al_etidaal_gn

Is Islam narrow-minded?
At this stage I want you to ponder over another thing. Today true Islam is being terribly
treated and criticised. Those trying to be its true adherents are accused of foolishly
following Islam Qf the dogmatic, bigoted fundamentalist, narrow-minded Molvis, the
religion of monks who are ill-educated and one- track minded.
But let them know that those ancestors of ours who over-ran thousands of well defended
forts and in the process of their endeavours brought millions into the fold of Islam, while
establishing the rule of Islam all over - those brave ancestors were followers of this same
so-called dogmatic, fundamentalist Islam. Yes, if you call it “narrow-mindedness”, then
those brave ancestors were even more “narrow-minded” than any Molvi. In their eyes the
worst possible fate awaited anyone who deviated even one inch of deen. When anyone
refused to give Zakaat they were prepared to go to war against him. When anyone had the
guts to consider the drinking of wine as permissible, he had to be killed. And, for
drinking it, knowing it to be prohibited, he was whiplashed severely. They used to say:
“Among us only such a person will refrain from Salaah who is such a hypocrite whose
hypocrisy has become clear and manifest.” Even the general body of hypocrites did not
dare neglect Salaah.
Among them if ever any obstacle or problem arose they would immediately seek help
through Salaah. Hazrat Abu Darda, (Radiallahu anhu) reports that whenever a strong
wind blew, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasaliam) immediately went into the Masjid
and did not reappear until such time that the wind subsided. Many other Sahabah
(Radiallahu anhum) reported that it was the usual practice of Rasulullah (Sallallahu
Alayhi Wasallam) that at all times o consternation, he always resorted to Salaah. They
also reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said this was the general
practice of the other Prophet’s (Alayhimus Salaam). There is more detail about this in my
previous book - “Fazail-e-Namaaz” - Virtues of Salaah. For more elucidation, consult it.
Such were those people that during Salaah they were struck by arrows and even though
hurt and with blood streaming down their bodies, they would not break off the Salaah for
the great pleasure and ecstacy they experienced therein. On hearing the call to prayer they
immediately closed their shops and hurried to the Mosques. During his Khilaafat,
Sayyidina Umar (Radiallahu anhu) sent a notice to all his governors informing them that
“the most important thing to me is Salaah. Whosoever observes its due performance
properly, can surely guard over the rest of his deen. And whosoever fails therein is more
likely to fail in the proper performance of the rest of his deen and is more likely to allow
his deen to be destroyed.”
When Sayyidina Abu Bakr (Radiallahu anhu) sent Sayyidina Khalid bin Waleed
(Radiallahu anhu) as commander-in-chief against the apostates -(the murtads) — he
advised him: “There are five principles of’our deen — namely Kalima, Salaah, Zakaat,
Fasting and Haj. Make war against anyone who denies any of these.” (Khamees)
Al- Eti’daal Fi Maraatibur- Rijaal 86