The American astronaut Neil Armstrong on July 21, 1969, became the first man to set foot on the moon. Armstrong continued working for the North American Space Agency until recently, when he took up a job as a university professor.
At the beginning of last year a story about Armstrong was printed in the Malaysian newspaper Star (January 10, 1983), and the Sri Lankan Daily News (January 29, 1983). The story spread like wildfire throughout the Muslim world. “The world-famous astronaut Neil Armstrong,” read the Star caption, “was the FIRST MAN to set foot on the moon. He has since become a Muslim and the reason given was that when he first stepped on the moon he heard a sound which was very clear to him and his companions. At that time, he thought his ears were playing tricks on him as he was rather excited and over-awed by his first experience on the moon. When he was sent on a lecture tour to various countries, one of the first places he visited was Cairo, Egypt, and he heard the same sound again. So he asked the Egyptian companion nearest to him what the sound was. He was told that it was Azan, the call to prayer and the glorification of God. He was astounded for that was the same sound and the same words to the best of his memory that he heard on the moon. It was then that he decided to learn something about the religion and finally embraced Islam. As a result of that, he lost his coveted job. But, according to him, he had found God, and nothing else mattered.”
On reading these reports, the President of the Islamic Centre, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, wrote a letter to Mr. Armstrong, seeking his verification. In his reply, dated May 5, 1983, Mr. Armstrong categorically denied the truth of the reports. “Dear Mr. Khan,” he wrote. “Thank you for the courtesy of your letter. The reports of my conversion to Islam, of hearing the voice of Azan on the moon, and later in Cairo (I have never been in Egypt) are all untrue. Several magazines and newspapers in Malaysia, Indonesia and elsewhere have published these reports without verification. I apologize for any inconvenience that this incompetent journalism may have caused you. Sincerely, Neil A. Armstrong.”
The report had also implicated the American government, for it had been stated that on accepting Islam, Armstrong was promptly fired by the U.S. Space Agency. Extensive measures were taken to counter the report. American posts all over the world were told that there was nothing in the story. On May 12, 1983, a televised press conference was held in the American Centre, New Delhi, in which journalists were linked up by telephone directly to Neil Armstrong’s office in Ohio so that they could hear his direct denial that he was a Muslim or had been sacked. He further made clear, according to the Hindustan Times report (May 13, 1983) that “he had never been exposed to Islamic teachings, nor had he read the Quran.”
How strange it is that Muslims have not discharged their responsibility to communicate the message of Islam to Armstrong and others like him. Yet they are only too willing to concoct stories about their great religion having conquered, not only the world, but the moon as well. Explaining the extra efforts made to ensure that the rumour was quashed, an official of the U.S. Information ministry said: “A story like this is self-generating. It is intriguing to a Muslim. It can have a long shelf life.”
The reason that Muslims are so “intrigued” by stories of this nature is that they make them feel happy in the thought that Islam has conquered the world, and relieve them of any responsibility of achieving that end. What will a people, who have nothing but wishful thinking and shunned responsibilities to offer, say when they come before God?
A commander should keep a watch on his officials
Umar once asked people if he had fulfilled his duty if he appointed to some post a capable man—one whom he considered fit for the task—and then enjoined him to be just. Everyone said that he had. “No,” Umar said, “not until I have gauged his actions to see whether he has done what I told him to do. Whenever Umar appointed a governor in some territory, he would ask delegations that came from there how their ruler was. “Does he care for slaves?” he would ask. “Does he follow funeral processions? Is he kind and understanding towards those who come to his door?” If people said that he showed kindness and consideration towards those who came to his door, and looked after slaves well, then Umar would say nothing. Otherwise he would immediately send someone to relieve the governor of his duties.
