Non-Muslim Views on Islam

Islam in the eyes of Non-Muslims
NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi
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Abstract:
This article describes briefly about “perspectives of Non-Muslims
about Islam”. This article seeks to demonstrate that what people think
about Islam, about its importance and how they attracted to Islam. In
this article, some quotes of great and famous Non-Muslim personalities
are included as well as some articles are also included written by some
Non-Muslim writers. This article explores the great lengths that Muslim
converts go to in order to avoid criticism from their Non-Muslim fellows
and family. This article also seeks to comprehend that Non-Muslims
also know that Islam is a religion of peace and their honorable leaders
and unbiased scholars accept the fact that Islam is the religion of
peace, tranquility and intellect. In this article it is also shown that Islam
has begun to unfold its genuineness to the modern scholars whose bold
and objective observations on Islam falsified all the charges leveled
against it by unbiased orientalists. This clause also lets in some common
people thoughts about Islam. I am writing to express my gratitude for
my religion, Religion of peace, and consideration in support of Islam.

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Since the advent of Islam, there is no period in which rant and
raves, arguments and clandestine plots were not made against Islam. Enemies of
Islam left no stone unturned to blemish the true and clear picture of Islam. They
attacked on Islamic laws and teachings, social, political, economic, individual and
collective life of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H).In short, enemies attacked Islam from all
possible aspects.
During early days of advent of Islam, many notable fatuous enemies like Abu Jahl,
Utba, Abu lahab, Sheeba, Umayya bin Khalaf etc tried to impede the spread of
Islam with power .They urged Holy Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.W to say good
bye to preaching of Islam with every possible measure they could use but all in
vain .Its not the end of story as during reign of Halaku Khan, Changez khan and
Ta’taaris massacre of Muslims was part and parcel of day. Nowadays, some insane
writers like Swami Shraddha nand, Salman Rushdia Taslima Nasreen, show their
hostility to Islam by writing unauthentic books and columns on Islam. They sole
purpose is to brainwash and introduce new aspects of Islam in front of new
generation with no authentic background. Their ultimate aim is to make Muslims
abhor to their religion and Islamic teachings.
They want to make Muslims stand against the teachings of Islam, they are
compelling Muslims to consider and believe that all the educational activities of
Islam are based upon abuses and brutality. Today, many of us are diverting our life
tracks coupled with the serious questions about the teachings of Islam and Holy
prophet (P.B.U.H). Some Non-Muslims and so called Muslims by names make
clandestine plots and are desirous to create chaos among Muslims. In reality, when
a person studies Islam and Qur’an by heart to uncover the hidden truth then he
estimates the reality of Islam, Qur’an and life-that is peace and truth. Truth in

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sense is that Islam is the only true religion and the Qur’an is the only reliable guide
to lead us to the erroneous life track in this world and also for the world hereafter.
What is Islam?
Islam is a Global and the Universal religion. In every period, it has
been proved by factual evidences, arguments and proofs that Islam is the universal
and true religion. Globalization is a main reason of Islam by which it is known as
Universal Religion, in which there is no conflict between rich and poor, King and
labor, president and public.In addition to this,no notion of racial discrimination,
nationalism and empire delimiter exists there. It goes beyond the political
boundaries of nations as every Muslim is a brother of another Muslim in true
spirits of Islam,regardless of the differences between color, creed and race. All
Muslims are equal and no one is superior to other. Islam has enormous scope,
deepness and broad connotation in itself. Despite all, some of the so-called Islamic
leaders divided it to gain personal benefits. Origin of opposing school of thoughts
coupled with sectarian conflicts has damaged the true image of Islam and its
globalization.
Nowadays, evil forces relate Islam and terrorism and present Islam as a terrorist
religion, It is against of reality. No doubt, Interior and exterior of Islamic structure
and infrastructure is quite safe from extremism, terrorism and violence, that’s why
Islam is a peaceful, loving, harmonious, nature compatible and full natural
phenomena. Its soft policies, respect for humanity and on the basis of those
considerations and procedures in which human rights are protected, is called
Religion of Humanity. History of Islam is full of respect of humanity and

