Murder in the name of Allah - Tahir Ahmad

Perhaps more relevant today than ever, this first translation into English of Mazhab ke Nam per Khoon is not only a re-affirmation of the basic tenets of Islam, but also addresses both Western and Muslim misconceptions concerning the teachings of one of the world's great faiths. This book is a reminder that the purpose of any religion is the spread of peace, tolerance and understanding. It argues that the meaning of Islam - submission to the will of God - has been steadily corrupted by minority elements in the community. Instead of spreading peace, the religion has been abused by fanatics and made an excuse for violence and the spread of terror, both inside and outside the faith. Originally written in response to the suffering caused by inter-Muslim sectarian strife, this translation includes three new chapters which will be of particular interest to Western audiences, covering the Iran-Iraq War, the Salman Rushdie affair and the growth of so-called 'Islamic' terrorism. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad argues that the roots of modern day Islamic militancy are political, and do not lie in the teachings of the Quran, and exhorts the Muslim world to reject violence in all its forms and seek a return to true Islamic values of peace and tolerance. He calls for a separation of religion and politics and argues that political acts should not and can not be carried out in the name of religion. At the same time, the author reminds non-Muslim readers that the violence ostensibly carried out in Islam's name is at least in part a reaction to the perceived injustices of Western policy. He believes that the ultimate solution is for followers of all religions to come together in the understanding that the future of mankind depends on the intrinsic values of love, tolerance, and freedom of conscience and of belief. This thought-provoking work is essential reading for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.