Media portrays distorted view of Islam of extremism and fanaticism

AS A MUSLIM it is my duty to change the distorted view of Islam as portrayed by the media as a religion of extremism, fanaticism, and terror.

Islam is strictly speaking not a religion but a way of life. Islam provides clear guidance on how one should conduct every aspect of one’s life, ranging from the treatment of your parents, your neighbours, other people, conducting one’s business and behaviour at work and even how to behave in the bed with your partner.

These are all seen as “acts of worship”. It is a fallacy that Islam promotes praying a whole day in a mosque, over-working to earn an income to provide food to your family.

All Muslims believe in the day of judgement when one will be answerable for your deeds. The Qur’an states that the level of God-consciousness is the only yardstick used by God to evaluate a person. Increasing the level of God-consciousness, leads to an improved person.

When the beautiful wife of his slave owner wanted to seduce Prophet Joseph, his response was, “I seek the refuge of God”. This is a shining example of how the presence of God-consciousness can trigger good behaviour.

The Qur’an also provides clear guidance to attaining a high level of God-consciousness by incorporating the five pillars of Islam into one’s life. These are: 1) to believe in one God; 2) to perform the five daily prayers; 3) to uphold the fast; 4) to pay alms to the poor; 5) to perform your pilgrimage to Mecca if you can afford it.

My grandfather, the late Oesman Rhoda, advised me that if we inculcate into our lives the following: 1) “God is my witness”; 2) “I love God”; and 3) “God loves me”; then we will never go astray and we will always be guided to lead a virtuous life.

Finally, did, inculcating these three aspects, lead to Prophet Joseph responding appropriately to the awkward situation that he was confronted with? You be the judge.