ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM

 

   The issue of religious fundamentalism is a trend that emerged firstly as a branch of Protestantism in America and then in all world religions after the emergence of the secularization paradigm. While some of these fundamentalist movements are only moderate, some extend to militant actions. Extremist movements have a number of common features, such as taking the scriptures literally; avoiding the influence of culture; excluding all other religious movements; and fighting anyone who is not like them.

  The militant aspects of these fundamentalist movements have constituted extremist movements and terrorist acts. The purpose of this article is not to exonerate these groups, but to explain the damage they cause to Islam and Muslims—just as the extreme fundamentalist movements of all other religions do to their own religion—and to correct the perception that the source of such movements is the Qur'an.

Allah states the following in the Qur'an;

“There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.” [Qur’an 2:256]

  As can be seen from the verse, Islam is not a religion based on coercion. A person's religious faith is their own responsibility, while a Muslim's duty is to invite humanity to the path s/he thinks is right. The first priority for this is tabligh, or communicating the message of Islam. In addition, Allah has said in the Qur'an, just as it is mentioned in the Torah:

“Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land—it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one—it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors.” [Qur’an 5:32]

  Some terrorist organizations hide their true nature behind the religion of Islam, and claim to be following religious commandments. Once again, it is Muslims who suffer the most from the actions of these organizations. Today, the phenomenon of Islamophobia negatively impacts Muslims all over the world. Every time a “Muslim” commits an atrocity, all Muslims are affected.

  As mentioned earlier, such organizations choose a literal interpretation of religious texts, completely removed from context. In order to better understand this, we are going to give an example from Surah Tawbah, which is one of the most talked about:

Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].(4) And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (5) And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are  people who do not know. [Qur’an 9:4–6]

   If the fifth verse is taken and read it out of context, the meaning of the verse is to kill all non-Muslims except in the sacred months. But if we read the verse in context, the incident is related to polytheists who broke an agreement. The reference to killing is in a political context rather than a religious one.