WHO WROTE THE QURAN

ISLAM AND THE WESTERN THOUGHTBillions of people in the last millennium have loved, revered and honoredIslam. Conversely, billions have hated, criticized and defamed it. As amatter of fact, the situation applies equally to any other major religion.Although Islam in its original form is not a religion, the Muslim clergy haveindeed reduced it to a set of dogmas, rituals, superstitions, myths, legends,and means of attaining ‘salvation’, the essential hallmarks of a “religion”.Through the centuries, we come across brilliant minds that have been ableto see the diamond in the rough. They have scratched the surface and letthe reality shine forth in all splendor. Then they have immediately realizedthat Islam is not a religion per se although it has been made to appear so.In fact, Islam being the most pragmatic System of Life is a massivechallenge to religion.The renowned intellectuals, writers, thinkers, theologians, poets, artistsand intelligentsia become the voice of a society. Their very popularityhinges upon, and attests to, their ability to echo the silent voice of themasses. How many lines from Aristotle, Plato, William Shakespeare,Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln have blended with the intellectualand social fabric of civilizations!The question may be raised that other greats have said things contrary towhat the author has compiled in this booklet. Quite a valid objection, isn’tit? Being consciously aware of this fact, and for the sake of intellectualhonesty, I have selected quotes from the best of the best andoverwhelmingly non-controversial figures.It is quite natural for the casual observer to judge an ideology by theresults it achieves. To paraphrase from the Bible, a tree is known by itsfruit.Mathew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupttree bring forth good fruit.To paraphrase from the Quran, a good land brings forth decent vegetation.The Quran 7:58 A good soil brings forth decent produce by the leave of itsLord, while the bad one yields that which is of poor quality ---.This point has been extensively elaborated in my new book, Islam: TheTrue History And False Beliefs. The parables of the tree and soil apply wellto the spoiled fruit of today’s counterfeit Islam.Now let us see what greatness the true Quran-based Islam has achieved inthe past and how wonderful are its prospects to regain its lost glory.The central themes of the pristine Islam are service of humanity andbenefiting God’s creation. As soon as the dust of myth is wiped off, Islamwill once again become the Beacon of Light for all humanity. And surely itwill be the front-line force in making this planet a better place to live.21