During the course of her history Europe assembled on one platform only once. And unfortunately for the human world this unity led to barbarous Crusades against Islam. Defeat in these wars was a soul-racking and heart-burning shock for Europe. With the passage of time these hurt-feelings have somewhat been assuaged. But there is still a deep scar in her subconscious. This splinter has always troubled her. And she has always fretted and fumed to avenge this defeat.

There are mainly two ways of taking revenge. One is to trod the path of Changiz and Halaku and thereby spill blood on the pages of history. But this style from the dark ages is considered out of fashion these days. During the days of Changiz man had not learnt the art of diplomacy. He did not know to sugarcoat his malicious intentions. He did not know to hide his sharpened nails in soft paws. He did not know to hide his acts of tyranny and oppression with the silken veil of welfare and development. Whatever he did, he did it openly, declared his intentions and then acted. But man has changed. He has progressed in 'intellect and wisdom', and in 'knowledge and vision'. As such, today, an open mitigation of his lust for blood would amount to stupidity. Now the most successful person is he who exploits others without letting them know that they have been taken for a ride. He snatches the essential resources of life in such a subtle manner that nobody doubts him to be a robber. In the guise of mentor and reformer he destroys the entire community and the victims remain unaware as to what is happening to them.

Oppression and destruction by the people of the ignorance age was like a whirlwind that comes with grating roar, tremulous cadence, and whose uproar and tumult even a blind can see and a deaf can hear. But the moves of a deceitful person, in this age of intellect and reason, are like a calm river. A river in which there is neither uproar nor agitation of waves. A river that remains as silent as the Church with neither commotion nor buffeting of waves. But deep under its surface hide dragons and alligators, ready to pounce on and engulf the entire community, and the eyes do not see them and the ears do not hear them.

The name of this serene and subtle method of obliteration and squandering is Propaganda.

Propaganda is an unseen fire. It silently reduces the entire conviction and sagacity to ashes and there is no smoke so as to warn of the imminent danger. Propaganda is that silent and organized conspiracy which slowly but gradually without noise or tumult changes the nature and character of things to such an extent that one without realizing looses one's capacity to differentiate between beneficial and harmful, between good and bad, and between virtues and evil. As a result the conspirators become so powerful that they can make one accept what they like and that too in the manner they like. Thus propaganda is a trick from the bag of Samiri, the magician. Owing to this people and nations become worse than cattle. The Quran says:

Lahum quluubul-laa yafqa-huuna
bihaa, wa lahum a-yunul-laa yub-
laa-yasma-uuna bihaa. Ulaaa-ika
kal-an-aami bal hum azall.

They have hearts wherewith they understand not, they have eyes wherewith they see not, they have ears wherewith they hear not (i.e. despite having their own faculties of thinking, seeing and hearing they look up to others for guidance) as such they are not human beings. They are as the cattle, nay, but they are worse. (Q. 7-179)

The capitalist Europe used this trick of Samiri in order to avenge her defeat at the hands of Islam. She used the propaganda weapon in such an organized but silent manner that Islam became in the eyes of the world what it is not. With the help of pen and whispering campaign a dreadful picture has been drawn. It is so frightful that even Muslims themselves will shiver in their pants if they happen to see it. Consequently, today, wherever in the civilized and cultured world the name of Islam is mentioned bloodstained scenes of murder and plunder, death and destruction, oppression and tyranny, injustice and despotism come one by one as if one is watching a motion picture.

Look, gangs of savage and bloodthirsty wild folks, spears and swords in hand, are coming from all sides like floods of misfortune. Who are these barbarous people? Are they Jinn, horrible demons or giants? Amidst slogans of 'Allahu Akbar' they are spitting venom and shedding blood. Is this a 'Divine wrath? This rage of fury is destroying culture and civilization, fairness and justice, continence and chastity, religion and faith. Besides, one by one they are uprooting flowers, fruits and shadowy trees. Whatever knowledge and talent thousand years of human effort and inquiry had earned is being wiped off like chaff and rubbish. Prayers of the oppressed, cry and weeping of the orphans, lamentation and plaint of widows are not eliciting Divine response. O God of this dreadful Community art Thou doors closed for the poor of this world? From wherever this unusual calamity passes by habitations are turning into deserts, settlements into ruins, libraries are being burnt to ashes, lofty buildings and palaces, the symbols of culture and civilization, are becoming history. In whichever direction one looks at there are heaps of broken Crosses, truckloads of sacred beads, deserted temples and demolished Churches. No one is at peace or safe; neither a Brahmin nor a Christian monk, neither women nor children. Some have been killed, others have been taken captive and are being whipped by barbarous Sheikhs so as to force them to the slave market and thereby sell the respectable human beings for a princely sum.

