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Islam Needs an Age of Reason
By Irshad Manji
Love and religion do not always mix. No wonder the most common question sent to my website these days comes from young Muslims in America and Europe. They desperately want to know if they can marry non-Muslims.
Their parents and imams tell them that Islam forbids marriage outside the faith. But that is not necessarily true. Dr. Khaleel Mohammed, a progressive American imam educated at traditional universities in the Middle East, has written a clear defense of inter-faith marriage from an Islamic perspective. I have posted his “blessing” on my website.
Now, this interfaith blessing is such a popular download that I have had to get it translated into several languages to keep up with demand. Welcome to a hot 21st-Century issue, as more Muslims are born in the West or migrate to it, then meet people of other religions.
What this imam did goes beyond matters of the heart. It reflects the power of using the mind to reinterpret the Qur’an for contemporary times. He has captured the spirit of ijtihad (pronounced ij-tee-had), Islam’s own tradition of creative reasoning. As globalization persists and pluralism spreads, both Muslims and non-Muslims need to know that Islam offers a positive alternative to the tribal mentality.
Ijtihad has a history of achievement. In the early centuries of Islam, 135 schools of interpretation flourished. In Muslim Spain, scholars would teach their students to abandon "expert" opinions about the Qur’an if their conversations with the living, breathing Qur’an produced better evidence for their peaceful ideas. And Cordoba, one of the most sophisticated cities in Muslim Spain, housed 70 libraries. That rivals the number of public libraries in most cosmopolitan cities today!
From the 8th to the 12th centuries, the "gates of ijtihad" — of discussion, debate and dissent — remained wide open. This is also when Islamic civilization led the world in ingenuity. If ever we Muslims needed to renew our commitment to ijtihad, it is now. From the emerging generation, I continually hear this question: “Is there a way to reconcile our faith with freedom of thought?”
Yes, there is. The Qur’an contains three times as many verses calling on us to think than verses that tell us what is forbidden or acceptable. In that sense, re-interpretation – which means re-thinking Qur’anic passages, not re-writing them – is an Islamic responsibility. The Illinois-based Nawawi Foundation even describes it as a “religious duty of the first magnitude”.
That is why I and other young Muslims have launched Project Ijtihad, an effort to revive critical thinking in Islam by sparking honest debates both online and in person. As my story about the American imam shows, Muslims in the West are perfectly positioned to rediscover ijtihad. After all, it is in countries like the United States, Canada and Britain that we already enjoy precious freedoms to think, express, challenge and be challenged on matters of interpretation. What a precious gift.
But even if Project Ijtihad is launched from the West, it cannot stop in the West. People throughout the Islamic world need to know of their God-given right to think for themselves.
In the Islamic world, renewing ijtihad might start with liberating the entrepreneurial talents of Muslim women through micro-business loans. The Qur’an states that women are subject to men’s authority only if men spend money to "maintain" women. So if a woman earns her own assets, as did the Prophet Muhammad’s beloved first wife, Khadija, she can make decisions for herself.
Sound like a fantasy? Then consider this example. A journalist told me about meeting a woman in Kabul who took a tiny loan from a non-governmental organization. She started a candle-making business and, with her earnings, became literate.
For the first time ever, this woman read the Qur’an for herself rather than relying on local imams to select the passages she would see. She learned that the Qur’an gives all women the right to reject marriage. And if women choose marriage, the Qur’an advises them to draft contracts protecting their rights as equal creatures of God.
She recited these passages to her husband, who had been abusing her for years. Since then, he has not laid an unwanted finger on her. Could it be that what the United Nations has identified as key deficits in the Arab Muslim world — the deficits of knowledge, freedom and women’s empowerment — might all benefit from rediscovering ijtihad? The possibility begs for our attention.
Project Ijtihad is strengthened by the voices of others who are encouraging Muslims to change. Consider the words of Dr. Taj Hargey, chairman of the Muslim Educational Centre at Oxford in the UK. During the recent controversy over whether Muslim women in Britain should veil, he wrote: “In contrast to a blind acceptance of specific 7th-Century tribal Arabian dress and cultural norms, which have no eternal scriptural endorsement (as believers are required only to be modest), modern Muslims should revive the Islamic principle of ijtihad to interpret the faith for themselves.”
Young Muslims in America and Europe are doing exactly that by distributing the interfaith marriage blessing through their formal organizations and informal networks. May they have lovely weddings.
A senior fellow with the European Foundation for Democracy, Irshad Manji is author of the New York Times bestseller "The Trouble with Islam Today," creator of the PBS documentary, “Faith Without Fear” and founder of Project Ijtihad, an international network of reform-minded Muslims.
By Irshad Manji |
August 16, 2007; 9:14 AM ET
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From:
http://www.balaghah.net/nahj-htm/eng/id/letters/index.htm
Some excerpts from the will of Hadrat (Hazrat) Ali
" My first and foremost advice to you, my son, is to fear Allah. Be His obedient servant. Keep His thought always fresh in your mind. Be attached to and carefully guard the principles (Islam) which connect you with Him. Can any other connection be stronger, more durable and more lasting than this to command greater respect and consideration or to replace it?
Accept good exhortations and refresh your mind with them. Adopt piety and kill your inordinate desires with its help. Build your character with the help of true faith in religion and Allah. Subjugate your nature with the vision of death, make it see the mortality of life and of all that it holds dear, force it to realize the actuality of misfortunes and adversities, the changes of circumstances and times and compel it to study the lives of past people.
" Fight, whenever required, to defend the cause of Allah. When you think of defending the cause of Allah do not be afraid that people will laugh at you, censure your action or slander you. Fearlessly and boldly help truth and justice. Bear patiently the sufferings and face bravely the obstacles which come in your way when you follow truth and when you try to uphold it. Adhere to the cause of truth and justice wherever you find it. Try to be well versed with Islamic Jurisprudence and theology and acquire a thorough knowledge of the canons of this religion.
Develop the habit of patience against sufferings, calamities and adversities. This virtue of patience is one of the highest values of morality and nobility of character and it is the best habit which one can develop. Trust in Allah and let your mind seek His protection in every calamity and suffering because you will thus entrust yourself and your affairs to the Best Trustee and to the Mightiest Guardian. Do not seek help or protection from anybody but Allah.
Reserve your prayers, your requests, your solicitations, your supplications, and your entreaties to Him and Him alone because to grant, to give, to confer and to bestow, as well as to withhold, to deprive, to refuse, and to debar, lies only in His Power. Ask as much of His Blessings and seek as much of His Guidance as you can.
" Remember my son! The best out of these pieces of advice of mine are the those which tell you to fear Allah, to concentrate and to confine yourself to the performance of those duties which have been made incumbent upon you by Him and to follow in the footsteps of your ancestors.....
" If your mind refuses to accept my advice and you persist to try your own experiments like them then you are at liberty to arrive at your conclusions but only after thoroughly studying the subject and after acquiring the knowledge necessary for such decisions.
You must not allow uncertainties and doubt poison your mind, scepticism or irrational likes and dislikes should not affect your views. But remember that before you start thinking and deliberating over a problem seek guidance of the Lord and beseech Him to give you a lead in the right direction.
"The Lord who is the Master of death is also the Master of life. The Creator is the Annihilator. And the One who annihilates has the power to bring everything back again to existence. The One who sends calamities has also the power to protect you from them.
Remember that this world is working under the laws ordained by Him, and it consists of assemblage and aggregation of actions and reactions, causes and effects, calamities and reverses, pains and pleasures and rewards and punishments, but this is not all which the picture depicts, there are things in it which are beyond our ken, things which we do not and cannot know and things which cannot be foreseen and foretold, for example the rewards and punishments on the Day of Judgement. Under these circumstances, if you do not understand a thing, do not reject it. Remember that your lack of understanding is due to insufficiency of your knowledge. Remember that when you came into this world your first appearance was that of an ignorant, uneducated and unlearned being.
Then you gradually acquired knowledge, but there were several things which were beyond your knowledge, which perplexed and surprised you, and about which you did not understand. Gradually you acquired knowledge about some of those subjects and in future your knowledge and vision may further expand.
Therefore, the best thing for you to do is to seek guidance of One who has created you, Who maintains and nourishes you, Who has given you a balanced mind and a normally working body.
Your invocations should be reserved for Him only, your requests and solicitations should be alone to Him and you should only be afraid of Him.
Be it known to you, my son, that nobody has given mankind such detailed information about Allah as our Holy Prophet (s). I advise you to have faith in his teachings, to make him your leader and to accept his guidance for your salvation.
" Realize this truth, my son, that the Lord who owns and holds the treasures of Paradise and the earth has given you permission to ask and beg for them and He has promised to grant your prayers. He has told you to pray for His Favours that they may be granted to you and to ask for His Blessings that they may be bestowed upon you. He has not appointed guards to prevent your prayers reaching Him. Nor is there any need for anybody to intercede before Him on your behalf.
If you go back upon your promises, if your break your vows, or start doing things that you have repented of, He will not immediately punish you nor does He refuse His Blessings in haste and if you repent once again He neither taunts you nor betrays you though you may fully deserve both, but He accepts your penitence and pardons you.
He never grudges His Forgiveness nor refuses His Mercy, on the contrary He has decreed repentance as a virtue and pious deed. The Merciful Lord has ordered that every evil deed of yours will be counted as one and a good deed and pious action will be rewarded tenfold. He has left the door of repentance open. He hears you whenever you call Him.
He accepts your prayer whenever you pray to Him. Invoke Him to grant you your heart's desire, lay before Him the secrets of your heart, tell Him about all the calamities that have befallen you and misfortunes which face you, and beseech His help to overcome them. You may invoke His Help and Support in difficulties and distresses.
You may implore Him to grant you long life and sound health, you may pray to Him for prosperity and you may request Him for such favours and grants that none but He can bestow and award.
Think over it that by simply granting you the privilege of praying for His Favours and Mercies, He has handed over the keys of His treasures to you. Whenever you are in need you should pray and He will confer His Bounties and Blessings. But sometimes you will find that your requests are not immediately granted, then you need not be disappointed because the grant of prayers often rests with the true purpose and intention of the implorer.
Sometimes the prayers are delayed because the Merciful Lord wants you to receive further rewards for patiently bearing calamities and sufferings and still believing sincerely in His Help. Thus you may be awarded better favours than you requested for.
Sometimes your prayers are turned down, and this is also in your interest; because you often, unknowingly, ask for things that are really harmful to you. If your requests are granted they will do you more harm than good and many of your requests may be such that if they are granted they will result in your eternal damnation. Thus the refusal to accede to your solicitations is a blessing in disguise to you. But very often your requests, if they are not really harmful to you in this life or in the Hereafter, may be delayed but they are granted in quantities much more than you had asked for, bringing in more blessings in their wake than you could ever imagine. So you should be very careful in asking Allah for His Favour.