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protection of human rights. Islam is based upon the Qur’an and Hadith and
opposes every kind of terrorism, violence and harassment, and who did anyone of
this, Islam calls him guilty and convicted according to Sharayi rules. Islam is a
religion in which humanity and ethics are taught, where respect for humanity is
taught. There is neither a concept of extremism, terrorism, molestation, violence
and illegal things in Islam nor it supports. Rather, Islam has a great and huge
lesson on Rights and security of humans and humanity, ethical behavior, peace and
love in every field. Islam gives rights to everyone, rights of ALLAH, Rights of
neighbors, Rights of peoples, Rights of Parents, Rights of children, Rights of
women, rights of teachers, Rights of weak and old, the rights of the traveling
companion, the rights of the Muslims, the rights of the husband and wife, rights of
animals, so that Islam is complete religion and covered all kinds of things which
occurred in life. Here some other rights are observed, which presented by Islam:
The Step-mother: Since she is an associate of your father, and we have been
commanded to be kind and favorable to our parents' associates, the stepmother,
therefore, also receives certain rights over you.
The elder brother: In the light of the Hadith, the elder brother is similar to one's
father. From this we can infer that the younger brother is similar to one's kids.
Grounded on this, they will have rights similar to those of parents and kids. The
elder sister and the younger sister should also be handled in the same way.
Relatives: If any of your blood relatives is in need and is unable to earn, help him
out with his expenses according to your financial situation. Go and meet them
occasionally. Do not cutoff relations with them. In fact, even if they cause you
harm, it will be best for you to exercise forbearance.

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The In-laws: In the Quran, Allah Ta'ala has mentioned the in-laws together with
one's lineage. We learn from this that the father-in-law, mother-in-law, wife's
brother, sister's husband, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, the previous children of the
wife, the previous children of the husband - all of these have certain rights. So, you
have to be more considerate to them as opposed to others.
If I advocate Islam people may accuse me of blowing my own trumpet so here I
am giving some mind-blowing sayings of non Muslims who had an innate
enviousness for Islam but their unbiased study of Islam led them to discover that
Islamic law is binding on all from the crowned head to the meanest subject,
interwoven with a system of wisest, the most learned and the most enlightened
jurisprudence that ever existed in the world They were greatly impressed by the
noble character and attributes of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and thus joined the
vast Islamic brotherhood by converting to Islam. Not only had this that they
convert but they also given strong arguments supporting Islam against the hostile
criticism. Here is the point of views of
Jemima Goldsmith (ex-wife of Imran Khan):
“Thanks to ALLAH that even before converting to Islam I don’t have
faith in Trinity and believe in the oneness of God. Therefore, when I
read about ALLAH (the one), my mind accepted the verity and
truthfulness of Islam. Islam is a complete code of life and guide us
how to conduct all human activities in a sound and wholesome
manner. We find instructions regarding all aspects of life, whether
it is political or social and it guides us even in the etiquettes of
using bathrooms’’
Aminaa Likhaai (America):
“Islam is an all embracing way of life which forces on the purity of
human life whether it is on individual or general level. Islam

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honored women in society by elevating them and protected them
with unprecedented rights, while in western world women are
considered as a tool for marketing and advertisement purpose.
Islam doesn’t allow the exploitation of women. Neither it is
permitted to sell off a women nor Islam grant anyone the right to
humiliate her”.
Mario lazeesni (Poland):
“The complicated theology of Christians that God is a trinity of
persons: the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit exasperated me
which led to my hatred towards Christianity. Then my curiosity to
know the truth finally converts me into a Muslimah. The Holy
Quran inspired me a lot”.
Arika sefert –Student- University of Berlin:
“The abhorrence towards the civilization which propagate vulgarity
in society and claiming to modernize human being urged me to
study Islamic literature which ultimately led me to Islam. Islam is
the most complete religion. Especially it respects women and
provides protection to children and women”.
Merry Colony (Australia):
“I was addicted to reading. This addiction developed my interest in
reading the Quran. A careful perusal of surah maryum corrected
my viewpoint about Maryum(A.S). The Quran, the literary and
linguistic miracle and its truthfulness converted me to Islam.
Alhamdulillah! Now I am a Muslim and there is a big difference in
my lifestyle. I am happy and okay with it and it spiritually gives me
tranquility and calmness which do not exist in any other religion of
the world”.
Mr. Greg Noah (America):
“When someone leaves his parent’s religion and embrace Islam
people ask the reason behind it. In my humble opinion, asking
questions like this reduce the beauty and elegance of Islam.
However, there were three reasons behind my acceptance of Islam

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(1) The concept of hereafter (2) attaining proximity to ALLAH
without any churchman (3) Quran has not been modified even
after many centuries”.
Miss Sooraya (A revert of Eastern university America):
“It is a false concept that Islam oppresses women. The supporters
of this notion are fully unaware of the teachings of Islam. Islam
gave women the right to education, to marry someone of their
choice, to work and to participate in civic and political
engagement. Islam raised the status of women in society to one of
dignity, esteem and privilege”.
Mr. Abdullah adyaar (former editor daily Narotum Nagar):
Wrote about Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W)
“He was the most faithful protector of those he protected, the most sweetly and the
kindest, sent by God, who destroyed the tyrant sultanate of Rome, bear the hardships
and criticism from Makkans. The thought of his pain burst me into tears. He was a
great man by nature who has not educated in a school nor nurtured by a teacher as
he was not in need of any of this. No doubt Muslims are the luckiest in this regard”
Dr. Leila Ayesha Abdullah (India):
citizen of Bangalore says about Islam:
“I am impressed by the simplicity and harmony in prayers of
Muslims. Whoever recites “kalma” enters into the universal
brotherhood of Islam irrespective of the race, caste and creed. The
only criterion for superiority is righteousness and piety. Before
Islam I cannot meet a Brahmin because I was not a Brahmin
despite the fact that I was a medical graduate”.
Dr. Michael.H.hart (A famous journalist of great Britain):
“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most
influential persons may surprise some readers and may be
questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was
supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels. Of
humble origins, Muhammad (S.A.W) founded and promulgated
one of the world’s greatest religions and became an immensely

