The Re-emergence of Islamic Enlightenment — Page 19
ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES ON EDUCATION & SERVING HUMANITY 19 the opponents of Islam were determined to eliminate all forms of religion. 10 In reality, if the early Muslims engaged in warfare it was always defensive and fought for the sake of establishing long-term peace and to protect the right of all people to live with freedom. Hence, to make a blanket statement that Muslims are extremists is entirely unjust. If today, there are Muslims who have adopted extremist tactics or who preach violence, it is because they have abandoned Islam’s teachings or are wholly ignorant of it. Where individuals or groups conduct terrorism, it is to gain power or to enrich themselves. Similarly, where countries adopt unjust and extreme policies, their goals are invariably linked to gaining geo-political benefit and asserting their dominance over others. Their conduct has nothing to do with Islam. The Holy Quran states very clearly that there should be no compulsion in matters of faith. Islam prohibits Muslims from aggression and so the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his four rightly guided Caliphs never sought war or violence, and at all times sought peace and reconciliation and made countless sacrifices in its cause. Another allegation levelled against Islam by certain critics is that it is a backward and archaic religion or one that does not promote intellectual advancement. This is a lazy stereotype that is based on fiction rather than fact. I have spoken already of how the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) valued education and strived