To a number of people, I am a fanatic. A follower of an aggressively intolerant religion, whose followers enforce conversion under threat, destroy temples of idolaters and terrorize in the name of religion. This is because religions are often judged by what their most fanatical and intolerant followers do.

This is sadly the case with Islam. Whenever a tragedy strikes, be it the American war against terror, the Babri Masjid imbroglio, the triple Talaq and fatwas against people, a quarrel over Islam begins and it appears that there are as many Islams as there are many forms of jihad.

There is an Islam that Osama bin Laden follows. Then there is an Islam adhered to by Muslim intellectuals or moderates. Yet another form is propagated by the politicians. So what is the real Islam? To this answer, Islam is certainly not what the Osama bin Ladens practice or what the so called Kashmiri jihadis espouse. Some may ask if Islam is a conglomeration of all this? NO. Islam propagates PEACE. It means submission before the Almighty. Not of course, submission to terrorism. 

Besides, terrorists are not Muslims or Christians, nor are they Hindus or Sikhs. The religion of terror is different from traditional religions. Terrorism is the mass murder of the innocent, as happened in the case of WTC. It is the violence being perpetrated on blameless Afghans and Iraqis. There cannot be an excuse for such horrendous acts.

Moreover, all acts of terror are anti-Islam and jihad. A terrorist uses the garb of religion to bring forth his insidious and ulterior motives. Is this jihad then? Once again, the answer is NO. Jihad means to strive and struggle for the cause of Islam, justice and righteousness. It does not always mean resorting to arms against non-Muslims. Of course war is a part of jihad, if the faith, honor and homeland of the Muslims is at stake and is attacked by oppressors. But Islam never calls for war for the sake of war itself. Jihad can be waged by various means such as speeches, writings, wealth, and by arms as per circumstances. It also includes enlightening fellow humans by oratory discourses or by writing books and articles and also the funding of welfare projects like schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and providing employment opportunities.

If only we could all exemplify the teachings of Islam, the future of Islam will surely be radiant instead of being radical.