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effective political leader. Today, thirteen centuries after his death,
his influence is still powerful and pervasive”.
Hence we conclude that Islam is a religion of ease and simplicity and addresses all
centuries and all people; its principles meet all needs of humanity. It teaches
tolerance not hatred; universal brotherhood not enmity, peace and not violence. It
is perfect there is nothing to be added or changed. Islam abolished and eliminated
the class differences and inequalities and introduced the concept of piety that
people had no difference in terms of caste, creed and color. Judaism gives
importance to bodily pleasures. Christians and Hindus gives importance to the
development of spirit, weakening desires of the soul by inflicting pain the body
and neglecting worldly life. In contrast Islam establishes a balance between the
spirit and the body, the world and the hereafter. Islam gives women equal rights.
Islam is a religion of ethics and virtues and it is the guard of science, knowledge
and truth. Similarly no other reformer in recorded history has reformed the nation
as much as Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) did. World’s famous personalities cannot
compete with Muhammad (S.A.W) no matter if it is Karl Marx or Leo Tolstoy,
Russo or Abraham Lincoln. He changed the notoriously backward and uncivilized
Arabs into a civilized nation. He was remarkably successful in removing deep-
rooted societal vices and bare-faced immorality. Gambling and disrespect of
women were also eradicated. The war loving people of the Arabian Peninsula
became peace loving people and were more united than ever before. The noble
character of Muhammad (S.A.W) and the teachings of Quran made Islam the most
rapidly expanding religion in world. Islam’s rapid expansion, unequaled by any
other religion was due to its religious content and values and many unbiased and
non-prejudiced non-Muslims accepted this reality. When all the facts are brought
together, they reveal that there is a strong movement toward Islam in many western

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countries and Islam is becoming an important topic of people interest. These
developments indicate that the world is moving toward a new era in which Islam
will gain importance and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) will spread
like a rising tide. Insha’Allah!
Now I want to share some Non-Muslims’ comments on Islam and different orders
of Islam:
Marjorie Robertson:
(Teacher and freelancer writer-USA)
In United States, A group of young women from the Muslim Student Association
were speaking quietly to passing women. Marjorie stopped to ask what they were
doing. They told her that non-Muslim women were being given the opportunity to
wear a hijab for 24 hours to experience what Muslim women experience. In the
end, the women could keep the beautiful scarves.
She has a sister, who converted to Islam while a graduate student at the University
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 18 years ago. To be sure, her sister adjusted her physical
activities, but changed in her increased faith in God and determination to live life
on her own terms.
Marjorie decided to “Take the Hijab Challenge” as a way to identify with her sister
in a new way and to come to peace with any lingering tension she still felt with her
sister when in public. Part of taking the challenge included signing an agreement
basically stating that she would wear modest clothing and behave toward others
with respect. A handout was also given on what the hijab means to Muslim
women—that it is a personal decision between a woman and God, a sign of the
respect that must be given to a woman wearing one and ultimately the prevention

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of objectification. The handout also noted that the custom of covering one’s head is
practiced in different forms in many cultures. It all made perfect sense to her.
She chose a scarf—a soft, large-weave cloth in purple—and took a picture of it
being adjusted and fitted properly until finally, with the scarf in place, shades on,
big smile on her face, the deed was done.
She entered onto a path with innocence and curiosity, unaware and unafraid of
what was to come.
She felt a growing joy at seeing other women wearing hijab for a day—
recognizable for the purple or turquoise options from the booth—and an
overwhelming sense of belonging. They smiled and waved to each other across the
courtyard apparently elated at what they saw.
While standing in line to get lunch, a woman who appeared to be her age grinned
when she saw her. It’s an experiment, she told her. It’s beautiful, she said.
While some people stared, most casually glanced and looked away. Women were
the most likely to stare. Men barely gave her a second look. One young woman
approached her from behind and asked why so many women were wearing
headscarves, and she told her. Oh, she said and shrugged. Her reaction was most
common—it did not seem to matter to most young people what she had on her
head and why. The bit of extra attention, however, did make me feel
uncomfortable.
She told her colleague that she was taking the challenge and asked, jokingly,
whether he thought she’d be fired. His deadpan reply shocked her into silence. As
she walked, she wondered and considered the situations Muslim women face

