The Quran contains a series of precepts that preach benevolence towards others. It prescribes doing good to relatives and neighbors, giving to the poor, orphans, and needy, showing hospitality to travelers, and offering help to those who ask for it. It preaches sincerity, forgiveness, reconciliation, kindness, and avoiding insults, gossip, and speaking ill of others behind their back. It also mentions charity and mercy.
At the same time, other verses encourage some believers to inflict harm, even great harm, on innocent people, such as the following:
They also advocate for:
LET’S END ALL THESE CRUELTIES AND OPPRESSIONS NOW!
Fortunately, a reform process has taken place, thanks to which modern slavery, dhimma, and confining women to die of hunger and thirst have been eradicated in almost all Muslim communities. But there is still a long way to go, as most of the aforementioned injustices continue to be applied in the majority of Muslim countries at all levels: religious, social, political, and legal.
The good news is that there are increasingly more progressive Muslims and modernist scholars who are carrying out reformist and tolerant interpretations of the Quran. They argue that the central message of this book is one of justice, equality, and compassion, and that any interpretation that contravenes these principles must be reevaluated.
They question the authenticity of the Hadith, as they were written several centuries after the death of Muhammad, based on alleged oral transmissions. Those of us who have played the game of sitting a group of people in a circle and whispering a phrase into the ear of the person to our right, who in turn does the same with the next, and so on, know how oral messages become distorted when passed from one person to another. Furthermore, they see contradictions between the Hadith and the Quran.
They also take into account the historical context of the different verses of the Quran, specifically in the 7th century in the Arabian Peninsula, where cultural and social patterns were typical of the Middle Ages: conquests, massacres, war spoils, slavery, subjugation of women, cruel punishments, multiple human rights violations, etc.
The interpretations and applications of the texts of this religion have varied considerably over time and among different schools of Islamic thought. And modernist Muslims believe that it is necessary to adapt these interpretations to current times, in such a way that they are compatible with human rights and freedoms.
Likewise, they take into account the circumstances in which the events described in the Quran occurred. For example, on occasion, these were defensive reactions to enemy attacks or their breach of agreements. Furthermore, they consider that certain verses should be understood in a metaphorical framework rather than as literal and universal mandates.
Fostering this benevolent and respectful Islam is part of the solution to the problem of oppressive, repressive, and conservative Islam. The other pillar is to combat the cancer of harmful fundamentalism.
LIVE WITHOUT HARMING: Let’s choose the best version of each religion
HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT HARMING? Let’s be rational
LET’S CONTRIBUTE TO THE SPREAD OF KIND AND TOLERANT ISLAM!
Liberal Muslims are a minority, and they are also frowned upon by the majority, composed of traditionalists, both moderate and fundamentalist. They are even victims of harassment, threats, assaults, and assassinations by the latter.
The good news is that in many countries, the number of reformist believers is growing due to the process of modernization and secularization affecting sectors of a large part of the planet. But there is still a very long way to go.
How can we help this benevolent and compromising Islam go from being a minority to a majority? By signing these campaigns to demand:
1. That all Muslim religious leaders interpret the Quran benevolently. Sign…
2. All governments to promote a harmless, tolerant, and respectful Islam. Sign…
3. That all schools educate in the ethics of non-harm. Sign…
LET US AVOID HARM: Let us educate children in the ethics of kindness
LET’S DO SOMETHING TO ERADICATE THE CANCER OF FUNDAMENTALISM AND JIHADISM!
Islamic terrorism and extremism cause great harm to millions of innocent people. What can we do to reduce it to a minimum? To begin, by signing the following campaigns to ask all governments:
1. To effectively combat jihadism and harmful fundamentalism. Sign…
2. To prevent hate speech and harm to innocent people. Sign…
3. To recognize the right of children not to receive harmful indoctrination. Sign…
THE ART OF LIVING WITHOUT HARMING: Let’s think for ourselves and erase poisonous indoctrination
4. To repeal religiously-motivated crimes. Sign…
5. The expulsion of terrorist, jihadist, and fundamentalist immigrants. Sign…
6. An immigration policy that prevents the arrival of such individuals. Sign…
To continue, you can:
1. Share the 9 campaigns and this article with as many people as possible.
2. Convince the Muslims you know of the importance of Islam being non-harmful and respecting the freedom and rights of others. Read more…
LET’S LIVE WITHOUT HARMING! Let’s pressure to change the harmful side of religions
And, finally, you have the possibility to take other initiatives that you may think of.
If you do not do any of the above, you are an accomplice to the great problem of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism (and therefore, do not complain about it later). If you do, you are part of its solution.
LIVE WITHOUT HARMING: Let’s not be accomplices or abettors of injustice
HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT HARMING? LET’S LOOK at the harmful part of religions
FOR A WORLD WITHOUT HARM: LET’S REFORM the harmful part of religions
THE ART OF LIVING WITHOUT HARMING: Let’s oppose toxic dogmatism
Thank you for helping to achieve a kind, tolerant, and cruelty-free Islam, and thereby a better world.
Xavier Paya
Living Without Harm initiative
LET’S NOT HARM ANYONE, except in legitimate self-defense against an aggressor.
With the Living Without Harm initiative, we strive to prevent any kind of suffering or harm from being caused to you, your loved ones, and others.
1 Mission: A happier world
3 Goals:
1. Share scientific knowledge about wellbeing.
2. Encourage people not to cause harm.
3. Promote scientific research on quality of life.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE TIPS TO BE HAPPIER?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP US LEAVE A BETTER WORLD THAN THE ONE YOU FOUND?
All rights reserved © WELL-BEING INSTITUTE - Developed by Misiva
Subscribe to our free newsletter and receive practical, science-based tips to improve your quality of life:
– Advice from health and wellness experts
– Simple strategies to reduce stress and other types of discomfort
– Techniques to increase your happiness day by day
GIFT:
Upon subscribing, you will receive our Free Guide “How to be Happier.”
