Telegraph, London published an article in 2001 entitled ‘A Religion That Sanctions Violence’ in which it analysed whether Islam was a religion of peace, or does it sanction violence. Such misconceptions arise due to two different versions of Islam: one which is found in the Islamic Scriptures, and the other which we see in the life of present-day Muslim communities. When one forms their opinions of Islam after seeing Muslim behaviour, one often asks: Why are Muslims conducting jihad? Does the Quran ask Muslims to kill non-Muslims? Does Islam ask Muslims to establish an Islamic State? What is ISIS? Who are Kafirs? What are Fatwas? What was the Satanic Verses controversy? Does Islam degrade women?

If one wants to have a true picture of Islam, one must differentiate between Islam and Muslims. One must conceive of Islam purely in the light of the Islamic Scriptures, that is, the Quran and Sunnah. Moreover, one must refrain from equating the Muslim community with the religion of Islam (as mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah). When one does this, they will realize that these misconceptions have nothing to do with Islam, they are due to the fact that its followers, that is Muslims, do not know the limit of their freedom. This is not the case of only Muslims, in fact, modern man, in general, aspired to freedom as the highest good, but once having reached this goal, he was unable to set reasonable limits to freedom. In consequence, unrestrained freedom descended into anarchy and lawlessness and all other forms of negativity.

The truth is that Islam is a religious ideology, whereas the position of Muslims is determined by the sentiments and conduct of a community. This being so, the student of Islam must see the community as it ought to be when subservient to Islam and not judge Islam by the personal deviations of the human beings making up the community of Muslims. Therefore, to see the true face of Islam, one must judge Muslims in the light of Islamic teachings and not vice versa.

Source: The Seeker’s Guide