ANALYZING PRESENT-DAY MUSLIM MILITANCY — An Un-Islamic Political Ideology

has reduced considerably. The same literary campaign is required in other militancy-affected areas. Then, there is the question of why religions advocate peace and not violence. The reason is very clear. The objective of religion, including Islam, is to bring about reform in the individual and not in the political system. And, any kind of spiritual or intellectual change can be brought about in an individual only when he is addressed peacefully. Modern Muslim militancy can be eradicated only by providing a counter-ideology. Only those who have set political targets for themselves engage in violence, and since religions do not have any political target they do not enjoin violence. Islam has adopted a very practical formula in this matter; that is, idealism at the level of the individual and pragmatism at the level of society. Conclusion There is a prophetic saying that Muslims will indulge in un-Islamic activities in their later generations. The Prophet was asked how this would happen. The Prophet answered that Muslims would give Islamic names to non-Islamic activities. What is wrong with the present-day Muslims is that they have given the name of jihad to their militancy to seek justification for their militant activities. The need of the hour is to correct this self-styled interpretation of Islam and then everything will certainly fall into place. o Blessing in Disguise When you call a problem a problem, it seems to be an evil; but when you call it a challenge, it becomes a useful part of life — something that spurs intellectual development.