Only pray for such things as are really beneficial to you, and are lasting and in the long run do not end in harm. Remember, my dear son, that wealth and power (if you pray for them) are such things that they will not always be with you and may bring harm to you in the life in the Hereafter...................
Posted by: Caliph | February 1, 2008 8:41 PM
Report Offensive Comment
From:
http://www.balaghah.net/nahj-htm/eng/id/letters/index.htm
Some excerpts from the will of Hadrat (Hazrat) Ali
" My first and foremost advice to you, my son, is to fear Allah. Be His obedient servant. Keep His thought always fresh in your mind. Be attached to and carefully guard the principles (Islam) which connect you with Him. Can any other connection be stronger, more durable and more lasting than this to command greater respect and consideration or to replace it?
Accept good exhortations and refresh your mind with them. Adopt piety and kill your inordinate desires with its help. Build your character with the help of true faith in religion and Allah. Subjugate your nature with the vision of death, make it see the mortality of life and of all that it holds dear, force it to realize the actuality of misfortunes and adversities, the changes of circumstances and times and compel it to study the lives of past people.
" Fight, whenever required, to defend the cause of Allah. When you think of defending the cause of Allah do not be afraid that people will laugh at you, censure your action or slander you. Fearlessly and boldly help truth and justice. Bear patiently the sufferings and face bravely the obstacles which come in your way when you follow truth and when you try to uphold it. Adhere to the cause of truth and justice wherever you find it. Try to be well versed with Islamic Jurisprudence and theology and acquire a thorough knowledge of the canons of this religion.
Develop the habit of patience against sufferings, calamities and adversities. This virtue of patience is one of the highest values of morality and nobility of character and it is the best habit which one can develop. Trust in Allah and let your mind seek His protection in every calamity and suffering because you will thus entrust yourself and your affairs to the Best Trustee and to the Mightiest Guardian. Do not seek help or protection from anybody but Allah.
Reserve your prayers, your requests, your solicitations, your supplications, and your entreaties to Him and Him alone because to grant, to give, to confer and to bestow, as well as to withhold, to deprive, to refuse, and to debar, lies only in His Power. Ask as much of His Blessings and seek as much of His Guidance as you can.
" Remember my son! The best out of these pieces of advice of mine are the those which tell you to fear Allah, to concentrate and to confine yourself to the performance of those duties which have been made incumbent upon you by Him and to follow in the footsteps of your ancestors.....
" If your mind refuses to accept my advice and you persist to try your own experiments like them then you are at liberty to arrive at your conclusions but only after thoroughly studying the subject and after acquiring the knowledge necessary for such decisions.
You must not allow uncertainties and doubt poison your mind, scepticism or irrational likes and dislikes should not affect your views. But remember that before you start thinking and deliberating over a problem seek guidance of the Lord and beseech Him to give you a lead in the right direction.
"The Lord who is the Master of death is also the Master of life. The Creator is the Annihilator. And the One who annihilates has the power to bring everything back again to existence. The One who sends calamities has also the power to protect you from them.
Remember that this world is working under the laws ordained by Him, and it consists of assemblage and aggregation of actions and reactions, causes and effects, calamities and reverses, pains and pleasures and rewards and punishments, but this is not all which the picture depicts, there are things in it which are beyond our ken, things which we do not and cannot know and things which cannot be foreseen and foretold, for example the rewards and punishments on the Day of Judgement. Under these circumstances, if you do not understand a thing, do not reject it. Remember that your lack of understanding is due to insufficiency of your knowledge. Remember that when you came into this world your first appearance was that of an ignorant, uneducated and unlearned being.
Then you gradually acquired knowledge, but there were several things which were beyond your knowledge, which perplexed and surprised you, and about which you did not understand. Gradually you acquired knowledge about some of those subjects and in future your knowledge and vision may further expand.
Therefore, the best thing for you to do is to seek guidance of One who has created you, Who maintains and nourishes you, Who has given you a balanced mind and a normally working body.
Your invocations should be reserved for Him only, your requests and solicitations should be alone to Him and you should only be afraid of Him.
Be it known to you, my son, that nobody has given mankind such detailed information about Allah as our Holy Prophet (s). I advise you to have faith in his teachings, to make him your leader and to accept his guidance for your salvation.
" Realize this truth, my son, that the Lord who owns and holds the treasures of Paradise and the earth has given you permission to ask and beg for them and He has promised to grant your prayers. He has told you to pray for His Favours that they may be granted to you and to ask for His Blessings that they may be bestowed upon you. He has not appointed guards to prevent your prayers reaching Him. Nor is there any need for anybody to intercede before Him on your behalf.
If you go back upon your promises, if your break your vows, or start doing things that you have repented of, He will not immediately punish you nor does He refuse His Blessings in haste and if you repent once again He neither taunts you nor betrays you though you may fully deserve both, but He accepts your penitence and pardons you.
He never grudges His Forgiveness nor refuses His Mercy, on the contrary He has decreed repentance as a virtue and pious deed. The Merciful Lord has ordered that every evil deed of yours will be counted as one and a good deed and pious action will be rewarded tenfold. He has left the door of repentance open. He hears you whenever you call Him.
He accepts your prayer whenever you pray to Him. Invoke Him to grant you your heart's desire, lay before Him the secrets of your heart, tell Him about all the calamities that have befallen you and misfortunes which face you, and beseech His help to overcome them. You may invoke His Help and Support in difficulties and distresses.
You may implore Him to grant you long life and sound health, you may pray to Him for prosperity and you may request Him for such favours and grants that none but He can bestow and award.
Think over it that by simply granting you the privilege of praying for His Favours and Mercies, He has handed over the keys of His treasures to you. Whenever you are in need you should pray and He will confer His Bounties and Blessings. But sometimes you will find that your requests are not immediately granted, then you need not be disappointed because the grant of prayers often rests with the true purpose and intention of the implorer.
Sometimes the prayers are delayed because the Merciful Lord wants you to receive further rewards for patiently bearing calamities and sufferings and still believing sincerely in His Help. Thus you may be awarded better favours than you requested for.
Sometimes your prayers are turned down, and this is also in your interest; because you often, unknowingly, ask for things that are really harmful to you. If your requests are granted they will do you more harm than good and many of your requests may be such that if they are granted they will result in your eternal damnation. Thus the refusal to accede to your solicitations is a blessing in disguise to you. But very often your requests, if they are not really harmful to you in this life or in the Hereafter, may be delayed but they are granted in quantities much more than you had asked for, bringing in more blessings in their wake than you could ever imagine. So you should be very careful in asking Allah for His Favour.
Only pray for such things as are really beneficial to you, and are lasting and in the long run do not end in harm. Remember, my dear son, that wealth and power (if you pray for them) are such things that they will not always be with you and may bring harm to you in the life in the Hereafter...................
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Irshad Manji is fraud. Anyone can do simple google search on her name and find the following website:
http://www.examinethetruth.com/manjism/Irshad_Manji_propaganda.htm
She has been challenged to debate her views by Islamic apologists, but she has "ran away". It really is a shame to see how the media still allows her to spread her propaganda while blocking out any debate with qualified Islamic apologists. Oh! but Manji more than happy to debate stupid Muslims :)
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Irshad Manji continues to be a clear voice of reason ~ facing an abyss of theologic abuse.
Isn't it unfortunate how ANYTHING (including religion) can too often be corrupted to exploit others.
Islamic Fundamentalism is not alone when it abuses power.
One only needs to read the annals of history with an eye to questioning WHO was struggling for wealth - power and control ... (... and even more importantly ~ how they strove to crush free expression and opposition, once exerting "control").
Every passage I've seen Irshad speak (or in writing) reflects the purest form of humanity and spirit.
As a devout agnostic ~ I try to believe in the human spirit. NOTHING contradicts agnosticism and humanity.
Learning to live with and tolerate our DIFFERENCES is the ONLY path to long term survival (and maybe even happiness) on this planet.
Voices like Irshad's ought to propagated at ALL levels !!!
My thanks to you for your campaign and efforts.
Especially on behalf of the generations to come !!!
~ M i k e (aka... VolleyballerLDS)
Posted by: Mike Hall | September 4, 2007 3:45 PM
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The conservatives in Islam usually claim that their interpretations of the Islamic law and Quranic texts are the correct versions and are from God. Other interpretations or laws are man-made and so will have to be inferior to their versions.
Our duty is to bring out the awareness that the Quranic verses are indeed eternal, but their interpretaions will have to depend on the circumstances of the world around us. Many Muslims are now living far away from Arabia and time keeps ticking away. We have to rethink on interpretations that were made centuries ago.
The principles as enshrine in the Quaran are eternal, but the applications of the messages to us now, will have to depend on our present situations.
Hamba Allah, Azam
Posted by: Dr Nik Azam | September 2, 2007 1:36 AM
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Critical analysis is important for Mulims and non-Muslims alike. Islam is here to stay, so it is essential that we non-Muslims support Irshad Manji and Project Ijtihad, a rational approach to Islam and its evolution into a religion consonant with a secular democracy and the universal rights of women.
Lawrence S. Katz
Posted by: Lawrence S. Katz | September 1, 2007 2:44 PM
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Critical analysis is important for Mulims and non-Muslims alike. Islam is here to stay, so it is essential that we non-Muslims support Irshad Manji and Project Ijtihad, a rational approach to Islam and its evolution into a religion consonant with a secular democracy and the universal rights of women.
Lawrence S. Katz
Posted by: Lawrence S. Katz | September 1, 2007 2:43 PM
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Greetings Irshad!
I fully agree with your article. The age of reason in the West started when the University Chair took over from the Cathedral chair of the bishops.
To use one's mind, is to use the gift the Creator gave. All Sacred texts should be read in light of Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, Reason and Experience. The Sacred text came from the Sacred Tradition of a believing community.
Keep up the great work.
Pax et Lux,
Fr. Dave O'Leary, S.T.L., D.Phil.
Goddard Chapel-Tufts University
Posted by: Fr. David O'Leary | August 30, 2007 1:51 PM
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Assalamu Alaikom,
Thank you, Irshad, for this beautiful piece. Reading the essay and all that you said about Ijtihad side by side with readers’ comments, I realize that an Islamic reform can’t\won’t happen between a day and a night, but it’s not a dream and it has already started with the efforts of reform minded Muslims all over the world… As a Muslim raised up in Arab and Muslim country like Palestine, I profoundly believe that an Islamic reform is an obligation as we, Muslims, try to emerge in our modern world and be a productive part of it rather than continue living in the shells of fanatic dogmatic thinking. Thank you.
Falastine Dwikat
Palestine
Posted by: Falastine | August 30, 2007 12:18 PM
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Your article is very interesting, because it raises the questions that scare Muslims in 21st century. If Islam is to survive as a religion, it must tacle these two problems: interfaith marriage or love and violence.
