An enduring aftermath of Sept. 11 is the continued
spotlight on Islam. Almost daily, self-declared experts dissect
Islam in articles, commentaries, political prognostications, and,
too often, the apocalyptic scenario of a clash of civilizations.
Some of these attempts at understanding Islam betray a shocking and
simplistic method. Two fallacies -- one textual, the other
sociological -- seem to predominate.
First are those whose analysis reflects their own cultural,
historical or political prejudices. They utilize a crude,
cut-and-paste analysis that uses Koranic texts self-servingly
without concern for context. Verses discussing the combative aspect
of jihad figure prominently and demonstrate, we are told, Islam's
dark side.
It is forgotten (or conveniently ignored) that one tenet of Islamic
interpretation, as in Talmudic interpretation or Christian
scriptures, is that a verse cannot be explained apart from its
context. Verses on a given topic must be read together,
holistically, for only then can their intent be gleaned. In Islamic
law, rules pertaining to human interactions always have a rationale
or understandable cause, which, if absent, renders the legal ruling
inapplicable.
Take one oft-quoted verse: "Kill the unbelievers wherever you find
them." It usually escapes mention that the intent behind legislating
the combative aspect of the jihad here is self-defence.
Specifically, this verse refers to a situation of war at the
beginning of the seventh century, when the tribal elite in Arabia
had persecuted the nascent Islamic community unrelentingly for 15
years, intent on eradicating it.
To read this verse as requiring that all non-Muslims are to be
killed runs counter to verses that prohibit killing civilians or
non-combatants, or to this important verse: "God does not forbid you
with regard to those who do not fight you or your faith nor drive
you from your homes from dealing kindly and justly with them; for
Allah loves those who are just" (Koran 60:8). It is worth noting
that the Arabic word for "kind" in the verse, birr, is used to
express the affection and gentleness mandated to parents.
…History has recorded the full entitlements of citizenship granted
by the Prophet to non-Muslims in treaties, the amnesty he gave to
those who persecuted him, and his moral exhortations to maintain
justice: "On the Day of Judgment, I will be the advocate of
non-Muslim subjects who were oppressed" and "Observe scrupulously
the protection accorded by me to non-Muslim subjects…"
…To be fair, there is sometimes another cause of misunderstanding:
Muslims themselves. Too easily, some Muslims blame modernity for
their own malaise, and all too often act contrary to the universal
constants of justice, moderation and mercy, which are the essential
animating values of any Islamic individual or social action…
