The real enemies of Islam

[unhappycamper]

http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MID-01-100314.html



The real enemies of Islam
By Hossein Askari
Mar 10, '14

Muslims around the world have been deceived into believing that the West and Westerners are the enemies of Islam - modern-day Crusaders who vilify Islam and are on a mission to eradicate the faith and subjugate them. But the real enemies of Islam are those who misrepresent its teachings and hijack its mantle for their own gain - oppressive and corrupt Muslim rulers.

Some central teachings of Islam that are universally accepted include:
(i) rulers are to be selected by the community;
(ii) rulers must follow the rules laid down in the Koran and interpreted by the Prophet;
(iii) oppressive rulers and oppression must be confronted by all Muslims who are deemed as guilty as the oppressor if they do not do so;
(iv) Allah is the ultimate owner of all things and in particular natural resources (especially those that are depletable)
that He has given to humans in trust for the equitable benefit of all generations;
(v) poverty must be erased wherever it is found;
(vi) opulence is to be abhorred, especially if it exists alongside poverty; and
(vii) socio-economic justice (freedom, equitable opportunities, and provision of basic needs for all) is the moral compass of a thriving Muslim community.

Just cast a glance at the 57 Muslim states around the world and ask if the rulers meet any of these simple criteria? A few may come close on some, but it is altogether a sorry state of affairs that all Muslims must face - namely, their dismal predicament is primarily of their own making.

To put flesh on the skeleton, let's take a look at some Persian Gulf countries that have undoubtedly had the means (oil/natural gas) to do everything that Islam demands

[bemildred]

1. +1. nt