Greetings Thinker,
format_quote Originally Posted by
Thinker
I use the word extreme because I think it is the correct word to use. Unfortunately when the word extreme and Islam are put together it conjures up pictures of hatred and violence. As I said, what is extreme and what is not is subjective but outside of strictly Muslims countries, not listening to music, not shaking hands and worrying about plucking eyebrows etc. etc is (in my view) ‘extreme.’
Extremism is not a part of Islam. This is not a subjective notion but rather, if one studies Islam in the proper manner, it becomes clear what extremism is and how it is far from being involved with Islam.
Allaah the Exalted has prescribed for His servants a perfect system to follow. Islam is the religion of purity and cleanliness; the religion of the best standards of behaviour and the noblest of manners. It stresses and clarifies whatever issues Muslims may need, and whatever principles may rectify their lives. There is nothing that benefits Muslims unless it is stated, stressed and enjoined in Islam. Moreover, it is a religion of easiness and simplicity, not difficulty and strictness; it decrees suitable rulings for each case, which ensure fulfilling legal purposes and duties with no difficulty.
Now just because you personally disagree with something or find it strange, does not automatically make it "extreme". It is expected that as a non-Muslim examining all these things from the outside, some of them may appear unfamiliar. Rather, if you first focused on the foundations of Islam, this would allow everything to fall into place. The most important thing in Islam is worshipping Allaah alone, so if you understand this great principle, you will understand everything else. Simply by having this perfect belief in Allaah will save a person from eternal punishment in Hell. Let us also remember that Allaah the most Exalted is a Just and Forgiving God who will forgive all other sins besides associating partners with Him, if He wills and if one sincerely repents.
It is clear that many of the Muslims posting here are struggling to reconcile the profile of a good Muslim portrayed by some here whilst also coping with the transition from childhood to adult and at the same time living as a ‘devout’ Muslim in a non Muslim country.
As Islam provides the answers to everything, all of this is easily reconciled for anyone trying to be a good Muslim.
This thread shall now be closed as there is nothing of substance being discussed, merely your own opinions by which you judge Islam. What is and is not extreme is not defined by the whims and desires of the people but rather the perfect commands of our Lord and Sustainer. The topic of interpretation of Islamic texts is already the topic of another one of your threads. We can discuss it there without repeating it here.
Thread closed.