Islam and people claiming to be muslim are not synonymous-- both can be poles apart

Submitted by Mazhar (Pakistan), Aug 1, 2014 at 09:45

It is wrong to say "Islam currently represents a backward, aggressive, and violent force.". It will seem correct if word Islam is substituted by "People who identify themselves as Muslims are------".

Arabic word Islam is a Verbal Noun derived from Root: س ل م

Learned Ibn Faris [died-1005] described the perception inherent in the Root in these words

:مقاييس اللغة

السين واللام والميم معظم بابه من الصّحّة والعافية؛ ويكون فيه ما يشذُّ، والشاذُّ عنه قليل، فالسّلامة: أن يسلم الإنسان من العاهة والأذَى

That the dominant and pervasive perception and meanings infolded in the Root are that of healthy state of exactitude, validity, truth, and absolved causing wellness and tranquility. And therein is no deviation, irregularity, oddity, and abnormality disturbing wellness and tranquility. It portrays a state of peace, safety, tranquility and dynamic balance when the Man is secure from all sorts of things causing damage and disablement of that state. Obviously, it is the unique state and only source - a ladder that could enable Man to elevate to stability, prosperity, development and all sorts of ascensions.

http://www.haqeeqat.org.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/eng%20article.htm

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".