Islam Rediscovered
12. Islamic Fundamentalism
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entirely peaceful sphere of activity. At no stage
would they ever reach the point of resorting to
violence and aggression. The inner spirit which is
meant to pervade all actions stemming from the
observance of these principles can only be
inculcated by advice, counselling and well-reasoned
argument. There is no other viable way of achieving
this objective save that of peaceful striving.
ISLAM AND POLITICS
In making an assessment of Islam in relation to
politics, one crucial point must be taken into
consideration, which is that, politics is only a
relative and not the real part of Islam. This
difference between a real and a relative feature is
that what is essential is relevant in all circumstances
and at all times, whereas the relative is required
only in relation to particular sets of circumstances.
Wherever such circumstances do not exist, relative
features lose their relevance and therefore their
desirability. This difference between the real and
relative is illustrated by the Quranic injunction to
perform the Hajj pilgrimage: “Pilgrimage to the
