Understanding Islam — Page 18
IS ISLAM A VIOLENT RELIGION? 18 invoking the name of Islam, genuinely grieve all true and peace loving Muslims. They are based on such brutal and inhumane ideologies which have nothing whatsoever to do with Islam. When we look in depth at the Holy Quran and the life and character of Prophet Muhammad sa of Islam, it becomes clear that the early Muslims never initiated any battle or armed violence and they never forced Islam upon others. Extremist organizations are, in fact, the antithesis of Islam, the teachings of the Holy Quran and the life and example of Prophet Muhammad sa. Let us make a few comparisons to illustrate this point. In several verses of the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty has laid down various principles of defensive warfare (which are only the means of protecting the freedom of conscience and worship for all religions and not just Islam). For example, Allah established the principle of fighting in self- defence in the following verse: And fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress. Surely, Allah loves not the transgressors. 16