This question is often
hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any discussion on religion or
world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every form of the media accompanied
by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims. In fact, such misinformation and false
propaganda often leads to discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in
point is the anti-Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast,
where the press was quick to declare a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind the
attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forces.
Let us analyze this
allegation of ‘fundamentalism’ and ‘terrorism’:
1. Definition of the word ‘
fundamentalist’
A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the
fundamentals of the doctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he should
know, follow, and practise the fundamentals of medicine. In other words, he should be a
fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a good mathematician, he
should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of mathematics. He should be a
fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For a person to be a good scientist, he should
know, follow and practise the fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in
the field of science.
2. Not all ‘fundamentalists’ are the same
One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot
categorize all fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of any fund
amentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is a fundamentalist. A
fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and is therefore undesirable. A
fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefits society and earns much respect.
3. I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist
I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of
Allah, knows, follows and strives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim
does not shy away from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim
because, I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the whole
world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against the
interests of the human race as a whole. Many people harbour misconceptions about Islam and
consider several teachings of Islam to be unfair or improper. This is due to insufficient
and incorrect knowledge of Islam. If one critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with
an open mind, one cannot escape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the
individual and collective levels.
4. Dictionary meaning of the word ‘fundamentalist’
According to Webster’s dictionary
‘fundamentalism’ was a movement in American Protestanism that arose in the
earlier part of the 20th century. It was a reaction to modernism, and stressed the
infallibility of the Bible, not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal
historical record. It stressed on belief in the Bible as the literal word of God. Thus
fundamentalism was a word initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the
Bible was the verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes.
According to the Oxford
dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ means ‘strict maintenance of
ancient or fundamental doctrines of any religion, especially Islam’.
Today the moment a person
uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim who is a terrorist.
5. Every Muslim should be a terrorist
Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a
person who causes terror. The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A
policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for
the antisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an
anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word
‘terrorist’ is generally used for a person who causes terror among the common
people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i.e. anti-social
elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a Muslim should be a source of
peace for innocent people.
6. Different labels given to the same individual for the same action, i.e.
‘terrorist’ and ‘patriot’
Before India achieved independence from British
rule, some freedom fighters of India who did not subscribe to non-violence were labeled as
terrorists by the British government. The same individuals have been lauded by Indians for
the same activities and hailed as ‘patriots’. Thus two different labels have
been given to the same people for the same set of actions. One is calling him a terrorist
while the other is calling him a patriot. Those who believed that Britain had a right to
rule over India called these people terrorists, while those who were of the view that
Britain had no right to rule India called them patriots and freedom fighters.
It is therefore important
that before a person is judged, he is given a fair hearing. Both sides of the argument
should be heard, the situation should be analyzed, and the reason and the intention of the
person should be taken into account, and then the person can be judged accordingly.