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perhaps daily in the United States in a culture where a headscarf is not the norm
(perhaps beyond her grasp).
Why Hijab!
In graduate school in the late 1980s, she studied immigration issues and read the
Qur’an, trying to better understand the current European social issues. At that time
she interpreted wearing hijab, covering the hair and neck, as a religion forcing
women to be responsible for the weaknesses of men, which seemed unfair.
Her view has since shifted. Although she admit that the Burqa, which appears to
reflect a loss of identity and existence, makes her uncomfortable, there are far
greater challenges in the world and in her own culture that show blatant disrespect
for women that result in suffering and in some cases violence.
At her office, some male colleagues were openly pleased and encouraged her,
saying it looked nice and was an interesting experiment. They spoke of students
who wore hijab and Burqa in their classrooms. Later, she made copies of the
handout for a few people in the office who’d asked to read it.
At the end of the day she most remembered the willingness of the young Muslim
university women to stand at a booth and call to women over all the noise to come
over and consider this piece of fabric, to try, just try something perhaps they’d
wondered about, just as she had.
She sent scarf to her sister as a birthday gift; although her sister does not celebrate
birthdays, she accepts. One night on the phone her sister surprised her by asking
whether she’d given up anything for Lent (a custom followed to show faith and
understanding of Christ’s suffering). All she could say was that it had always been

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and still is a more contemplative time for her, one of growing happiness, not of
hardship. Her sister agreed, saying she’d always liked Lent for that reason before
becoming Muslim.
Later she realized that during the holy Christian time of Lent, it turned out that
she had given something up in a small way—the shoulds and should nots, the will
and will nots, the can and cannots—those things that trap her in her thinking about
herself and others.
It is just a scarf and not just a scarf. She may never fully understand this, but have
had a taste of what it means to wear one.
Rev. Wayne Lavender: Qur’an for peace
(American Pastor’s initiative)
Rev. Wayne Lavender, Ph.D. is a United Methodist pastor and Executive Director of
Passing the Peace, an organization whose mission is to create a world of peace and justice.
He is a man of faith. He has been a Christian pastor for 25 years in the United
Methodist Church. It is out of this deep commitment to the principles of his faith
that he felt he needed to do something - anything - in response to the potential hate
crime that was going to be perpetrated by a church, the Dove World Outreach
Center, in Gainesville, Florida, on 11th September.
Despite the fact that authorities for the city of Gainesville denied a permit for the
event, saying that open burnings of books are not allowed in the city, Pastor Terry
Jones had promised to burn copies of the Qur'an in the parking lot of his church on
the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

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As outcries against the burning intensified, Pastor Jones fortunately backed down.
But he still wondered what could he do to confront such hatred and ignorance?
He believes that every action creates an equal and opposite reaction, and that the
actions of hatred, intolerance and ignorance create an ever escalating cyclical
pattern of more hatred, intolerance and ignorance. And so he has been searching
for an alternative path, a response more in keeping with the love and grace
embodied in the founder of her religion, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
He thought a lot that what symbolic act could he perform that could help undo the
hate that would have been embodied in the burning of the Qur'an and help foster
peace and understanding across faith traditions?
He decided that for every copy of the Qur'an this church was going to burn in the
name of my God, he would deliver a copy of this Holy Book to a church within the
United States to be included in their church library. It seems that at this important
time in history he can only combat such hate through actions of love and peace.
Accordingly, he ordered 50 copies of the Holy Qur'an, and when they arrive, he
will distribute them to clergy attending an interfaith conference so they can take
them back to their congregations.
Indeed, misinformation about Islam and of picking Qur'anic verses out of context
has become a troubling trend in the United States.
What can one person do? He would encourage others to purchase copy of the
Qur'an and present it as a gift to your church or place of worship. If they cannot
increase tolerance within the United States and our world, he fear they are headed
for a very violent future!

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Faced with the prospect of someone burning the Holy Qur'an, He - as a Christian
pastor - chose to sow seeds of love and tolerance by giving the Qur'an to local
churches where they might not only be a symbolic gesture of peace and religious
tolerance, but might also be read for better understanding that, like Christianity,
Islam is a complex, nuanced and dynamic faith with its roots in mercy, justice and
peace.
Jonathan Pinckney: A Christian’s Reflection on Hajj
(Freelance writer-Denver, USA)
Jonathan was an Egyptian student. Ayman was his teacher, he had just fulfilled a
life-long goal and performed Hajj. And while Jonathan had learned a lot of
information about Hajj in classes about Islam, this was the moment when he truly
began to understand the significance of Hajj for Muslims.
It was an experience that had changed his life and would stay with him forever.
Pilgrimage! Why?
To an observer unfamiliar with Islam, the practice of Hajj may seem to be the
strangest and most archaic aspect of Islam. In particular, people of a background
similar to Jonathan, Protestant Christians, if they’ve heard of Hajj they would tend
to view it with suspicion and a feeling of superiority.
They largely gave up the practice of pilgrimage – travel to a holy place – as a part
of a more general denial of ritual and religious form. The Protestant tradition
argues that God is present in every place and if we can pray to God in our homes
then doing strange rituals in a special place considered “sacred” is foolish.

