One of the most valued attributes of Islam is its ability to stimulate thought and unleash potential. It enables individuals to develop a broad understanding of the world that encompasses cognitive, emotional, religious, social and humane aspects.
When Islam arrived in Persia in the mid 600s, it prevented Persia’s decline and motivated great scholars, such as Ibn Sina (Avicenna), whose medical discoveries have been acknowledged in many universities in Europe and up until the 18th century. It also inspired many great philosophers and poets such as Omar Al Khayyam and Rumi, whose poetry continues to stimulate and bring joy today, to Westerners and non-Westerners alike.
Islam also brought a new dawn to Europe after a long period of darkness and conflict. Muslim scholars stimulated and inspired many young European men and women, triggering a thirst for knowledge, among individuals like Saint Augustine. Islam and Muslims opened doors to the renaissance that altered Europe’s identity.
Spain’s influence on modern-day thinking
In “Islam and the West”, HRH the Prince of Wales acknowledged that we have under-estimated the importance of 800 years of Islamic society and culture in Spain between the 8th and 15th centuries. During the Dark Ages, Spain contributed significantly to the preservation of classical learning, and to the first flowerings of the Renaissance. It not only gathered and preserved the intellectual content of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, it interpreted and expanded upon it, making a vital contribution, in its own right. to many fields of human endeavor – science, astronomy, mathematics, algebra (itself an Arabic word), law, history, medicine, pharmacology, optics, agriculture, architecture, theology and music. Consider Averroes and Avenzoor, who, like their counterparts Avicenna and Rhazes in the East contributed to the study and practice of medicine which benefited Europe for centuries afterwards.
Islam nurtured and preserved a thirst for learning, recognizing that, ‘the ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr’. During the 10th century, Cordoba was by far the most civilized city in Europe. It is said that the 400,000 volumes in its ruler’s library exceeded the total number of books in all the libraries of the rest of Europe combined. The Muslim world acquired the skill of making paper from China more than 400 years before non-Muslim Europe. Many of the traits which modern Europe prides itself on were derived from Muslim Spain: diplomacy, free trade, open borders, academic and anthropological research techniques, etiquette, fashion and medical interventions all had roots in Spain when it was ruled by Muslims.
Promoting tolerance
Medieval Islam was a religion of remarkable tolerance, permitting Jews and Christians to practice their inherited beliefs. Ironically, Islam’s influence on Europe’s development through Spain, and later the Balkans, contributed significantly towards its civilization, which is often mistakenly deemed to have originated entirely in the Western world. Islam is very much a part of our past and our present, in all fields of human endeavor. It helped create modern Europe. It is part of our inheritance, not a foreign or separate ideology.
Many Europeans appreciate this reality but are silent, reluctant to denounce attacks against Islam and Muslims. Meanwhile, politicians, both consciously and unconsciously, direct criticism towards the visual symbols of Islam – headscarves, niqabs and minarets – as opposed to the principles and values of Islam, creating social unease, psychological distress and fuelling intolerance.
One must question the value of marginalizing such a huge percentage of European society. Is it good politics to drive one’s popularity in the public polls through racial intolerance? Is it not more appropriate to promote integration, respect and tolerance?
A role for Muslim scholars in the West
Perhaps Muslim scholars in the West need to unite to offer alternatives to the status quo. Their familiarity with fellow Muslim citizens in the West, the principles of Islam, and the West’s societal values and foundations ideally positions them to identify solutions that address the needs of all parties.
A solution from the Qur’an
More than fourteen hundred years ago, the Qur’an looked at the discord between Muslims and non-Muslims and offered a way forward. Here is what the Qur’an says:
“O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah. That we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah.” If then they turn back, say you: “Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s Will).
(3-64)
” O People of the Book! Why dispute about Abraham, when the Law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have you no understanding?”
(3-65)
Ah! You are those who fell to disputing (Even) in matters of which you had some knowledge! But why dispute in matters of which you have no knowledge? It is Allah who knows, and you who know not!
(3-66)
As for the true understanding and practice of these verses, I urge the reader to refer to the leadership of Omar Ibn Al Khattab, the second khalif, when Saladdin ruled over Jerusalem and when Muslims ruled Spain: churches were not banned and rules governing appropriate dress in public were not imposed. Surely today’s modern leaders can model the wisdom of tolerance demonstrated by our forefathers.
By: Dr. Abdelmalek Yamani