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Islamic Journal·Pakistan
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Monthly Renaissance
Renaissance
Islamic Journal·Pakistan

A journal of Islamic research in continuous monthly circulation since 1991. Published by Al-Mawrid.

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Monthly Renaissance
EST. 1991 · LAHORE
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Archive/Vol. 12 · № 5/Why is Islam so Violent?
ARTICLE ID q339
In this issue
A Greater PollutionSūrah Baqarah (1-5)From Leopold Weiss to Muhammad Asad‘Understanding the Qur’ān’ Internet CourseUnderstanding the Bengal Muslims--Interpretative EssaysWhat is the Punishment for Adultery?The Philosophy of MahrA Quarter of a Century Ago

Reading
2 min · 239 words
Jihad
— Jihad —

Why is Islam so Violent?

DS
Dr. Shehzad Saleem
May 2002 · 2 min read

Why is Islam so violent? Why do Islamic countries have no religious freedom. I am from India and very proud to be a Christian but my respect for Islam as a faith is diminishing day by day.

Islam is not a violent religion. It does not condone the use of force in suppressing humanity in any way. On the contrary, the only basis on which it allows its followers to use force is to liberate suppressed human beings from the clutches of oppression and injustice. In such cases too, it only allows a state to take up this task. Muslim individuals and groups are in no way allowed to take up arms.

In the wake of recent events, I understand and appreciate the agony you feel regarding Muslims. I am afraid some Muslims have tarnished the shinning face of Islam through violence, terrorism and intolerance. They have besmeared Islam and totally distorted a religion that came to upgrade humanity from the clutches of evil. However, I have no doubt in mind that many of these Muslims are very sincere people who have been misguided.

I would request you to disregard such people and draw your conclusions about Islam not from their actions but from the Qur’ān -- the book of Islam. I respect you and your views and hope that someday a cordial interfaith dialogue be initiated at least between the three great Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.


DS
Dr. Shehzad Saleem

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Cite
Dr. Shehzad Saleem (2002). Why is Islam so Violent?. Monthly Renaissance, 12(5).