The Qur’an is the only answer to radicalism

This week’s attack on a French satirical magazine rocked the whole world. Once again, humanity, love and human values came under attack. Terrorists, who attempted to tarnish the beautiful name of Islam with their murderous ways, unleashed violence on people they deemed unbelievers.

But what exactly drive them and thousands of other radicals to do unspeakable acts in the name of Islam?

It is a curious question because the Qur’an is completely against everything these people represent. However, they do draw justification from traditional teachings, mostly constituting of invented hadiths wrongly and outrageously attributed to Prophet Mohammed. That is why the only way to end religious radicalism is to counter it with the Qur’an.

Now let’s see why they were in complete violation of true Islam based on the Qur’an.

- These people killed 12 people because they wanted revenge for previous publications of the magazine.

According to the Qur’an, killing a person is such a grave crime it is like killing the entirety of humanity and to be punished with eternal hell. In the same way, saving one person is like saving the entirety of humanity.

We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew an innocent person, it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. (Qur’an: 5/32)

- These people wanted to silence others for having thoughts and lifestyles different from their own.

Qur’an gives people complete freedom of thought, freedom of choice, freedom of faith. Muslims cannot force their religions or ideas on others no matter what.

There is no compulsion in religion. (Qur’an: 2/256)

- These people wanted to punish others for having different faiths.

Qur’an makes it clear that everyone is entitled to their own choice with respect to faith.

You have your religion and I have mine. (Qur’an: 109/6)

- These people want to force others to adopt their lifestyles and their teachings, of what they consider to be right and wrong.

Qur’an clearly prohibits any forcing, intimidation, tyrannizing of others no matter what they say, or no matter what their choices are:

We are totally aware of what they say, and you are not to be a tyrant over them. So remind with the Qur’an those who fear My promise. (Qur’an: 50/45)

• These people want to take away and destroy every blessing that God created for us to enjoy.

However, God wishes for his servants to enjoy the beautiful blessings He creates in this world.

Say: “Who has forbidden the nice things that God has brought forth for His servants and the good provisions” Say: “They are meant for those who believe during this worldly life, and they will be exclusive for them on the Day of Resurrection”  (Qur:an 7/7)

• These people are misogynists and attempt to use religion for their shameless acts:

Women and men are not only equal in Islam, women are greatly favored and protected in many instances. They are to be respected, loved, cherished and protected with great care. God compares women to beautiful flowers in Qur’an and strongly condemns any mistreatment of them. 

Her Lord accepted her in a handsome manner and caused her to grow like a lovely plant. (Qur’an: 3/37)

 When the baby girl buried alive is asked, for what crime she was killed? (Qur’an: 81/8-9)

 These are only some of the verses that make it very clear that a person, who truly abides by the Qur’an, would always have the most loving, compassionate, friendly and forgiving manner. Prophet Mohammed was the prime example of such a behavior. At a time when people were burying their girls alive simply for being a girl, when people tortured each other to death for having different thoughts, and when there was no respect for people, least of all for women, he introduced immense civilization, nobility, compassion, love, and forgiveness. He taught how to love and respect every human being regardless of differences, he set a great example with his kind, gentle and forgiving demeanor and demonstrated how women should be respected and cherished.

For these reasons, a   Muslim who sincerely believes in the Qur’an would know that it is only God Who can judge people and He will alone decide who is worthy of His love or not. As a sincere Muslim, he would know that his sole duty is inviting others to what is right with the kindest approach and then leaving the other party to make their own choice. He would also know that he is to be kind, loving and compassionate towards every person, regardless of his or her faith, or lack thereof.

Despite these recent horrors, Muslims with this awareness are growing in numbers and they will counter radicalism intellectually with the real Islam of the Qur’an and that is when such pains will come to an end.

Adnan Oktar's piece on The Daily Mail & Urdu Times:

http://dailymailnews.com/2015/01/12/the-quran-is-the-only-answer-to-radicalism/