Orthodox Islam being crushed?

I do not see Orthodox Muslims as being crushed I see it more on the upswing. What I do see disappearing or I should say becoming less noticible is the mid-eastern culture aspects. Not long ago it could be said that for all purposes 100% of the worlds Muslims were dark skinned of semetic ancestry, spoke Arabic as ther native language and ate predominatly mid-eastern foods. Today at least 80% of the worlds Muslims are not of semetic heritage, do not speak convesational Arabic and do not know the difference between a chapatti and a tortilla.

I believe the religion is getting stronger and that the Ummah is actually gaining strength, but there are many difference in the cultural aspects which some may interpret as a rift. It is not a rift and some of us put too much concern over it.

Think the answer to your poll says it all Fishman

Allah will always preserve His deen(Islam) no matter what may happen to the Muslims on earth..

What I mean is, the extremists cause people to hate us, and the liberals cause people to think we're extremists. Saying that you agree with Islamic law is a taboo now outside of Muslim circles. There's nothing wrong with believing in Islamic rule unless you want to harm innocent people! Again, I see Cold War parallells in this too, it's like saying that you're a communist in 1950's America!

It is true to some degree. There ia a hadith in which the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhe wa Sallam) says: (paraphrased) "Islam will return to Medinah as a snake will return to its hole (when all the other Muslim countries turn corrupt). So in a sense it is true, but in the end, those who follow the Qu'ran and the Sunnah will return to Medinah. You can read the real hadith @ www.sahihalbukhari.com

What is "Orthodox Islam"?

format_quote Originally Posted by north_malaysian

What is "Orthodox Islam"?

I do not believe that term actually exists for the most part. In my opinion it is a term that is subject to self interpretation. What I consider orthodox is a person who strives for strong Imam and does not let the cultural aspects of his surrounings affect his De'en. Then again I think some people may view it as living a life that incorporates that but also includes living a life based on Mid-Eastern Culture.

I believe that as Islam spreads the effect of mid-eastern culture diminishes however I believe that Imam can increase and people can still live a purely Islamic De'en. I do not believe people have to eat Cou-Cous and speak excellent conversational Arabic to have a strong Imam.

format_quote Originally Posted by Woodrow

I do not believe that term actually exists for the most part. In my opinion it is a term that is subject to self interpretation. What I consider orthodox is a person who strives for strong Imam and does not let the cultural aspects of his surrounings affect his De'en. Then again I think some people may view it as living a life that incorporates that but also includes living a life based on Mid-Eastern Culture.

I believe that as Islam spreads the effect of mid-eastern culture diminishes however I believe that Imam can increase and people can still live a purely Islamic De'en. I do not believe people have to eat Cou-Cous and speak excellent conversational Arabic to have a strong Imam.

Thanks for clarifying me this...

Here is the dictionary definition of Orthodox:

Main Entry: 1or·tho·dox
Pronunciation: 'or-th&-"däks
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English orthodoxe, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French orthodoxe, from Late Latin orthodoxus, from Late Greek orthodoxos, from Greek orth- + doxa opinion -- more at DOXOLOGY
1 a : conforming to established doctrine especially in religion b : CONVENTIONAL
2 capitalized : of, relating to, or constituting any of various conservative religious or political groups: as a : EASTERN ORTHODOX b : of or relating to Orthodox Judaism
- or·tho·dox·ly adverb



I just realised I should have asked the thread starter to define what he meant by Orthodox Islam.

format_quote Originally Posted by Woodrow

I just realised I should have asked the thread starter to define what he meant by Orthodox Islam.

Agree!!!

In Malay, we spell it as "Ortodoks". Examples

1) Gereja Ortodoks Rusia
Russian Orthodox Church

2) Gereja Ortodoks Yunani
Greek Orthodox Church

3) Yahudi Ortodoks
Orthodox Judaism

In Old Malay Language, "Ortodoks" is "Kuno".

format_quote Originally Posted by north_malaysian

Agree!!!