Posted by: Alassan Jallow | August 30, 2007 7:30 AM
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Ms. Manji speaks a common truth that should be heard by fundamentalists of all religions. Since the Quran and the Bible reflected the cultural climate of the day, they should serve as only spiritual guides for the present. The basic ideologies and values that all great prophets have shared....are indisputable. It seems illogical to interpret anything literally that was written under political influence and translated with many different interpretations.
I believe that present day fundalmentalists use the scriptures to control and prevent individual expression. Blind faith is dangerous. To God there is no color and no boundaries where love and respect prevail.
I fully support Irshad in her unwavering efforts to pursue a new awareness of critical thinking. This should be taught in elementary schools all over the world.
Thank you for posting this superb article.
MVB
Posted by: MVB | August 30, 2007 12:04 AM
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Ms. Manji speaks a common truth that should be heard by fundamentalists of all religions. Since the Quran and the Bible reflected the cultural climate of the day, they should serve as only spiritual guides for the present. The basic ideologies and values that all great prophets have shared....are indisputable. It seems illogical to interpret anything literally that was written under political influence and translated with many different interpretations.
I believe that present day fundalmentalists use the scriptures to control and prevent individual expression. Blind faith is dangerous. To God there is no color and no boundaries where love and respect prevail.
I fully support Irshad in her unwavering efforts to pursue a new awareness of critical thinking. This should be taught in elementary schools all over the world.
Thank you for posting this superb article.
MVB
Posted by: MVB | August 29, 2007 11:38 PM
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Ms. Manji speaks a common truth that should be heard by fundamentalists of all religions. Since the Quran and the Bible reflected the cultural climate of the day, they should serve as only spiritual guides for the present. The basic ideologies and values that all great prophets have shared....are indisputable. It seems illogical to interpret anything literally that was written under political influence and translated with many different interpretations.
I believe that present day fundalmentalists use the scriptures to control and prevent individual expression. Blind faith is dangerous. To God there is no color and no boundaries where love and respect prevail.
I fully support Irshad in her unwavering efforts to pursue a new awareness of critical thinking. This should be taught in elementary schools all over the world.
Thank you for posting this superb article.
MVB
Posted by: MVB | August 29, 2007 11:37 PM
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Irshad is a voice of reason and hope in the Muslim world that is too often only represented by hate and threats from small minded fanatics.
Peace be upon her and let us all hope that her message of tolerance and logic is picked up by more people of her religion.
Posted by: Mac | August 29, 2007 10:10 PM
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Irshad is a voice of reason and hope in the Muslim world that is too often only represented by hate and threats from small minded fanatics.
Peace be upon her and let us all hope that her message of tolerance and logic is picked up by more people of her religion.
Posted by: Mac | August 29, 2007 10:10 PM
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Irshad is a voice of reason and hope in the Muslim world that is too often only represented by hate and threats from small minded fanatics.
Peace be upon her and let us all hope that her message of tolerance and logic is picked up by more people of her religion.
Posted by: Mac | August 29, 2007 10:08 PM
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Irshad is a voice of reason and hope in the Muslim world that is too often only represented by hate and threats from small minded fanatics.
Peace be upon her and let us all hope that her message of tolerance and logic is picked up by more people of her religion.
Posted by: Mac | August 29, 2007 10:08 PM
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Irshad, in my opinion, you are the Scarlet Pimpernel. Pretending to be a clown or a fop, while engaged in the most deadly serious and important task of progressively reforming Islam. Just want you to know that there are a lot of people, like me, who regard you (and Ayyan Hirsi Ali) as the real heroines of the Muslim world today.
Thanks.
Posted by: Alicia | August 28, 2007 1:58 PM
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Dear Irshad I send you all my love and God be with you on this great work you do.
I' wish peace for all and equal rights for men and women.
We live on 2007 technology and future has change why humanity can't not?, religion make rules for those who can increase their power controling humanity as they wish, do we have more than one GOD in these WORLD?.
If GOD is on men side, why GOD create woman. (our mothers. sisters). Why we born from a woman and we say they have no rights?>..I'm a Man too.
Do I'm better than woman, Oprah will say...I' don't think soo?..
Peace,
Ambrosio / www.americaonmarket.com
Posted by: Ambrosio | August 27, 2007 10:55 PM
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Sound suspiciously ijtihad-ish to me ;) What do you think Irshad? I have to say... I like it :)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6965149.stm
What about this line:
"Some conservative local clerics are unhappy with the moves." Is it any surprise?
Posted by: Jamie Caton | August 27, 2007 5:52 AM
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Dear Irshad,
Your are enlightened. The gates of ijtihad ARE open….because of you. You have put your foot in the door of freedom. We are all God’s beings. We can all praise God and live a happy life. Inter-marriage is important for us to grow as a species w/o it disease and deformity occur. It is like a plant in a confined pot. Once it is planted in the ground or a bigger pot… it flourishes.
The women of Islam must speak and flourish…
God Bless.
dp
20070826
Posted by: D. Markell | August 26, 2007 9:24 AM
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Irshad's words are a message of hope.
If societies are to advance, then people must not only be able to practice what they believe, but also allow others to do the same.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 25, 2007 10:50 AM
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Recommended book to understand apparent hostile verses of the Quran, the place of extremism within the Islamic social fabric, traditional reign of knowledge over mere ideology, whether or not Islam needs to be modernized, Islam and democracy, and economics of terrorism:
'Islam, Fundamentalism, and the Betrayal of Tradition: Essays by Western Muslim Scholars'
These authors avoid the obvious credential shortfalls of the vast majority of all recent authorships about Islam -- all are Western natives who are PhD/candidate Muslims in the field of Islamic studies, educated in the Middle Eastern languages and Islamic philosophy.
Posted by: HelpfulGuide | August 24, 2007 2:51 PM
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Terrific article! This is exactly the sort of dialogue and groundroots change that is needed.
Consider the evolution of Christian denominations, which initially began as very hierarchical and then evolved over the years to the point that it is accepted that every Christian can read and interpret the Bible as he (or she) is moved by God. No other earthly authority is necessary to intuit the will of God, only the quiet voice of the individual in personal communion with God.
It would be healthy for all Muslims to embrace the same individual right and ability to commune privately with Allah and to interpret the Qu'ran for oneself. Reject the outdated, fascist idea that only an elite caste of conservative clerics can truly know the will and word of God.
I am heartened for the future of the world when I read of the possibilities for change that grassroots ijtihad offers us all.
Posted by: Sherisse Kyle | August 24, 2007 11:04 AM
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The processes of ijtihad and bad'i are universal faculties of the human mind. Both of these processes are opposite sides of the same coin of human evolution and they are both essential in promoting and supporting the truest alignment of daily human life with that quality of Divine Goodness which is humanity's strongest and most vital nature.
If it were not for ijtihad and bad'i, the Islamic religion could never have arisen in the first place and nor can it survive or thrive without them. Project Ijtihad is an important contemporary manifestation of these two life-giving processes and should be supported and enabled by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Posted by: Martha Toy | August 24, 2007 2:16 AM
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The Bible also teaches us to think for ourselves, look inside for answers. Many interfaith and interracial marriages have increased partners respect for one another and made the journey in life a gift of cooperation and growth in knowledge.
Thank you for this common sense article.
K Murphy
Posted by: Keith Murphy | August 23, 2007 7:36 PM
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What is needed is ot so much Itjihad but a rolling back of the outside forces which precipitated islamic extremism in the very recent history. A lack of Itjihad does not explain the reaction by the Muslim world of 500 years of western seige--but a seige sure does. However, a certain lack of itjihad does explain the susceptibility of some gullible muslims, or western wanna be's, in succumbing to western ideas about religion that have been injected like viruses into the Islamic world from afar like some medical experiment.
Interesting to compare the relative lack of Islamic extremism in the Shiite world where itjihad has continued in a much stronger and more lively way, compare to the Sunni world which is much more under the sway of Western powers. The fact that it has to be punky Irshaad with her Shiite background to allude to this comparison is unfortunate, both in the fact that she could have let some other more representative Muslim do this, and because Sunnis may see this as Shiite attack on their take on Islam.
Posted by: HelpfulGuide | August 23, 2007 6:00 PM
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To Neel ---- I'm attempting to become an informed observer of Islam and Irshad's article makes me wonder: for someone learning about the faith, how do you square ijtihad with the notion that Islam is about submission to God? How do you submit in a total way if you're allowed to question and reinterpret? The two notions seem to run counter to each other.
I'm not trying to be ironical, it's a legitimate question. Perhaps you can answer this in your next post.
My advice is to read Vison of Islam by William Chittick and/or Ideals and Realities of Islam by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, two great scholars on Islam.
islam is technically defined as the peace that exists in one who submits to the Will of God. The Will of God is not supposed to be some jaw-clamping steel cage of fear-guidance that escorts you along some righteous path. The Will is simply that which is, has been ordained, and cannot be escaped from, but could be acknowledged during the period of one's life. So the idea of the Muhammadan message was why try to evade it. Rather, get to know it and live more according to what God ordained for man. M. said man is made in the image of God.
Ijtihad is necessary to see in what way is best to interpet the Quran's often symbolic language and allusions so that man can be the best he can be while here on this earth. The Quran actually instructs it followers to follow what is self evident 9about the message of Islam), not blindly follow some man's take on anything. People have to answer for themselves on the Day of Judegment, alone before God. So Ijtihad permits the best path toward submission to God's Will as outlined above. (But Islam still has the age old debate as does avery other religion about whether our lives are predestined or do we have some affect on our lives resulting from our actions--another question) If you accept first that God is correct, then the Quran's extollment to question and debate concerns what intepretation seems like the most powerful in explaining how to come to grips with God's Will.
Hope this helps
Posted by: HelpfulGuide | August 23, 2007 5:31 PM
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I strongly support Project Ijtihad. I have been writing on muslim issues for the last few years, published books on identity, self criticism and human rights of muslimwomen. Especially, their reproductive rights, I believe are key to muslimwomen's emancipation. It is only logical that given the times we live in, we need to be more ambititious with regard to our thinking and believing. For me ambition means, lets think and rethink rather than being subordinate to what others have -maybe wrongly- thought right over de last centuries.
Naema Tahir, Netherlands based human rights lawyer, author of Precious possession (novel on reproductive rights of muslimwomen), and A Muslimwoman unveils (on critism within muslimcommunities).
Posted by: Naema Tahir | August 23, 2007 1:45 AM
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May God bless Irshad Manji, the words she writes speak to the truth about what progressive positive thinking Muslims, Jews and Christians need to realize. Those who would take the words of the Bible, Torah, or Qur'an and use the literal interpretations to diminish women do so against what makes sense to honourable persons of faith. It is important that we appreciate the courage of women and men who are willing to renounce any interpretation of the holy books of any religion that supports hate, killing, or any teachings that diminish the place of women in society. I support and encourage the views and attitudes of Irshad and all like minded people. God Bless this courageous woman.
Posted by: Doug Martin | August 22, 2007 11:40 PM
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Dear Mr. Azghari:
I am thrilled by your proposal; and invite you to contact me as I'd love to discuss what you said!
