What is the Meaning of Jihad?
"Jihad" is a term often misunderstood and associated with violent radical militants. This Arabic word is frequently mistranslated as "holy war," although there is no such thing in Islam. Holy war is something undertaken to forcibly subject others to certain religious doctrines. As we have seen, this is expressly forbidden in Islam.
The Arabic word "jihad" actually means a struggle or striving, and applies to any great effort on the personal as well as the social level. It is striving to do good and remove injustice and evil from oneself and from society. This exertion of effort can be spiritual, social, economic or political. For example, one of the highest levels of jihad is to stand before a tyrant and speak a word of truth. Restraining the self from wrongdoing is also a form of jihad. It is a broad Islamic concept that includes opposing evil inclinations within the self, opposing injustice by peaceful means, the exertion of effort to improve the quality of life in society, as well as the striving by military forces on a battlefield in defense of the community or of peoples oppressed. Jihad is not synonymous with war, as that is only one possible aspect of the term, and it certainly does not include terrorism.
Indeed, the concept of jihad is one of life, and it is vast, not limited only to armed conflict. One finds in the Qur'an mention of "jihad by means of the Qur'an,"1 meaning invitation to truth using the best arguments, presentation of evidence and clarification. And there is jihad of the soul, which means striving to purify the soul, to increase its faith, incline it toward good and keep it away from evil. Then there is jihad through wealth, which means spending it in various beneficial ways, including charities and welfare projects. And there is jihad through the self, which comprises all good works done by a believer.
It includes the protection of societies from oppression, foreign domination and dictatorships that usurp rights and freedom, that abolish just and moral rule, that prevent people from hearing the truth or following it, and that practice religious persecution. Jihad endeavors to teach belief in the one supreme God and worship of Him, to spread good values, virtue and morality through wise and proper methods. Jihad means striving for social reform and the elimination of ignorance, superstition, poverty, disease and racial discrimination. Among its main objectives is securing rights for weaker members of society against the impositions of the powerful and influential.
Armed jihad is not an option for Muslim individuals or groups. It can only be declared by the Muslim head of state and religious leadership. Moreover, it must never be fought for worldly gain, conquest or revenge. Muslims may only engage in battle to protect peoples' lives, properties and freedom.
Islam and War
Although jihad is a wider concept than war, it is also clear that Islam acknowledges armed struggle when there is no other option for the treatment of such problems as oppression and aggression and the defense of legitimate freedoms and rights. Its purpose is not to convert people to the religion, nor is it to colonize or acquire land and wealth. When Islam permits military engagement, it is as an integral part of a complete system of values inherent in the religion, behind which any equitable person can perceive reason and logic.
War becomes jihad only when it is waged for the acceptance of God and according to the laws of God. Even self- defense will not be considered jihad if Muslims are striking back in revenge. While Islam encourages oppressed people to strive for liberation and orders Muslims to help those who are oppressed, under no circumstance does it allow indiscriminate killing and terrorizing, destruction of homes, animals and crops, or the torture of prisoners.
Jihad has conditions of restraint that distinguish it from any other kind of warfare. They can be summarized as follows:
Muslims may not begin hostilities. They must strive for peace as much as possible.
All treaties and agreements must be observed as long as the enemy continues to observe them.
Muslims must fight only those who fight against them; non-combatants are not to be harmed.
Weapons of mass destruction must never be used, and collective punishment is strictly prohibited.
Hostilities should be ended as soon as the other party is inclined to peace.
Throughout their history Muslims have entered battles and armed conflicts under these terms. If the situation is different today, it is only because these Islamic principles are not being observed.
When all peaceful means such as dialogue, negotiations and agreements have failed and an Islamic government chooses the option of war, it must be confined to the divinely ordained system that is precise, just, teaches proper ethics in the situation of war, and provides opportunity for peace. The conditions that indicate the kind of warfare lawful to Muslims as a form of jihad show clearly that Islam does not condone aggression against anyone.
Finally...
Dear reader, we now have a few simple questions to ask you. Did you ever wonder...
Why is a Jew practicing his religion called orthodox, a Christian practicing his called devout; but when a Muslim practices his religion he is labeled a fundamentalist?
Why can a nun be covered from head to toe and be respected for devoting herself to God; but when a Muslim woman does that, she's considered fanatic or oppressed?
Why, when a non-Muslim steals, rapes or murders, his religion is irrelevant; but when a Muslim is charged with a crime, it is Islam that goes on trial?
