From: zxs6373@usl.edu (Siddiqui Zafar)
Subject: The Myth of Muslim 'Fundamentalism'.
Organization: University of Southwestern Louisiana
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 01:20:19 GMT


             In the name of God most Gracious most Merciful


                   The 'Myth' of Muslim Fundamentalism
                   -----------------------------------

Of late there has been profuse use of the term "Muslim Fundamentalism' by some 
of the netters who seek to bismirch the name of Islam and Muslims. I wish
to bring to the notice of the readers the inappropriateness of the use of 
the term Muslim Fundamentalism.

First let's look into the meaning of Fundamentalism. The Webster's New World
Dictionary defines 'Fundamentalism' as "religious beliefs based on a literal
interpretation of everything in the Bible and regarded as fundamental to 
Christian faith and morals".

It is clear from the above definition that the 'fundamentalists' are those
Christians whose religious beliefs are considered to be fundamental to 
Christian faith and morals and who want to follow everything in the Bible.

In other words, these are the true Christians, so to say. Why, then, should
these 'good souls' be depicted as some 'dangerous species' in the world?
What is , then, expected of a Christian but to follow Christianity in letter 
and spirit? Therefore, this pseudo-concept of 'fundamentalism' seems to be a 
meaningless concoction of those who could not reconcile their religious
beliefs with the stark realities of their times.

Although the 'word' has gained more currency in the context of recent Islamic
resurgence in Iran, its genesis can be traced back to the Middle Ages in 
the Christian world when the Church was considered to be so 'fundamental'
that it became completely divorced from the State and the papacy detached from
the laity.

The conflict reached such a climax that Pope Gregory VII excommunicated the
Roman Emperor Henry IV while the latter refused to recognise Gregory as Pope.
Germinating through the later centuries, these seeds of inherent discord
in the Christiandom grew into an ever widening hiatus between religion and
politics.

Now, this age-old Christian concept of 'fundamentalism' is being given a 
wide circulation by the Western media. In the Muslim context, it has been 
made to appear like a monster broken loose to batter the world. The Westerners,
barring exceptions, generally exhibit a frivolous and sometimes even pernicious
attitiude towards fundamental religious beliefs and practices. With this 'bent'
of mind, they create such cobwebs which take decades to be swept out.

There is no fundamentalist or non-fundamentalist Muslim. A Muslim is an Muslim
out and out. He is ordained to abide by all-pervasive and clearcut Quranic
injunctions and the Prophetic Traditions in all walks of his life through
and through.

He is told by his Lord that "He has perfected the Religion of Islam for him
(for his guidance)" and called upon by Him "to enter into (the fold of)
Islam thoroughly".

This is why Islam is analogised to an edifice built upon five fundamental 
pillars or obligatory duties, viz., Proclamation of One God and Muhammad (peace
be on him) as His Messenger, five times a day regular prayer, one month fasting
a year, the wealth-purifying tax and the pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in
one's life time.

These five pillars are no doubt, the basis on which the edifice rests and 
without which it will crumble down. These are, in essence, different forms 
of a periodic physical, mental, moral and spiritual training which supports
and strengthens Islam and the Muslim Ummah. But, pillars alone cannot be
called a building. A building has a superstructure, which is infact the main
parts of the building, consisting of roofs, floor, doors etc.

Similarly, the edifice of Islam has its own superstructure in the form of
complete and comprehensive guidance for social, political, economic,
moral, spiritual and all other aspects of human life. This guidance is simply 
and clearly shown in all minute and meticulous details in the Holy Quran and 
the Sunnah (traditions) of the Prophet.

Religion in Islam means not just a bundle of rites and rituals but a dynamic
"way of living" whatsoever may be aspects. When this is the case with 
Muslims, who is that 'strange creature' called a 'fundamentalist' Muslim??

It is a shining truth that amid a sweeping storm of object materialism
and moral decandence the world is still witnessing a fairly large number
of Muslims frequenting the Mosques for prayer, observing the fast, etc.
conducting at the same time their worldly affairs as best as any other 
people do.

In the Islamic system of life, when a Muslim's spirit is refined his economic
plight is also reformed: the spirit and matter are so beautifully balanced
and reconciled. Then where does the question of a 'fundamentalist' Muslim 
arise??

The colored Western eye might even perceive a Muslim going to the mosque as
a 'fundamentalist'. Herein lies a grave danger of Westernism from which
Muslims must guard themselves. Some vested interests which have already
started a baseless Muslim fundamentalist scare in the world, might even
make a futile attempt at creating 'divisions' among the Muslims and
detaching them from their religion by branding some of them as fundamentalists.

IF "REMAINING TRUE TO ONE'S BELIEF" IS 'FUNDAMENTALISM', THEN EVERY MUSLIM
IN THE WORLD IS A FUNDAMENTALIST FIRST AND LAST!

 
Regards,
Zafar.
zs@gator.cacs.usl.edu