Posted on: Sunday, September 15, 2002
FOCUS
Quran talks more of peace than of violence
By Saleem Ahmed
A year has passed since 9/11. The world, not yet fully recovered, is groping for answers.
Islam stands accused as impressions of this religion among non-Muslims were already stained by earlier reports of suicide attacks, hijackings, hostage takings and holy war ("jihad") — exacerbated by stories of repressed women, four wives, three pronouncements for divorce, and accounts of destroying statues and prohibiting religious freedom.
Does the Quran, the Muslim holy book, really incite followers to kill Jewish and Christian "infidels," as urged by Osama bin Laden and dramatized by Daniel Pearl's brutal murder and 9/11?
No.
The most negative instruction to Muslims regarding Jews and Christians, issued when the fledgling religion was struggling in a hostile environment, was not to trust them. The most positive instruction, issued some 23 years later, shortly before the Prophet Muhammad died, was permission not only to eat with them, but also to marry them.
Then what makes some Muslims violent, intolerant and sexist? The answer is partly religious and partly historical. The religious part stems from the unquestioned following of Hadeeth — Muhammad's purported actions — compiled some 250 to 300 years after he died. We don't know which of the approximately 10,000 Hadeeth available, including those appearing violent and sexist, are true and which got distorted — and possibly even fabricated — by zealots.
Contrary to the general belief, jihad actually is a positive term. It means "to strive in a noble way" and includes helping the poor, showing humility and controlling one's ego. Self-improvement efforts such as quitting smoking and reducing one's weight could be considered jihad. As an armed struggle, jihad is permitted only in self-defense, when Muslims are attacked by non-Muslims on religious grounds.
The historical part has to do with America's unwavering support for Israel. Zionists, dedicated to their cause, have such strong influence over Congress that, no matter what the rest of the world may feel, our government continues to back Israel — thereby unwittingly making heroes of people who declare jihad against Israel.
Christian and Muslim Palestinians were evicted from their land on religious grounds to make way for incoming European Jews. Thus, some Muslims are willing to give their lives fighting Israel. In their minds, this will ensure reward in paradise.
How do we work to prevent future 9/11s?
Muslims must realize that a peaceful approach to conflict resolution — although painfully slow — not only has a greater chance of success in the long run than violence, but also is supported by the Quran. Democratic principles, mutual consultation, tolerance, quest for knowledge, moderation, and humility — equally supported in the Quran — also need to be inculcated in many Muslim societies.
Non-Muslims must consider how to reduce "financial terrorism" of some American political action committees.
Saleem Ahmed, a former East-West Center scholar, is a financial consultant and also teaches Islam at the University of Hawai'i. He is author of "Beyond Veil and Holy War: Islamic Teachings and Muslim Practices with Biblical Comparisons" (Moving Pen Publishers, 2002).
