This came from
www.islamicity.com. I felt that it summed up really well a lot of feelings that I have. Please read with an open-mind.
I am in rage when people demean Islam
11/21/2005 - Political Religious Social - Article Ref: IV0311-2139
Number of comments: 78
Opinion Summary: Agree:54 Disagree:9 Neutral:15
By: iViews Staff
Iviews* -
"There was one only good, namely, knowledge; and one only evil, namely, ignorance." - Socrates
This must be the Age of Ignorance. An age whereby the impoverished and the wealthy, the illiterate and the educated, the faithful and the faithless, the weak and the powerful, the east and the west share a common trait, a common cause, a common lie - ignorant perversion of faith, of morality, and truth. An "Age" where lies, greed, murder, and abuse of humanity are justified, even glorified, in the name of the Almighty.
From so called "Conservative Compassion" to "Misused Jihad", the end result is wanton murder and destruction of those unwilling to submit to the "truth of the folly and ignorant" of those delivering "smart bombs" or "car bombs." The wicked indifference to life and truth, the intellectual disconnect from knowledge and reality, and the immoral ignorance of their own faiths, are the evil triad of the leaders of today.
Misrepresented Islam:
There are some who claim Islam as their faith. They perform their daily prayers in peaceful congregation with their fellow Muslims, hearing the compassionate and merciful teachings of God and His Holy Prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him, only to leave the mosques and return with guns or car bombs to kill the same Muslims they just prayed with, shoulder to shoulder, glorifying God and facing the Holy City of Makkah. These people who have professed to submit to the will of God have launched a killing spree that does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, Muslims or Non-Muslims. Nor in their ignorant rage do they respect the sanctity of Makkah or the Holy month of Ramadan. No Muslim today who worships God and understands the Holy Quran can accept this murderous perversion of our faith and not condemn it publicly and repeatedly from every minaret, microphone, school, radio, television, or government office from Washington D.C. to Jakarta. Muslim voices must cry out in unison against those who take the lives of the innocent, lives created by God who breathed of His spirit into each human soul. All of humanity, east and west, north and south, should be consistent in condemning terrorism whether committed by governments, or by individual groups.
I share the anger and frustration, against people that demean Islam in words, weather it is General Boykin or Pat Robertson. Even more, I am in rage when people demean Islam in action weather it is Sadam Hussain or extremists who profess to submit to the will of God.
The Talibans of the west - Pat Robinson, Jerry Falwell and yes .. some members of the current administration - want to make America exclusively a "Zionist-Christian" nation and marginalize Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Mormons, and every other faith that does not conform to their thinking. It does not matter to them if they alienate the rest of the world with their unilateral war on the innocent and unconditional support of Israel's atrocities.
In due time the American people will come to understand the folly of such distortion of the founding principals of this nation. However, we as Muslims must never, ever, commit their brand of evil upon innocent civilians who've caused us no harm. Our Holy Quran is replete with admonitions to Muslims to be just, deal fairly, even with unbelievers, be patient and compassionate even in adversity, to be humble always, to be charitable to the weak, and live in peace with all who do not seek to harm or oppress Muslims or commit injustice.
Yes, Muslims around the world have a duty and legitimate claim to oppose and fight the unjustified political and military oppression of Muslims by any nation, but the fight must be against those who are combatants, not civilians. Even in war, the Prophet forbade Muslims from harming civilians, destroying buildings, killing animals, and uprooting plants and trees.
There is no greater theological misrepresentation of Islam and an outrageous oxymoron than the term "Muslim terrorist." The killing of innocent civilians in Palestine, Iraq, Kashmir, Chechnya, America, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, Yemen, Indonesia, Spain, or anywhere else must be condemned forcibly, and if known to be committed by people who profess to be Muslims must be stopped primarily by Muslims themselves. They are sinners against God, hijackers of a peaceful faith, and harmful to the general interests of Islam.
Let's begin with a firm understanding and love of our faith. Let us enlighten our minds and hearts and hold on firmly to the Glorious Quran. Let us begin with an individual change and commitment to Islam, then hasten a change within our family, our neighbors, our community, then our nations; then and only then will we be assured of victory from God against those who spread corruption. But first we must clean our own house of despot, squandering rulers and hypocritical, extremists who claim to be the vanguards of Islam.
The Holy Prophet enjoins upon ALL Muslims to do good and prevent evil, even if its against one's family.
"Anybody amongst you who sees evil should correct it with his own hands. If unable to do so, he should correct it with his speech. If he is unable even to do that, he should at least consider it as such in his heart, for this is the weakest degree of faith."
Are you doing good and preventing evil? Are you taking part in the betterment of society and the world? Are you donating your time and money for the good of your community and humanity? Are you feeding the poor, sponsoring the orphans? Are you reaching out to others to inform them in actions and words the values of Islam? Are you condemning Muslims when they perform evil acts? Are you preparing for tomorrow? If you are, may God bless you, if you're not, may God have mercy on us all.
The individual action of everyone of us effects us collectively. God willing if we all do our part in promoting good and preventing the bad, we can fulfill the Quranic directive - "You are indeed the best community that has ever been brought forth for the good of humankind; you enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and you believe in God." (Quran 3:110)
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