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Many Protestants feel very strongly that faith must come directly from the heart
and see any kind of ritual as fake at best and dangerous at worst.
He thinks one of the most central parts of Christianity, one of the things that he as
a Christian most deeply value, is the idea of a relationship with God: that God
desires to know us and be known by us in a personal way that goes deeper than
any set religious ritual.
But getting to know Muslims like Ayman or many others with whom he has
spoken since then has truly opened his mind to the power of such ceremony and
ritual. How these, far from being an obstacle to a relationship with God, can be
one of the most meaningful ways in which we grow close to God.
And the most moving of these rituals, the stories that he love to hear over and over
again, are the stories of Hajj.
Transformed Minds!
One of the most powerful stories of Hajj is one that he did not heard first-hand but
in the written words of a man who died before he was born: the African-American
Muslim Malcolm X.
In his autobiography Malcolm X writes about his philosophy before going on Hajj
– a philosophy under the name of Islam which believed that the only way to
achieve rights for African-Americans was through violence because all white
people were devils who would forever be seeking to control and oppress the black
man.
Malcolm X was one of the most powerful spokespeople for this philosophy but
found his views transformed when he traveled to Makkah for Hajj and found

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millions of people, of every race on earth, gathered as one, wearing the same
clothes, performing the same actions, all joined together to show their devotion to
God.
He describes his deep shock at feeling for the first time that he could be joined in
something with a white man. Malcolm X returned to America no longer preaching
hatred and violence but preaching the true values of Islam as a faith which could
overcome all barriers between people.
This unity is the most powerful lesson that he has learned from hearing his friends’
stories of Hajj.
When our world is full of conflict and division over religion and its interpretations
Hajj is a beautiful picture of how God can draw all people together.
The rituals may sound old-fashioned and quaint to an outsider, but to those who go
and to those who listen to the Hajj stories they become beautiful pictures of how
people who live and think differently can leave behind all the complex questions of
who is right, of who is powerful, of who has money or influence, and become as
we all truly are: people standing before God. All alike in our need for God’s mercy
and love and seeking to obey Him in the ways He has proscribed for us.
Tasneem Moolla: “Mosaic Culture of Ramadan” Non-Muslims
Sayings
(Freelance writer, South Africa)
Ramadan is the month of peace, spirituality, and personal sacrifice. One of the
main facets of this month is that of fasting, which is undertaken by millions of

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Muslims around the world. As Muslims, we have a deep understanding of this
blessed month. However, being part of a bigger picture, we interact with people of
other faiths during the time that we observe fasting and carry out various other
religious acts, specific to Ramadan.
We cannot ignore those around us, people who follow other religions and often
wonder what they understand of this month. It was interesting to delve into the
minds of a diverse background of people and discover their thoughts on Ramadan.
Some of the questions we posed were with regard to their understanding of this
month and its culture; whether they feel Muslims act differently during Ramadan;
the similarities regarding fasting in their faiths; and if they feel that there is
religious tolerance towards Muslims during this time.
Whitney, from Texas says:
"It is a time when Muslims should fast during the daylight hours as required by the
Qur'an for Muslims of all ages who do not have a medical condition to prevent it. I
think the reason for the fast is to teach patience and prepare for the New Year, if I
remember correctly,"
Other than Muslims not eating during the day, Whitney has never noticed any huge
changes in the way Muslims act during this month. She thinks that fasting could
cause some people to be more aggressive, but have never witnessed such an
incident. A close friend of hers converted to Islam several years ago and taught
her a lot about the Muslim culture and faith.

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"I know that observing Ramadan is important to my friend's faith". Being a
Christian, Whitney tells us that there is no mandatory time of fasting in
Christianity. However, many Christians do choose to fast periodically in order to
focus on spirituality, instead of physical needs.
"I think the reason for fasting is probably similar is all faiths", she adds. Regarding
religious tolerance towards Muslims during this month, Whitney feels that there is
probably less tolerance because people in general do not understand why anyone
would want to go without food during the day, and people do not like to make
accommodations.
Sharon, of Cape Town (South Africa):
Sharon follows the New Apostolic faith. She believes that Ramadan is a time in
which the Muslim community fasts for those who are poor and underprivileged,
the ones who go without food. She feels that it is a show of respect to them.
"Some of the Muslims who fast are happy and joyful, but some can be terribly
miserable and rude", she remarks. To her, the Muslims do act a bit different during
the time of fasting.
However she believes that they should not get upset and rude, but are supposed to
be placid during this time and give to the poor. Generally though, Sharon has
observed that the Muslim community is more peaceful during the month of
Ramadan. According to her, the culture of Ramadan is to be generous during this
time and be in the spirit of giving.

