Islam Rediscovered
12. Islamic Fundamentalism
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task involved the spiritual reform of people’s hearts
and minds, so that they might lead their lives as
new, transformed human beings. Thanks to their
adherence to this wise policy, the Sufis did not need
to resort to violence. Another example in our times
is provided by the Tablighi Jamaat, which has been
working peaceably on a large scale in the sphere of
individual reform.
Since
Islamic
fundamentalists
target
the
Islamization of the State rather than the reform of
individuals, their only plan of action is in the very
first instance to launch themselves on a collision
course with the rulers who hold sway over the
institution of the State. In this way, their movement
takes the path of violence from day one. Then all
the other evils creep in which are the direct or
indirect result of violence, for instance, mutual
hatred and disruption of the peace, waste of
precious resources, and so on.
It would be right and proper to say that Islam is a
name for peaceful struggle, while the so-called
Islamic fundamentalism is quite the reverse. From
the foregoing details it is quite clear that violence,
