Dr. Zakir Naik answers one of the most common questions that is in the minds of non-Muslims thereby defining the terms, fundamentalist and extremist using examples and acquaints us on how to reply.
Zakir Naik – Muslims are Fundamentalist and Extremist
AI: Summary ©
The speaker discusses the meaning of " fundamentalist" in the context of Islam, stating that individuals who follow the fundamentals of one particular subject or a person who wants to be a good scientist, cannot be a fundamentalist. They also discuss the history of fundamentalism, stating that it was first used to describe the majority of Christian practices, but there is a slight change in the definition of " fundamentalist" in the context of Islam. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being honest and being a practicing Muslim to avoid becoming an apologetic person.
AI: Summary ©
The second most common question today I find to me, that is in the minds of non Muslim is that Muslims
are fundamentalist.
And many times we Muslim feel ashamed.
And we don't know how to reply. What is the meaning of the word fundamentalist? fundamentalist by definition means a person who follows the fundamentals of one particular subject. For example,
if a mathematician wants to be a good mathematician, he should know, follow and practice the fundamentals of maths. Unless he's a fundamentalist in the field of maths, he cannot be a good mathematician.
For a person who wants to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and practice the fundamentals of science. Unless he's a fundamentalist in the field of science, he cannot be a good scientist.
You cannot paint all fundamentals, the same brush that all are good or bad, depending in which fields the person is the fundamentalist, you have to label them accordingly.
If we have a fundamentalist robber in the society, whose professional is to rob,
he's a pain for the society. On the other hand, if we have a fundamentalist doctor, whose profession is to save 1000s of human lives, he's good for the society. So depending in which field the person is a fundamentalist, you have to label him accordingly.
As far as I'm concerned,
I am a fundamentalist Muslim, and I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim.
Because I know follow and I strive to back to the fundamentals of Islam. And I know that there is not a single fundamental of Islam, which is against humanity as a whole. There may be a few fundamentals, which the non Muslims may think it is against humanity, but the moment you reply to them, or tell them the logical reason why the thing that in Islam, there is not a single human being who can point out a single fundamental of Islam, which is against humanity as a whole.
When we go back in history, we come to know that according to the Webster dictionary, fundamentalism, was first time used
to describe a group of American Christians in the early part of the 20th century,
the American Christians, they protested against the church. And they said, previously, the church believed
that the complete message of the Bible reform God, these Protestant Christians, they protested against the church and said, not only is the message of the Bible from God, every word, every letter of the Bible is from God.
If someone can prove that every letter, every word of the Bible is from Almighty God, then this movement is a good movement.
On the other hand, if someone can prove that every word, every word of Bible is not from Almighty God, then this movement is not a good movement.
When we read the Oxford Dictionary, the Oxford Dictionary faith that fundamentalist is a person who strictly adheres to the ancient or fundamental doctrines of any religion.
But when we read the revised edition of Oxford Dictionary, there's a slight change. It says that fundamentalist is a person who strictly adheres to the ancient scriptures or fundamentals of any religion, especially Islam.
Especially Islam has been added in the revised edition of Oxford Dictionary, the moment you hear the word fundamentalist immediately start thinking of Muslim,
the Muslims, the fundamentalist, the extremist, and we Muslims, we are becoming apologetic. No, no, no, I'm not a fundamentalist. No, no, I'm not an extremist. I say I am an extremist. I'm extremely honest. I'm extremely just I'm extremely kind. I'm extremely merciful. I'm extremely loving.
Can anyone tell me why is being extremely just extremely honest, extremely loving, extremely merciful, extremely kindness bad. What's wrong in being an extremist? The Quran says, you have to be extremely honest. You can't be partly honest when benefits to your honest when doesn't benefit you what is honest, the Quran says you have to be extremely honest, extremely just so if you are a practicing Muslim, you have to be extremely kind extremely honest, extremely just.
We have to be extremist
in the correct direction. We should not be extremists in the wrong direction.
But a Muslim should be extremist in following the Quran.
Allah says in the Quran in surah baqarah chapter two was the majority, Allah fits within makaha entertained to some wholeheartedly, you can say partly.
So why are the Muslims becoming apologetic?
The media is attacking Islam and unfortunately, we Muslims. We are the best Dean. But why are we afraid? Why are we apologetic
it's time that we turn the tables over.