'Fundamentalism' twisted
By S.G. Jilanee
Few epithets in the English language have been more abused, perhaps, than fundamentalism (and fundamentalist). Today the term is applied to disparage the orthodox followers of other faiths, especially, Muslims. But this is an arbitrary and biased view, which calls for a closer look.
It is well established that the root and essence of all faiths is the same. All have the same virtues: truth, peace, forgiveness, love, charity et al as their core precepts. And all forbid the same vices. For instance, Hindus are commanded to practise ahinsa (non-violence), shanti (peace) and satya (truth). The code of "Ahinsa pranwu dharmah," means "non-violence is the highest article of piety (faith)." In fact Ahinsa, basically includes also rejecting ill-will, envy, covetousness and doing any harm by word, deed or thought to anyone. Besides, Hindu scriptures prescribe the three Ds," - Datta, Dayadhavam, Damyata: "Datta," to give alms,; "Dayadhvam," to have compassion; "Damyata," to practise self-control.
The Zarathushti creed prescribes Humata, Hukhta and Havarastra (Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds). The principal and cardinal virtue for the followers of Zarathushtra is to adhere to these principles.
The "Ten Perfections" (paramis) of Buddhism comprise Generosity (dana), Morality (sila), Renunciation (nekkhamma), Wisdom (panna), Energy (viriya), Patience (khanti), Truthfulness (sacca), Resolution (adhitthana), Loving-Kindness (metta), and Equanimity (upekkha).
Christianity defines pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed and sloth as the "Seven Deadly Sins." It emphasizes giving alms, humility and meekness. The Ten Commandments include such injunctions as "Honour thy father and thy mother. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shall not covet."
As well they enjoin the observance of Sabbath, forbid taking the name of God in vain, worshipping other gods, and idolatry. As for Islam, because it is the latest and last revealed religion, it not only incorporates what was revealed before but revises and improves upon it. It goes into greater detail and more specifically prescribes and prohibits, advises and cautions, instructs and admonishes, on how a Muslim should conduct his quotidian affairs. It even advises on personal deportment and etiquette, such as, "speak fair to people" (2:83).
"Swell not thy cheek (with pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; be moderate in thy pace and lower thy voice (speak softly), for the harshest of sounds without a doubt is the braying of the ass" (17: 37-38).
Likewise, in regard to charity, it goes so far as to advise on what to give, whom to give it to and how. The righteous are defined as "Those who spend (in the cause of Allah), whether in prosperity or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) people" (3:134). They are promised forgiveness and the reward of Paradise.
The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the sanctity of human life, fulfilling promises and resolving disputes. As to truth, it is forbidden even to dilute it with falsehood. The numerous injunctions in the Quran are further supplemented by a mass of Traditions (Hadith and Sunnah) of the Prophet (S.A.W.) which show how he translated those precepts in word and deed.
Thus, there is nothing offensive about fundamentalism, per se. No religion preaches attacking others' beliefs. For instance, both Christianity and Islam forbid idolatry, but that is all. Islam specifically forbids insulting other people's gods and wherever it mentions idols, all it says is that they have no powers.
Even in its extremist form, strict adherence to one's creed would be quite inoffensive. A Hindu or Christian hermit may dwell in a cave, a monastery or under a tree and there do the most rigorous penance in a state of extreme self-denial. A Muslim similarly, may renounce the world like Abu bin Adhem, give himself to fasting and prayer and so forth.
How can such people hurt others' religious feelings? Essentially, therefore, fundamentalists should be the most harmless people. Doing their own thing, they would be like groups of mountaineers, each one of them trying to scale the peak from a different side, without interfering with others. Or like athletes running a race where each one keeps to his track, so they do not collide. Fundamentalism practised sincerely could, therefore, be the best guarantee for world peace.
The reason fundamentalism is widely denounced is that it is confused with fanaticism. It is actually fanaticism that is the real culprit. It is the negation of fundamentalism, because it aggressively encroaches upon others' beliefs. It fuels hatred, stokes conflict and encourages violence. There are many fanatics who berate each other's religion and incite their followers to violence against each other. It is fanatics that destroy mosques, burn churches, bomb synagogues and roast missionaries alive. Not fundamentalists.
Distinction, therefore, should be made between fundamentalism and fanaticism and the latter should be unequivocally condemned and forcibly curbed.Another fallacy is to regard liberalism as a counterpoint to "fundamentalism."
But liberalism is itself the fanatical form of secularism. It aims to turn every old value on its head with a vengeance. Some interpretations of this give an approving nod to gay marriages, support single motherhood, condone killing of unwanted fetus, wink at couples cohabiting without wedlock, et al, ad infini-tum. Its fanatical side reveals itself in attacks on fundamentalists with such names as "fundos."
To counter fundamentalism, another term has since gained wide currency in the western lexicon. This is "moderation." Moderates are supposed to include people, who do not take their religion too strictly. They are projected as the opposite of extremists, to make it sound innocuous and satisfy those who would frown at naked liberalism. But actually, it aims to proselytize fundamentalist Muslims unwittingly to liberalism, by luring them to relinquish their grip of the "rope of Allah" (habl illah), and openly defy the dictates of their religion.
Wilful deviation, would, however, be extremely risque, because vice is addictive. Once there is a fall, one may go down till he hits the very bottom of perdition. Therefore, Islam is very clear on this point. It has no place for fence-sitters. "Enter into Islam wholeheartedly," is the Quran's clarion call (2:208).
Moreover, true moderation (balance and flexibility) is inbuilt in all religions. Islam takes special cognizance of human problems. It has prescribed certain parameters which are inflexible. Within those parameters it allows ample scope for the exercise of free will, including matters such as prayers and Ramazan fasting or even eating food that is otherwise strictly forbidden. Even transgressions, except wilful defiance of Allah, are forgivable, provided the sinner contritely repents.
Three ineluctable conclusions flow from the above discussions: one, that fundamentalism is acutely misunderstood. True fundamentalism is totally harmless. Two; that fanaticism is the source of all trouble. Three; that in Islam there is nothing like moderation.