Islam basically is religion of peace, compassion and justice. There are enough verses in the Qur’an to prove this. Violence is allowed only for defence, never for aggression. Moreover, it is incidental, not ideological. In principle, it is peace and it is duty of all Muslims to promote and establish peace. This book, it is hoped, would help generate a fresh debate on this sensitive subject in a much more informed manner. Also those Muslims who desire to establish Islamic state should know that the Qur’an does not refer to any such concept. It only desires to establish a just society free of injustices, exploitation and oppression whatever form the state takes. What is called khliafat-e-rashidah was also based on historical context. The form today Islamic state takes will depend on today’s context. There is no standard form available to emulate. This is precisely what this book says.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Asghar Ali Engineer
Prof. Asghar Ali Engineer is an internationally known Islamic scholar, a dedicated social reformer and an ardent advocate of inter-religious dialogue. He is specially trained in Islamic theology. Tafsir (commentary of the holy Qur’an) Islamic Jurisprudence and Hadith. He is now the Chairman of the Centre for the Study of Society and Secularism, and Chief Editor of the quarterly Indian Journal of Secularism. He serves also as member of the Governing Council of the foundation for Communal Harmony of the government of India. Prof. Engineer has written more than forty books and a number of scholarly articles. He has held many responsible offices like Vice President of People’s Union for Civil Liberties and chairman of the Committee for Communal Harmony. He is also recipient of important awards like National Communal Harmony Award from the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India and Hakim Khan Sur Award for National Integration from Maharana Mewar Foundation.
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