So, with the weapon of propaganda this is the picture of Islam that has been drawn. And these self-styled painters of hate have deliberately ignored the fact that the fundamental teaching of Islam leads man to the path of peace.

The Book of Allah leads humanity to the door of peace and safety.

For them (who took the straight path ordained by Allah) is an abode of peace with their Sustainer, and He is their Protecting Friend because of what good acts they do. (6/128)

It is the same abode of peace and security to which Allah invites them.

Siraatim Musta-qiim.

And Allah calls to an abode where everything is safe and protected. And who desires (success) Allah guides him to the straight path. (10/25)

And in that abode the object of all ideas and deeds and endeavor and inquiry is a paradise of safety.

Ud-Khuluuhaa bi-Salaamin Aaminin.

One attribute of Allah, Who revealed Islam, is Al-Momin, which means One Who guarantees international peace. Another attribute of Allah is As-Salam, which means peace. In fact the word Islam itself means peace. And its followers are called Momin, people responsible for establishing peace. Thus a Muslim is one who follows in totality the eternal laws of Allah as enshrined in the Holy Quran so as to establish peace and prosperity not only for himself but also for the entire humankind.

We have seen that the fundamental message of Islam is peace and security. Therefore, it declares that those who indulge in corruption, disorder and the breaches of the peace deserve Divine wrath. In this context see Surah Ar-Ra'd. It says that those who fulfill their pledge to Allah and do not breach their covenant for them is the recompense of a final, happy abode and they would be extended salutations of peace and security. On the other hand those who break the covenant with Allah and create disorder and mischief in the land for them is the terrible home.

-ika lahumul-La-natu wa lahum suuu-ud-Daar.

(Without doubt) for them awaits gardens of perpetual bliss. They shall enter there along with the righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their offspring and Mal'ika (forces of nature) shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation), "Peace unto you for that you have endured all trials with steadfastness." Now how excellent is the final home of these people. But those who break the covenant of Allah after ratifying it, and cut asunder those things which Allah has commanded to be joined, and create disorder and mischief in the land; for them is the terrible home. (13/23-25)

The Quran mentions in explicit terms that a Faith that spreads evil and destruction on earth is unacceptable to Allah.

When these people gain power then their entire effort is to spread chaos and mischief in the land. They destroy, crops, cattle and human beings, but Allah does not like what they do. (2/205)

The religion of such people is Fasiq and they are Fasiqin. Thus they are diametrically opposed to Momin.

Humul-khaa-siruun.

According to the laws of Allah Fasiqin are on the wrong path. (Who is a Fasiq? A person who breaks the covenant of Allah after ratifying it is a Fasiq. A person who severs human relationships by fragmenting humanity into pieces on the basis of unnatural racial or national distinctions is a Fasiq. A person who creates disorder and mischief in the land is a Fasiq.) They do not live within the limits prescribed by the Divine laws. They cut asunder what Allah has ordered to be joined. (With their evil deeds and waywardness) they create chaos and mischief in the land. Indeed they are in the loss. (2/26-27)

The Quran forbids man in unambiguous terms from the path of perdition and destruction and openly states-

Rah-matallaahi qariibum-mi-nal-Muhsi-niin.

And (listen) after reforming and setting the country in order do not create disorder and mischief. If you are fearful of losing something or have a desire to gain something, in both the situations, act according to Allah's laws. Allah's Rahmat (means of protection and sources of nourishment) is close to those who lead a balanced life in accordance with His laws. (7/56)

Jannat is an abode where one can live in peace and security. As such, the doors of this eternal home are not open for those who adopt the path of waywardness and transgression and thereby create chaos and disorder on earth. The Quran without mincing words says-

wa laa fasaadaa: wal-aaqibatu lil-Muttaqiin.

