Real Islam is a religion of peace and free will, not violence

 

 

Updated: 9/17/2008 9:52:02 PM

 

By Sadie Polttila 

 

 

The United States is a great nation whose foundation rests on the privilege of religious freedom. Islam is a part of that foundation and a religion of peace. What crazy people do in the name or religion, any religion, makes them crazy or uneducated - not religious. For example, all Christians aren't akin to the Ku Klux Klan, because KKK members are definitely misinformed about Christianity.

 

Religion gives people moral fiber; strength to move onward and upward. It aids in making logical choices because God's direction simply can not be illogical or wrong (from a religious perspective). Our own government isn't free from religion. Remember "In God We Trust"?

 

Personally, I recommend turning off the TV to stop any "mental conditioning" or "brainwashing." Instead, read and learn every single day of your life. Education is the way to overcome all ignorance and prejudices. This is definitely Islamic and applies to everyone: men and women, boys and girls.

 

God clearly wants what is best for his most favored creation, humanity. A worldwide head of state (caliphate) is a lofty goal and not one any rational human being is after. It is people who insert their own agendas and take away from the magnificence of God's direction. Sha´ria law is not a strictly static set of laws. Rather it is how law should serve humanity based on the context of what God wants for all people. For example, birth control is permissible according to Islamic law.

 

Furthermore, Israel has the right to exist but the Palestinians whose land was commandeered also have the same right. More than that, both have the right to live free from worry and depravity.

 

Fatwas are supposed to be a scholarly opinion on a matter of Islamic law. They aren't wrong but there is something wrong with people who aren't scholarly making them. Honor killings are not Islamic. Neither are mutilation or terrorism.

 

The Quran says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah (God) has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things." (Surah al-Baqarah: 256) All people have choices to make. The way they live their lives is up to them; free will is a gift. Infidel literally means "one without faith." Very few have no faith and again, I emphasize that there is no compulsion in religion and no justification for senseless violence.

 

Only God decides who will be rewarded in Heaven for jihad which, when translated, means to "strive" or "struggle." Someone can have a personal jihad with broccoli. God does not reward violence; God is not malevolent.

 

The Quran addresses modesty for men and women, stating the faithful should lower their gaze and guard their private parts. The specific surahs (chapters) related to the hijab (or scarf) are Surah an-Nur: 31 and Surah al-Ahzab: 59. A burqa is a cultural clothing item popular in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Again, religion is a choice, and so are clothing items people wear to publicize their faith. Roman Catholic nuns in habits, Amish and Mennonites wearing bonnets, Muslims in hijab and Jews in Tzniut (modest clothing) all cover their bodies, partially or in whole for God and the sake of modesty.

 

In Islam women are to be revered, upheld as equal citizens and respected. It is recorded that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Assuredly, women are the twin halves of men" and, "Heaven lies at the feet of mothers."

 

Anyone not agreeing to the above may not be Islamic - they may just be "crazy."

 

Polttila lives in Menomonie.

 

 

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