Why is it that Prophet Muhammad has been singled out in Western media for abuse and criticism?
But then again, why, in spite of so many negative portrayals, is Islam the fastest growing religion in the world?
We would now like our readers to ask themselves what they think are the reasons for all the propaganda and misinformation being spread around. If Islam was just another false religion that made no sense, would so many people need to invent so many falsehoods about it?
Our answer is merely that the ultimate truth of Islam stands on unshakeable ground and that its basic fundamental belief in one supreme God is above reproach. Hence, because no one can criticize its doctrines directly, opponents can only resort to spreading misinformation about Islam so that people will be deterred from interest in it and lose the desire to find out more.
This religion comes from God, and it is protected by Him. If any other religion had been exposed to the wars, conspiracies and plots that Islam has been exposed to, it would have been dispensed with long ago or essentially altered as other religions have been. This faith, however, has remained unchanged for over 1400 years, while love of it constantly renews itself in the hearts of its followers, and adherence to it increases with their increase in education and knowledge - further evidence that it is truly God's religion.
Islam provides mankind with a reason to live and with an ethical code by which to live. It outlines the dimensions of universal relationships - with individuals, societies and all of creation. It protects the institution of the family, upholds principles of justice, self-sufficiency, personal and collective responsibility, and freedom of thought. Islam provides the foundations for a stable society, progress, security and world peace.
If more Muslims were to present Islam correctly and clearly, it would surely make many people reconsider and reevaluate their own beliefs. It is quite likely that both scholars and lay people, upon finding a universal religion that teaches people to worship God and respect His prophets within a framework of pure monotheism, would at least feel the need to reassess the basis for their own beliefs and doctrines. And it is that to which all people are invited by the Qur'an.
Yes, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today, and it has the answer to problems facing the modern world. Do not judge the religion by what you see on television or by what some Muslims or so-called Muslim leaders are doing. Study it from its authentic sources and speak to sincere practicing Muslims. You will surely find a different picture than that projected by the media. You may even find that Islam is what you have been looking for all your life.
May God guide you to the truth!
Isn't Islam a Militant Religion?
Among the biggest misconceptions about Islam is that it is a militant religion. A few verses from the Qur'an are often quoted out of context by its opponents or by those who know little about it in order to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality and exhorts Muslims to kill non-believers.
To cite one example, would-be detractors usually quote from the Qur'an: “Then kill the polytheists wherever you find them." But in order to understand these words it is necessary to put them back into their proper context. After several military campaigns in which the pagans of Makkah attempted to annihilate the Muslims, a peace agreement was drawn up between the two sides. The pagans soon violated this treaty, so the Muslim army was instructed to resume combat against those who were fighting them. In light of the historical context of these words, an unbiased person would certainly agree that they cannot be used as proof that Islam promotes violence or orders the killing of anyone outside its fold.
The people being referred to in this verse are the pagan Arabs who had been waging war against the Prophet and who had broken their covenant and treaties with him. The verse is not speaking about other pagan Arabs who did not break their treaties and take up arms against Muslims. And most definitely it is not speaking about the Jews, Christians or the pagans outside of Arabia.
The verse that follows, which is conveniently ignored by the adversaries, completes the picture:
"If any one of the polytheists asks you for asylum, then grant him asylum so that he may hear the words of Allah [i.e., the Qur'an]. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know."1
What army general today would direct his soldiers to spare an enemy during a battle and then escort him to a place of safety? But this is what God has instructed in the Qur'an. Islam keeps warfare at a level of mercy and respect for the enemy unlike that of any other system. It orders that armies deal with the enemy justly even on the battlefield and has drawn a clear line of distinction between combatants and non-combatants in enemy territory. Prophet Muhammad instructed his armies, "Do not kill any old person, child or woman,2 and do not kill monks in monasteries."3For those enemies active in combat and those taken as prisoners of war, the list of rights is lengthy. There should be no torture, no killing of the wounded and defenseless, and no mutilation of enemy corpses. Had the purpose of battle been to force unbelievers to accept Islam, the Prophet would never have commanded the Muslims to refrain from hostilities once the enemy had relented and would not have prohibited the killing of priests and monks.
Moreover, Islam permits war only in specific and critical circumstances as a last resort when all other attempts at obtaining peace and justice have failed. This is indeed the logical option for any nation. Western countries themselves defend the necessity of war to implement or maintain peace and do not regard it as a dangerous evil.
