Islamic Awakening (English) pdf

Extremism: The Accusation & the Reality

Logicians argue that one cannot judge something unless one has a clear conception of it, because the unknown and the undefined cannot be judged. Therefore, we must first determine what "religious extremism" means before we can condemn or applaud it. We can do so by considering its reality and most salient distinguishing characteristics. Literally, extremism means being situated at the farthest possible point from the center. Figuratively, it indicates a similar remoteness in religion, thought, and behavior. One of the main consequences of extremism is exposure to danger and insecurity. As one Arab poet states,

They were the protected center until they were overtaken by misfortune and tottered to the brink

ISLAM'S CALL FOR MODERATION AND ITS WARNING AGAINST EXTREMISM

Islam recommends moderation and balance in everything: belief, worship, conduct, and legislation. This is the straightforward path to which God calls us. Moderation or balance is an overall distinguish- ing characteristic of Islam and of the Muslim nation. The Qur'an says: "Thus have we made of you an Ummah justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves..." (2:143).

As such, the Muslim Ummah is a nation of justice and moderation that testifies against every deviation from the 'straight path' in this life and in the hereafter. Islamic texts call upon Muslims to exercise moderation and to reject and oppose all kinds of extremism: ghuluw (excessiveness), tanatțu' (nitpicking religiosity), and tashdid (strictness, austerity). A close examination of such texts shows that Islam emphatically warns against ghuluw. Let us consider the following: "Beware of excessiveness in religion. [People] before you have perished as a result of [such] excessiveness."2 The people referred to above are the people of other religions, particularly 'People of the Book,' namely, Jews and Christians, and most notably the Christians. The Qur'an addresses these people thus:

Say: "O People of the Book! Exceed not in your religion the bounds [of what is proper], trespassing beyond the truth, nor follow the vain desires of people who went wrong in times gone by, who misled many, and strayed [themselves] from the even Way." (5:77)

Muslims have therefore been warned not to follow in their steps:

He who learns from the mistakes of others is bound to live a happier life. The purpose of the above hadith is to alert us to the fact that ghuluw may crop up as an insignificant action that we then unwittingly allow to continue and develop into a menace. After reaching Muzdalifah during his last pilgrimage to Makkah, the Prophet asked Ibn 'Abbas to gather some stones for him. Ibn 'Abbas selected small stones, and when the Prophet saw them he said approvingly, "Yes, with such [you should stone Satan]. Beware of excessiveness in reli- Kion." This clearly indicates that Muslims should not be so zealous and believe that using larger stones is better, thus gradually allow- ing excessiveness to creep into their lives.

*Foreword

*Preface to the Second Edition

*Preface to the First Edition

*INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I: EXTREMISM: THE ACCUSATION AND THE REALITY

⚫ Islam's call for moderation and its warning against extremism

⚫ Defects and harmful consequences of religious extremism

• The concept and basis of religious extremism

• Two important observations

• Manifestations of extremism

• Imposing on the general populace what God has not required of them

• Uncalled-for austerity

• Severity and harshness

• Thinking ill of others

⚫ Falling into the abyss of takfir

CHAPTER 2: THE Causes of Extremism

• The causes and motive forces behind extremism

• An integrated view of the causes behind extremism

• Lack of insight into the true nature of din

⚫ The literalist trend in the understanding of texts

• Preoccupation with side issues

• Excessive prohibitions

• Misconceptions

• Emphasis on allegorical texts at the expense of definitive ones

• Beware of getting your facts from the unqualified

• Why Muslim youth have turned away from scholars

• Lack of insight into the history and God's ways in the universe

• Two important divine Sunan

⚫ Everything in its time

⚫ Islam: A stranger in its own land

• Political situations and events as perceived by Muslim youths

• Expropriating the freedom to call for a comprehensive Islam

⚫ Resorting to violence and torture does not eliminate extremism - it creates it

CHAPTER 3: TOWARD A REMEDY FOR EXTREMISM

• Duties of society

• Muslim rulers must return to the law of God

• Relate to them in a spirit of fatherhood and brotherhood

• Beware of being extreme in one's depiction of extremism

• Open the windows to let in the breeze of freedom

• Beware of responding to takfir with 'counter-takfir'

• Duties of young Muslims

• The varying categories of Islamic legal rulings and the ethics of disagreement

• Awareness of the values and ranks of actions

• Ranks of prohibited actions

• Ranks of people Sympathizing with others' abilities, limitations, and circumstances

• Knowledge and insight into God's ways with His creation

• A dialogue on the laws and conditions of victory

CHAPTER 4: ADVICE TO MUSLIM YOUTH

• Toward constructive dialogue

a) Show respect for those with a specialization

b) Take counsel from people of piety and moderation

c) Make things easier, not more difficult

d) Adhere to the ethics of da'wah and dialogue

c) Live with common people where they are

f) Think well of fellow Muslims

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