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Jacob, from Denver:
Jacob does not know much about Ramadan. "I think it’s about when Gabriel
appeared to the prophet", he says. In his religion, which is Orthodox Christianity
fasting is required for Lent, although he chooses to fast twice a week on
Wednesdays and Fridays.
He hopes that people have tolerance to those of other faiths. Jacob says that he has
never felt imposed upon by other Muslims. Although he does not know much
about this month, he is very enthusiastic to learn more about it. "I think that they
have a right to worship the Creator in all things", he concludes.
Dan, from Sweden:
Dan says that Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was given to Prophet
Mohammed. The Muslims, who he knows, fast and use to read the Qur'an during
this month.
Regarding their behavior Dan says, "I think they act peaceful, as always".
Dan wishes all his Muslim friends a happy Ramadan. He smiles saying that he
does not tempt his Muslim friends with food during Ramadan. As a gesture of
respect towards the Muslim faith, Dan also tries to fast during some days of
Ramadan.
Daniel, from USA:

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In Daniel's experience Muslims very seriously observe the fast, but also express
great joy during this holy month. He is of the opinion that Muslims are more
peaceful during this month. He has witnessed the culture, through seeing the
breaking of fast at sunset, and the family and community celebrations. Daniel is a
Jew, and their most well-known fast is Yom Kippur, which is one full day. He says
that there are several other less well-known fasts that are not well observed.
Daniel feels that in the USA there is not enough tolerance towards Muslims. "I
have never found Muslims to impose their faith on others. Of course, we read
reports of those that do, although this happens in other religions as well", he
states.
This is just a handful of feedback from people of other faiths, regarding their
thoughts on Ramadan. It is refreshing and lifts my spirits to realize that despite the
negativity and hate in this world, there still exists religious tolerance and cultural
similarities.
These all sayings are of Non-Muslims. No doubt, Muslims are peaceful and loving
and Non-Muslims also accept this. Now, here I want to share some quotes on Islam
by Famous personalities:
“I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today an
undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind… I became
more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a
place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid
simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet the scrupulous
regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and
followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God

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and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything
before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the
second volume (of the Prophet’s biography), I was sorry there was
not more for me to read of that great life.” –Mahatma
Gandhi
“The Islamic teachings have left great traditions for equitable and
gentle dealings and behavior, and inspire people with nobility and
tolerance. These are human teachings of the highest order and at
the same time practicable. These teachings brought into existence a
society in which hard-heartedness and collective oppression and
injustice were the least as compared with all other societies
preceding it….Islam is replete with gentleness, courtesy, and
fraternity.” –H.G. Wells
“Islam is a religion of success. Unlike Christianity, which has as its
main image, in the west at least, a man dying in a devastating,
disgraceful, helpless death… Mohammed was not an apparent
failure. He was a dazzling success, politically as well as spiritually,
and Islam went from strength to strength to strength.” –Karen
Armstrong
“Since September 11th event, in many occasion I always come
forth, with a defense of Islam. Islam like any other major tradition.
I think the very praising Allah means love, infinite love,
compassion, like that. I understand Islam, they usually carry
rosary, all 99 beads, different name of Allah, all refer compassion,
or these positive things.” –Dalai Lama

23
“Islam brings hope and comfort to millions of people in my
country, and to more than a billion people worldwide. Ramadan is
also an occasion to remember that Islam gave birth to a rich
civilization of learning that has benefited mankind.” –George
W. Bush
“Love Sufism …’the divinity of the human soul… Within Our
spiritual heart there is a direct connection to God… I have respect
for all faiths. All faiths. But what I’m talking about is not faith or
religion. I’m talking about spirituality.” –Oprah Winfrey
“The religiosity of Muslims deserves respect. It is impossible not to
admire, for example, their fidelity to prayer. The image of believers
in Allah who, without caring about time or place, fall to their knees
and immerse themselves in prayer remains a model for all those
who invoke the true God, in particular for those Christians who,
having deserted their magnificent cathedrals, pray only a little or
not at all.” –Pope John Paul II
“It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy;
for, in the mosque, when the call for prayer is sounded and
worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is
embodied five times a day when the peasant and king kneel side by
side and proclaim: ‘God Alone is Great’” –Sarojini Naidu
“I have been struck by the human and moral values which
Americans as a people share with Islam. We share, first and
foremost, a deep faith in the one Supreme Being. We are all