Muhammad was a prophet of mercy, but he was compelled to turn to battle when certain powers refused mercy and morality and sought to deprive others of them. Sometimes he had to fight for the mere survival of his mission. But the total number of days the Prophet was required to spend in defensive warfare comes to less than a year, and his most famous battles did not last for more than one day. Once security was ensured, he immediately reverted to peace and diplomacy.
The Qur'an clearly says:
"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not commit aggression. Indeed, Allah does not like aggressors."4
"And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing."5
Weapons can only be drawn against those who continue to persecute and oppress others and prevent them from following their own consciences in matters of belief. Even when they are compelled to fight and consequently conquer the land, their duty thereafter is to establish God's law and uphold justice for all people, Muslim and non-Muslim. It is not their right to coerce their subjects into accepting Islam. Non-Muslims are allowed to remain on their own faith and to practice it, although they are also expected to respect Islamic laws and not provoke unrest and disorder.
Wasn't Islam spread by the Sword?
some people claim that islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world if it had not been spread by military force. many school textbooks contain the picture of an arab on horseback with the qur'an in one hand and a sword in the other, symbolizing forcible conversion to the religion.
it has never been permitted to compel people to enter islam by the use of weapons or any other means. if islam was spread by the sword, then it was the sword of intellect and convincing arguments, the inherent force of truth, reason and logic - something which conquers the hearts and minds of people everywhere. far from being spread by the sword, islam has always accorded respect and freedom of choice to people of all faiths. the qur'an instructs:
"there shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. the right course has become clear from the wrong."1
"invite to the way of your lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best."2
the facts speak for themselves:
indonesia has the largest number of muslims in the world, and the majority of people in malaysia are muslims. but no muslim army ever went into indonesia or malaysia. muslim traders and educators carried the message of god to those regions and impressed people as outstanding models of honesty and morality.
similarly, islam spread rapidly on the east coast of africa although no muslim army was ever dispatched to east africa.
despite the disappearance of islamic rule from many regions of asia and africa, their people have remained muslims. this shows that the effect of islam is one of approval and moral conviction, quite in contrast to that of western colonial occupation which left its formerly subjugated peoples with painful memories of exploitation, affliction and oppression.
muslims ruled spain for over 800 years. it is a documented historical fact that during this period christians and jews enjoyed freedom to practice their respective religions. but thereafter, under christian spain, muslims and jews were subjected to tribunals of inquisition and torture.
there was no "sword of islam" held over non-muslim minorities in muslim countries. until fairly recently christian and jewish minorities have lived peacefully with their muslim neighbors in the middle east3. if muslims had made use of the sword, there would no longer be arabs of other religions.
islamic law protects the status of minorities, and in many countries one can find places of worship belonging to other faiths. islamic law also allows non-muslim minorities to set up their own courts to implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves. the lives and properties of all citizens, whatever their religion, must be safeguarded by an islamic government.
muslims ruled india for 800 years, during which they possessed enough power and authority to force all the people to convert to islam. but they did not do so, and thus, more than 80% of the population remains non-muslim.
worldwide statistics for the period from 1934 to 1984 show that adherents to islam had increased by 235%, while adherents to christianity had increased by 47%. there was obviously no islamic conquest during that fifty-year period.
• the fastest growing religion in america and europe today is islam in spite of the fact that muslims in these lands are still small minorities. the only sword they have in their possession is the sword of truth. it is this sword which is converting people to islam.
Doesn't Islam promote Terrorism, making it a Threat to the World?
terrorism is when innocent people are specifically targeted to instill fear in a population. it is categorically prohibited in islam. the present era of our history has been blemished by indiscriminate violence in almost every society. the loss of innocent life has become extremely commonplace. unfortunately, due to the actions of some ignorant muslims as well as biased reporting in the media, the religion of islam has come to be associated with terrorism. however, the appropriate question to be asked is: "do islamic teachings promote terrorism?"
as a matter of fact, islam and terrorism are precise opposites; the very name, islam, denotes peace and submission. the fundamentals of islam direct its followers to maintain and promote peace throughout the world. islam is a faith of moderation; thus a righteous and god-fearing muslim can neither be a fanatic nor an extremist. there is no connection whatsoever between islam and the violence practiced by terrorist groups in different parts of the world. in no way does it condone hijackings, hostage taking, and the torture and killing of innocent people in order to achieve particular goals.
