Islamic Fundamentalism
Islamic Fundamentalism
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disapproved of by Islam. This is quite expressly
stated in the Quran: “God does not love the
transgressors” (2:205).
The fact is that the terms ‘ideal state’ and ‘ideal
society’ have a wonderful resonance, but their use
in the name of Islam is sheer exploitation of Islam.
Verse ninety-nine of the 16th chapter is quite
specific about this. It says: “God enjoins justice,
kindness and charity… and forbids indecency,
wickedness
and
oppression.”
Even
more
specifically the Quran says that God loves the
charitable (2:195). And indeed idealism and
perfection are highly desirable virtues in Islam, but
the direct target of Islamic idealism is not society,
and not the state, but the individual. The perennial
objective of the Islamic movement is to strive to
make each single individual an ideal human being.
Each individual has to be urged to become an
example of the ‘sublime character’ as projected by
the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him,
and described in the Quran (68:4). So far as the ideal
society or the ideal state is concerned, it is in no way
a direct goal of Islam.
