Faith and Common Sense: Humanising Islam

Ahmadiyya Times does not know Waris Shere, the Daily Times reader who wrote the following lines to the Daily Times Editor. Our staff came across these comments as they are in direct response to the article from Daily Times, 'A time to humanise Islam' by Ishtiaq Ahmed, cross-posted here.  

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Letters to the editor
Source & Credit: Daily Times | Pakistan
By Waris Shere | Winnipeg, Canada

Sir: I read with great interest Ishtiaq Ahmed’s brilliant piece titled ‘A time to humanise Islam’ (Daily Times, March 2, 2010). Indeed, as he has so correctly observed, there can be heard a screaming silence from the custodians of Islam — the ulema — on the execution of Jaspal Singh, probably because he was not a Muslim. The Muslim masses have not taken to the streets in protest because they have been conditioned to protest only when something is perceived to be anti-Islamic.


The barbaric beheading of a Sikh is indeed shameful and must be condemned by all civilised people, irrespective of one’s faith or race. Islam is, in fact, a religion that promotes peace and understanding among people of all faiths, and strongly prohibits all forms of violence and aggression against all people, regardless of their faith or race. Through the centuries, unfortunate deviations from the true teachings of Islam have taken place.

Receiving good treatment is the right of a non-Muslim under Islam, not just a matter of courtesy. The Quran instructs Muslims to treat non-Muslims courteously, with a spirit of kindness and generosity. The Prophet (PBUH) himself was the first person to put the divine commands into practice, followed by his caliphs and the general population of believers. The life story of the Prophet (PBUH) gives many instances of his kind, tolerant coexistence with non-Muslims. Some of his neighbours were also non-Muslims; the Prophet (PBUH) would be generous towards them and exchange gifts. He would also visit them when they fell sick and conducted business with them. It is sad to note that even when Muslims kill Muslims, the ulema and the masses usually keep quiet.



Read original letter here:  Humanising Islam