Be well brother,
Raquel (projectijtihad@project-ijtihad.com)
Posted by: Raquel Evita Saraswati, Executive Director, Project Ijtihad | August 22, 2007 11:22 PM
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"What is good Phaedrus and what is not good? Need anyone tell us these things?"
Socrates' famous question. Answer: No. No person need tells us. We are Divine Children and the Divine tells us what is good and what is not good. "And by the power of the Holy Ghost you may know the truth of all things." Moroni:10:5 (Book of Mormon)
How much beauty can each Muslim individually find by reading the Quran himself and listening to the spirit. What a happy thought! God speed!
Posted by: Marilyn Lee | August 22, 2007 7:28 PM
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I read the article of Irshad with great interest. I agree with her message and would like to add that using ijtihad in our daily life is the only way for our fellow Muslims to wake up from our long sleep. Our nightmare is that very fanatic Muslims who have narrow minded ideas about the Quran, for instance the Taliban in Afghanistan, destroy the beauty and spirituality of islam by spreading nonsense in the name of islam. At the same time I realize that it is not the solution for all the problems that we face now. But without ijtihad we are not able to take our destiny in our own hand and be responsible for our own decisions that we make. We cannot enjoy freedom as long as the gates of ijtihad remain closed.
It is according to me the only way to find real peace in Islam. To practice ijtihad is to practice tolerance. Ijtihad stimulates Muslims to think (like in the Golden Age several centuries ago in the muslimworld) by themselves and avoid ignorance. By emphasizing ijtjihad we open also our hearts towards non-Muslims with different backgrounds. Ijtihad is open to diversity.
I want to support the efforts of Irshad and the members of the project Ijitihad. Therefore I will spread as a Moroccan-Dutch commentator this message about ijtihad to all Muslims in Holland by writing next week an article about it in the Dutch daily newspaper in Trouw.
Posted by: Youssef Azghari | August 22, 2007 2:38 PM
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I read the article of Irshad with great interest. I agree with her message and would like to add that using ijtihad in our daily life is the only way for our fellow Muslims to wake up from our long sleep. Our nightmare is that very fanatic Muslims who have narrow minded ideas about the Quran, for instance the Taliban in Afghanistan, destroy the beauty and spirituality of islam by spreading nonsense in the name of islam. At the same time I realize that it is not the solution for all the problems that we face now. But without ijtihad we are not able to take our destiny in our own hand and be responsible for our own decisions that we make. We cannot enjoy freedom as long as the gates of ijtihad remain closed.
It is according to me the only way to find real peace in Islam. To practice ijtihad is to practice tolerance. Ijtihad stimulates Muslims to think (like in the Golden Age several centuries ago in the muslimworld) by themselves and avoid ignorance. By emphasizing ijtjihad we open also our hearts towards non-Muslims with different backgrounds. Ijtihad is open to diversity.
I want to support the efforts of Irshad and the members of the project Ijitihad. Therefore I will spread as a Moroccan-Dutch commentator this message about ijtihad to all Muslims in Holland by writing next week an article about it in the Dutch daily newspaper in Trouw.
Posted by: Youssef Azghari | August 22, 2007 2:36 PM
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I read the article of Irshad Manji with great interest. I agree with her message and would like to add that using ijtihad in our daily life is the only way for our fellow Muslims to wake up from our long sleep. Our nightmare is that very fanatic Muslims who have narrow minded ideas about the Quran, for instance the Taliban in Afghanistan, destroy the beauty and spirituality of islam by spreading nonsense in the name of islam. At the same time I realize that it is not the solution for all the problems that we face now. But without ijtihad we are not able to take our destiny in our own hand and be responsible for our own decisions that we make. We cannot enjoy freedom as long as the gates of ijtihad remain closed.
It is according to me the only way to find real peace in Islam. To practice ijtihad is to practice tolerance. Ijtihad stimulates Muslims to think (like in the Golden Age several centuries ago in the muslimworld) by themselves and avoid ignorance. By emphasizing ijtihad we open also our hearts towards non-Muslims with different backgrounds. Ijtihad is open to diversity.
I want to support the efforts of Irshad and the members of the project Ijtihad. Therefore I will spread as a Moroccan-Dutch commentator this message about ijtihad to all Muslims in Holland by writing next week an article about it in the Dutch daily newspaper in Trouw
Posted by: Youssef Azghari | August 22, 2007 2:32 PM
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I read the article of Irshad Manji with great interest. I agree with her message and would like to add that using ijtihad in our daily life is the only way for our fellow Muslims to wake up from our long sleep. Our nightmare is that very fanatic Muslims who have narrow minded ideas about the Quran, for instance the Taliban in Afghanistan, destroy the beauty and spirituality of islam by spreading nonsense in the name of islam. At the same time I realize that it is not the solution for all the problems that we face now. But without ijtihad we are not able to take our destiny in our own hand and be responsible for our own decisions that we make. We cannot enjoy freedom as long as the gates of ijtihad remain closed.
It is according to me the only way to find real peace in Islam. To practice ijtihad is to practice tolerance. Ijtihad stimulates Muslims to think (like in the Golden Age several centuries ago in the muslimworld) by themselves and avoid ignorance. By emphasizing ijtihad we open also our hearts towards non-Muslims with different backgrounds. Ijtihad is open to diversity.
I want to support the efforts of Irshad and the members of the project Ijtihad. Therefore I will spread as a Moroccan-Dutch commentator this message about ijtihad to all Muslims in Holland by writing next week an article about it in the Dutch daily newspaper in Trouw
Posted by: Youssef Azghari | August 22, 2007 2:02 PM
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Life is good. Let's continue it.
Posted by: * | August 22, 2007 1:41 PM
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Allowing the "next" generation of Muslims to break free of tribalism and to be able to interpret the Quran in light of the 21st century is the ONLY way terrorism will be defeated! More power to Irshad and other Muslims who think that bringing their religion out of the dark ages is the true way to eternal happiness. Let's give the next generation a reason to live instead of a reason to blow themselves up!
Posted by: Darrell Wilke | August 22, 2007 1:02 PM
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Hi,
Irshad's article is brilliant, timely, and oh so practical. I find myself married to a Muslim (although I am not one myself), and it works out fine,... and lest you think we live in some isolated caccon I can assure you that we travel and live all over the world and are subject to many difficult situations.
My wife is always accepted in the (non-Muslim) western world, by my friends, family, and associates. Our troubles are always in the middle east or in her native Indonesia where our relationship is not accepted. What kind of a message does that send to me? The door of tolerance seems to swing only one way.
Obviously project ijtihad is very much needed at a time like this. I wish you the best in this effort.
Cheers,
Les
Posted by: Les Hiebert | August 22, 2007 10:03 AM
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I believe Irshad's greatest contribution is her extolling the virtues of the Qur'an and how it doesn't preclude western thinking. I only hear about radical Islam and cannot understand why imams, with few eceptions, are not vilifying those who misinterpret the teachings of Muhammad. If I were to only listen to the the radical side I certainly wouldn't want anything to do with Islam or anyone who followed their teachings.
Irshad's voice is clear, urbane and needs to be heard by all.
Posted by: Bob Powers | August 22, 2007 9:57 AM
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When someone can't give reasonable statements in a discussion or debate they tend to start bashing thru prejudicial statements. I have read and reread the Quran and the story of Lut. No where does it say that I or anyone else has the right to bash homosexuals. The beauty of Islam is that Each of is is responsible for our own decisions and behavior and it is not our responsibility to judge. All of the political rhetoric and media coverage about gay marriage, rights, etc... is just a camouflage to keep people away from the real issues- war, poverty, and oppression.
Posted by: Barbara C | August 22, 2007 8:09 AM
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SHADEOFCHINAR, I believe it is you who needs to cleanse his soul (and his mouth), not the homosexuals who walk this earth. Then again, I am not one to judge your soul as you are not one to judge others for being, GOD BLESSED - WHO THEY ARE. How did Irshad's intellectual discussion on inter-faith marriage turn into your homo bashing? Your "argument" (if it may be called that) is weak and full of hate. A weak attempt to combat Manji and her call for reform in the Muslim world.
QUOTING shadeofchinar :
"if one is homosexual,how does one procreate.
Have you read about people of LUT
does any faith accept and tolerate homosexuality (does torah,bible etc. sanction this behavior)
you r not the first and certainly not the last of the Islam bashers.
when you talk about project Ijtehaad,you would be better served starting with you and your partner.
think about the ills and evils within your hearts and souls and try to cleanse them.
the more i read from you the more i am convinced that you are an agent of the enemies of islam."
Posted by: Jamie Caton | August 22, 2007 5:46 AM
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I think it's worth it to re read and reevaluate a verse, or a phrase in any religious book. Not to contest it, but mostly to figure out how it would fit nowadays.
http://www.jerusalemexport.com is a great resource for religious handcrafted ornaments and various religious items.
Posted by: jerusalemexporthouse | August 22, 2007 3:51 AM
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Irshad Manji is a voice of reason in the Muslim community. Let's hope that her attempts to revive the spirit of Ijtihad are successful. The benefits will reach far beyond the Muslim world.
Posted by: Fran B. | August 21, 2007 11:37 PM
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Blessings to Irshad. She has taken a bold but necessary point of view for all Muslims not just women. Her message needs to reach the "young and the restless". Perhaps a generation from now all religions will live in peace.
Posted by: kayJay | August 21, 2007 9:35 PM
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Irshad has once again opened a doorway of opportunity. Her article begins with the premise that asks the reader to consider a thought/idea/concept/change in the notion of interfaith marriage. I only wish that she had expanded more on the concept from the viewpoint of how the elements of say a woman with a Muslim life lens and a man raised in the western world with a different life lens would blend. Are their barriers that can not be overcome such as age or is it simply a matter of love?
Additionally, her article reinterates some of Irshad's concepts and ideas which I believe warrant consideration for application in this crazy world.
Thank you again Irshad. Thank you folks for posting the article.
Buzz
Posted by: Buzz | August 21, 2007 6:38 PM
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May, if it's people that you're trying to change, you've got your work cut out for you. You'd do far better to create an environment where such changes can be made by those who CHOOSE to make them. To ask questions, to spark discussions, to urge people toward reflection is about all one can manage- not even the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) could change people, or their culture, without their consent. He brought the message, and inspired the change that ripples through the world today.
Posted by: Nakia | August 21, 2007 4:40 PM
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One thing that is very frustrating to me is that it is hard to change the nature of people that come from these non western countries who naturally, like status quo. When people are trying to change the Muslims (in the nonwestern countries)to be more open than they are now, it is not just trying to change in religion, but also the culture. How do you change a culture? The culture has been around for thousands of years (and Islam has been around only since the 7th century).
