(part 1 of 2): introduction
Islam, which was revealed to Muhammad – God’s praise and peace be upon him – is the continuation and culmination of all previous religions, and is therefore valid for all times and all peoples. This position of Islam is supported by clear evidence. First, there is no other disclosed book that has survived in exactly the same form and content as it was disclosed. Second, no other religion has any convincing claim to provide guidance for people in all walks of life and at all times. Islam, however, addresses all of humanity and provides basic guidance for all human problems. Furthermore, it has passed the test for over four hundred years and has all the options It was a miracle that the Prophet Muhammad managed to bring even his worst enemies into the Muslim circle without special material equipment. Idolaters, people who blindly followed the path of their forefathers, instigators of tribal feuds and disregard for human dignity and blood became the most disciplined nation under Islam and its prophet. Islam opened up perspectives of spiritual heights and human dignity by making godliness and righteousness the only criterion for value and honor. Islam shaped their social, cultural, moral and economic life with fundamental laws and principles that correspond to the natural disposition of people and therefore remain applicable for all times,
It is so unfortunate that Christian West viewed him as a rival religion, rather than trying hard to understand the phenomenal success of Islam in its early days. Throughout the centuries of the Crusades, this trend became increasingly violent and buoyant, and a vast amount of literature was produced to tarnish the image of Islam. Islam, however, began to display its authenticity to modern scholars, whose bold and objective observations of Islam all exposed the burdens that the so-called impartial Orientalists had spread.
Here we want to cite some observations about Islam made by recognized non-Muslim scientists of the modern age. The truth does not require lawyers to plead for it; the long and ongoing negative propaganda against Islam has created great confusion even in the minds of free and objective thinkers.
We hope that the following observations will lead to an objective evaluation of Islam.
Canon Taylor, addressing the Walverhamton Church Congress, Oct. 7, 1887, quoted by Arnond in The Preaching of Islam, pp. 71-72:
“He (Islam) replaced monasticism with manliness. He gives hope to the slave, brotherhood to mankind and pays tribute to the foundations of natural disposition. ”
Sarojini Naidu, readings on “The Ideals of Islam”, see Speeches and Writings of Sarojini Naidu, Madras, 1918, p. 167:
“Sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because when I read in the Quran I came across those dynamic principles of life, not mystical but practical ethical instructions for everyday life, suitable for the whole world. ”
De Lacy O’Leary, Islam at the Crossroads, London, 1923, p.8:
“History clearly shows that the legend of the fanatical Muslims who roam the world and impose Islam on the conquered peoples with a sword is one is the most absurd, fictional myth that historians have ever told. ”
HAR Gibb, Whither Islam, London, 1932, p. 379:
“But Islam is still serving humanity. He is closer to the East than Europe is, and has a long tradition of understanding among races and in cooperation. No other society can show such success in uniting so many different races with the same status, with the same opportunities and efforts … Islam still has the power to reconcile apparently incompatible elements of races and traditions. If the contradictions of the large societies in East and West are ever replaced by cooperation, mediation through Islam is an essential condition. The solution to the major problem facing Europe in its relationship with the East is in its hands. When they unite The hope for a peaceful solution increases immeasurably. But if Europe refuses to cooperate with Islam, it will throw itself into the arms of its opponents, a thing that can only be catastrophic for both. ”
G.B. Shaw, The Genuine Islam, Vol. 1, No. 81936:
“I have always valued the religion of Muhammad for its wonderful vitality. It seems to me to be the only religion that has the ability to adapt to the changing phases of existence, which means that it is appropriate for all ages. I studied him – this wonderful man – and I think he is far from being an anti-Christian, he has to be called the Savior of humanity. I believe that if a man like him took control of the modern world, he would be able to solve their problems in a way that would lead to the hoped-for peace and happiness: I predicted the faith of Muhammad that it will be as acceptable to tomorrow’s Europe as it is to today’s approach. ”
(part 2 of 2): Even more statements
A.J. Toynbee, Civilization on Trial, New York, 1948, p. 205:
“Eliminating racial awareness among Muslims is one of the greatest achievements of Islam and the world today. There is an extremely strong need to spread this Islamic value. ”
AML Stoddard, cited in Islam – The Religion of All Prophets, Begum Bawani Waqf, Karachi, Pakistan, p. 56:
“The rise of Islam is perhaps the most astonishing event in human history. Starting from a country and a people that were equally insignificant, Islam spread over half the earth within a century, shattered great empires, overthrew long-established religions, reshaped the souls of races and built a whole new world – the world of Islam. „
“The more intensely we study this development, the more unusual it appears to us. The other major religions began their journey slowly, with painful efforts, and finally they won with the help of powerful kings who converted to the new faith. Christianity had its Constantine, Buddhism its Asoka and Zoroastrianism its Cyrus, each of which helped its cult to the powerful force of secular authority. Not Islam. Ascended in a barren desert landscape sparsely inhabited by a nomadic race, previously unknown to the human yearbooks, he embarked on his great adventure with the poorest human backing against the heaviest material guns.
