How to Combat Religious Fanaticism?

Sectarianism and Terrorism born of fanaticism is posing the biggest threat to the peace and order in society and state. This orgy of murder and killing, resulting from years of indoctrination for religious intolerance and bigotry has already taken a huge toll of human lives. The tragic irony is that all these inhuman acts are being committed in the name of Islam that, by its very definition, has its root word in peace. It should attach the highest sanctity to innocent life, human or non-human. In clear and blatant violation of God’s explicit command not to fragment their religion, our so-called professional religious leaders have contributed to this exploitation of religion.

[6:159] Those who divide themselves into sects do not belong with you. Their judgment rests with GOD, then He will inform them of everything they had done.

[3:105] Do not be like those who became divided and disputed, despite the clear proofs that were given to them. For these have incurred a terrible retribution.

No government especially in the so-called Islamic states has made even meager efforts to promote the cause of Islamic moral values such as justice, tolerance, austerity, honesty and accountability. There is only chaos and instability in the so-called Islamic countries. As such unless the fear of answerability in the Hereafter grips the hearts of the ruling classes, massive problems will not be solved because there would be no real commitment to the ethical values of Islam.

Teachings have to be propagated in the most tolerant and liberal approach and not through the ritualistic manner which is the way it is currently done in the Madressahs (Islamic Schools). These institutions are by and large shops of fanaticism and those who run them are mostly the source of sectarianism. They do not impart Islam’s higher ideals of truth and justice, of reason and moderation, of humanity and compassion, of human unity and equality. Instead, they produce types of mind and character that are extremely narrow, closed, intolerant and opinionated. They resort to physical punishment with rods and sticks, punishments that are repugnant to Islam’s teaching and to modern educational theories. There is a downward and most apparent slide and yet both the rulers and ruled keep denying their wrong beliefs and actions.

Take for example the proliferation of the so-called Madressahs in Pakistan. They run more as business concerns, trade unions, feudal fiefs and states within the state as no government dared ask them even the simple questions: what they are teaching, how they are teaching, what are their financial sources and what quality of human material they are producing? These institutions are not as much concerned with the promotion of Islamic wisdom and learning as with acquiring material benefits and a means of livelihood for the management of the organization.

First and foremost what we need is the total, implicit and unchangeable faith in the Oneness of God and in all His authority, power, glory and command over all creation, with motivation and implementation of His sovereign will. He alone is the Creator of good and evil and of every object in the whole universe. Belief that some other entity exists that has power other than God is to deny God’s supremacy. God alone lays down all laws called natural laws and also guiding principles for humanity to follow if they wish to lead a peaceful, content and profitable life both now and in the Hereafter.

All Prophets, Messengers, Saints, Martyrs and godly people were people inspired by a purpose with unlimited faith in God. They took personal dangers, hardships, difficulties and vicissitudes, defeats and victories in their stride and went on carrying out their missions. They had their courage of conviction with the strength vouchsafed by God for the great cause of triumph in the name of God. They had courage of conviction in God’s Omnipotence, Omnipresence and Omniscience. For example, the setbacks at Uhud and the early reversal in the battle of Hunayn did not dishearten Prophet Mohammed.

The decline of Muslim people can be directly traced to the time when they started to gather Hadith and false Sunnas, the advent of “religious scholars,” “mediators” with God, self-appointed saints etc. The Quran was and is virtually repudiated. If we can shun internecine antagonism and devote ourselves to the system laid down in the Quran, no new laws are needed nor any revision of old standing laws.

Sarojini Naidu was a famous poetess of Hyderabad. In a speech “Ideals of Islam” given to the Young Men's Muslim Association, Madras, 1917 she said:

It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy, for in the mosque from the minaret the call to prayer is sounded and the worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and the king kneel side by side and proclaim, "God alone is great." I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes a man instinctively a brother. When you meet an Egyptian, an Algerian, an Indian, and a Turk in London, what matters that Egypt was the Motherland of one, and India the Motherland of another?

Education

Knowledge is required. Knowledge for humans spiritually, morally, physically and materially which makes us better persons now and forever. The Quranic view of knowledge is so universal and cosmic that it includes not only the study of the verses but also the reading of the Signs of God in the heavens. God says in His Scripture that He would show His Signs to people in the Heavens and their own selves.

[30:22] Among His proofs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors. In these, there are signs for the knowledgeable.

Certainly, education is the basis of proper understanding without which there can be no real commitment to any cause. We ourselves have to set the best example to prepare the ground for the growth of moral values. There is a perpetual downward slide for without the right type of morally guided leadership no Islamic country can get out of the quagmire into which they have walked with their eyes wide open.

It is high time that all responsible, sane and concerned intellectuals, writers, journalists, lawyers, teachers and leaders of public opinion raise their united voice against the menace of sectarian extremism and against its promoters who want to push us back to the Dark Ages. The Quran had brought humankind out of the darkness of ignorance and barbarism into the light of reason, knowledge and civilization. Islam has to be presented on rational lines back to its pristine purity.

The Quran is All We Need

[12:111]  In their history, there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not fabricated Hadith; this (Quran) confirms all previous scriptures, provides the details of everything, and is a BEACON and mercy for those who believe.

[16:102]  Say, "The Holy Spirit has brought it down from your Lord, truthfully, to assure those who believe, and to provide a BEACON and good news for the submitters."

[17:2]   Similarly, we gave Moses the scripture, and rendered it a BEACON for the Children of Israel that: "You shall not set up any idol as a Lord and Master beside Me."

[27:2]   A BEACON, and good news, for the believers.

[31:3]   A BEACON and a mercy for the righteous.

[33:46]   Inviting to GOD, in accordance with His will, and a guiding BEACON.

[68:36-38] [What is wrong with your logic? Do you have another book to uphold? In it, do you find anything you want?