Today I would like to say something in fragments. There is some negative reporting about certain teachings of Islam. But all these negative reports are based on misunderstanding. The basic reason is that people fail to differentiate between Islam and Muslims. They see certain things in the life of Muslims and consider it to be a teaching of Islam. But this is wrong. Today I want to clarify some points of this kind.

First of all, there is a misunderstanding about Islam and peace. The word “Islam” means peace. Those Muslims who are engaged in violence, their case is one of deviation from Islam. I would refer to a very important teaching of Islam in this regard. All these people who are engaged in violence are non-state actors or non-governmental organizations. It is very important to know that in Islam, war is the prerogative of an established state. No group or agency, other than the state is allowed to use arms. This means that all non-state actors engaged in violence are terrorists. Because, according to Islam no institution other than the state is allowed to use arms. The teaching of Islam is very clear in this regard.

Then there are certain misgivings regarding women. Once I met a retired judge. He said that the greatest wrong teaching of Islam is that it degrades women. I said: “This is a complete misunderstanding.” In Islam women enjoy the same status that is meant for men. Both men and women are equal according to Islamic teachings. Here I will give you two references from the Quran and Hadith. In Chapter 3 of the Quran, there is a reference of men and women. It says: “Men and women are members one of another.” (3:195). Men and women are equal. Then there is a Hadith. The Prophet has said: “Men and women are two equal halves of a single unit.” (Tirmidhi). This is the best expression of gender equality.

Then there are some other aspects regarding philanthropy or charity. Islam greatly emphasizes on charity and philanthropy. There are many verses in the Quran and Hadith that emphasize the importance of charity. In Islam the equivalent word for charity is marhama. Marhama means philanthropy or charity. There is a verse which says that in your earning there is a right of those who are deprived.

Then there is the institution of zakat. Every state is supposed to establish a baytul mal (treasury house). In this they must acquire zakat, that is, a portion of every believer’s earning. Zakat is meant for those people who are deprived. Hadith: “It is to take from rich people and return it to the poor people.” (Bukhari) This is the best definition of zakat.

Then there is a question about justice. According to Islam, justice is a very important teaching. I can say that there are two basic teachings of Islam: tawhid and adl. Tawhid means oneness of God and adl means justice. In terms of ideology, the most important teaching is tawhid and in terms of social obligation, justice in the most important teaching of Islam. Justice is everyone’s duty as well as the duty of the state to establish justice in all walks of life.

Someone once asked me about organ donation. There is some misgiving in this regard. Some Muslims say that organ donation is muthla, or disfigurement, and so it is not allowed. But organ donation is not disfigurement, rather it is a very honourable contribution of one person toward another person. There is a very important teaching of Islam called sadqa jariya, that is, continued charity. That is, a kind of donation that continues even after the donor’s death. For example, if you build a bridge, it will last even after your death. It provides services to people even after you have died. This is sadqa jariya. Organ donation falls into this category. Rather, it is the best kind of sadqa jariya. Disfigurement is unlawful but organ donation is not disfigurement, rather it’s a very respectable act. It has nothing to do with disfigurement. I think that all these misgivings are part of Muslim practice, not part of Islam.

A very important principle is to know the difference between Islam and Muslims. You have to differentiate between Islam and Muslims. You have to judge Muslims in the light of Islamic teachings, and not vice versa. All these negative reporting of Islam are based on misunderstanding.

Then there is a widespread misunderstanding that Islam does not allow freedom of thought or freedom of expression. Whenever Muslims see a book or a cartoon that goes against their sentiments, they organize demonstrations and even try to kill the concerned persons. But this is not Islam. Islam gives total freedom with the exception that one does not indulge in violence. If you follow the peaceful method, you can exercise your freedom. Freedom is given by God to every human being. No one can abolish this freedom. No one has the right to abolish freedom, even the Muslim State doesn’t have this right. The only condition to exercising freedom is to exercise it without harming anyone else. If you are peaceful, you are not inflicting any harm then you are free to exercise your freedom. According to my study, freedom of expression is the sacred right of every human being, and this right has been directly given by God Almighty, then who can abolish this right?

Islam is a religion of nature or deen ul-fitrah. All those things that are natural are also a part of Islam, and this includes freedom. Freedom is part of nature, without it there is no progress or development. If you abolish freedom it will lead to intellectual stagnation and stop all progress. So it is against the laws of nature to curb people’s freedom. Islam is a religion of nature and all those things that are part of nature and good for human beings are part of Islam. If you want to know what Islam is, you have to see the scripture. Don’t see the Muslim practice. Muslim practice is not the source of Islam, the text of the Quran and Sunnah are the sources of Islam.

Some people talk against Islam. I asked them whether they had read the Quran and Sunnah. They replied that they hadn’t. I asked them why then were they speaking that way. First of all, you have to go through the Quran. Only then you have the right to form an opinion regarding Islam. The very first word of the Quran is al-hamdullillah rabbi l-alamin (“All praise is due to God, the Lord of the Universe”, 1:2). That is, the Quran wants everyone to live in positivity or with a positive mind. I think that the greatest value in Islam is to keep your positivity in every situation. When you are positive, you are free of violence. Positivity and violence cannot go together.

I have studied Islam from its original sources, and I can say that Islam is the religion of peace, brotherhood, fraternity, love and justice. All these things are a necessary part of Islam. You know that Islam is a religion that has a preserved text. The Quran is a preserved text. So first of all you have to refer to the Quran, otherwise you do not have the right to form an opinion regarding Islam. I have formed my opinion by reading the scriptures in their original language. However, there are translations of the Quran available in all major languages. You can procure a copy from your nearby shop or library. The Quran is even available on the internet. I would say that we are living in the age of information. So, in this age it is not good to form your opinion simply by way of rumours or through the media. You have to gather your information directly, from the direct sources. It is very easy to understand Islam, because everywhere translations are available.

It is not good to form your opinion without going through the Quran or Hadith. I have studied all religions. Although I am a practicing Muslim, I have no bias against any religion. It is very useful to study all the religions. It is not good to develop bias against another religion or tradition. If you want to live according to your religion, you should study other religions also, as it may help you. When I studied other religions, it proved to be helpful for me to be a good Muslim. Islam and other religions advocate love, compassion, peace, positive thinking, and so on. Although I am a Muslim, but I love all human beings. I don’t think that the categorization of people as Muslim or kafir is right. Everyone is a human being. This kind of categorization is un-Islamic. The Quran uses words such as al-insan or al-naas to refer to people. According to the Islamic teaching, every human being is insan, or human. Those who believe in the concept of non-Muslim countries being darul kufr (Abode of War) are not good representatives of Islam. The whole world is darul insan (Abode of Mankind). There is no darul kufr or darul harb or darul islam. Rather the whole world is darul insan.