As for the Abode of the Hereafter We assign it unto those who intend not high-handedness, seek not oppression or corruption and mischief on earth. The sequel is for those who ward off (evil and establish peace on earth as per Divine laws). (28/83)

The Quran narrates stories of nations dead and communities gone by. Why? The answer is simple – we must learn from the historical fact that creating disorder and mischief on earth is a crime against humanity and it results in destruction and obliteration. The biggest charge that the Quran levels against Pharaoh and his people is that they were evildoers for they divided people into sections and instigated one section to oppress the other. (28/4 and 28/14)

Pharaoh was an emblem of tyranny and oppression. His compatriot Qarun (Korah) was an embodiment of capitalism. Along with politics of tyranny, capitalism also creates disorder and chaos in the earth. Therefore, the Quran says that Qarun was also a Mufasid (evildoer). (28/76-77)

After narrating the conditions and affairs of the nations dead the Quran asks with regret as to why there have not been people in those nations to prevent men from creating chaos and disorder in the earth? (11/116)

The Quran with regularity repeats the tales of the rise and fall of the Children of Israel so that one may draw lessons from their crime.

Wallaahu laa yuhibbul-mufsidiin.

As often as they light a fire for war, Allah extinguish it (through other people). Their effort is for spreading disorder in the land and Allah does not like such Mufsideen, designers of chaos. (5/64)

Indeed the objective of the advent of the last Messenger, Muhammad, with the message of Islam, was to establish order on earth in accordance with the Divine laws because at that point of time in history there was complete waywardness, disorder and chaos in thought and action of all the societies of the world. The Quran says:

ba-zal-lazii amiluu la-allahum yarji-uun.

It is for this reason that the first point in the call of the last Messenger refers to prohibiting disorder and chaos in the land of Allah.

Consequently the Quran regards disorder as the opposite of conviction and good deeds. Both of them cannot stay together.

Shall Our law of Requital treat those who have Eiman (believing in the Divine Guidance with reason and knowledge) and work deeds of righteousness, the same as those who spread disorder and corruption in the earth? Shall Our law of Requital treat those who obey and follow the laws of Allah, the same as those who turn aside from the Divine path? (Remember this is against Our law of Requital). (38/28)

So these are the basic principles of Islam. Now, should the picture drawn by the propagandists of this system of life be considered a true one? Did this system guarantee peace and security in the world or did it promote disorder and corruption in the world? The answers to these questions are surely in the negative. It has been unfortunate for the human world that the message of peace and reconciliation was considered to be oppressive and tyrannical. The antidote was considered poison. The sick humanity shied away from it, declared that her illness was incurable and met a miserable doom.

In fact the teachings of the Quran places a Muslim in such a state that he cannot threaten to hit anyone unjustly. And the height of tolerance is that if a non-Muslim abuses him he cannot respond to him in the like manner. For instance if a person of another religion, Allah forbid, uses derogatory words against the respected last Messenger, a Muslim cannot pay back that person in the same coin. The reason: the Quran says that to every nation was sent a Messenger and a Muslim has to believe in all of them whether their names and details are mentioned in the last revealed Book or not. Therefore a Muslim has to be cautious. Possibilities are that the founder of the religion to which that non-Muslim belongs might be a Messenger. Leave aside the religious personalities of the non-Muslims the Quran goes to the extent:

Wa laa tasubbul-laziina yad-uuna

The deities whom these people associate with Allah are no doubt false ones. This does not mean, however, that you may revile them. You should not revile them lest ignorance in these people revile Allah in retaliation. They adhere to their beliefs because they seem fair to them. The nature of their deeds will become clear to them on the Day of Reckoning. (6/109)

Not only the feelings of others are to be respected but also they are to be dealt with equity and justice. In fact there is unparalleled emphasis on equity and justice in the Quran. It repeatedly says that always judge justly.

bay-nannaasi an-tah-kumuu bil-adl.