Nevertheless, Islam triumphed with apparently wonderful ease,
Edward Montet, “La Propaganda Cretienne it Adversaries Musulmans”, Paris, 1890, quoted by TW Arnold in The Preaching of Islam, London, 1913, pp. 413-414:
“Islam is a religion that is essentially rationalistic in the broadest sense of the term, both etymologically and historically. The definition of rationalism as a system in which religious belief is based on reasonable principles fully applies to Islam … It cannot be denied that many theological teachings and systems and also a lot of superstition come from invoking saints to the use of rosaries and amulets, are discouraged from the main path of the Muslim faith. But in spite of the varied developments in every respect, the Quran has invariably maintained its position as the starting point from the teachings of the Prophet, and the teaching of the unity of God has always been treated with a majesty, an unchangeable purity and with a hint of certainty that is hard to find outside of Islam. This fidelity to the fundamental doctrine of religion, the elementary simplicity of the formula with which it was proclaimed, the proof that it wins with the hot conviction of its missionaries that it communicates, there are so many reasons that explain the success of the Muslim effort. A belief that is so precise, so free from all theological complications and therefore accessible to ordinary understanding, that presumably has and indeed has great power to gain access to human consciousness. ” the elemental simplicity of the formula with which it was proclaimed, the evidence that it wins with the hot conviction of its missionaries that it communicates, there are so many reasons that explain the success of the Muslim effort. A belief that is so precise, so free from all theological complications and therefore accessible to ordinary understanding, that presumably has and indeed has great power to gain access to human consciousness. ” the elemental simplicity of the formula with which it was proclaimed, the evidence that it wins with the hot conviction of its missionaries that it communicates, there are so many reasons that explain the success of the Muslim effort. A belief that is so precise, so free from all theological complications and therefore accessible to ordinary understanding, that presumably has and indeed has great power to gain access to human consciousness. ”
W. Montgomery Watt, Islam and Christianity Today, London, 1983, S.IX:
“I am not a Muslim in the usual sense, although I hope to be a ‚Muslim‘ in the sense, ’someone that is devoted to God, but I believe that there are rich reserves of divine truth embedded in the Quran and other sources of Islamic teaching, from which I and other Westerners can still learn a lot, and ‚Islam is certainly one strong fighter for equipping the basic framework of one religion of the future. ‚”
Paul Varo Martinson (editor), ISLAM, An Introduction for Christians, Augsburg, Minneapolis, 1994, p. 205:
“Islam is an authentic belief that shapes the inner nature of our Muslim neighbors and determines their way of life. And the Islamic faith is generally more traditional than our new western form of the Christian faith, which has undergone considerable secularization. So we are only fair to the Islamic population if we understand them from their religious heart and respect them as a community of faith. The Muslims have become important partners in the discussion of the faith. ”
John Alden Williams (Editor), ISLAM, George Braziller, New York, 1962, in the cover:
“Islam is much more than a formal religion: it is a complete way of life. In many ways, he is a more decisive factor in the experience of his followers than in any other world religion. The Muslim („the one who submits“) lives at all times God-consciously and will not bring about a separation between his life and his religion, his politics and his belief. With its strong emphasis on the fraternity of people who work together to do God’s will, Islam has become one of the most influential religions in the world. ”
John L. Esposito, ISLAM, The Straight Path, Oxford University Press, New York, 1988, pp. 3-4:
“Islam stands in the long line of Semitic, prophetic religious traditions, which have an uncompromising monotheism and belief in God’s revelation, His prophets, social obligation and responsibility as well as in the day of judgment in common. Indeed, Muslims, like Christians and Jews, are children of Abraham because they all trace their communities back to him. The historical, religious and political relationship of Islam to Christianity and Judaism has remained strong throughout history. This interaction has remained a source of mutual benefit and loan, but also of misunderstanding and conflict. ”
Source: https://www.islamland.com/deu/articles/islam-eine-tiefgrndige-zivilition