Islam; A true perspective

Outline

1. Introduction
2. Ideological base of Islam
3. Understanding the misconception
4. Islam; A religion of peace
5. Politics in Islam
6. Economic system of Islam
7. Judiciary and social justice in Islam
8. Pluralistic vision of Islam
9. Women; an angel in Islam
10. Islam and Science
11. Conclusion

Islam is not a mysterious religion. It is presently, perhaps, the most studied and researched and less
understood phenomenon across the world. In spite of extensive research and study Islam is not
comprehended in its true spirit by both Muslims and non-Muslims. The perception about Islam among
non-Muslims is very gloomy. There are many misconceptions and concerns about its ideological base and
social aspects of life. In spite of center stage for critics it is expanding its fellowship more than any other
religion of the world. Islam is more than a religion. It has its own political system with a vivid legislative
system. It has vibrant economic system which is free of lacunas of both socialism and capitalism .Islam
believes in social justice and equality. It defines the role and responsibilities of every individual and
institution in society. It treat women an angel in the society. It is complete code of life. It has its own
teachings, rules and principles about every aspect of life. In the following essay we will try to address the
questions about Islam and comprehend the true nature of Islam and its meaning and message.

Islam is an extension of previous somatic religions like Judaism and Christianity. It is the youngest
somatic religion having a holy book, Quran. The Ideological base of Islam is that the creator of the
universe is only one Allah who is liable to worship. He has neither father nor offsprings. He is beyond
physical body. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) of Makah is the last prophet of Allah who was born in Makah
on 571 A.D. There are five pillars of Islam. All of these have reward with Allah in life after here and
utility in this world. First is Kalma Taiba means accepting oneness of God and Hazrat Muhammad as the
last prophet of Allah with the heart. Second, Salaat , prayer five time in day night. Salaat teaches
cleanliness, discipline, equality and punctuality. Third, saum, fasting which empathize the sense of hunger
and give the lesson of charity. Fourth, Zakat is used for the welfare of the poor. Fifth, Haj teaches the
lesson of social gathering.

The word Islam is derived from salam, an Arabic word, meaning peace and tranquility .Islam teaches the
lesson of peace and moderation. Muslims and Islamic scholars fail to present the true picture of Islam to
the outer world. Wrong Perception of Islam is created by political and social practices in Muslim world
and Western Media. West perceives the cultural and tribal practices of Muslims as Islam which is creating
confusion. Violence used by so called Muslim non state actors against innocent people is purely for
political purposes. West needs to understand Islam in the light of holy Quran and teachings of prophet
Muhammad (PBUH).

Terrorism and violence has nothing to do with the ideology of Islam. Allah said in Quran,there is no
coercion in Islam. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), the last prophet of Islam, was very kind and merciful in
his affairs with everyone even with his enemies. That is why God regarded him as Rehmatul-lil.alameen,
blessing for both worlds, in Quran. According to a hadiths saving the life of one human being is equal to
saving the whole humanity. So, Islam is teaches the lesson of peace. According to Islam, It is the
responsibility of state to maintain order in society.

State is most important component for social order and welfare of human beings. The political system of
Islam is diarchal in nature. There are two checks/limits on the discretion of any public office holder .In
this system executive is not only responsible to people but God as well. The caliph, chief executive,
should work according to the will of the people under the limits prescribe by the God. Welfare of the
people is the responsibility of caliph and all other public servants. There is space for corruption, nepotism
and bribery. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said, Both who bribes and He who receives will go to hell
.Using of public office for personal gain is strictly forbidden in Islam. That is why Islam defined its own
economic system for halal, fair, earnings.

Economics is an important chapter of Islam. Islam believes in fair distribution of resources among the
individual of society. Capitalism is very cruel system. It helps in monopolization of resources .Hunger is
not due to insufficient resources but concentration of resources in few hands is the real cause of hunger in
the world. There is no check or counter measure on the increasing income of the rich. On the other hand
socialism is tasteless and failed system. Islamic Economic system is very good system in which there is
share of the poor in the increasing income of the rich in the form of zakat. Islam does not course wealth.
Islam teaches that one shouldnt adopt unfair means to earn money. Interest on loan is forbidden because
it makes the receive bankrupt at the end. There is share of the poor in everything of the rich in the form of
Zakat, usher, khums, fitrana etc.

In Islam, the rich and poor equal before law. Equality is the fundamental principal of Islam. No one is
above the law even caliph is abide by the law. Islamic law, Shariah has its own sources like Quran,
Hadith, ijtihad, Ijma, Qiyas. Qazi is the chief of judiciary. Islam not only believes in legal justice but also
in social justice. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) in his last landmark serman said,White has no superiority
over black and vice versa, similarly Arabic has no superiority over non-arabic,all of you are equal. There
is no cast system in Islam.

Islam teaches not equality for Muslims but defines the rights of Non-Muslims. Islam ultimate objective is
welfare of human beings. The first welfare state on earth was Madina where charter of Madina was signed
between Muslims and Jews. Islam gives the lesson of pluralism, tolerance, moderation, fraternity,
affection, truth, pluralism, simplicity and love. Islam forbids treachery, theft, liquor, adultery,
pornography, extravagance.

Islam is the first religion who recognized the rights of women. Woman is treated as source of all evils in
different religions like Hinduism and Christianity. Islam regards women as an angel .She is either beloved
wife or kind sister or respected mother. The right of ownership and due share in the property of late
relative is enshrined in the holy Quran. She has the right to choose her partner. Women have the right to
get education.

Islam encourages getting knowledge and education. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said that getting
knowledge is the duty of every Muslim. Allah says in Quran that why they do not think. Islam encourages
its followers to explore the universe and find the solution of different problems in the world. Many
discoveries discovered by science already present in Quran and hadith. Islam is compatible with science
and modern world.

Hence, Islam is not only a religion but also a complete code of life. It guides in every aspect of life. Islam
do not a teach violence and terrorism. Islam is religion of peace. There is difference between Islam and
what a Muslim practice. Indeed, no one has studied Islam in its true form in the light of Holy Quran and
hadith of prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is the responsibility of all Muslims to portray the true image of
Islam.