SPIRIT OF ISLAM NOVEMBER 2019

31 Spirit of Islam Issue 83 November 2019 ISLAM AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE WORLD Emulating the Prophetic Model M AN faces a number of challenges—intellectual, political, economic, etc.—which are universal in the modern world. A major issue confronting man is whether humankind can continue to live in peace on this planet. This is a matter of great importance because man’s very existence is in peril. It is the future of humankind which is at stake. Various sets of adverse circumstances have together produced a state of unrest throughout the world. At different places, groups of people are engaged in violent clashes with other groups. This state of affairs is such as to render our scientific progress meaningless, and it must be acknowledged that our very civilization is in jeopardy. Unfortunately, in this baneful sequence of events, the name of Islam has come to be linked with violence. Due to the foolish and imprudent acts of certain Muslims, Islam and violence have come to be regarded as interchangeable terms. An Indian now living in Europe, was called for an interview by some company there. The interview started like this: “Are you a Muslim?” “Yes”, he replied. “Then you must be a terrorist”, came the verdict. As you can imagine, the interview could hardly proceed beyond this point. But the truth about Islam is the very opposite. The word Islam itself means peace, having been derived from the Arabic root silm meaning peace. And the Prophet of Islam is described in the scriptures as a “Mercy to the world.” The Quran has this to say: “And God calls you to the home of peace”. The lesson that is imparted through Hajj , a course of training for a Muslim for the whole of his life, is not to harm a single human being, not even an animal. To call such a religion as one of violence is therefore highly inappropriate. Due to the foolish and imprudent acts of certain Muslims, Islam and violence have come to be regarded as interchangeable terms.