the injunction: ‘Read!’ (Iqra) (96:1). By perusing this verse, we learn about the initiation of Islamic action. It begins from the point where there is hope of continuing the movement along peaceful lines

movement to purify the Kabah of the 360 idols installed in it. But, by pursuing such a course, the Islamic movement at that juncture would certainly have had to face a violent reaction from the Quraysh. An

their community who are engaged in violence, nor even condemn them. In such a case, according to the Islamic Shariah itself if the involved Muslims are directly responsible, the uninvolved Muslims are also

Muslims all over the world. It is as a result of this mentality that, if anyone writes a book against Islam, Muslims are prepared to kill the writer. If any procession raises anti-Muslim slogans, Muslims start

shall have no fear, nor shall you grieve.” (7:49) There is nothing mysterious about spirituality in Islam. It is rather the direct result of the kind of intellectual development that takes place when a believer

creation: he gains something in the process that may be termed spirituality. The source, therefore, of Islamic spirituality is perusal and reflection rather than any sort of mysterious exercise. That is why

purity and with a note of sure conviction which it is hard to find surpassed outside the pale of Islam, the elemental simplicity of the formula in which it is enunciated, the proof that it gains from the

of winning its way into the consciences of men.” (pp. 17-18) The third reason why I have accepted Islam is, that it is so thoroughly practical. Its ethical code is based on the actual needs of human nature

way? The revolutionary path is that of reaction, and just explaining it in Islamic terms does not transform it into an Islamic method. Da‘wa, on the other hand, calls for patience and avoidance of confrontation

division of human beings into male and female is the result of purposeful planning by the Creator. In Islam, a woman enjoys the same status as that of a man. There is no difference between man and woman as

living. Here are some further quotations from the Quran and hadith regarding the position of women in Islam. Women shall with justice have rights similar to those exercised against them. (2:228)

phenomenon, but is a part of the larger history of Islam. The extraordinary conquests of Muslims in the past, which brought about the spread of Islam, are incontrovertible facts of history. Michael H.

Prophet. These companions were fully aware of their limitations, so they followed the Prophet of Islam. With the prophetic guidance of Muhammad and the support of his youthful companions, it became possible

unparalleled in its all-embracing scope. The Belgian historian Henri Pirenne has rightly observed: ‘The Islamic revolution changed the face of the globe: the traditional order of history was overthrown.’ Young

observes, ‘The religion of the Moslems had conquered where their arms had failed.’4 This history of Islam sends out a strong message to Muslims—that is, having failed to achieve their goal through a violent

to progress and development. The whole of human history testifies to this fact. This history of Islam sends out a strong message to Muslims—that is, having failed to achieve their goal through a violent

has compiled several books in the Arabic language with the title, Silsilah Aʿdaa al-Islam (Series on the Enemies of Islam, 2000).