the islamic basis for national and international relations is peace rather than war. prominent muslims, islamic organizations, and islamic scholars have repeatedly denounced terrorist attacks and terrorism in general. islam emphatically prohibits and disassociates itself from the violent acts that have been carried out by some of its members in the name of religion.
all religions and ideologies have some misguided followers, and it is surely unfair to judge any one of them by the behavior of such people. accordingly, islam should not be judged by the acts of misguided muslims or even by the obvious corruption that permeates many muslim countries. for in fact, what islam teaches is one thing and what these so-called muslims practice is something else.
the only way to know the truth about islam is to study its teachings, for they are the standard by which the actions of muslims can be assessed as being right or wrong.
islam emphasizes the sanctity of life in general, and particularly, human life. and the qur'an prohibits murder in clear terms:
"and do not kill the soul which allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right."1
"whoever kills a soul unless for a soul2 or for corruption [done] in the land3 - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely; and whoever saves one it is as if he had saved mankind entirely."4
such is the value of a single human life that god equates the unjust taking of one life with killing all of humanity. only a proper and competent court can decide whether an individual has forfeited his right to life by commission of a major crime.
individual muslims can never take decisions about who should be killed or punished. conviction and punishment may not be implemented except by a qualified judge under lawful authority.
terrorism involves the indiscriminate use of force to achieve certain objectives, and in reality it manifests itself in various forms. the head of state who orders the bombing of entire cities, the councils that kill millions of civilians by imposition of sanctions, and the wealthy nations that would rather destroy their surplus food than make it available to those afflicted by famine are rarely punished for crimes against humanity.
although it is recognized that islamic history was not always filled with virtue, one should justly compare the number of civilians killed by muslims to the number killed by communists and the western nations who ignited two world wars within half a century, deployed the atomic bomb against a civilian population, are currently supporting the brutal israeli military occupation of palestine against its civilians, and have brought about the destruction of iraq while thoroughly terrorizing its citizens.
while islam seeks to promote peace, it also directs its followers to oppose oppression. both these objectives may on occasion require the use of force. it is precisely for this reason that police use force against criminals and anti-social elements to maintain law and order in society. so islam does allow taking up arms under particular circumstances. any civilization could never survive without defense. however, it prohibits the slightest injustice, even toward those who oppose the religion. the qur'an orders:
"and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. be just; that is nearer to righteousness."5
enmity toward any people or nation should not provoke muslims to commit aggression against them or disregard their rights. as for the spread of islam, this is supposed to take place peacefully by disseminating the message through the written and spoken word.
Why are so many Muslims fundamentalists and extremists?
this question is often thrown at muslims, directly or indirectly, during discussions on religion or world affairs due to the fact that false stereotypes and misinformation about islam and muslims are disseminated in the media.
"islamic extremism" is being repeated incessantly by journalists, writers and politicians in an attempt to define things from their own particular perspective. the word "extremist" implies that someone stands far away from the accepted central norm, meaning that he is immoderate - a label that obviously gives expression to negative feelings.
extremism is something blameworthy in islam, as it means deviation from the moderation of islamic teachings or from the correct method of applying them. although the extremist might present his arguments from an islamic point of view or be motivated by religious feelings, it remains an unacceptable position according to the qur'an and guidance of prophet muhammad. consequently, it has been condemned by all reliable muslim scholars.
extremism is bred by oppression. the most fertile environment for its proliferation is one where people are persecuted, repressed and denied their natural human rights, making them fearful, angry and emotionally unstable. in spite of this, muslims are prohibited from allowing emotion to govern their behavior or acting on their own understanding of religious texts. rather, they are under strict obligation to take their guidance from qualified scholars regarding the interpretation of those texts and their application to critical contemporary situations.
a great deal of attention has been given in western media recently to the "threat of islamic fundamentalism." the term "fundamentalist" reflects an intent to stigmatize those muslims who adhere to the basic fundamental principles of islam and pattern their lives accordingly. while a practicing jew is called "orthodox" and a practicing christian, hindu or buddhist "devout," a practicing muslim is often referred to as a "fundamentalist."
so what, exactly, is a fundamentalist? it is someone who strictly adheres to the fundamental principles of his religion or his profession. for example, to be a good doctor one must know and practice the fundamentals of medicine. to be a good mathematician, one must know and practice the fundamentals of mathematics. similarly, to be a good muslim, one must know and practice the fundamentals of islam.
the fundamentals of islam include all noble qualities such as honesty, sincerity, chastity, generosity and compassion. and they include the moderation which god has enjoined. a true muslim is pleased to be a fundamentalist because he knows that the fundamentals of islam are beneficial to the human race as a whole. if one analyzes the teachings of islam with an open mind, he cannot escape the fact that they are full of benefits both for individuals and their societies.
