Friday, March 6, 2009

Islam is about peace

Why all the discussions and debates about whether Islam is a religion of peace or not. Why all the complexities of what is right and wrong, permitted and not permitted, acceptable or not acceptable, halal or haram, Sunnah or not.

If in the twenty-first century, 1440 years after the revelation of the Noble Quran, Muslims cannot understand it’s message, principles, laws, guidance and advice, then the future looks rather bleak.

If, after having a leader, whose life and sayings were so well documented, more than any other human being, Muslims cannot formulate a way of life, a system of finance, politics and governance, then something is fundamentally wrong.

Muslims claim that the Noble Quran is a direct revelation from God Almighty, through the final Messenger Muhammad SAW.

They also claim that Muhammad SAW was the perfect exemplar, whose example could be successfully emulated in every walk of life.

Muslims believe that the name of their religion, way of life, was chosen by God Almighty, to be Islam. This word connotes peace, love, understanding, and harmony, submission to the will of God Almighty and the attendant success and leadership.

If, in spite of all of the above, there is still confusion, disruptive disagreements, disharmony and wrong impressions created. Something must be wrong. It certainly is not the Message of God Almighty or the Messenger. It definitely has to be the interpreters of the message, the leaders, Ulemas and also the Muslim population at large. My apologies. I don’t mean to offend anyone, but if a system or methodology do not produce the desired result, then it is wrong or it is incorrectly applied.

To be more direct. If the current system is not producing the peace, harmony, brotherhood, progress, proper governance and well being of Muslims, then that system is wrong. It is not the Message or the Messenger is wrong, but those charged with the responsibility of implementing and interpreting is wrong.