False Rumours and Wishful Thinking

The report had also implicated the American government, for it had been stated that on accepting Islam, Armstrong was promptly fired by the U.S. Space Agency. Extensive measures were taken to counter the report. American posts all over the world were told that there was nothing in the story. On May 12, 1983, a televised press conference was held in the American Centre, New Delhi, in which journalists were linked up by telephone directly to Neil Armstrong’s office in Ohio so that they could hear his direct denial that he was a Muslim or had been sacked. He further made clear, according to the Hindustan Times report (May 13, 1983) that “he had never been exposed to Islamic teachings, nor had he read the Quran.” How strange it is that Muslims have not discharged their responsibility to communicate the message of Islam to Armstrong and others like him. Yet they are only too willing to concoct stories about their great religion having conquered, not only the world, but the moon as well. Explaining the extra efforts made to ensure that the rumour was quashed, an official of the U.S. Information ministry said: “A story like this is self-generating. It is intriguing to a Muslim. It can have a long shelf life.” The reason that Muslims are so “intrigued” by stories of this nature is that they make them feel happy in the thought that Islam has conquered the world, and relieve them of any responsibility of achieving that end. What will a people, who have nothing but wishful thinking and shunned responsibilities to offer, say when they come before God? A commander should keep a watch on his officials Umar once asked people if he had fulfilled his duty if he appointed to some post a capable man—one whom he considered fit for the task—and then enjoined him to be just. Everyone said that he had. “No,” Umar said, “not until I have gauged his actions to see whether he has done what I told him to do. Whenever Umar appointed a governor in some territory, he would ask delegations that came from there how their ruler was. “Does he care for slaves?” he would ask. “Does he follow funeral processions? Is he kind and understanding towards those who come to his door?” If people said that he showed kindness and consideration towards those who came to his door, and looked after slaves well, then Umar would say nothing. Otherwise he would immediately send someone to relieve the governor of his duties.