Also the nature of the people in general are not dynamic, the door to their open heart is shut close and buried, and the key thrown away. There aren't open options, there's just one way to believe, no variations. If Islam had been something else that they adhere to, it would still have been the brand of religion that is closed and inflexible. How do you change the nature of people? People's nature has a lot to do with the environment, climate and so forth.(I don't like to end w/a negative note, but hopefully I'll write again next time w/s t more positive). Please just keep it up. Something will turn up.
Posted by: may | August 21, 2007 4:05 PM
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It is wonderful to hear the sound of faith and reason go hand in hand. These estranged bedfellows really need to be reconciled.
Posted by: Ron Hinchley | August 21, 2007 1:29 PM
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Project Ijtihad can be a ray of hope, in a ever increasing dark and barbaric world. Let it be a renewal of Islam and reason for hope for all, one person at a time.
Posted by: Tom | August 21, 2007 1:23 PM
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Islam-with-ijtihad sounds to me a lot like Reconstructionist Judaism: Islam as an evolving religious civilization. Evolution can be viewed God's way of enabling us to adapt and survive. A lot of comments say that any attempt at reforming Islam risks likely failure, but where would we be now if people had never taken risks? Every change has to begin somewhere and I am very happy to see this one, however small or great it may turn out, beginning.
Posted by: Nina Wouk | August 21, 2007 12:48 PM
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Islam-with-ijtihad sounds to me a lot like Reconstructionist Judaism: Islam as an evolving religious civilization. Evolution can be viewed God's way of enabling us to adapt and survive. A lot of comments say that any attempt at reforming Islam risks likely failure, but where would we be now if people had never taken risks? Every change has to begin somewhere and I am very happy to see this one, however small or great it may turn out, beginning.
Posted by: Nina Wouk | August 21, 2007 12:47 PM
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To Margaret:
I disagree with your suggestion that Irshad leave her gender preference (read: homosexuality) out of the picture. Why should she? Is she not a human being? I though Islam respected all human kind? Of course Muslims do not respect anything other than fellow Muslims, otherwise why are we having this debate? We all agree that Islam is not at this point in time a "livable religion" to use your words. So I suggest we take the bull by the horns and address everything, including the rights of homosexuals, and not just pick and choose what YOU want to reform, aka the nasty business of misogyny, paternalism and racism. If you, as a Muslim (a convert to boot!) are considered part of the solution, picking and choosing to exclude those you don't accept, or want to keep in the closet, does little to promote this much needed Islamic reformation.
Posted by: Bart | August 21, 2007 11:51 AM
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As a 30+ year convert to Islam, it is long overdue for "reform" which to me means taking the body politic from misogynistic paternalistic and, yes, racist fundamentalists. I personally would advise you, Irshad, to leave your gender preferences, which are truly your business, out of the spotlight and focus on hoping to see Islam become a genuinely liveable religion, i.e. way of life.
Posted by: margaret donato | August 21, 2007 10:47 AM
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Knowledge will rule the day. Eventually, intelligent people will overthrow despots and terrorists. I hope that Islamists recognize that simple truth and reject the bullies among them.
Movements and ideas work as a pendulum swings. People tire of extremists and swing to the opposite position. Unfortunately, the peaceful middle is not an attractive long term position.
l
Posted by: Bill Privette | August 21, 2007 10:32 AM
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what irshad says is what muslims of today should be thinking about. all religions have to be updated periodically. she is a wise person and not one to be reviled.
Posted by: gordon peterson | August 21, 2007 9:32 AM
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I was born 67 years ago in Germany, catholic and raised during and after WWII.
For my 6 grandchildrens future, or because of it, I am very interested in events concerning Islam and the Middle East.
I have read your Book, I will read it again and again to get a better understanding of your religion.
Thus far I believe your modern interpretation or translation of the Koran will help towards understanding and all of us, meaning all peoples and all religions, living in peace.
I do believe it will take a very long time.
It will not happen in my live time, nor my childrens, but maybe during my grandchildrens.
God bless you Irshad, always, and watch over you and protect you.
You are my hope for the future, you are a modern day Prophet of peace.
Very sincerely
Elke Barrett
Posted by: Elke Barrett | August 21, 2007 9:15 AM
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Addendum:
Tribalism exists in fraternities, RC church, police dep't, the military etc... Tribalism is bad when it perpetuates the dehumanization, oppression and prejudice towards others. If the thought process is used to promote humanity and equity for everyone it would be useful and good.
Posted by: Barbara C | August 21, 2007 8:49 AM
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Irshad imrpesses as very voluble and focused. Her preferences are not for discussion here, but her desire for peace is. Hopefully she is able to bring together Muslim, Jewish and Christian believers into a tranquil unity of purpose, one motivated by love and not competition. I will read the above article next, and look forward to further news of Ishad (whom I saw on television yesterday...).
Posted by: hjcreary | August 21, 2007 8:46 AM
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Very good article and Project Ijtihad is a needful recommitment and new direction.
For what it's worth. The Age of Reason is seen negatively by much of Evangelical Christianity. There are many parallels to the Reformation, particularly in areas of literacy and each person's responsibility to read and evaluate God's Word on it's own merits, independent of expert opinions.
Posted by: James Hill | August 21, 2007 8:40 AM
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Thank you for continuing your efforts to encourage a meaningful and useful dialog about critical issues. I admire your thoughtful commitment and courage. You are a beacon of hope.
Posted by: J Wright | August 21, 2007 8:29 AM
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Tribalism is spoken about as if it doesn't exist in America and 'civilized' countries. As if this thought process and lifestlye is antiquated, but you need not look far to see it. From a leader who says you are with us or against us, teen gangs, to families and work groups this behavior exists. People give up their individuality and ability to choose right from wrong to belong, maybe it gives them a sense of security.
Posted by: Barbara C | August 21, 2007 7:06 AM
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Islamic Reformation is necessary as a feature of enhancing community peace and understanding. Perpetuating tribal distortions (in any religion) only can divert attention from the original messages.Marriage and love are complex and can be challenging for any one of us. May they elevate our human relationships progressively in a more spiritual direction. Irshad Manji and Project Ijtihad are blessings in these times.
Posted by: Jeff G. | August 21, 2007 6:09 AM
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Islamic Reformation is necessary as a feature of enhancing community peace and understanding. Perpetuating tribal distortions (in any religion) only can divert attention from the original messages.Marriage and love are complex and can be challenging for any one of us. May they elevate our human relationships progressively in a more spiritual direction. Irshad Manji and Project Ijtihad are blessings in these times.
Posted by: Jeff G. | August 21, 2007 6:08 AM
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Irshad speaks my mind. I hope she will succeed in making Islam a more reasonable religion.
Ernest Klimonda
Posted by: Ernest Klimonda | August 21, 2007 5:59 AM
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Without a doubt, Irshad and people like her will save our world from many wars to come if their ideas are listened to. Critical thinking in the Islamic world will bring moderate muslims together to fight against the terrorists and killers that have hijacked their religion. And it will hopefully lead to human rights for women, gays and eveyone else whose rights are currently non-existent in the Islamic world.
Posted by: Daniel Mack | August 21, 2007 12:46 AM
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I wish to offer my support to all muslims that have the courage to practice the tradition of creative reasoning. Stand up and demonstrate to the world just how peaceful the muslim faith should be, and respectful to the rest of the world.
Peace Now
Posted by: Rob Brant | August 20, 2007 11:06 PM
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I'm all for anything where Muslims are encouraged to be freedom loving and free thinking
Posted by: fred p | August 20, 2007 10:08 PM
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Thank you Irshid, as always thought provoking and challenging. To quote an agnostic saying about religion "I don't know and neither do you." No matter what anyone's faith is it is exactly that - Faith. All human cultures over all time had and still have beliefs in something greater than ourselves. The attempt to explain who we are, what our place is in the universe and what our obligations are to each other and to the Power that created all is at the core of being human. There has to be a recognition that we are never, in this life at least, going to be able to answer these questions, but we must always keep asking them. It is an act of arrogance and disrespect to the Power to assume that any of us have the answer and that our answer is the right one.
Faith must never be preserved, because the only things that are preserved are dead. Faith is kept alive by sharing experiences, questioning, discussing beliefs. Faith is living and breathing.
A thousand years ago my ancestors, good Celts that they were, practiced human sacrifice as part of their faith. It is hard to think of ever so great grandma and grandpa stringing up one of the neighbors in the sacred grove as part of going to church. Through these thousand years this part of my family eventually became Lutherans. I am just thankful that there was the opportunity for my ancestors to question and discuss the value of human sacrifice in their faith and make a change. I like my neighbors.
Posted by: Karren Brown | August 20, 2007 9:50 PM
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Bravo once again Irshad, for not only telling the truth but for eliciting such strong responses from so many people. In many ways, this is what you are asking for: for people to speak their minds freely and use relevant facts to back up their arguments. Slowly, slowly, you will find what you are looking for.
I think it's important to make a distinction between interfaith marriage between Muslim women and non-Muslim men vs. Muslim men and non-Muslim women. My whole life, I've known Muslim men who can marry whomever they like. Most of the time, the women are forced to convert to Islam otherwise they are welcoming all manners of heartache and stress into their lives. But in the reverse, it is forbidden. Why? Methinks it is another silent, slow-moving form of jihad - facilitating the conversion of non-Muslims one (to four) at a time.
That being said, all of this is superficial nonsense that doesn't deal with the root of what plagues Islam, and that is political control. As the Iranian Mariane Satrapi wrote: "The regime understood that one person leaving her house while asking herself, 'Are my trousers long enough? Is my veil in place? Can my makeup be seen? Are they going to whip me?' no longer asks herself, 'Where is my freedom of thought? Where is my freedom of speech? My life, is it livable? What's going on in the political prisons?'" Until Muslims wake up to and revolt against the fact that their religion is being used to steal their livelihoods and happiness, the world will not have peace. Non-Muslims can help in this struggle, in many creative ways, but ultimately, it is up to the brethren of the people who would take away all freedom of expression to reclaim the religion and their right to practice openly and honestly.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 20, 2007 9:07 PM
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Bravo once again Irshad, for not only telling the truth but for eliciting such strong responses from so many people. In many ways, this is what you are asking for: for people to speak their minds freely and use relevant facts to back up their arguments. Slowly, slowly, you will find what you are looking for.
I think it's important to make a distinction between interfaith marriage between Muslim women and non-Muslim men vs. Muslim men and non-Muslim women. My whole life, I've known Muslim men who can marry whomever they like. Most of the time, the women are forced to convert to Islam otherwise they are welcoming all manners of heartache and stress into their lives. But in the reverse, it is forbidden. Why? Methinks it is another silent, slow-moving form of jihad - facilitating the conversion of non-Muslims one (to four) at a time.