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Are Men and Women Considered Equal?
when replying to this question, we must first define what is meant by "equal" and identify the aspect which worries us in terms of gender equality. islam regards women as spiritual and intellectual equals of men. for a muslim the important issue is who can become closest to god and earn the greatest reward. the qur'an answers:
“whoever does deeds of righteousness, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter paradise, and not the least injustice will be done to them."1
"for muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for truthful men and women, for patient men and women, for humble men and women, for charitable men and women, for fasting men and women, for chaste men and women, and for men and women who remember god often - for them has allah prepared forgiveness and great reward."2
there is no difference between men and women as far as their relationship to god is concerned. both are equal before god,3 and they are both accountable before him. women, like men, are commanded to worship god, and both are promised the same rewards and punishments according to their intention and conduct.
economically, every man and woman is an independent legal entity. both men and women have the right to own property, engage in business, and inherit from others. both have the equal right to receive an education and enter into gainful employment. seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every muslim, and to prevent women from getting an education is contrary to the teachings of islam.
however, one fact mentioned in the qur'an and now recognized is that all things are created in pairs. had there been a similar function for all, the creation of two counterparts would not have been necessary. to ignore inherent physical and psychological differences is surely unrealistic, but there is no reason to assume that one sex is superior to the other. the creation of male and female means a natural division of function, meaning distinct roles for each, which are both complementary and collaborative.
thus, absolute equality between men and women in all matters is neither possible nor reasonable. but this does not mean bias in favor of men to the detriment of women. while some rulings may be seen to favor men, many others favor women. however, most islamic rulings apply to men and women equally, and both are bound by their obligations towards one another. the main distinction between the two sexes is in the physical realm, based on the equitable principle of fair division of labor. islam allots the more strenuous work to the man and makes him responsible for the maintenance of the family. it allots the work of managing the home and the upbringing and training of children to the woman, work which has the greatest importance in the task of building a healthy and prosperous society.
it is also true that sound administration within any organization requires a unified policy under a just executive. for this reason islam expects the husband, as head of the household, to consult with his family and then have the final say in decisions concerning it. this degree of authority in no way means that the creator prefers men over women but is simply the logical way of apportioning responsibilities in a household. men and women are two equally important component parts of humanity, and the rights and responsibilities of both sexes in islam are equitable and balanced in their totality. although their obligations might differ in certain areas of life in accordance with basic physical and psychological differences, each one is equally accountable for his or her particular responsibilities.
Doesn't Islam Oppress Women?
many people think of islam as a chauvinistic religion that demeans women, and the stereotypical image of the completely secluded and oppressed muslim woman is all too common. they cite the condition of women in some muslim countries to emphasize the point, but their error is that they fail to make a distinction between the practices of those people and the true teachings of the religion that they profess.
although women have been oppressed by muslims in some cultures, this should not be understood as coming from the religion; rather, it reflects customs that are inconsistent, if not completely contrary to islamic teachings. and it is true that some muslim men still oppress women; but then, so do many non-muslim men. when muslims are at fault, it is either because of cultural habit or their ignorance about islam. in actual fact, islam expects its adherents to uphold the rights of women, protect their social status, and prevent their degradation in any way.
the status of women in earlier civilizations was so low that they were denied basic human dignity. prostitution was a regular practice, and many considered women to be basically evil, subhuman and inferior to men. before islam, the arabs disdained women, and often when a female child was born she was buried alive. islam uplifted women and gave them honor and equal status; and it requires that this status be upheld and maintained.
islam secured for the woman her intellectual, religious, social, economic and political rights, including the right to an education, the right to own property and to use it at her own discretion, and the right to work. a muslim woman is a completely independent personality. in addition to her right to think and believe as she likes, islam considers her to be an active member of society who can make a valuable contribution.
from the dawn of islam, women engaged in many occupations such as commerce, agriculture and manufacturing. a muslim woman can make any contract or bequest in her own name. she is entitled to inherit in her position as mother, a wife, a sister and a daughter. it is not permissible for anyone to take a woman's wealth without her consent. and there is consensus among the scholars of islam that all economic activities of a woman, like buying, selling, leasing, giving gifts, and giving collateral, are legally valid and that she has a completely independent economic existence.
