Followers Should Define Islam

* The series published about the Afghan freedom fighters (“Legacy of Fear,” Aug. 4-7) deserves critical reading and a serious debate. However, certain issues should not wait. Case in point is the table, “Islam” (Aug. 7).

It is disturbing that the Islamic Center of Southern California and Muslim Public Affairs Council were mentioned at the end of the series among resources, but the writers decided to define Islam from other sources, including the Encyclopedia Britannica.

The first statement, that Islam was founded by Prophet Muhammad, is incorrect. To the Muslim, none of the messengers of God (Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad or others) founded the religion. The message of God is revealed by God to the messengers, who are entrusted to convey the message to the people.

To say that Muhammad fled from Mecca to Medina, to return back to convert Mecca to Islam and to establish a mosque, is an inaccurate version of history. The mosque, called the Kaaba and built by Abraham, was there thousands of years before the time of Muhammad.

To say that the companions of Muhammad preserved his sayings and later compiled them into the Koran is heresy to Muslims. The sayings of Muhammad that were compiled by his followers is called the Hadith, i.e., the sayings of the prophet. The Koran, on the other hand, is the direct word of God, conveyed through Muhammad. It was identified from that moment as the Koran, which is unique in its style, composition and impact.

Islam, like other religions or even ideologies, may be followed or opposed, admired or rejected, but ought to be defined by its followers, not by any other authority, even an encyclopedia.

MAHER HATHOUT

Senior Advisor to the

Muslim Public Affairs Council

Los Angeles