That being said, all of this is superficial nonsense that doesn't deal with the root of what plagues Islam, and that is political control. As the Iranian Mariane Satrapi wrote: "The regime understood that one person leaving her house while asking herself, 'Are my trousers long enough? Is my veil in place? Can my makeup be seen? Are they going to whip me?' no longer asks herself, 'Where is my freedom of thought? Where is my freedom of speech? My life, is it livable? What's going on in the political prisons?'" Until Muslims wake up to and revolt against the fact that their religion is being used to steal their livelihoods and happiness, the world will not have peace. Non-Muslims can help in this struggle, in many creative ways, but ultimately, it is up to the brethren of the people who would take away all freedom of expression to reclaim the religion and their individuality within it.
Posted by: SSW | August 20, 2007 9:02 PM
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Bravo once again Irshad, for not only telling the truth but for eliciting such strong responses from so many people. In many ways, this is what you are asking for: for people to speak their minds freely and use relevant facts to back up their arguments. Slowly, slowly, you will find what you are looking for.
I think it's important to make a distinction between interfaith marriage between Muslim women and non-Muslim men vs. Muslim men and non-Muslim women. My whole life, I've known Muslim men who can marry whomever they like. Most of the time, the women are forced to convert to Islam otherwise they are welcoming all manners of heartache and stress into their lives. But in the reverse, it is forbidden. Why? Methinks it is another silent, slow-moving form of jihad - facilitating the conversion of non-Muslims one (to four) at a time.
That being said, all of this is superficial nonsense that doesn't deal with the root of what plagues Islam, and that is political control. As the Iranian Mariane Satrapi wrote: "The regime understood that one person leaving her house while asking herself, 'Are my trousers long enough? Is my veil in place? Can my makeup be seen? Are they going to whip me?' no longer asks herself, 'Where is my freedom of thought? Where is my freedom of speech? My life, is it livable? What's going on in the political prisons?'" Until Muslims wake up to and revolt against the fact that their religion is being used to steal their livelihoods and happiness, the world will not have peace. Non-Muslims can help in this struggle, in many creative ways, but ultimately, it is up to the brethren of the people who would take away all freedom of expression to claim back their religion and their individuality.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 20, 2007 8:56 PM
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Irshad Manji has written a wonderful article. I wish Jihadist and Islamist and Norrie Hoyt and others would read it.
On a similar vein is a very good article on the history of political theology, both in the west (Christianity and Judaism) and in Islam. The article speaks to the difficulty getting Islam and the west to understand each other, something that Jihadist has touched upon in some of her posts. Below is the web address for this New York Times article.
Posted by: Maurie Beck | August 20, 2007 8:53 PM
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Thank goodness the Muslim faith has its forward thinkers too! Ijtihad is a necessary movement in all faiths! Here in the US, the Christian bible is interpreted many different ways, making it possible for any person to find for themselves a meaningful faith. True, we disagree about the original meaning of the words; and yet, the teachings are as vital to one person as to another.
Many of us in the West are moving beyond the barriers of different faiths and enjoying pure spirituality, ever-widening love, and understanding for mankind of any country and any faith. This does not diminish our Christian upbringing because without it, most of us would never have arrived at this evolved spiritual place.
The Muslim faith and the Qur'an are not diminished by a personal interpretation, but glorified, as a tool for humanity along an ever creative journey.
Posted by: Pamela Warr | August 20, 2007 5:42 PM
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What all authoritarian regimes in any time in history have feared most is the education and free thinking of the people they want to keep in submission. There was a time when only the priests of the Catholic Church were allowed to read The Bible. It was illegal to translate it into other languages and for anyone else to read it. There came a time when the "rebels" of their day secretly translated and distributed The Bible to the masses. Many were executed for their "heresy". Then it was illegal for Catholics to question their religion and many were executed for doing so. Today we know the rebels of their day were right. People have a right to be free and to think for themselves. It is early in the struggle to be free of the authoritarian regime in Islam; but, the day will come as more and more people (young and old all over the Islamic world) question their lives and their choices. Part of the process is that once the new philosophy is introduced and begins to take hold, it takes several generations to become reality as those of the old way of thinking die and are replaced by those of the new. Now that the movement has begun, it will not be stopped.
Posted by: SLCR | August 20, 2007 5:38 PM
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Why is it important that we Muslims start practicing Ijtihad? The obvious answer is because Muslims these days are not using their heads and the other reason is because many in Europe and the Middle East are blind-sighted by the 7th-Century Tribal Norms, giving Islam an ugly image.
I’m not even going to delve into the Male-Female issue because that in and of itself deserves its own topic, however I will give you an example, why I believe it is necessary that Muslims all over the world, even here in America, start practicing Ijtihad.
My cousin came over to visit me for the first time. I live in Las Vegas. I am 22 years old and I’m a woman, while she’s only a little child, eight ears of age. As everyone in the entire country knows, Las Vegas has the reputation of Sin City and for obvious and good reasons. However, this is my home and it has treated well for the past decade. I love it here and I don’t think I would ever move. With that said, let me enlighten you as to where my cousin comes from. She’s this cute little adorable eight year old girl who comes from Michigan…a small town in Michigan where unfortunately, the immigrants, directly from their home country are in charge of things and passing down their harsh 7th Century Tribal Norms onto my cousin.
When she came to see me in Vegas, she was shocked at all the people at the airport who were gambling. Her parents never told her what Vegas was so when she first got off the plane, she was shocked and upset that so many people were gambling. She later told me that all those people would be going to hell for what they were doing. Now you can only imagine, I was absolutely floored with her statement.
Not being super-girly or anything, but this little girl should be thinking about life and adventure and exploration and friends and toys, and going out and having fun in life, not condemning people for doing something so obtuse as gambling.
Now, I have my own opinions about those who gamble, and though my religion forbids it, I did put 25 cents in a machine and I was happy with getting 50 cents back. No harm done. I never gamble, not even when my closest family members do. With that said, I did not like the high and mighty, stuck up attitude that Muslims were superior to others, at least, that’s what I got from this little girl. So I said, well that’s not true. What if they were good people all their life and then in that one moment, they gambled for the first time in their life. Or what if, they were very good Religious people and then in just one second, they wanted to put in just one coin? Does that mean everything they did in life makes them bad for that one little mistake? Do you think God would abandon them because of that one little mistake? Does Allah hate all his children for the little mistakes they make in life if they say their sorry and repent?
I literally saw the light bulb click, and she smiled at me. Critical thinking is so very important because the old traditions of ancient centuries that are still being practiced is the cause of our ignorant population of an eye for an eye theology of mass Muslims. Please don’t’ get me wrong. I love my religion and I love my culture but I’m also an American living in the 21st CENTURY World…meaning, things have got to change and they have to change for the better.
I am a proud Muslim however, I do feel that most of the Muslim society, especially in the middle east are blind...blind to the fact that they are no longer living in ancient societies and that we are now living in the 21st century. If many more Muslims would practice Ijtihad, like myself, then they would realize that life isn't just black and white, write or wrong, and they would not be brain-washing children like my cousin with out-dated traditions and teaching them such ugly hatred at a time in life when everything should be beautiful. After all, what is a child if there is no innocence?
Posted by: Sita | August 20, 2007 5:27 PM
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There is no more important mission in today's world than taking back Islam from the death merchants who have stolen it. The only way to achieve this, I believe, is if there can b discussion about the Qur'an without fear of death. The only way Islam can have a place in the modern world is if brave people of the Islamic faith like Irshad speak up and be heard by the masses of muslims who only hear the fundamentalists version of things.
Posted by: Russ Paladino | August 20, 2007 5:24 PM
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There is no more important mission in today's world than taking back Islam from the death merchants who have stolen it. The only way to achieve this, I believe, is if there can b discussion about the Qur'an without fear of death. The only way Islam can have a place in the modern world is if brave people of the Islamic faith like Irshad speak up and be heard by the masses of muslims who only hear the fundamentalists version of things.
Posted by: Russ Paladino | August 20, 2007 5:23 PM
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Why is it important that we Muslims start practicing Ijtihad? The obvious answer is because Muslims these days are not using their heads and the other reason is because many in Europe and the Middle East are blind-sighted by the 7th-Century Tribal Norms, giving Islam an ugly image.
I’m not even going to delve into the Male-Female issue because that in and of itself deserves its own topic, however I will give you an example, why I believe it is necessary that Muslims all over the world, even here in America, start practicing Ijtihad.
My cousin came over to visit me for the first time. I live in Las Vegas. I am 22 years old and I’m a woman, while she’s only a little child, eight ears of age. As everyone in the entire country knows, Las Vegas has the reputation of Sin City and for obvious and good reasons. However, this is my home and it has treated well for the past decade. I love it here and I don’t think I would ever move. With that said, let me enlighten you as to where my cousin comes from. She’s this cute little adorable eight year old girl who comes from Michigan…a small town in Michigan where unfortunately, the immigrants, directly from their home country are in charge of things and passing down their harsh 7th Century Tribal Norms onto my cousin.
When she came to see me in Vegas, she was shocked at all the people at the airport who were gambling. Her parents never told her what Vegas was so when she first got off the plane, she was shocked and upset that so many people were gambling. She later told me that all those people would be going to hell for what they were doing. Now you can only imagine, I was absolutely floored with her statement.
Not being super-girly or anything, but this little girl should be thinking about life and adventure and exploration and friends and toys, and going out and having fun in life, not condemning people for doing something so obtuse as gambling.
Now, I have my own opinions about those who gamble, and though my religion forbids it, I did put 25 cents in a machine and I was happy with getting 50 cents back. No harm done. I never gamble, not even when my closest family members do. With that said, I did not like the high and mighty, stuck up attitude that Muslims were superior to others, at least, that’s what I got from this little girl. So I said, well that’s not true. What if they were good people all their life and then in that one moment, they gambled for the first time in their life. Or what if, they were very good Religious people and then in just one second, they wanted to put in just one coin? Does that mean everything they did in life makes them bad for that one little mistake? Do you think God would abandon them because of that one little mistake? Does Allah hate all his children for the little mistakes they make in life if they say their sorry and repent?
I literally saw the light bulb click, and she smiled at me. Critical thinking is so very important because the old traditions of ancient centuries that are still being practiced is the cause of our ignorant population of an eye for an eye theology of mass Muslims. Please don’t’ get me wrong. I love my religion and I love my culture but I’m also an American living in the 21st CENTURY World…meaning, things have got to change and they have to change for the better.
I am a proud Muslim however, I do feel that most of the Muslim society, especially in the middle east are blind...blind to the fact that they are no longer living in ancient societies and that we are now living in the 21st century. If many more Muslims would practice Ijtihad, like myself, then they would realize that life isn't just black and white, write or wrong, and they would not be brain-washing children like my cousin with out-dated traditions and teaching them such ugly hatred at a time in life when everything should be beautiful. After all, what is a child if there is no innocence?
Posted by: Sita | August 20, 2007 5:20 PM
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Why is it important that we Muslims start practicing Ijtihad? The obvious answer is because Muslims these days are not using their heads and the other reason is because many in Europe and the Middle East are blind-sighted by the 7th-Century Tribal Norms, giving Islam an ugly image.
I’m not even going to delve into the Male-Female issue because that in and of itself deserves its own topic, however I will give you an example, why I believe it is necessary that Muslims all over the world, even here in America, start practicing Ijtihad.
My cousin came over to visit me for the first time. I live in Las Vegas. I am 22 years old and I’m a woman, while she’s only a little child, eight ears of age. As everyone in the entire country knows, Las Vegas has the reputation of Sin City and for obvious and good reasons. However, this is my home and it has treated well for the past decade. I love it here and I don’t think I would ever move. With that said, let me enlighten you as to where my cousin comes from. She’s this cute little adorable eight year old girl who comes from Michigan…a small town in Michigan where unfortunately, the immigrants, directly from their home country are in charge of things and passing down their harsh 7th Century Tribal Norms onto my cousin.
When she came to see me in Vegas, she was shocked at all the people at the airport who were gambling. Her parents never told her what Vegas was so when she first got off the plane, she was shocked and upset that so many people were gambling. She later told me that all those people would be going to hell for what they were doing. Now you can only imagine, I was absolutely floored with her statement.
Not being super-girly or anything, but this little girl should be thinking about life and adventure and exploration and friends and toys, and going out and having fun in life, not condemning people for doing something so obtuse as gambling.
Now, I have my own opinions about those who gamble, and though my religion forbids it, I did put 25 cents in a machine and I was happy with getting 50 cents back. No harm done. I never gamble, not even when my closest family members do. With that said, I did not like the high and mighty, stuck up attitude that Muslims were superior to others, at least, that’s what I got from this little girl. So I said, well that’s not true. What if they were good people all their life and then in that one moment, they gambled for the first time in their life. Or what if, they were very good Religious people and then in just one second, they wanted to put in just one coin? Does that mean everything they did in life makes them bad for that one little mistake? Do you think God would abandon them because of that one little mistake? Does Allah hate all his children for the little mistakes they make in life if they say their sorry and repent?
I literally saw the light bulb click, and she smiled at me. Critical thinking is so very important because the old traditions of ancient centuries that are still being practiced is the cause of our ignorant population of an eye for an eye theology of mass Muslims. Please don’t’ get me wrong. I love my religion and I love my culture but I’m also an American living in the 21st CENTURY World…meaning, things have got to change and they have to change for the better.
I am a proud Muslim however, I do feel that most of the Muslim society, especially in the middle east are blind...blind to the fact that they are no longer living in ancient societies and that we are now living in the 21st century. If many more Muslims would practice Ijtihad, like myself, then they would realize that life isn't just black and white, write or wrong, and they would not be brain-washing children like my cousin with out-dated traditions and teaching them such ugly hatred at a time in life when everything should be beautiful. After all, what is a child if there is no innocence?
Posted by: Sita | August 20, 2007 5:17 PM
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If ijtihad were to be embraced by muslims, in a reasoned attempt to establish dialogue with the other religions & cultures, I think muslims would be received with open arms!
As a thinking Christian, I am happy to discuss other religious points of view. I have no fear that my faith will be damaged. In fact, I suspect that my God is quite a bit larger than my understanding of Him. Jesus said "I have sheep who are not of this fold." Maybe I can learn more about God by meeting people from "other folds"!
I know some Christian denominations who could use some of this "ijtihad"!
Posted by: Dan M. | August 20, 2007 4:28 PM
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Irshad is a breath of fresh air in a world of religious dissension. Her quest for free thinking in the Islamic world will not be an easy task, but it will be done. For those who think it cannot be done or those who think free thinking should not prevail, you are wrong. God gave us two ears and one mouth. People that are dedicated to ijtihad will use God's wisdom and listen with an open mind and speak with intelligence and truth. Yes, the truth will set you free.
Posted by: Lucinda Coffey | August 20, 2007 4:24 PM
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WHEN ANYONE SUBSCRIBES TO A THOUGHT OR PRACTICE THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BE ALLOWED THE LIBERTY OF DISCUSSING IT'S PRECEPTS.....EVEN THE BIBLE TEACHES YOU TO STUDY TO SHOW YOURSELF APPROVED. SEEKING TRUTH SHOULD ALWAYS ALLOW DISCUSSION. DEBATING IS A FORM OF PASSIONATE DISCUSSION AND IS IN AMERICA MY RIGHT TO QUESTION AND NOT JUST ACCEOT BECAUSE SOMEONE TELLS ME TOO.
Posted by: ROBIN HARDEY | August 20, 2007 3:38 PM
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in response to don but i believe with relevance to others:
tis is a very difficult tiome to study Isla, in some respects. Most of teh Qur'anic translations have been altered by the ultra-orthodox and in unscholarly fashion, the alterations are not even disseminated in the NEW para-translation.
the best translation in my opinion, the Abdullah Yusuf Ali translation in its ORIGINAL unaltered form, can be obtained from Tarsike Tahrile Qur'an company in Queens. But you must specify thta you want the ORIGINAL translation form 193?.
In any case you wil knowright away of you ahve the original text because Ali translated Allah as God, in most places in the text.
Anathema, of course to ultra-Orthodox islamo-fascist cultural chauvinists.
in any case, the study of Islam when i undertook it almost a quarter cebtury ago led me to the most beautiful and important experience and treasure of my life which is Islam.
to practice Islam with Love and the guidnce and blessings of Allah is treasure beyond diescription adn i am so sorry that with more than a billion muslims in the world, the great najority ofwhom are caring, loving, merciful and insightful very good parenting people, that you happened to find the hostile press that ahs become commonplace, and the revisionism which threatens my faith, rather than the beauty of Islam.
Posted by: Aminah Yaquin Carroll | August 20, 2007 3:30 PM
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Islam is not a static ideology by its basic definition. On the contrary, Islam (like the other Abrahamic religions) is a "social concept".
For example; the Quran clarifies that Islam was created to morally benefit man - to lift it from moral decay and improve mankind. Therefore it is not a religion for the "sake of being a religion"... but it is a moral benefit for Muslims.
That is, it ought to improve our ethics by giving us better ideals to achieve.
That is the root reason for Islam's existence. Therefore in this day and age Islam not only CAN be, but by its very root OUGHT to be redefined in order to CONTINUE its eternal purpose: to improve our society.
In that light Islam demands that we raise the standard expected of ourselves, as it was raised in the 7th century. We are no longer barbaric tribal people... our current moral standard far exceeds the 7th century standard - we realize today that it is inhumane to have slaves, to cut hands of thieves etc. We realize today that revenge taking is not "justice"... we realize today that the status of women has to be legally equal to that of man. On these accounts a new interpretation of Islam is needed. In fact, this is what Islam's philosophy demands: to RAISE THE BAR for ourselves!
I appreciate the work of Irshad Manji and other reformists like her. We can make a difference. We are morally obliged by the very essence of Islam, to make a change.
The Islamic reform movement is bound to be successful. It is inevitable.
Posted by: Amod | August 20, 2007 3:15 PM
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Dear Irshad:
You are certainly the voice of reason. How I long for a day people of all faiths and politics can show respect for others and learn to make positive contributions to ensuring the survival of mankind. There has been brutality in all religions in the past, but those other than Islam have evolved into a more "do unto others" philosophy rather than kill first and ask questions later. My Islamic friends are neither brutal, nor hateful, nor do they consider women to be inferior beings. Few go to Mosques any more.
Truly, I wish to believe there is hope for kind, moderate people who have chosen this faith to survive, and make it into a positive, giving, peaceful religion, not intent on destroying us Christians or America or the Jewish people, or Israel. With our faults, we run democracies non the less, and believe in freedom of speech. The struggle within Islam is great and I pray that reason prevails, and continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers for your efforts to help us all. You are good people!
Posted by: Judith Davies | August 20, 2007 3:09 PM
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Dear Dr. Manji
As a muslim I totally supports your excellent work and I hope there are more of us the "Thinking Muslims" Islam can oly be strong is all muslims think, it would be better if they can analyse too. If we all belive that the first letter of the Quraan is "READ" then why are we not making it our "jihad" to ensure all muslims can read.
In present times if we can educate all muslims about islam, maybe later we can educate others too.You are doing a marvolous job. Assalamualaikum.
Posted by: John Derick Osman | August 20, 2007 3:07 PM
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Dear Dr. Manji
As a muslim I totally supports your excellent work and I hope there are more of us the "Thinking Muslims" Islam can oly be strong is all muslims think, it would be better if they can analyse too. If we all belive that the first letter of the Quraan is "READ" then why are we not making it our "jihad" to ensure all muslims can read.
In present times if we can educate all muslims about islam, may be later we can educate others too.You are doing a marvolous job. Assalamualaikum.
Posted by: John Derick Osman | August 20, 2007 3:07 PM
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Mohammed Must be weeping when he sees what is being done in his name. Islam is in danger of returning to the Tribalism that it was to replace. I don't recall the last time Lutherens crashed Planes into occupied buildings. The rational must stand up to the corrupted fanatics or risk becoming a blood cult. Keep up the good work Irshad, and we will keep you in our prayers
Posted by: Mark S. Martin | August 20, 2007 2:50 PM
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A note to Miss Manji’s detractors:
If you are going to bag on Miss Manji for her opinions and thoughts presented in this article, then I recommend you read it first. You’ll win over none of her supporters with irrelevant verses and parroting of the “party line”. Please at least attempt to be original in your criticism. The issues at hand are inter-faith marriage, the re-birth of Ijtihad, and liberating the entrepreneurial spirit of female Muslims.
On the subject of inter-faith marriage, I support it. I see nothing wrong with two people who love and support each other being able to maintain their individual spiritual identity in a committed relations ship. And if Dr. Mohammed (a clearly qualified scholar) is even half right in his written defense of it, who are you to tell him or (Miss Manji) his “opinion” is “wrong.” I’d like to see a list of your credentials.
Next was the re-birth of Ijtihad. Please review my opening comments about irrelevant verse and parroting. If you take the time to read the Qur’an for yourselves I’m sure (in the spirit of Ijtihad) you could find verses that actually support your positions. Rather than mindlessly spouting the Pavlovian ones some iman has told you support your opinion right after he told you what your opinion is.
Lastly, we have entrepreneurial spirit of female Muslims. What is it that you’re really afraid if there? Women are traditionally, the nurturers, and the care takers. You can only benefit from a self supporting female because 9 times out of 10, they will take care of you too. So, unless you’re some toothless, troll who can’t get laid unless women are TOTALLY submissive and cowed, I suggest you shut your big fat pie-hole and open your mind. If you are some toothless troll who can’t get a date, consider “Natural Selection” before you even try to get laid…perhaps its better you don’t breed.
