20 Misconceptions About Islam - Question 2 - Why are most of the Muslims Fundamentalists?
This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during
any discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated
in every form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam
and Muslims. Infact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to
discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-
Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast,
where the press was quick to declare a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind the
attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed
Forces.
Let us analyze this allegation of ‘fundamentalism’:
Definition of the word ‘fundamentalist’
A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of
the doctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he
should know, follow, and practise the fundamentals of medicine. In other
words, he should be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to
be a good mathematician, he should know, follow and practise the
fundamentals of mathematics. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of
mathematics. For a person to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and
practise the fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the
field of science.
Not all ‘fundamentalists’ are the same
One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot
categorize all fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of
any fundamentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is a
fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief is a bad person since he
causes harm to the society. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, is a
good person as he benefits the society.
I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist
I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows and
strives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy
away from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim
because, I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity
and the whole world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes
harm or is against the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people
have misconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to
be unfair or improper. This is due to misinformation and incorrect knowledge
of Islam. Moreover, many observe the teachings of Islam only superficially or
out of context. If one critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an
unbiased and open mind, one has to agree that Islam is the best way of life.
Dictionary meaning of the word ‘fundamentalism’
According to Webster’s dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ was a movement in
American Protestanism that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century. It
was a reaction to modernism, and stressed the infallibility of the Bible, not
only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. It
stressed on belief in the Bible as the literal word of God. Thus fundamentalism
was a word initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the Bible
was the verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes.
Definition of ‘fundamentalist’ according to Oxford Dictionary
When we read the Oxford dictionary, the Oxford dictionary says that,
“‘fundamentalist’ is a person who strictly adheres to the ancient or
fundamental doctrine of any religion.” But when we read the revised edition of
the Oxford Dictionary, there’s a slight change, it says, “‘fundamentalist’ is a
person who strictly adheres to the ancient scriptures or fundamentals of any
religion, especially Islam” “Especially Islam” has been added in the revised
edition of Oxford Dictionary. The moment you hear the word fundamentalist,
immediately you start thinking of a Muslim.
Every Muslim should be an Extremist
Media says, “Muslims are Fundamentalists, Muslims are Extremists.” And we
Muslims are becoming apologetic. No..no..no.. I’m not a fundamentalist.
No..no..no.. I’m not an extremist. I say, I’m an extremist. I’m extremely
honest, I’m extremely just, I’m extremely kind, I’m extremely merciful, I’m
extremely loving. Can anyone tell me why being extremely just, extremely
honest, extremely loving, extremely merciful, extremely kind is bad? What’s
wrong in being an extremist?
The Qur’an says ‘Be an Extremist’
The Qur’an says you have to be extremely honest. You can’t be partly honest.
When it benefits you, you’re honest, when it doesn’t benefit you, you’re
dishonest. The Qur’an says you have to be extremely honest, extremely just.
If you are a practicing Muslim you have to be extremely kind, extremely
honest, extremely just. We have to be extremist in the correct direction. We
should not be extremist in the wrong direction. But a Muslim should be
extremist in following the Qur’an. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Baqarah,
Chapter No. 2, Verse No. 208,
O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the
footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy.
So why are the Muslims becoming apologetic? The Media is attacking Islam
and unfortunately we Muslims are afraid. We have the best Deen, but why are
we afraid? Why are we apologetic? It’s time that we turn the tables over.
A lot of times people say "fundamentalist" to mean someone who follows their religion as it was written in whatever holy book they worship. There's a lot of really nasty shit in all of those ancient books that have no place in today's world.
I am by no means anti-Islam but what the Quran says about women's place in society is one of those things and hijabs are very prominently reminder of that oppression - whether or not it is oppressive.