Islam is not a fancy!

If I say that Islam is the greatest defender of human rights ever, greater than the Geneva Convention or the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and has been from its inception, I would not be exaggerating my religion’s position. I say this despite the past and current activities of extremist groups and in the full knowledge of the less than perfect human rights records of some Muslim countries. To some this will appear to be a ridiculous claim and there will be many sceptics who will regard it with sheer disbelief. 

Today, once again we hear that, in France, followers of the so called Islamic state entered the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray and brutally murdered the priest Fr Jacques Hamel 84, while he was celebrating Mass. Not only are incidents such as this extremely saddening, but their perpetration is a direct contravention of the Quranic teachings and the guidance of the Prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him. Indeed, actions such as this are totally prohibited, religiously, even in war time. How would the prophet have regarded this outrage if he were alive? I can only offer my own and the Muslim community’s condolences to all Catholic churches at this random outrageous and barbaric action.

From its beginning, Islam laid down the foundations of justice and equality for all human beings and the Quran and Hadith contain many examples to remind us that no one is allowed to suppress or wrong another and that there will be a final accountability to God for all our actions.

Let us start with this beautiful Quranic verse: ‘It is neither your fancies nor the fancies of the people of the Book which matter. Whoever does evil shall reap its consequence and will find none to protect and help him against Allah. And whoever does good and believes – whether they are male or female- such shall enter the Garden and they shall not be wronged in the slightest. And whose way of life could be better than that of he who submits his whole being to Allah, does good, and follows exclusively the way of Abraham whom Allah took for a friend’ Surah 4 Verses 123-125

We continue to surround ourselves with fantasies when we commit ourselves to evil deeds or wrong beliefs! Better that we question whether our actions would be acceptable to God or not, or that, by our actions, we are putting God down or raising Him up?

Justice must be the basis for all our actions. God’s law is based on the notion of absolute justice and Allah applies this to Himself saying: ‘Whoever does good, does so to his own benefit; and whoever does evil, will suffer its evil consequence. Your Lord does no wrong to His servants’. S41 V46

God is the absolute just being. Pure justice is His essence and the essence of His teachings. Allah guides people towards an absolute notion of justice and fairness. Let us see what he says about it: ‘Believers! Be upholders of justice and bearers of witness to Truth for the sake of Allah, even though it may be against yourselves or against your parents and kinsmen, or the rich or the poor, for Allah is more concerned with their well-being than you are. Do not, then, follow your own desires lest you keep away from (the Truth). know that Allah is well aware of all that you do’. S4 V135

People have, only too often, embraced the wrong banners and false slogans in the name of Islam, but any act of injustice will always remain an injustice and nothing can ever justify it.

We are further reminded that we must avoid injustice even when we are outraged: ‘Do not let your wrath against the people who have barred you from the Holy Mosque move you to commit undue transgressions; rather help one another in acts of righteousness and piety, and do not help another in sin and transgression. Fear Allah, surely Allah is severe in retribution’. S5 V2

In the same Surah, verse 8, comes this guidance: ‘Believers! Be upright bearers of witness for Allah, and do not let the enmity of any people move you to deviate from justice. Act justly, that is nearer to God-fearing. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is well aware of what you do’.  

Killing, murder, barbarity and revenge have, for some, become the only way of life.  None of the Islamic teachings recognise or justify such a mindset. 

The whole saga of khilafah and Islamic state has created a nightmare in the minds of ordinary people and these same people now wonder if this is what Islam is all about! The irony is that none of these Islamist slogans and beliefs come from Islamic scholars or well established Islamic institutions. They come from those totally lacking in Islamic education, who have taken up, what only they see, as the task of introducing politics in the name of Islam.

On the other hand the Quran guides us by saying: ‘You shall speak kindly to people’. S2 V83. Further it says in surah 6 Verse 152: ‘And give full measures and weight to justice, We do not burden anyone beyond his capacity; when you speak, be just’.

By failing to implement the justice and fairness contained in Islam we ignore this teaching and warnings of our Prophet Muhammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him: ‘Avoid acts of oppression, as the oppression will come on the day of judgement as darkness. Avoid greed as greed destroyed people before you. It made them shed blood and commit forbidden things’. Narrated by Muslim

Our hope is that some sense will finally prevail among those who are responsible for these outrageous and obscene acts of violence. The Muslim community has itself suffered mentally and physically from these barbaric actions. The Islamic notion of human rights can only prevail when we are all fully committed to its boundaries and ethical aspirations.