(O Muslims) Allah orders you that you restore deposits to there owners, and, if you judge between people, that you judge justly. (4/58)

At another place the Quran says:

(O Muslims) Allah orders you to do justice to all (in all matters) and (apart from this) make good the deficiencies of others. (16/90)

Justice is based on evidence. In this context the teaching of the Quran is:

(O Muslims) if you are called upon to give evidence, do not appear as a witness on behalf of either party, but for Allah. Be truthful in giving evidence even though it may be against your own-selves or your parents and kinfolks, whether the party concerned is rich or poor. Allah safeguards the interests of both the parties. Do not; follow your own inclinations lest you should swerve from justice. Do not foist your statements nor show aversion to appearing as a witness. Allah is well aware of what you do. (4/135)

According to the Quran the biggest offence is to help a culprit. In context of the story of Hazrat Musa it is stated:

In context of justice the Quran establishes a very sublime concept. To deal justly with friends is a common human nature. To be just with strangers is also understandable. But, for instance, take a community who is in open enmity with you. It is always working to harm you. It does not leave any stone unturned to destroy you. Now this community or one of its members comes to you for justice. What will you do if the evidence in the case points against your own community or its members? Will you be just? If you are a Muslim in such a situation also you have to be just. This is called min-azmil umuuri. The Quran says:

Innal-laaha khabiirum-bimaa ta-maluun.

O Muslims! Always stand up for justice in the cause of Allah. Let not the enmity of others towards you make you deviate from the path of justice. Always and in all circumstances act justly. This is akin to taqwa, obeying and following the Divine laws. Remember Allah is aware of all that you do. (5/8)

'Love your enemy' is just romantic poetry. It is impossible for a person who is alive and kicking to love his enemy. This poetry is against human nature. But justice with enemy is a possibility. And all those who are aware of the Divine laws know that in order to turn this possibility into a reality you need large-heartedness, magnanimity, courage, strength and sublime character. The Quran helps you to develop these qualities. 'Deal justly with your enemy' is a teaching that is hard to find in any code of law apart from the Quran. Despite these teachings of Islam it is portrayed as a religion of oppression and tyranny. Is it fair to do so? Is it just to do so? No. It is a deliberate act of ignoring truth and justice.

The Quran has introduced the world to the inspiring principle of Oneness of God and respect of humanity. This shows that in Islam human life is if immense value. And to kill a person is a grave offense under its constitution. In order to elaborate upon the honor and value of human life the Quran has adopted a very eloquent and comprehensive style. On one hand it gives a universal principle of Oneness of God and on the other hand it snubs and reprimands unjust killings of human beings.

qatalan-naasa jamii-aa.

Unjust murder is such a heinous crime that Allah ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person, unless it be as a punishment for murder or for spreading disorder in the land, it would be as if he slew the whole mankind. On the other hand if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole mankind. (5/32)

It is possible that despite all these prohibitions one might accidentally kill a person. To meet such a situation the Quran lays down a life saving and just principle called Qisas, punishment proportionate to the crime. Murder can be with or without intent. In the case of the former the punishment is death (and not compensation money) or depending upon the nature of the crime a punishment less severe than the maximum penalty (4/93). In other words the punishment should be commensurate with the crime (42/40, 17/33). If the heirs of the victim voluntarily or out of goodwill wish to forego the money or a part thereof they have the right to do so (17/33). In such a situation it is necessary that the culprit carry out the terms of the agreement faithfully and with good grace. If he violates the agreement he should be punished severely.

For loot, robbery, plunders, destruction and other related crimes the Quran has laid down specific punishments for the offender whether he be a Muslim or a non-Muslim.

The ignorant and biased world has leveled one major charge against Islam that it owes its spread to the sword because people were forcibly converted to it. This charge clearly proves that when a person is blinded by the rage to take revenge and the passion to oppose he ignores even those facts that cannot be concealed by any veil of the world. He ignores those explicit teachings that are unfolding without commentary or exposition before every visionary. The Quran is not an ambiguous book that only a few select can understand it. It is not a book of hidden knowledge. It is not to be kept concealed from others. It is not in any dead language that one cannot understand. It is in plain and simple Arabic and is available with every bookseller. It has been translated into almost every language of the world. If you want to know the teachings of Islam just buy a copy of the Quran and read it. But only a person in search of reality and desirous of the truth would make such an effort and not he whose motive is to defame Islam with malicious propaganda. He will divert the attention of the people from the Quran (the basis of Islam) and entangle them in concocted history and misleading Traditions so as to make them as he himself is. According to the Quran Eiman (conviction based upon reason and knowledge) is related to the heart of a man. If heart and intellect does not accept a thing then it cannot be called Eiman. As such Eiman and compulsion are contrary to each other. The Quran clearly states that if Allah had willed He could have forced all men to move in a single direction like all other things of this universe. But this was not in the Divine Plan. Man's right to free choice was not to be curbed.

