Scanning the Commentary of Anwar Shaikh on "Islam and Human
Rights –III" (India Post, 4th Sept. 1998) makes me marvel if he ever read
even an introductory book on Islam. His analysis of Islam and his interpretation of
Quranic verses are an exposé of his Islamic illiteracy. He cites verses to prove
Islam's view of man's lowly nature. He fails to realise that these verses were preceded by
verses asserting the Omnipotence and Grandeur of God. Thus man is lowly in nature compared
to the Majesty of God. But compared to the rest of the creation, man is at the pinnacle of
the creation pyramid and for this reason even the angels and the jinn were commanded by
God to prostate before the first created human being, Adam: "Your Lord said
to the angels: 'I am creating man from dry clay, from black moulded loam. When I have
fashioned him and breathed of My Spirit into him, kneel down and prostrate yourself before
him'". (Qur'an, 15:28-29)
Yes, Anwar Shaikh, Islam, though revealed fourteen hundred years ago is as relevant in our
era of space probes, lasers and cloning, as it did in those days. Technology many have
evolved but the basic wants, needs and desires of human beings remained the same. Thus the
need for continuing guidance from our Creator.
Anwar Shaikh then proceeds to accuse that, "A person born as a Muslim is forbidden to
be free thinker. His thoughts must be guided by the Koran". Since Qur'an is the
complete code for the guidance of humanity, what better guide we need. It is the
utilisation of Allah's commandments, which created an utopic society during the golden
days of Islam during Prophet Muhammad's (Peace be upon him) time the succeeding generation
where caste system, racism, murders, rapes, homelessness etc. Were unheard of. Same
wonders could be accomplished presently if we embrace and abide by the Quranic
commandments. Compare this to the deficiency of the man made modern secular laws which are
defeated against the moral ills plaguing the society.
Lastly, Anwar Shaikh, reflects his ignorance by mentioning about the children born into a
religion "If he changes his religion, though he did not adopt it deliberately, he
becomes liable to execution". A one verse rebuttal from the Qur'an will prove Islam
proclamation of universal rights of one's religion: "There is no compulsion
in Islam" (Qur'an, 2:256).
Sabeel Ahmed
September 1998.
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[Currently, he is the co-chairman of the Da'wa Committee and Board of Director at the
Muslim Community Center, Illinois. A student of Ahmed Deedat and now works for the
1-800-662-islam hotline of ICNA. His main interest is in comparative religion.]
