Janab Tahir Qazi Sahib 

I refer to your post 064.  

Yes, I did make the statement ……………….. There has never been a religious war…………..  

It always makes me wonder why we, the most intelligent, most enlightened, most highly educated humans fail to understand the most simple things in life. Is it because these things are most simple, and simplicity and superiority complex do not merge? 

In my own lifetime I have seen a few “religious” wars. Let me specifically quote the one in 1965, between India and Pakistan. President Ayub Khan went on the radio, and announced that Kufr had challenged Islam. That was the biggest nonsense statement. However, he knew if he spoke the truth, he will not be able to motivate people of Pakistan, and the armed forces to support his ugly cause. What was his cause? He had interfered in another countries affairs, strengthening his regime. What had religion to do with that? NOTHING. 1965 war was NOT a religious war. Neither was any other conflict between India and Pakistan. 

Lets consider another war. Jang-e-Badr. What was the real cause of the battle? The Mecca leadership and the old establishment thought that it was under threat, not from the new cult, but they would lose their authority, control. I’m no student of history or religion, therefore, I will not get into more detail. The only thing I would emphasize is that whenever a new concept emerges, the existing establishments feel threatened that they would lose their strong hold on political, social, economic activities. So, the war they wage is for such factors, not religion. However, religion is the most easily bought excuse. Stupid things that people do in the name of religion, will never do otherwise. 

Battles of Karbala, Ohad, crusades………. etc. etc. were nothing but either political or a voice against oppression.

Another very common observation is………. If we see a Muslim committing an act, without further thought we associate that act with Islam.  

My problem is I have never met a Muslim in life. In my opinion a Muslim does not exist in this world. So how can be an act of a so-called Muslim be Islamic? It could be said of people of other religions, too. 

Hence my conclusion, that there has never been a religious war. 

JC 

December 13, 2005