24
commanded by Him to faith, compassion, and justice. We have a
common respect and reverence for law. Despite the strains of the
modern age, we continue to place special importance on the family
and the home. And we share a belief that hospitality is a virtue and
that the host, whether a nation or an individual, should behave with
generosity and honor toward guests. On the basis of both values
and interests, the natural relationship between Islam and the
United States is one of friendship. I affirm that friendship, both as a
reality and as a goal, and I am determined to strengthen, not
weaken, the longstanding and valued bonds of friendship and
cooperation between the United States and many Muslim nations.”
–Jimmy Carter
“After I have read the Quran, I realized that all what humanity
needs is this heavenly law.”
“The legislation of Quran will spread all over the world, because it
agrees with the mind, logic and wisdom.” –Leo Tolstoy
“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most
influential persons may surprise some readers and may be
questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was
supremely successful on both the secular and religious level. ...It is
probable that the relative influence of Muhammad on Islam has
been larger than the combined influence of Jesus Christ and St.
Paul on Christianity. ...It is this unparalleled combination of
secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to

25
be considered the most influential single figure in human history.”
–Michael H. Hart
“The doctrine of brotherhood of Islam extends to all human beings,
no matter what color, race or creed. Islam is the only religion
which has been able to realize this doctrine in practice. Muslims
wherever on the world they are will recognize each other as
brothers.” –R. L. Mellema
“People like Pasteur and Salk are leaders in the first sense. People
like Gandhi and Confucius, on one hand, and Alexander, Caesar
and Hitler on the other, are leaders in the second and perhaps the
third sense.
Jesus and Buddha belong in the third category alone. Perhaps the
greatest leader of all times was Mohammed, who combined all
three functions. To a lesser degree, Moses did the same.” –
Professor Jules Masserman
“No other religion in history spread so rapidly as Islam. The West
has widely believed that this surge of religion was made possible by
the sword. But no modern scholar accepts this idea, and the Qur’an
is explicit in the support of the freedom of conscience.”
“Muhammad, the inspired man who founded Islam, was born about
A.D. 570 into an Arabian tribe that worshiped idols. Orphaned at
birth, he was always particularly solicitous of the poor and needy,
the widow and the orphan, the slave and the downtrodden. At

26
twenty he was already a successful businessman, and soon became
director of camel caravans for a wealthy widow. When he reached
twenty-five his employer recognizing his merit, proposed marriage.
Even though she was fifteen years older, he married her and as
long as she lived remained a devoted husband.”
“Like almost every major prophet before him, Muhammad fought
shy of serving as the transmitter of God’s word sensing his own
inadequacy. But the Angel commanded ‘Read’. So far as we know,
Muhammad was unable to read or write, but he began to dictate
those inspired words which would soon revolutionize a large
segment of the earth: “There is one God”.”
“In all things Muhammad was profoundly practical. When his
beloved son Ibrahim died, an eclipse occurred and rumors of God’s
personal condolence quickly arose. Whereupon Muhammad is said
to have announced, ‘An eclipse is a phenomenon of nature. It is
foolish to attribute such things to the death or birth of a human
being'.”
“At Muhammad's own death an attempt was made to deify him, but
the man who was to become his administrative successor killed the
hysteria with one of the noblest speeches in religious history: ‘If
there are any among you who worshiped Muhammad, he is dead.
But if it is God you Worshiped, He lives for ever'.” –James
Michener

27
“Sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam,
because as I read in the Qur'an I find those dynamic principles of
life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life
suited to the whole world.” –Sarojini Naidu
“The theory of Islam and sword for instance is not heard now
frequently in any quarter worth the name. The principle of Islam
that there is no compulsion in religion is well known. Gibbon, a
historian of world-wide fame says, 'A pernicious tenet has been
imputed to the Mohammadans, the duty of extirpating all the
religions by the sword.' This charge of ignorance and bigotry, says
the eminent historian, is refuted by Quran; by the history of
Musalman conquerors and by their public and legal toleration of
Christian„ worship. The greatest success of Muhammad's life was
affected by sheer moral force without the stroke of a sword.” –
Prof. Ramakrishna Rao
“If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe
within the next hundred years, it could be Islam.”
“I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation
because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which
appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing
phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have
studied him - the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being
an anti-Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity.”