women have the right to a decent life, without facing aggression or being wronged. women have the right to be educated, to express themselves, to give sincere advice, to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and to invite people to islam. none of these basic principles have changed, but regarding their application, there can be no doubt that the weaker religious commitment has grown among muslims the more these rights have been neglected.
modern western societies claim to have improved the condition of women but have actually demoted them to the level of slaves in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketers by convincing them that they should be freed from religious and social restrictions. the united states of america is one of the leading advocates of women's "liberation," but it also has one of the highest rates of rape and sexual harassment in the world. a woman's proclaimed right to seek employment and climb the ladder of success is seldom without compromise. but much is overlooked in the quest to be "equal" with men.
as a fundamental principle, islam holds that women are indeed equal to men in their origin, their humanity, their honor and their accountability before god. they are also equal in their need to fulfill their physical and material needs, to possess property and dispose of it as they wish. both sexes are required to obtain knowledge; in fact, it is the religious duty of every muslim man and woman. women used to seek knowledge at the mosque and in the home of prophet muhammad. they even asked him to set aside a day for teaching them, and he did so. there were many excellent scholars, jurists and writers among women during the era of the prophet's companions and their students, as well as in later periods of islamic history.
the notion that islam makes women second class citizens worth half a man is no more than a myth. over 1,400 years ago islam elevated the status of women by declaring them sisters of men, giving them the right of education to the highest level, the right to choose a husband, the right to end an unhappy marriage, the right to inheritance, and in general, the rights of a full citizen of the state.
under islamic law it is unlawful for a woman to be married off without her consent or forced into a marriage. she has the right to initiate a separation from marriage if her rights are not being granted or she cannot bear the husband. prophet muhammad is known to have annulled marriages of women who had been unwillingly coerced. widows and divorcees have the right to remarry and are in fact encouraged to do so. when a muslim woman marries, she does not give up her family name and keeps her distinct identity.
in muslim marriages the husband is required to give a dowry to his wife which becomes her private property and is not subject to the dictates of her male relatives. similarly, any money she earns or receives, whether she is married or not, is her own to use in any way she sees fit. islam places on men the obligation of protecting and maintaining all of their female relatives, and a man must provide for his wife even if she has money of her own. she is not obligated to spend anything in maintenance of her family and is thus relieved of the need to seek employment. however, she may work if she prefers to or if circumstances warrant it.
the family, like any other organization, requires order and leadership. the qur'an has given the husband a "degree" of authority over the wife, which means responsibility, guardianship and accountability. it is in no way a license to practice tyranny within the household; rather, it is the burden of responsibility to care completely and conscientiously for one's wife and children. in turn, obedience is due to him, but only pertaining to what is right and fair according to the islamic shari'ah. the qur'an states:
"and due to [women] is what is similar to that expected from them."1
not only are material and physical rights specified, but those of kindness and consideration are equally significant in islamic law.
Does Islam Accept Slavery?
sometimes people ask why islam did not abolish slavery. they tend to forget that other religions did not do so either; in fact, there are several passages in the bible that order slaves to serve their masters well. it is well known that when europe made contact with africa, the black people of that continent were faced with a major calamity of human misery that lasted more than five centuries. slavery was not abolished worldwide until the year 1953, through a resolution issued by the united nations.
at the time of the qur'an's revelation, slavery was a universal institution upon which the economies of every civilization were dependent. there were many ways by which a slave could be obtained, such as poverty (forcing one to sell himself or his children into slavery), debt (when a debtor could not pay off his debt, he became a slave), kidnapping and raids. islam limited the sources that existed previously to one: the capture of enemy prisoners during war, and all others were prohibited.
actually, islam is unique in its concern for the peaceful elimination of this practice. due to his perfect knowledge and wisdom, god did not order slavery abolished outright. since the economy of every civilization on earth was based and dependent upon this system, not only would the muslim community have been put at great disadvantage by the immediate emancipation of all slaves, but the slaves themselves would have been unprepared for release into society without homes or means of support.
mercifully, god made the freeing of slaves within islam a gradual transition. manumission by the state and by individual muslims was encouraged as a righteous deed greatly rewarded in the hereafter. the qur'an stated that obligatory zakah and charity funds could be used for the purchase of slaves to be freed, and freeing a slave is cited therein as expiation for breaking an oath and for the commission of particular kinds of sins and errors. moreover, a slave could enter into a contract with his master to earn his freedom. thousands of slaves requested and were granted contracts of emancipation by their muslim owners.
