Understanding Islam — Page 83
81 Islam is such a religion that does not need the support of the sword for its propagation. Rather, the inherent excellences of its teachings, its truth, enlightenment, reasoning, arguments, and the active assistance of God the Exalted, the signs, and His personal attention are such matters that always drive its progress and propagation. . . The message of Islam does not need any compulsion for its propagation. . . To consider that the Gh ā zis (Islamic veterans of war)…cause rebellion in the name of Jihad is an absurd thought, and it is nothing but foolishness and ignorance to call these rebellious people by the name of Ghazi. If an ignorant Muslim harbors even the least amount of sympathy for these people considering them to be performing Jihad, I say in truth that the one who calls a rebellious person Ghazi, and praises those who bring a bad name to Islam is an enemy of Islam. . . In England, France and other European countries, Islam is very harshly criticized for having been spread by the use of force. . . The truth is that this rebellion has been spread by the maulav ī s (Islamic clerics), who are the unwise friends of Islam. They did not understand the reality of Islam, and provided an opportunity to others to raise objections because of their concocted beliefs… Had they not deceived others about Jihad or misunderstood the