If Allah had willed He could have made you one community (i. e. He could have forced you all to move in one direction). But (you see He has not done so because) He may try you by (right to free choice) which He has given to you. So vie one with another in good works. After all you will all return towards Him and then He will inform you of that wherein you differ and what they really were. (5/48)

At another place the Quran is more specific;

If human beings had not been endowed with freedom of choice all those who dwell on earth would have been made to believe. But this was not Allah's way. His law is that man should be given an opportunity to exercise his right to free choice. Would you then, O Messenger! Compel them to believe in Islam. (Keep in mind that no one can have Eiman except through the way prescribed by Allah, namely, through use of reason and reflection. The truth remains obscure to those who do not follow reason. (10/99)

Similarly in Surah Al-Anaam is said:

wa maaa anta alayhim-bi-wakiil.

If Allah had willed all men would have followed a single path and none would have added anything in the Divine laws on his own. (But you are seeing that he has endowed men with the right to free choice. Now you can only show them the right path, you cannot force them to your path). This is why We have not appointed you a guardian over them or responsible for their conduct. (6/108)

The Quran says that Allah has explicitly revealed the truth. Now after this it is left on man to either accept it or reject it.

shaaa-a fal-yuminwwa man-shaaa-a fal-yak-ful.

Say: (It is) the truth from your Sustainer. Then whosoever will, let him accept, and whosoever will, let him reject. (18/29)

Those who will accept this truth their Self will complete the evolutionary phases of life and thereby enable them to reach their destination. And those who will reject this truth they will be deprived of this felicity.

Allah has revealed the truth clearly. Whoever reflects on it, will do so to his advantage. On the other hand, those who choose to remain blind to it will do so to their own disadvantage. Remember the Messenger is not your keeper to force you to reflect. We have made the truth so clear in diverse ways that those who reflect on it, exclaim: "You have (O Messenger) indeed separated the grain from the chaff". In this way We have made it manifest to a people who are disposed to understand. (6/105-106)

This fact is more eloquently depicted at another place;

Say: "O mankind! The truth from your Sustainer has certainly come to you. One who comes to be guided by it will be guided to one's own advantage. But one who chooses to go astray will only harm oneself. I am in no way responsible to protect you from the consequences of your wrong doings (because I cannot force you to the right path)." (10/108)

Allah has lighted this world with His revelation and given man the faculty of intellect to ponder over it. Now it is for man to accept the right path or if he wants to meet his doom he can choose the wrong path.

Lo! We have shown him the way of the truth and it is for him to accept it or reject it. (76/3)

The Quran contains permanent values as revealed by Allah. Anyone can seek guidance from it. Faman-shaaa-a zakarah: So whosoever will may heed. (74/55)

The Quran cautions those who invite people to the path of Allah. It says that they should preach this message with reason, logic, wisdom and exhortation.

wa Huwa-a-lamu bil-Muhtadiin.

Those responsible of extending invitation to the way of Allah should appeal to the intellect, prudence, insight and discernment of the people only then they will be able to influence them by the principles of Islam.

(O Messenger tell them), "My way and that of my followers is very clear and straight. My call is based on firm conviction and reason. My followers also follow this (style of inviting to the way of Allah with reason and subtle preaching). Allah is much above our setting up peers to Him." (12/108)

The Quran with particular details of the nations gone by tell us that wayward and despotic rulers abrogated men's right to freedom of expression and owing to their dominating power forced their religion on others. In context of Hazrat Shuaib and his people it says:

The leaders of the arrogant party among his people (who were intoxicated with power and wealth) said, "O Shuaib, we will certainly derive you and your followers out of our city or you will have to accept our religion." He replied, "Are you going to force your religion on us even though we abhor it.)" (7/88)

And at a number of places it is mentioned in the Quran that when the court priests of Pharaoh saw the truth and declared their conviction in the Sustainer of Hazrat Musa, the arrogant Pharaoh shouted:

(Pharaoh) said: "You believe (in Musa) without my permission? Surely he is your chief. He has imparted to you spurious knowledge. Be sure now I will cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and I shall crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you shall know for certain which of us has sterner and more lasting punishment." (20/71)

