Questions at a school multi-faith event

I have always enjoyed direct interaction with audiences of all kinds, especially when, at the end of a talk, I am given the opportunity for a question and answer session on any activities related to Islamic subjects or current issues concerning Islam and Muslims.

I wanted to mention a particular visit as my interaction was with students who came from a predominantly white area and who, I was told, had no significant contact with the non-white community.

Students at such events hesitate to raise any really significant concerns they may feel about Islam, possibly from a fear of causing any offence, after they have seen and read the hysterical reporting on such issues in the international media. In fact, the students in one class failed to raise any questions at all for fear of causing me any offence, and I could not persuade them to do so. They remained totally passive, willing only to listen to what I had to say on certain issues.

However, I was delighted to meet students from a different class, who came to the session fully equipped with questions on hot topics, and eager to fire them at me.

I never flinch from these kinds of really crucial questions that inevitably arise in the minds of people who, day after day, see and hear in the media so much that bewilders them in terms of violence, turbulence and the very volatile world situation. Communicating with young people in this way, by addressing some of their real concerns, gives me a rewarding feeling, and impels me do more.

Some of the main questions that I had to deal with and I feel I should highlight are as follows:

1-                  What is true Islam? Who are the true Muslims? Who speaks for Islam on what is in the Quran? Is what we see the result of what is in the Quran?

These are very serious questions, particularly when the bewildered mind of a non-Muslim wants to understand what Islam is about in the current political situation, and where people, allegedly Muslims, implement Sharia Law with a brutality that lacks fairness, justice, compassion and consideration to the Mercy of God. Islam has been politicised and is in grave danger of being taken over by ill-mannered and ill intentioned, revenge and avenge minded violent people.

In the light of these facts,  explaining what  true Islam is becomes extremely difficult. I always guide people by saying that, in the first place,  Islam was built on a set of  laws  and guidance from the Most Merciful, and who says in the Quran: ‘there is no compulsion in religion’, and also ‘God does not impose on a soul what it may not be able to bear’.

I also make the point that Islam is a religion of wise guidance in matters of belief and practices, covering commonly sensible teachings in all faiths. Islam does not, however, entertain any faith and practice that appears, intellectually, to be at odds with commonly shared values. These include trust, loyalty, truthfulness and so on, and also apply to a person who regards himself as Muslim.

I also explain to students that, in Islam, revelation and reason go hand in hand in creating, and furthering, a spiritual human society that desires to become closer to God and be rewarded by His blessings.

2-                  A follow up question to the previous one came as no surprise to me. A student asked me why, if some people in Islam are known for their errors and are falsely practising their religion, don’t you excommunicate them and issue a fatwa against them?

I said if we go into the business of excommunicating people because they misinterpret religious teachings through ignorance and, as a result, act outside the real spirit of Islam, we would end up in excommunicating everyone. It would become an even more difficult and dangerous situation for us. 

The best way to judge ourselves is to compare our actions against the very principles and guidance of Islam. Islam is logic based and a religion of law. People who break these laws are responsible in the sight of God and no amount of good intentions will ever mitigate murderous acts and mass destruction. 

Most students understood this point and agreed that criteria displayed in Islamic disciplines and legal principles may be the best tool for identifying who the real Muslims are and who are not. However, if they are to be used for this purpose, the principles and disciplines of Islamic laws needed to be outlined in a very clear and unequivocal terms. 

3-                  Another question was the concept of ‘Jihad’, which had been corrupted so that now it even frightens many Muslims. Jihad is termed in the hadith as ‘the pinnacle of Islam (Muslim practice)’. Islam is all about employing one’s best efforts to overcome Satanic temptations that sway away a person from the right path. What we now see is the practising of brutality in the name of Jihad.  Instead of getting rid of Satan from our life and practices, we are actively presenting him with a helping hand, and maligning the beautiful teachings and guidance of our Creator and Law Giver.

4-                  One very unexpected question, which came as a suggestion as well, concerned the importance of Muslims holding interactive meetings or schools holding events that give real opportunities for students to ask difficult questions without any barriers.  When I was asked what I think about such suggestions I said they give real opportunities in a time of difficulty, where so much misinformation is relayed by the media. What made me proud of this question and suggestion was that they were coming from young students in sixth forms, who seem to have acquired an understanding that a whole religion was misunderstood, and that the entire worldwide community of Muslims is being blamed for the actions of few of their number. I highlighted the fact that sincere efforts are being demonstrated by people of many communities, who are sincerely concerned about the situation on the ground and who want to reverse the tide of  strained community relationships,  and to bring some sense of sanity into our understanding of each other.

The meetings and sessions of interactive dialogue have gone very well and made everyone feel excited about them. At a time when we all feel that we need to play a role in building bridges of understanding, and make Islam understood from its original and authentic sources, more people need to go out and participate in these dialogues. That is the only way we can make changes and regain respect and trust for our community and religion.