The Decline Of The Muslim World

[JStone]

Where's Allah?

Muslim world is passing through most difficult times in its history of fifteen hundred years. There was a time during long years of Middle Ages when Muslims ruled two-thirds of the old civilized world but afterwards their ignorance of what was going on around them caused their civilization to decline.

They developed, unnecessarily, a superiority complex based on their past victories and achievements and abandoned the path of progress in the field of science and technology. Europe, on the hand started making great advances in science, which it had borrowed from Islamic civilization. Europe became world power and colonized almost entire Muslim world and humiliated them for centuries by their ruthless Rule. Except in a few semi-independent states (Afghanistan, Turkey, Yemen and Arab Peninsula), the Muslim might and political authority - the symbols of Muslim ummah’s dignity - was totally eliminated from around the globe.

The fall of Turks in 1920 was the last big insult meted out to them. Ironically some Muslims thought that this was the wrath of God since they disobeyed Him during recent past and as if those who ruled and dictated them were godlier. However, the fact is that Islamic world lacked in Science and Technology after the 17th century whereas Western nations made fantastic scientific progress after Renaissance.

Presently, Muslim nations are no match with the West in economic and military power. They were once known to give new IDEAS to the world. At present they are at the most the RECYCLERS of IDEAS, not welcomed by the world. After few centuries of slavery, Muslim nations became independent but the power generally came in the hands of those who seldom cared for the scientific and technological developments. Instead, most of these regimes preferred weak civil societies where Islam was shown as incompatible with democracy and pluralism.

What Islamic world needs today is the scientific and technological advancement so that its presence on the international stage is distinct and effective. Without such an accomplishment, Muslim countries cannot serve the Ummah’s interests, fulfill its aspirations and safeguard its rights. Absence of ideas, both scientific and philosophical, freedom of thought, creativity, and intellectual self-determination, are the main causes that the Muslim World is not in a position to fulfill God given mandate of universal leadership. Intellectuals rightly assert that Muslim world will never be able to improve the lot of its people unless the rulers realize the importance of upgrading the status of science and technology.

At present the Muslim Ummah is confused. Their Past was shining, the Present is gloomy and Future uncertain. In the following passages, self appraisal of well known Muslim scholars (alphabetically) is recorded. These thought provoking views on tolerance, scientific temper, democracy, pluralism and global peace may help the Ummah to know their past, asses the present and also to determine their future based on Science Renaissance.

Continued: Muslim World - Need of Self Appraisal - PatnaDaily.Com

Winston Churchill...

How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy.

The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live.

A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.

Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it.

No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome.
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