The Messengers came to eradicate this tyranny, despotism, domination and injustice. As such the object of Islam is to wipe of despotism and compulsion so as to create an atmosphere in which man has the right to freedom of expression and right to free choice. Now consider a supposition: a man is steadfast in conviction but he is compelled to violate the Divine laws, should he be considered a transgressor? In the light of the Quranic teachings the answer to this question is in the negative. Acceptance of a thing under duress does not amount to believing in that thing (16/106). So acceptance of Kufr (ideas opposed to the Quran) under compulsion does not make you a Kafir, who rejects the teachings of Islam. Similarly acceptance of Islam under coercion would not make you a Muslim. In this context the Quran is very cautious. Some Bedouins were impressed by power and majesty of the Muslims. They accepted Islam. The Quran said to them, "Do not call yourself Muslims. You have only submitted to the political system of Islam. Eiman (believing in the Divine Guidance with reason and knowledge) has not entered your hearts." (49/12). Therefore to be a Muslim Eiman should be in the depths of your heart. This means that there should be no contradiction in your conviction, your utterance and your actions. They should all be in accordance with the Divine Guidance as enshrined in the Quran. Now can you make one person develop this type of Eiman by force? No.

For a moment let us leave aside non-Muslims. Supposing a Muslim develops doubts about the truth of Islam. Will he remain a Muslim? The answer is again in the negative. The reason is obvious: a man is free to enter the fold of Islam and he is at liberty to leave it. Therefore the Quran does not prescribe any punishment for apostasy. You cannot terrify a person by threatening him that he would be punished for not remain a Muslim. The very idea is meaningless. By developing a sense of fear you cannot make a person Muslim neither you can force him to remain a Muslim.

Now let us come to the verse that is final word in this context. This verse in itself is evidence enough to remove all kinds of doubts in this context. The Quran says:

If Allah, the possessor of such might, had desired then His order could have been established in the human sphere as it is in the natural sphere, but He did not wish to exercise compulsion. There is no compulsion in Islam. Through His revelation Allah has made the right and the wrong path clear and left men free to choose either path (18/29, 90/10, 76/3). Whoever turns away from the wrong path of oppressive forces and comes to the right one has grasped the trustworthiest handhold, which will never break. Allah is all Knowing and all Hearing. (2/256)

There is nothing more to say in this context because Qatta-bayyanar-Rushdu minal-Gayy, the right direction has been made distinct from the wrong one. (2/256)

There is no compulsion in Islam. Agreed. Islam is an ideology of peace and guarantees security. Agreed. Islam is for reconciliation and peace. Agreed. But the million-dollar question is: why the pages of the Quran, books of history and biographies of the last Messenger are filled with episodes of war? In fact biographies of the last Messenger penned by the earlier writers talk more about wars than the life, times and character of the son of Abdullah.

The question of war and other related doubts have arisen because Islam has been bracketed with religion. Islam is not a religion. In fact it is a challenge to religion because it is Diin. There is a subtle difference between religion and Diin. If one ignores this difference then all sorts of doubts and confusions crop up.

Religion involves a private and personal relationship between man and God. This relationship does not concerns man's worldly life. For his worldly life he requires another system called State or Government. In religion God is just an object of worship. Man is the worshiper and God is the worshiped. But Islam is not religion. It is Diin. The word mazhab (religion) is not even mentioned in the Quran.

Diin is the system of life. It encompasses each and every aspect of human life. Ponder on the varying aspects of human life and you will realize that the word (Diin) used by the Quran in this context is both eloquent and comprehensive.

1. In comparison to all other creations man is born without the means to defend himself. In order to protect and defend himself he is dependent on collective life or society. As such man is defined as a social animal.
    
2. The society is again dependent on rules, regulation and laws because when a man leads a social life the effect of his thoughts and actions are not confined to him only. Others will also be affected. Therefore, it is not possible for a human society to survive without rules and laws.
    
3. The system under which this society survives is called State in modern terminology. This system is called 'State of System'. It has one central authority that maintains the social norms and rest of the members of this State remain obedient and subordinate to that authority.
    
