Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brother Burhan,

i hear freqeuntly these days from the western media "Islamik fundmentalist"...so what is the excat meaning of this word"fundmentalist", in their point of view (westerns)  and when it came in use.

jazakallah keyr

ur brother in Islam  

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Islamic fundamentalist

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The word ‘fundamentalist’ according to the Oxford Dictionary of Current English means: ‘one who strictly adheres to religious beliefs or doctrines’.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 208-210:

208 O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the Evil One; for he is to you an avowed enemy.

209 If ye backslide after the clear (Signs) have come to you, then know that Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

Will they wait until Allah comes to them in canopies of clouds with Angels (in His train), and the question is (thus) settled? But to Allah do all questions go back (for decision).

Allah Subhanah demands that those who profess to believe enter completely and whole-heartedly into Islam; in other words, strictly adhere to the beliefs and doctrine of Islam. Thus it is the duty of every believer who professes to believe in Allah and the Last Day, to strictly adhere to the beliefs and doctrines of Islam. Anyone who does so, will be termed a ‘fundamentalist’.

But the Powers of the World demand that the believers become what they call ‘moderate muslims’…. Which according to them would be obedience to them and their interests, but if the muslims wish to perform some of the rituals of the deen like prayer, and fasts, and pilgrimage, etc. they may do so! But if the muslims say they want to submit completely to Allah Subhanah and live their lives according to His Revealed Laws and Testament, they will be termed ‘fundamentalists’!

The choice the Western Powers have given the muslims is to either be a ‘fundamentalist’ or a ‘moderate’ muslim! They can accept the ‘moderate’ muslim who obeys and pleases them and their interests; but they have declared that they will not accept the ‘fundamentalist’ muslim who has submitted his will to Allah Subhanah and wants to live his life according to the Laws of Allah Subhanah. The choice they have offered the Ummah is to be ‘moderate’ and thus be with them, or be ‘fundamentalist’ and be against them!

On the other hand, The Lord of the Worlds has commanded the believers to enter into Islam completely and whole-heartedly, and live this earthly life according to the Laws He has revealed!

And it is the duty of every believer who professes belief in Allah and the Last Day to strive and live his life according to the Will of Allah Subhanah, no matter how much the disbelievers hate it!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 10 Surah Yunus verse 82: "And Allah by His Words doth prove and establish his Truth; however much the sinners may hate it!"

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan