A
Ahimsa
Guest
When Islam was presented to me, I was presented a religion of worshiping One God alone and as a practical solution for mankind’s social ills. It was a road map for improving our lives. I was told about an Islam that is about togetherness, sharing, caring and strengthening familial bonds. An Islam that was about creating communities, doing business together and uplifting people.
I was told about an Islam that promoted the equality of all men and no person is superior to the other except by his righteousness. An Islam that eschewed racism. I was told about an Islam that was about kindness to neighbors regardless of religion. Islam and Muslims were known as a force for good in the community and a sign that things are going to be cleaned up. This is the Islam that I know and love. An Islam of hope, love, kindness, concern and mercy. An Islam that promoted a mosque that affected the community around it in a positive manner and met the needs of a broken people. An Islam that was PART of the community and not apart from it. An Islam that provided a place for outsiders
A Muslim was a symbol in many neighborhoods - AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOODS - of standing for justice and making improvement in one’s life. A Muslim man was the personification of manly pride and responsibility to his family and his community…
Now I am told that I never understood Islam and that the things I mentioned above represent an “American” Islam and hence bidah (rejected innovation) and that I should accept this “real Islam”…I just don’t recognize this “Islam” of hate, murder, rape, stealing, explosions and chaos and I hate this “Islam” passionately. This is why I am so vehemenently opposed to this “Islam” of Bin Laden and the other creeps…
This is why I reject this “Islam” of carnage, irrationality, social disorder and murder. I accepted an Islam of problem solving, love and rational thought. That is an Islam that people can accept and live with. That IS Islam…