After deciding to depart this forum and take from you the benefits of my insightful thought and sharp wit I find myself with a question which I am having difficulty to answer and knowing the answer lies amongst you I return for your help.
The non Muslims world sees its citizens being attacked by Muslims and in considering what is happening has formed the view that there are two types of Muslim, Islamists and Muslims or radical Muslims and moderate Muslims. Words have been invented to describe the ‘bad’ Muslims and the ‘good’ Muslims. I came across an article on the Middle East Forum which Argued that "radical Islam is the problem, moderate Islam is the solution."
My question is – what is radical Islam and what is moderate Islam; surely there is just Islam?
The next question is, is Islam radical or moderate; is Islam a religion promoting cohesion and peace or division and conflict?
If you believe that there is a radical Islam and a moderate Islam and radical Muslims and moderate Muslim; what is a moderate Muslim, what does he/she believe and do differently than the Islamist?
If there are radical and moderate Muslims, what percentage of the membership here is radical / moderate?
If I dressed like an extremist, I would find a quick trip to the trunk of a car, a dirt county road, and the business end of a sawed-off shotgun in my future in short order. But I still have no problem with following the Qur'an in dress . . . headscarves are not uncommon out here on the Great Plains, especially in the summertime, and in the winter, for a college student an oversized hoodie with the hood pulled up works great!
I think one of the greater questions is, what is meant by "interpretation"? Is it, to interpret the Qur'an to get out of following it? I don't think anyone here would advocate that. But to interpret the Qur'an to look at our modern world and see how its changes can still help us to serve Allah, or serve him better? That I think is something completely different.
I teach English. Used to be I would put on a shirt and tie when I teach so as to look the part, so to say. Then one day, I decided to teach wearing my robe, serban and even kohl. My students, both Muslims and Buddhists, were surprised and asked a lot of questions about my attire. It gave me the opportunity to do da'wah in a very productive way. Now I wear my Muslim attire all the time. My white beard is now red from the application of henna. I am also keeping my hair long. Actually it is easier to just shave bald, like I used to do, but the Ahadith said that the Holy Prophet kept his hair long, so I am trying to find out how it is like to do so.
I am sharing this because I found out that putting on Muslim attire does not impair my ability to interact with other people, both Muslims and Muslims-to-be. Hope this will inspire more brothers and sisters to put on Muslim attire. Insha Allah.
Islam is only compatible with 21st western values and culture if you can find a scholar who will tell you that the literal word of the Qur’an and Hadith doesn’t actually mean what it say but should be interpreted as meaning something else. And, most Muslims choose to believe whichever scholar interprets the text in a way which suites them. You choose to take verses a, b and c literally but x, y and z not literally. The problem with interpreting a verse other than literally is to suggest that God wasn’t clear in what he said and meant something else – God made a mistake!!
What incompatible verses are you referring to? I addressed the verses that you cited in post #39, in post #59.
Forget about pasting articles from the internet. Bring the most incompatible verse in your opinion so that we can get to the bottom of the matter.
It seems to me, from what I have seen on this forum and elsewhere that Muslims in the UK are even more ‘devout’ than Muslims living is dar al Islam and I have formed the view that this is because they know they are committing a sin by not making hijrah and try to make up for that by being even more Muslim in other ways. Hence you grow the beard and wear the style of clothing worn by Muhammad.
And, getting back on thread – what is a moderate Muslim? You must know that looking like a member of the Taliban is not consistent with ‘moderation’ and is consistent with extremism yet you choose to do it because you hope in doing so God will forgive you for not complying with his command in Qur'an verse 4:97.
You understaning of Dar al Islam is YOURS alone. Its also funny coming from a non muslim who can tell muslims when they are sinning or not just becasue the way they are dressed subhan Allah now we have non muslims telling Muslims what haram and halal is.
Do you think the pious don't sin?
They merely:
Veiled themselves and didn't flaunt it
Sought forgiveness and didn't persist
Took ownership of it and don't justify it
And acted with excellence after they had erred - Ibn al-Qayyim
If I dressed like an extremist, I would find a quick trip to the trunk of a car, a dirt county road, and the business end of a sawed-off shotgun in my future in short order. But I still have no problem with following the Qur'an in dress . . . headscarves are not uncommon out here on the Great Plains, especially in the summertime, and in the winter, for a college student an oversized hoodie with the hood pulled up works great!
I think one of the greater questions is, what is meant by "interpretation"? Is it, to interpret the Qur'an to get out of following it? I don't think anyone here would advocate that. But to interpret the Qur'an to look at our modern world and see how its changes can still help us to serve Allah, or serve him better? That I think is something completely different.
LOL When I am down on Pine ridge or in Rapid I often get mistaken for being native and get asked what tribe I am from. Next comment is "You are the first Indian I ever saw with a long beard" The wasichu seem to identify my clothing as being native, but the Lakotah, Makota, Nakotah, Oglala and Dakotah recognize instantly I am not Native American.
Islam is only compatible with 21st western values and culture if you can find a scholar who will tell you that the literal word of the Qur’an and Hadith doesn’t actually mean what it say but should be interpreted as meaning something else. And, most Muslims choose to believe whichever scholar interprets the text in a way which suites them. You choose to take verses a, b and c literally but x, y and z not literally. The problem with interpreting a verse other than literally is to suggest that God wasn’t clear in what he said and meant something else – God made a mistake!!
Obviously you havent met a single muslim in real life.
stop hiding inside the cave, and come out to meet few true muslims in real life and you would be surprised to know that many muslims are living the 21st century successfully while still keeping their faith and followingh qur'an and sunnah.
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