4. The members of the State adopt this life of obedience and subservience because it is beneficial for them. As such a social system will have following organs:

a. Central authority

b. Obedience and subservience of the members

c. A constitution that is to be followed

d. Effects of this on life
 

The Quran introduces this state of system with a comprehensive term of Diin. Ever since man attained consciousness and started living in a society he has developed and adopted varying methods of establishing a State. During the ancient period man lead a nomadic life and was governed by one person from his own tribe. Times changed. Man graduated to dictatorship, to nationalism, to fascism, to communism, to democracy, and so on. Though these are all different types of States but they differ only in form and not in character. The underlying spirit governing these types of States in all ages has always been the same. These States were formed on the basis of race and language, color and nation, and on the belief that some people have the right to draft laws for rest of the people. But the Quran declared that these types of States and the basis of forming them are all fabricated by men and therefore in the wrong. Unity of ideology should be the basis for establishing a State. If a group of people believes in one particular ideology of life then they are members of one community and citizens of one State. And the conviction of such a State is that no man has the right to draft laws for men. Only Allah has the right to give immutable laws. As such in this system only Allah is the Central Authority and sovereignty lies only with Him. Since natural outcome of belief in Oneness of the Creator is unity amongst the created, therefore the foundation of this system is based on justice.

Justice under man-made laws means decision in accordance with the law in force or usage. For instance, there was a time in history when drinking of wine was prohibited in America. Anyone found violating this law was punished and this was considered just. Now this law has been repealed. The user of wine cannot be questioned. He cannot be punished. Today this is justice. So man-made laws change with time and space. They are relative and not absolute. As such it is possible that a decision that is being considered to be just may not be just at all. At the most you can say that the decision is in accordance with the laws in usage.

The laws of Allah, as stated earlier, are immutable and based on absolute truth. So the decisions taken in their light would be based on absolute justice. In this system justice would mean that every person would be provided with equal means and opportunities so as to develop his latent faculties. And in this way he will achieve that status in the society, which he deserves in accordance with his developed faculties. Therefore the salient features of the Diin that has been introduced by the Quran to the world are:

1. In this State central authority and sovereignty lies only with Allah.
2. All members of this community are equally obedient and subservient to the laws of Allah.
3. The fundamental laws and principles of this State are enshrined and protected in the Quran.
4. The practical outcome of this system is justice and every member of the State is responsible for establishing it. If he fails to perform his duty he will be held accountable in the Court of Allah.

This then is Ad-Diin. It is also called Islam. Every Messenger, from the first to the last, propagated this Diin.

Messengers came to establish this Diin. But after them their followers changed it to religion. For instance, during the period of Hazrat Isa (Jesus Christ) the Jews had totally abandoned the concept of Diin. It was for this reason the Jews opposed Hazrat Isa. Hazrat Isa wanted that the Jews should revolt against the despotic rule of the Romans. But in this call the Jews saw an end to their religious hegemony. So they started opposing the son of Mary.

The last Messenger, Muhammad, also came to establish this Diin. The Jews and the Christians had disfigured the real face of Diin to such an extent that when the last Messenger came the Bible had already been filled with wrong teachings like – 'render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to the Church the thing that are Church's.'(Luke 21/25). In other words Diin was separated from the affairs of the world. Oneness gave way to duality. This happened because Diin was replaced by religion. Religion for them was monasticism and governance the right of Caesar. The Quran came to eradicate all these contradictions. As such it declared, "The monasticism which they invented for themselves was not prescribed by Allah for them." (57/27) Allah sent only Diin through His Messengers. This Diin is called.

bi-Aayaatillaahi fa-innallaaha Sarii-ul-hisaab.

The only Diin prescribed by Allah for all humanity is Islam. This was given also to the earlier Messengers but their followers created differences through mutual jealously. Allah's law of Requital is that whoever rejects the Divine guidance Allah is Swift in calling him to account. (3/19)

The basic beauty and fundamental distinction of this Diin is that in it is that one has to obey the laws of Allah and only Allah.

(O Messenger) follow that what is revealed to you and wait steadfastly till Allah settles the issue between you and your opponents. He is the best of all the judges. (10/109)

This obedience and subservience is termed ibadat in the Quran. Ibadat means slavery and subservience. As such the relationship of man and Allah is of Master and slave and not that of worshiper and the worshiped. Recall the sermon of Hazrat Yusuf that provided him comfort in the dark cells of the jail and you will come to know that authority and the right to rule rests only with Allah (inil-Hukmu illaa lillaah, 12/40) therefore obey and be slave of Allah only (amara allaa ta-buduuu illaaa iy-yaah, 12/40). Add these two pieces and the meaning of ibadat will become clear to you.

