists. The irony is that this term has not

it has been so named by the Muslim community themselves. Thus, Islamophobia is simply an allegation, and not a real phenomenon. In Islamic terms, this is a case of ‘calling others by offensive nicknames’

intellectuals have labelled Muslim dynasties in India as ‘Islamic’ dynasties. They began considering them as a chapter in the history of Islam. In actual fact, however, their rule was simply that of certain

certain Muslim families. It is completely wrong to consider their rule as the rule of Islam. These two things are totally different. But because this difference was not kept in mind, the events that were

name of Islam. Another terrible blunder that Muslims made because this basic distinction was not borne in mind was that they perceived the reign of these Muslim rulers as a source of Islamic pride. They

in 1976 he accepted Islam and is now known as Yusuf Islam. Speaking of his conversion to Islam, he said: ‘The Christian Church taught us to believe in God, but the only way to communicate with God was

was through Jesus—you have no direct contact.’ To him, ‘the importance of Islam lies in the fact that it acquaints one with a God who speaks directly to the man and his soul.’ (Arabia, London, July 1983)

can be contacted only through some intermediary. Islam is the only religion in which man establishes direct contact with his Lord. This is because Islam is preserved in its original, revealed form, whereas

in 1976 he accepted Islam and is now known as Yusuf Islam. Speaking of his conversion to Islam, he said: ‘The Christian Church taught us to believe in God, but the only way to communicate with God was

was through Jesus—you have no direct contact.’ To him, ‘the importance of Islam lies in the fact that it acquaints one with a God who speaks directly to the man and his soul.’ (Arabia, London, July 1983)

can be contacted only through some intermediary. Islam is the only religion in which man establishes direct contact with his Lord. This is because Islam is preserved in its original, revealed form, whereas

the cause of Islam in times of distress When Abu Bakr first became a Muslim, he possessed forty thousand dirhams, all of which wealth he devoted to the cause of Islam. At that time Islam was going through

Saad while the latter was pouring water over himself from a large vessel to perform his ablution. “What is this extravagance, O Saad?” said the Prophet. “Prophet of God,” said Saad, “Can there be extravagance

negative thinking in Islam. This is because God has categorically declared in the Quran that, Whatever misfortune befalls you is due to your own doing. (42: 30) Therefore, according to Islam whenever any trouble

hostility and enmity against them is clearly forbidden in Islam. This reality is also evident in many of the Hadith sayings of the Prophet of Islam. According to one Hadith, ‘You will never overcome your

responsible for your troubles and engaging in hostility and enmity against them is clearly forbidden in Islam. Another fact we learn from the Quran is that enmity with others is created as a result of the faults

kills more than 4,000 Americans a year), presumably because tornadoes make for better television.” What we ask of the press is that it should attach importance to real value, not to news value. Attaching

constructive society. But at present, it is proceeding in a direction quite contrary to this aim. Islam seeks to train people to attach importance to realities. Attaching importance to real value makes

foreign trip, I met a gentleman from Canada. He asked me the meaning of Islam. “Islam means realism,” I replied. In fact, Islam is the science of life, and this science is founded on the principle that

them in his unforgettable and powerful baritone. As a scholar, he dared to stand for truth, criticize what he saw was wrong and tear apart the influence of the traditional framework he grew in, to develop

during the direst circumstances. He took his guidance and inspiration from the original texts of Islam: Quran and Hadith and dedicated his life to present it in the modern idiom. The focus of his writings

remarkable efforts but also honour his life and decades of making a difference! Ramish SIddiqi: Islamic Thinker and Writer I have high regard for Maulana. We have appeared on many occasions together. He