In Malay, we spell it as "Ortodoks". Examples

1) Gereja Ortodoks Rusia
Russian Orthodox Church

2) Gereja Ortodoks Yunani
Greek Orthodox Church

3) Yahudi Ortodoks
Orthodox Judaism

In Old Malay Language, "Ortodoks" is "Kuno".

Going off topic. When I was a young child and the only language spoken in my house was Lithuanian. I recall her saying the word kuno many times. Now I have to remember what it means. It is odd that Malaysian and Lithuanian would have a word that sounds the same.

Languages are strange I can not even comprehend how something so complex is learned by every human. Every human of at least functional inteligence learns at least one language. We take it for granted, but when you think of it it is a truly complex thing.

Now to get back on topic. I wonder if the poll would have been different if we all had the same meaning for the word Orthodox?

format_quote Originally Posted by Woodrow

Going off topic. When I was a young child and the only language spoken in my house was Lithuanian. I recall her saying the word kuno many times. Now I have to remember what it means. It is odd that Malaysian and Lithuanian would have a word that sounds the same.

Languages are strange I can not even comprehend how something so complex is learned by every human. Every human of at least functional inteligence learns at least one language. We take it for granted, but when you think of it it is a truly complex thing.

Now to get back on topic. I wonder if the poll would have been different if we all had the same meaning for the word Orthodox?

Off topic again - What's "Kuno" means in Lithuanian?

Malay language only have 3 original words:
1) Padi - paddy
2) Ubi - a plant that includes cassava, yam, potato
3) Babi - pig

There are hundreds of thousands of words in Malay, but only 3 which are ORIGINALLY Malay, others are taken from other languages like Sanskrit, Arabic, Portuguese, English and others....

format_quote Originally Posted by north_malaysian

Off topic again - What's "Kuno" means in Lithuanian?

Malay language only have 3 original words:
1) Padi - paddy
2) Ubi - a plant that includes cassava, yam, potato
3) Babi - pig

There are hundreds of thousands of words in Malay, but only 3 which are ORIGINALLY Malay, others are taken from other languages like Sanskrit, Arabic, Portuguese, English and others....

LOL I finaly remembered the word but it is actually kūnas in proper Lithuanian, the pronunciation is very much like kuno it means "having a fat body, or being stout" I guess I was a chubby baby until I was about 5 years old. I remember my mother calling me that many times LOL

Sadly I do not remember much of the Language. when I was 5 years old I started school and then my family would no longer speak to me in lithuanian or let me speak it. They wanted me to learn only English so I would grow up sounding like a "normal" American.

Now relating this to the topic, that may be what the author of the thread had in mind. That the mid eastern Muslims are loosing their cultural heritage. I can see that happening. I did not start really learning my Lithuanian Heritage until I was an Adult.

format_quote Originally Posted by Woodrow

LOL I finaly remembered the word but it is actually kūnas in proper Lithuanian, the pronunciation is very much like kuno it means "having a fat body, or being stout" I guess I was a chubby baby until I was about 5 years old. I remember my mother calling me that many times LOL

Sadly I do not remember much of the Language. when I was 5 years old I started school and then my family would no longer speak to me in lithuanian or let me speak it. They wanted me to learn only English so I would grow up sounding like a "normal" American.

Now relating this to the topic, that may be what the author of the thread had in mind. That the mid eastern Muslims are loosing their cultural heritage. I can see that happening. I did not start really learning my Lithuanian Heritage until I was an Adult.

I want the author to 'define' what is Orthodox Islam?

format_quote Originally Posted by north_malaysian

I want the author to 'define' what is Orthodox Islam?

That makes 2 of us at least. I am certain he will when he comes back on line. Right now all we can do is use our own concepts as to what it means and that makes the poll meaning less. I replied no because I was looking at it in terms of De'en, however if he means in terms of culture I would answer yes.