Speaking Tree.in: by Tanveer Ahmad.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who Manji-described Muslim leaders consider heretical, was founded on an interpretation of Islam that is practical, peaceful, and wholly ingrained in the whole of the Quran. Ahmadi Muslims champion a complete separation of mosque and state (4:60), condemn any compulsion in religion (2:257), promote universal religious freedom (22:41), believe in spiritual equality and practical equity between the sexes (4:125), preach universal salvation (2:63), and teach that war can only be in self-defense (22:40) and as an absolute last resort (4:98).
In her recent Wall Street Journal opinion-editorial, Irshad Manji claims that not just Muslims, but the Quran and Islam itself needs reformation. In conflating the two, Manji ignores the possibility that the owner’s manual might be fine, while the issues lie with the owner. Manji concludes by assuming, again incorrectly, that Muslims are not addressing the Muslim-on-Muslim violence or extremist’s “violent ideology.”
The Quran commands Muslims to conduct a thorough investigation of its meaning (4:95) and, as Manji rightly noted, to repeatedly reflect (2:220) and meditate (4:83). It warns that those with a perverted heart will ignore the decisive foundational verses of the Quran, and manipulate the interpretive verses to promote discord and incorrect interpretations (3:8). Manji’s defeatist approach of “acknowledging and reinterpreting the [Quran’s] awkward verses” solves nothing because it does not explain to extremists, or to the world, why the extremist understanding of Islam is wholly incorrect.
Categories: Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Americas, ISLAM, Islam
Thank you so much Falak Rahman for bringing this beautifully argued article.
I completely agree with you that it is not the religion of Islam but its some zealot followers who have intentionally or out of ignorance misunderstood, misinterpreted or even misrepresented the spirit and meaning of Islam.
I just attended an international conference in Istanbul, which was arranged by the office of the Turkish Prime Minister to discuss the issue of Islamophobia, media and law. There were many delegates from all over the world and the overwhelming understanding was that in order to solve the issue, Muslim communities need to get their act together and put their house in order.
Unfortunately, Saudi and Qatari influence bought by the petro money is increasing and is the root cause of the increasing extremism.
As far as Irshad Manji is concerned, she is marching in the right direction but on a faulty tune.
One last request; This cartoon of the globe with Islam inscribed and a time bomb fuse sticking out is not appropriate for such a lovely article. Please do not divide Muslims into moderate and radical but talk about the few extremists among the 1.7 billion Muslims. We need to marginalize these extremists.
Kind regards
Bashy Quraishy
Secretary General – EMISCO -European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion – Strasbourg
Member – Advisory Board – Migration Research Centre – Hacettepe University – Ankara.Turkey
@ Mr. Bashy
Would you like to tell us what do you think of Ahamdi Muslims? Muslims or not?
I just asked that question because…………I want to support in your bid to isolate or marginalize extremists.
Thank you for this opportunity to respond. – Ahmad begins by saying “in her recent Wall Street Journal opinion-editorial…” Could he or you supply a link to this piece, at least a date? There is nothing “recent” by or about Manji in the WSJ. She herself wrote something several years ago; Bret Stephens wrote an op-ed article about Manji one year ago. Ahmad may be referring to an article about which I know nothing. His/your help would enable us to put his comment above next to Manji’s to appreciate or question his position.
“…..Ahmadi Muslims champion a complete separation of mosque and state (4:60)..”
4:60 Hast thou not seen those who assert that they believe in that which has been revealed to thee and that which was revealed before thee? They desire to seek the judgment of the devil, though they have been commanded to deny him. And the devil desires to lead them far astray.
How does one connect the above verse to separation of mosque and state? Can anybody explain please.
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