(O Messenger) say to them: " I am a human being like you with the only difference that it has been revealed to me that the entire authority rests with Allah- the One, let him who believes in His law of Requital do that which is right, and not to obey anyone other than Allah- and thus associate any authority with Him." (18/110)

And in the same chapter a little earlier is stated:

He makes none to share in his government. (18/26)

If you read these two verses together the meaning of ibadat would become self- evident. As such according to the Quran the meaning of ibadat is not worship but to become obedient and subservient to Allah. So when a slave of Allah says before Him with humility that (iyya-ka nabuuduu) he accepts being the obedient slave of Allah and in this way he is in fact sounding the bugle of revolution. Keep this meaning of ibadat in mind and once again ponder over the verses quoted above in context of Diin and you will realize that very quickly the correct exposition of these terms come before you.

Man-made laws divide human life into two sections that of religion and politics. Accordingly God becomes an object of worship and in worldly affairs laws of the land are to be followed. At the time of the advent of the last Messenger this division was at its peak and consequently there was chaos and disorder in the entire world. Indeed the last Messenger came to eradicate this division. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal says:

Foundation of the Church upon monasticism was laid,
How could kingship in mendicancy be contained?
Royalty and monk-hood between them contended,
It is exaltation, the other debasement;
Politics freed itself from faith,
Nothing did holiness of the old man of the Church avail;
When separation took place between wealth and religion,
All that was left was over-lordship of desire,
Duality is the misfortune of State and Religion,
Duality is the benightedness of civilization's eye,
It is the miracle of a desert-dweller,
Bearing of good tidings is synonymous with warning;
Safety of mankind in it lies,
That Sufi and King become one.¹

This was the thought that the last Messenger propagated before people who had broken their covenant with Allah that subservience is only for Allah. These people were spreading chaos and disorder in the earth because they had violated the laws of Allah by separating politics from religion.

fil-arz ulaaa-ika humul-khaa-siruun.

No system of State can be established without power. Law becomes law only when there is an authority to implement it. The Quran in the following inspiring words narrates this fact:

(O people) this is a fact that We had sent aforetime Our Messengers with unambiguous proofs and sent with them the Book (of law) and balance (of right and wrong), that men may strive to establish justice. And We sent down (the sword of) iron in which is great might, as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help (in establishing the Diin of) the Unseen and His Messengers: for Allah is full of strength and exalted in might. (57/25)

The system of the State is established by the Book (law) and iron (power). Law without the power to implement is nothing but a code of ethics.² The religious leaders often preach this in their sermons. People enjoy these sermons. They think that God will bless them because their religious leaders have given them good counsel. By believing so they only deceive themselves. And on the other hand when power is devoid of law then there is anarchy and despotism in the land.

Owing to power people of Faith live
Power of every Faith is in unity
Wisdom without power is vile and sorcery
Power without wisdom is madness and frenzy

In religion (i.e. law without power) the basis of right and wrong is settled through debates and arguments. And every person tries to prove through logic and philosophy that his religion is the best and the true one. The Quran gives permanent values and says that to implement them power and authority are indispensable.

This power to implement these values is known as Istakhlaf (government). The Diin is established through Istakhlaf.

See what is the result of establishing this Diin? Man does not associate anyone in the Authority of Allah and remains obedient and subservient (ibadat) only to Him. In this way the laws enshrined in the Quran would be implemented. And the power thus achieved would be accountable to the laws of Allah. Quran and sword (wisdom and power) are inseparable. In other words to make the teachings of the Quran practically applicable you need power and power should be guided in the light of the teachings of the Quran.

Ein do quwwat hafiz-e-yek digarand

Kainat-e-zindagi ra mahwarand

Both these powers protect each other
And they are axis of creative life.

About this power the Quran says:

O Muslim, keep ready what force you can muster to meet your enemy together with strong cavalry with which you can strike terror in the hearts of those who are enemy to Allah and to you; and those beside them whom you do not know but whom Allah knows. (8/60)

1.   Iqbal, M., 'Baal-e-Jibril'
2.   For this reason the Messenger said that Allah loves a powerful Muslim because he is
      better than the weak one. (Sahih Muslim)