28
“I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of
the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a
way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I
have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be
acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be
acceptable to the Europe of today.” –Sir George Bernard
Shaw
“The rise of Islam is perhaps the most amazing event in human
history. Springing from a land and a people like previously
negligible, Islam spread within a century over half of the earth. The
closer we examine this development the more extraordinary does it
appear. The other great religions won their way slowly by painful
struggle and finally triumphed with the aid of powerful monarchs
converted to the new faith. Christianity had its Constantine,
Buddhism its Asoka, and Zoroastrianism its Cyrus, each lending to
his chosen cult the mighty force of secular authority, Not so Islam.
Arising in a desert land sparsely inhabited by a nomad race
previously undistinguished in human annals, Islam sallied forth on
its great adventure with the slenderest human backing and against
the heaviest material odds. Yet Islam triumphed with seemingly
miraculous ease; and a couple of generations saw the Fiery
Crescent borne victorious from the Pyrenees to the Himalayas and
from the desert of Central Asia to the deserts of Central Africa.” –
A.M.L. Stoddard

29
“It (Islam) replaced monkishness by manliness. It gives hope to the
slave, brotherhood to mankind and recognition of the fundamental
facts of human nature.” –Canon Taylor
One of the most repeated criticisms on Muhammad (S.A.W.W) and his followers is
that they spread Islam by sword however this misconception is rejected by De
Lacy O'Leary in 'Islam at the Crossroads,' London, 1923.
History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping
through the world and forcing Islam at the point of sword upon conquered races is
one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.
Arthur Glyn Leonard says in 'Islam, Her Moral and Spiritual Values',
It was the genius of Muhammad, the spirit that he breathed into the Arabs through
the soul of Islam that exalted them. That raised them out of the lethargy and low
level of tribal stagnation up to the high watermark of national unity and empire. It
was in the sublimity of Muhammad's deism, the simplicity, the sobriety and purity
it inculcated the fidelity of its founder to his own tenets, that acted on their moral
and intellectual fiber with all the magnetism of true inspiration.
Dr. Gustav Weil says in 'History of the Islamic Peoples',
Muhammad was a shining example to his people. His character was pure and
stainless. His house, his dress, his food - they were characterized by a rare
simplicity. So unpretentious was he that he would receive from his companions no
special mark of reverence, nor would he accept any service from his slave which
he could do for himself. He was accessible to all and at all times. He visited the
sick and was full of sympathy for all. Unlimited was his benevolence and
generosity as also was his anxious care for the welfare of the community.

30
Islam is not only a religion for its followers but it is a code of life for all human
beings. While other religions highlight character or personality of a single
personality which is worshipped but in Islam, there is no one. Even the prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) worshipped Allah who is the God. Hence, no worldly person
can be worshipped in Islam. But actually it highlights every human on this earth. It
provides every human his rights and enhances his standard in life. It is not only the
religion which Non-Muslims appreciate; but every characteristic of this amazing
religion is followed by Non-Muslims as well. Islam gave concept of justice and
equality. That is the reason greatest law schools in the western world depict
Prophet Muhammad as the greatest leader of justice in this world.
Islam is the only religion which faces more confrontation than any other
religion. There is a western nexus continuously working against Islam but not
against any other religion. It is just because they also know that Islam is based on
truth and it is bound to prevail. Islam is expanding at the fastest rate among all
religions in the world. Even some studies suggest that in 50 years Muslims will be
majority in some western countries like France and England. These facts are
supported by all those stories of conversions which we hear every day. In other
religions there is mainly no concept of conversions and they try to retain their
religion among their children. But in Islam there is a freedom for studying and
researching about Islam. Children first get all knowledge about Islam so that they
become Muslims logically and with all knowledge. Every Muslims is a
ambassador for Islam. There are many individuals like Dr Zakir Naik, Molana
Tariq Jameel, Mufti Taqi Usmani or Dr Israr to name few or there are groups like
Tabhleeg Jamaat which continuously struggle just to spread the logical knowledge
about Islam and people themselves follow those because truth is bound to prevail
and at the end only truth will be victorious and truth is Islam, whether it is
individually or collectively in every aspect of life; in short Islam is the most
successful code for life for humans.
In the end, I’m highly grateful to all of those people and all those websites who
help me to do this great job and giving me such a glowing recommendation, and
allowing me to use their efforts. I took help from websites, columns and some
books. Your perspective and encouragement mean a great deal to me. Thank you
for all that you've done.

31
Reference:
(1) http://craigconsidinetcd.com/2013/05/18/10-great-quotes-from-non-
muslims-on-islam/
(2) http://www.darululoom-
deoband.com/urdu/articles/tmp/1421555293%2003-
Islam%20Ghairo%20Ki%20Nazar%20maini_MDU_06June-08.htm
(3) http://www.darululoom-
deoband.com/urdu/articles/index.php?content=categories&display=detail
&id=221
(4) http://www.onislam.net/english/back-to-religion/special-coverage/454247-
islam-in-the-eyes-of-non-muslims-.html

Non-Muslim Views on Islam

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