Several years ago i used to debate on an american forum. On that forum i was the only participant with a muslim background. I wrote the following post of define what i believed. Of course my personal belief has evolved since then, but the core remains pretty much the same.
I thought i would share what i wrote here.
"If i had to put a name to my belief it would be Humanist Muslim. I add the “humanist” simply to correct misconceptions about Islam. Even according to Islamic theology, the rights of Man supersede the rights of God i.e your foremost responsibility is towards your fellow human. Unfortunately bearded apes through muslim history have completely ignored the essentially humanistic approach of Islam and twisted it into a violent RCC-anno-1500 type religious war party.
I am a pacifist. This too has been inculcated in me due to my upbringing as an ahmedi muslim. We are UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES allowed to resort to violence in the name of our religion. There is NO EXCUSE for violence PERIOD. We are only allowed to defend/spread our belief through community building, debate & dialogue and by example. And if we fear for our lives, we leave. A large portion of my Pakistani family emigrated to the West during the persecution of Ahmedis during the 70’s.
I am a socialist because as a muslim my foremost duty is towards the well being of my fellow man. I believe that a human cannot truly have a clear conscience as long as there are people around him that are not well.
I am an environmentalist because God created a universe and we are a result of that universe (through evolution). It is our duty to look after the universe (as opposed to the primitive view that earth was created for man to exploit). If i do not care for our environment i am disrespecting the origin of our species.
I believe in gender differentiation and equality. Men and women ARE different, but neither is qualified to term themselves better or more important than the other. Individually we each can excel but only through the pairing of the two genders can we become more than the sum of our parts. I believe that no sphere of life is exclusive to either gender (though they may have predispositions that lead them towards certain areas). I firmly believe that women MUST be educated and involved in our societies and not hidden away (they have different perspectives and skills which are imperative for our survival as a species)
I believe that it is man’s DUTY to question the universe and our understanding of it. It is our DUTY to do EVERYTHING we can to understand the universe. That means actively challenging established theories and beliefs and discarding those that cannot stand the test of science. The maxim that Science and Religion are two different sides of the spectrum and never the twain shall meet is an out dated perspective. Religion is the search for truth and so is science.
I believe that a man’s belief is his right and his property alone. We are not to judge or condemn them UNLESS they actively harm other humans.
I believe in forgiveness and not in punishment. Retribution for injustice comes in the form of justice, not vengeance.
I believe that I am wholly responsible for my actions, but the results of my actions depend ultimately on the universe/god.
I believe nationalistic pride, ethnic pride, racial pride or religious pride, are harmful to us as a species. All men are created equal. To feel pride in something you have had no hand in serves no purpose other than distancing you from humanity as a whole. I only believe in ONE NATION, and that is the nation of humanity. To be one nation of earth humans will reflect the reality of the universe that we are members of the same species. TO differentiate yourself based on imaginary lines drawn on a map run contrary to the REALITY of our EQUALITY.
I believe that I must live my life according to what I think is right. NEVER according to how other people act. I never agree with the “he did it first” or “He did it so I’m gonna do it” excuse. Another person’s actions should never dictate mine. I believe a lot of our misery in this world is caused by this attitude. The bad behaviour of another can NEVER justify YOUR bad behavior (even though you see this type of justification even at an international level - some politicians are just big babies like that).
I believe that NO HUMAN IS EVIL. I believe humans commit evil acts because they do not see the world clearly. I can only combat evil by explaining and clarifying. I can NEVER combat it by another evil act (like killing those who disagree ). I oppose punitive corrections (the point of punitive measures is to make the criminal aware of the consequences of crime - not to wreak vengeance upon him/her).
Most of all though I believe in honesty. Honesty towards others and honesty towards one self. Speaking the truth can NEVER result in misery. The greatest of the prophets had only this to cling on to. Their defining feature was not their miracles or their sacrifice. It was their HONESTY. It was their complete commitment to speaking the TRUTH (as they perceived it) without taking heed of the consequences. They always maintained a belief that truth cannot be harmful. And this is what gave them unbelievable strength. As long as you have truth on your side (which you can only have by being 100% honest) you cannot be beaten by even the most clever of untruths. That is why Mohammad (pbuh) handled persecution in Mecca silently. That is why Jesus went to the cross without complaint. And that is the only way I can hope to emulate the prophets. By absolute adherence to the truth as I perceive it.
