Islamic Propagation: Not the Result of Theoretical Dominance
Category: Current Affairs
Source: DrAkramNadwi Telegram
Date of post: 2024-01-11
By: Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi
Oxford
Disclaimer: This article was translated by AI.
For seventy years, the people of Palestine have faced relentless genocide. Their cities and villages have been destroyed, their homes seized, and they have been forcibly exiled. The atrocities of this Nakba and the inhumane treatment they endured shake the conscience of humanity. The world had almost forgotten this history, but on October 7, 2023, the events of the Nakba were repeated, leading to a new wave of Palestinian genocide. These harrowing incidents are now being witnessed globally through social media. Bombings with the most dangerous weapons are destroying homes, hospitals, schools, colleges, and basic human institutions. Children, women, elderly, and peaceful citizens are being massacred. These horrifying scenes are enough to disturb the world’s conscience.
While educated and peace-loving men and women worldwide are appalled by these brutal bombings, they are equally astonished by the steadfastness of Palestinian men, women, children, and elderly. They exhibit extraordinary patience, resilience, and a reliance on God that writes a new chapter in history. This astonishment has led many to study Islam and read translations of the Qur’an to understand the secret behind such patience and reliance. Consequently, hundreds, and according to some Western analyses, thousands, have embraced Islam, and this trend continues.
Undoubtedly, Islam is the true religion of God. It is based on the strongest principles, laws, and rational proofs. However, explaining Islam’s theoretical and philosophical dominance in a way that satisfies the minds of non-Muslims is challenging, if not impossible. Every intellectual argument can be countered with another. Establishing or refuting an ideology on rational grounds depends on the intellectual skills of the individuals involved. What one person proves with evidence, another, more intelligent person, can refute. Similarly, a philosopher can dismantle arguments that another philosopher upholds.
This can be compared to cricket matches between India and Pakistan. Sometimes India wins, and other times Pakistan does. Everyone knows that India’s victory doesn’t mean Hinduism is the true religion and Islam is false, nor does Pakistan’s victory mean Islam is the true religion and Hinduism is mere mythology. Rather, it depends on the performance of the teams. The team that wins today may lose tomorrow, and vice versa. This isn’t just a possibility but a reality we’ve witnessed repeatedly.
The same is true for ideological victories and defeats. Those who win today on philosophical grounds may lose tomorrow on the same basis. This explains why the few who embraced Islam because a Muslim debater outperformed their opponent often leave Islam when a more intelligent person dismantles the Muslim debater’s arguments.
Those who have analyzed the spread and popularity of Islam, both in the present era and throughout Muslim history, agree that the practical lives of Muslims are Islam’s greatest invitation. Islam’s true strength lies not in its theoretical or philosophical wonders but in how Muslims implement Islam in their lives—how it governs their actions, emotions, and motives, and how faith in God transforms their hearts and perspectives.
Many people have embraced Islam after witnessing how Muslims excel in hospitality, help the needy, and lead in charitable deeds. In the morally loose Western environment, the chastity, dignity, and modesty of young Muslim men and women stand out as miracles. Their integrity and adherence to Islamic values inspire many of their peers to embrace Islam, strengthening their faith even further.
When Muslims face oppression, they endure patiently and respond by stating that Allah will grant them the best reward in the Hereafter. Hearing such responses prompts people to seek more information about the Hereafter—a concept beyond their understanding. Soon, they believe in this unseen and submit to Allah.
Meeting converts to Islam reveals this truth more clearly. I have asked countless new Muslims about their reasons for embracing Islam, and they unanimously attribute it to the influence of a Muslim’s practical life.
Whether studying the histories of Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Central Asia, Africa, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, or distant corners of the world, it becomes evident that it wasn’t theoretical Islam but practical Islam that touched hearts and minds. The examples of Muslim prayers, fasting, charity, and moral conduct have transformed lives.
One positive outcome of Palestine’s recent tragedy is the spread of Islam. This contains a message for all Muslims: When Islam manifests in life, nothing can match its power. It is this practical aspect of Islam that subdued the invincible Mongols, bringing them into its fold. And it is this very aspect that continues to attract people in the West towards Islam despite their extraordinary material strength.
If only we could rediscover the secret of our strength and strive to understand the true meaning of “You will be superior if you are true believers” (Qur’an 3:139).