prophet muhammad repeatedly emphasized good treatment of the slaves who remained, severely rebuking those owners who transgressed. under islam slaves were to be given the same quality of food and clothing as their masters, they were not lo be overworked, their dignity was to be preserved, and they were to be treated with justice and kindness. often, slaves became members of muslim families and refused freedom. only under islam did the slave enjoy a unique position as a member of the household and community worthy of respect.
in many cases, a slave would become a close friend and adviser of his master; or the master would even regard him as a son. it was not uncommon for slaves to be given precedence over free men regarding religious or worldly matters in which one of them excelled. for example, a slave well versed in the qur'an could lead the prayer, and muslims were ordered to obey if a slave should be appointed in charge of their affairs.
islam has always encouraged the emancipation of slaves with the objection of gradually diminishing their numbers and integrating them into society. as a result of islamic teachings, slavery was almost completely eradicated from many areas of muslim world, peacefully and without bloodshed. can any other religion or civilization make such a claim?
Is There Any Mention of Human Rights in Islam?
islam has laid down universal and fundamental rights for humanity as a whole, which are to be observed and respected under all circumstances. these basic rights are associated with islamic faith and belief because they are divinely ordained. thus, human rights in islam are religious obligations, meaning that it is obligatory for every muslim to protect them and restore them if they are violated.
islam declares all people equal in terms of human values, and all individuals are equal before the islamic code of law. its judgments and legal penalties are applicable to all races and classes of people without any distinction, and without any person, group or nation acquiring immunity or privilege. every human being is entitled to his integrity, honor and reputation during his life and after his death.
islam condemns the abuse of power, position and authority and commands people to assist an oppressed person even with the use of force when necessary. every individual in an islamic society, regardless of his faith or religious affiliation, position or social status, has certain immutable rights, which include:
the right to be consulted on issues that concern their economic and social affairs
the right to be considered innocent unless proven guilty
the right to seek judgment against oppressors and to have an equal hearing before the judge
it is an unfortunate reality of our time, however, that the governments of many so-called "muslim" countries do not apply these principles but rather suppress public opinion and violate human rights. however, such tyranny is in no way representative of islamic teachings. in fact, the prophet of islam warned, "the most ruthless in punishing people in this world will be the most ruthlessly punished of people by god on the day of resurrection."1 and the qur'an clearly commands:
"o you, who have believed, stand up firmly for god and witness with justice, and do not let hatred of a people prevent you from being just. be just; that is nearer to righteousness." 2
no one may be arrested, exiled, punished or his freedom restricted without adequate legal action. no one may be subjected to physical or psychological torment, medical experimentation, or any other humiliating treatment. and it is not permitted to empower executive authority to issue exceptional laws.
these human rights are comprehensive and applicable to every person under islamic jurisdiction, regardless of his race, religion, nationality or social status. they cannot be altered at any time or under any circumstance. violation of these rights is a violation against the divine decree and necessitates punishment in the hereafter in addition to that of this world, unless the offender repents and reforms.
if such human rights had never been enforced at some time in human history, they would have remained no more than theoretical ideals in people's minds. but prophet muhammad founded a civilization in which they were fully implemented, serving as an outstanding example for all future generations of mankind.
a muslim believer is obligated to oppose injustice and oppression no matter who the victim happens to be. when seeing another human being in distress or critical need of assistance, it is his duty to help that person; otherwise, he is accountable for whatever increase in suffering was caused by his neglect. even during war it is not permissible to harm women, children, the elderly, the sick or the wounded. the hungry person must be fed, the naked clothed, and the wounded or diseased treated medically, irrespective of who they are.
under islam the lives and properties of all citizens are inviolable, whether they are muslims or not. the right of security and protection to a person and his family is the most basic of all rights. it is unlawful in a muslim society for any of its citizens to be harassed or threatened by words, acts or weapons of any type. for the protection of human life in particular, islam has required severe punishments for criminals who murder, injure and harm others.
one of the fundamental rights established by the sacred texts is that no one can be compelled to accept islam. it is the duty of muslims to establish the proofs of islam to people so that truth can be distinguished from falsehood. after that, whoever wishes to accept islam may do so, and whoever wishes to continue in unbelief may do so.
