ASK MAULANA

ASK MAULANA Your Questions Answered SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT In this interview with Jamuna Rangachari of Lifepositive.com he demolishes many of the interpretations that have tarnished the name of Islam in present times. http://lifepositive.com/setting-the-recordstraight/ What is the role of religion and faith in today’s world? Religion is a spiritual discipline. The sole objective of religion is to develop a person spiritually who is able to live with a positive mind that is duty-conscious rather than rights-conscious. Such a person is free of greed and hate, and is capable of assessing things objectively. He possesses a predictable character. This kind of personality is the greatest need of present times. Many people are wary of Muslims and Islam because of their perceived intolerance toward people of other faiths, whom they call kafirs. Who, according to you, are kafirs and how should they be dealt with? It is totally wrong to divide people in terms of Muslim and kafirs. According to the Quran, every person is insaan, or a human being, have common ancestors, Adam and Eve. This means that all people are blood sisters and blood brothers. A saying of the Prophet of Islam: “Al-khalq ayal Allah.” suggests the entire humanity is the family of God. Given this, Muslims must live amidst others as though they were their family members, and deal with them accordingly. The word kafir literally means denier of truth. But that can be determined only by one’s intention. Therefore, only God knows who is truly a believer and who is a non-believer. Muslims have no right to take the seat of God. Muslims must fulfil their own duties and should leave all other matters to God. In Islam there is no concept of being a born Muslim. Therefore, even a Muslim’s being Muslim will be established only when God confirms his or her being a Muslim.