Posted by: Slic Nic 5150 | August 20, 2007 2:28 PM
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A note to Miss Manji’s detractors:
If you are going to bag on Miss Manji for her opinions and thoughts presented in this article, then I recommend you read it first. You’ll win over none of her supporters with irrelevant verses and parroting of the “party line”. Please at least attempt to be original in your criticism. The issues at hand are inter-faith marriage, the re-birth of Ijtihad, and liberating the entrepreneurial spirit of female Muslims.
On the subject of inter-faith marriage, I support it. I see nothing wrong with two people who love and support each other being able to maintain their individual spiritual identity in a committed relations ship. And if Dr. Mohammed (a clearly qualified scholar) is even half right in his written defense of it, who are you to tell him or (Miss Manji) his “opinion” is “wrong.” I’d like to see a list of your credentials.
Next was the re-birth of Ijtihad. Please review my opening comments about irrelevant verse and parroting. If you take the time to read the Qur’an for yourselves I’m sure (in the spirit of Ijtihad) you could find verses that actually support your positions. Rather than mindlessly spouting the Pavlovian ones some iman has told you support your opinion right after he told you what your opinion is.
Lastly, we have entrepreneurial spirit of female Muslims. What is it that you’re really afraid if there? Women are traditionally, the nurturers, and the care takers. You can only benefit from a self supporting female because 9 times out of 10, they will take care of you too. So, unless you’re some toothless, troll who can’t get laid unless women are TOTALLY submissive and cowed, I suggest you shut your big fat pie-hole and open your mind. If you are some toothless troll who can’t get a date, consider “Natural Selection” before you even try to get laid…perhaps its better you don’t breed.
Posted by: Slic Nic 5150 | August 20, 2007 2:28 PM
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Reading the responses to Irshad's Project Ijtihad and Raquel Evita Saraswati's comments, I think it is wise to consider the practicalities to make the project launched by two very courageous ladies successful. IMHO, these are the keystones:
1. Open a chapter here in USA and target CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations). This group supports the physical Jihad and Ibrahim Hooper (the head honcho of CAIR) is on record stating that he wants to see USA become an Islamic State. Such dangerous persons, holding such vicious opinions, need to be challenged intellcetually.
2. Enlist the help of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Wafa Sultan, Walid Shoebat in combating radical Islamic ideologies - such as the Wahabi theory and Salafist ideas.
3. Help the US and Canadian lawmakers to formulate a rational and progressive policy towards (modern) Islam. After all, if Islam is to be acceptable in these countries some of the most heinous aspects of Islam: stoning, apostacy, inter-faith marriage, hijab, burkha, hatred for non-believers must go. Islam, like all other cultures must embrace the western concept of Free Speech (1st Amendment). Organize frequent rallies by moderate Muslims to openly condemn Osama bin Laden and other fundamental aspects of Islam. (We have seen only muted token protests by "moderate" Muslims on Jihad. Much more needs to be done, and many more miles to go.)
4. Visit the various US campuses and open up discussions. Invite the so-called anti-Islamists like Robert Spencer, Ibn Warraq, Andrew Bostom, Daniel Pipes, Salman Rushdie, Taslima Nasreen, etc., and let them air their opinions. It must be accepted that indeed Islam as it exists literally in the Quran, can surely inspire Jihad and bloodletting. Irshad Manji is taking a different position. (She falls in category number 2 Muslims, as defined by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.)
5. Spread the message of Ijtihad to other nations, and notably Pakistan. This country is the epicenter of radical Islamic terrorism/ideas. It would be a challenge to spread Ijtihad there and that too by a woman (Irshad Manji et. al.)
Just some random thoughts. Though orthodox Islam is most violent and intolertant, not all Muslims live by those antiquated and barbaric dictates. Most Muslims are nice like you and me.
Posted by: Deb Chatterjee | August 20, 2007 1:51 PM
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Excellent Article. Inter-faith marriages sound like a perfect solution to our misunderstandings and a great way to bridge the gaps into something peaceful and loving.
It is time to study, to question and to interpret through knowledge, not shear acceptance. That is why the world is dealing radicals. They only hear and think what they are told. Human to Human with a one-sided view leads to radical interpretations, which is what we are seeing today. The Muslin religion is fearful of questioning. There is good reason. Thinking people will differ in their views. Non-thinkers accept.
Posted by: Jane B. Leverett | August 20, 2007 12:17 PM
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Excellent Article. Inter-faith marriages sound like a perfect solution to our misunderstandings and a great way to bridge the gaps into something peaceful and loving.
It is time to study, to question and to interpret through knowledge, not shear acceptance. That is why the world is dealing radicals. They only hear and think what they are told. Human to Human with a one-sided view leads to radical interpretations, which is what we are seeing today. The Muslin religion is fearful of questioning. There is good reason. Thinking people will differ in their views. Non-thinkers accept.
Posted by: Jane B. Leverett | August 20, 2007 12:17 PM
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Although I am not a religious person, I strongly support any and all efforts to encourage open and frequent communication among persons of different faiths. Irshad Manji is right on track about opening up dialogue via "ijtihad," the Muslim tradition of dissent and debate. Communication leads to understanding. Understanding leads to more tolerance and less violence. Despite all our differences, let's all be big enough to listen to one another, and temper our views and opinions.
Posted by: Walt Clayton | August 20, 2007 11:48 AM
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I fully support the concept of Ijtihad, and the efforts of those whose propose change from the inside out, like Irshad Manji. Every religion needs to come to grips with the dishonor its leaders have misused the scriptures for its' own good. God Bless Irhsad Manji for speaking up with TRUTH.
John
Posted by: John B. | August 20, 2007 11:15 AM
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Dear Ms. Manji:
This is an interesting article. I personally believe that any opportunity for constructive dissent and debate should be taken advantage of, especially to promote peace and safety. As a Christian, I understand from reading about the life of Jesus that He debated and discussed with the Jewish religious leaders at a very young age and for the remainder of His earthly life. The Bible teaches to ask questions - to "try the spirits".
Nothing but good can come of open discussion and debate and the freedom to offer dissent and to ask questions - not from the standpoint of mere rebellion or any pro-anarchy position, but rather to promote, as I said, peace and safety and perhaps even mutual respect.
BM
Posted by: Bruce MacLennan | August 20, 2007 11:08 AM
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Hear! Hear! Hear! I'm in full support with Irshad. I believe in love, peace, honor and respect.
Peace be with you. Salaam.
Rosanna
Posted by: Rosanna Fernandez | August 20, 2007 11:00 AM
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If Ijtihad would be accepted by all of Islam the world would be a safer place and all Muslims would have a closer relationship with God and each other.
Posted by: Michael Duff | August 20, 2007 10:53 AM
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The wealth of saudi arabia has spread lies throughout the islamic world, such as jews are decended from the russian kazar tribe and not from abraham, that jews only visited the holy land but didn't settle until after 1948, that judiasim requires destruction of arab holy places on the temple mount, that ferdinand and isabella forced only muslims to convert to christianity or leave spain, that no jews pemanently resided in the holy land until 1948, that jews cannot pray in mosques, that jews believe heaven is reserved only for jews, that jewish law permits jews to cheat non-jews, and much other nonesense. a good book in arabic by a good muslim scholar who has studied jewish sacred books and commentaries, and our history, is long overdue.
Posted by: dave klepper | August 20, 2007 10:30 AM
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This is exactly what needs to happen. People must think rather than follow. Educate women and children and family will be healthy and better off. Iam all in favour of intelligent discussion and reasoning. Unfortunately that is not happening, keeping women down serves the purpose of them having no voice and being considered chattel. An educated woman will not tolerate this kind of situation. Perhaps one needs more female imams to read and discuss the Qua'ran. E.E.
Posted by: edda eisele | August 20, 2007 9:55 AM
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God Bless courageous people like Irshad Manji and Khaleel Muhammed. They are our best hope. They don't have to convince the extreme fringe, just the presently silent middle. Differences of opinions are fine and to be expected. Resolving them with torture and murder are not.
Posted by: Tim Kapshandy | August 20, 2007 9:36 AM
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This is exactly what needs to happen. People must think rather than follow. Educate women and children and family will be healthy and better off. Iam all in favour of intelligent discussion and reasoning. Unfortunately that is not happening, keeping women down serves the purpose of them having no voice and being considered chattel. An educated woman will not tolerate this kind of situation. Perhaps one needs more female imams to read and discuss the Qua'ran. E.E.
Posted by: edda eisele | August 20, 2007 9:34 AM
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It is important to help the ijtihad project as much as possible. As Islam is imprisoned in the mainstream-hard-core interpretation, it suffocates positive aspects of this religion. One of the human rights abuses that takes places in every Muslim country today, is the rights of gays and lesbians. The only countries in the world today that have death penalty for gays are Muslim, most notably Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Mauritania, Sudan, Yemen, Nigeria...
You are free to look at these attachments of the public executions and slaughter of these poor people in Iraq and Iran.
As much as it is a shame what is happening to Iraqi population in general, it is important to note that it is Iraqis themselves who initiate and perpetrate these inhumane acts aginst their fellow citizens. This is initiated and ecouraged by Muslim clerics.
One militiaman from Baghdad states it clearly:
"Homosexuals deserve death. They are an embarrasment to our society. Killing them is a job for their family, but if they cannot do it with their own hands, we will."
The attached pictures of Iraqi and Iranian gay executions based on their interpretation of Islam can be seen below:
http://www.sodomylaws.org/world/iraq/iraq.htm
http://www.sodomylaws.org/world/iran/iran.htm
In Iran, they have arrested 87 gays in May this year and it is very likely, that they will be executed like 4,000 others since the end of Islamic revolution in 1979.
Why is it that we do not see thousands of our fellow western Muslims on the streets condemning this savagery, which is being committed in the name of Islam? Given such high mobilization to protest caricatures of Mohammad last year, one would expect some consistency here.
What is this if not Muslim hypocricy? Even the lefties of the western world are refusing to condemn this genocide, all in the name of political correctness of not offending Muslims. This is not about offending anybody, it is about concrete criticism of a concrete interpretation of Islam, that is quitly accepted by majority of Muslims. I believe that itjihad is one way to start fighting this gay holocaust perpetrated by Muslim fundamentalist in majority of their lands.
Posted by: Sasha Milasin | August 20, 2007 9:27 AM
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I agree its time for an Islam Age of Reason.
This cant go on forever unless those Radicals keep it up.
I call for an Islam Age of Reason & Renissance.
Come move ahead in Life not away from Life.
Move ahead to 2008 not 1108 BC or AD.
Become part of Today NOT the Past.
Virgins for ALL.
Come lets Reason together.
Posted by: stephen russell | August 20, 2007 9:23 AM
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I agree its time for an Islam Age of Reason.
This cant go on forever unless those Radicals keep it up.
I call for an Islam Age of Reason & Renissance.
Come move ahead in Life not away from Life.
Move ahead to 2008 not 1108 BC or AD.
Become part of Today NOT the Past.
Virgins for ALL.
Come lets Reason together.
Posted by: stephen russell | August 20, 2007 9:23 AM
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Irshad Manji has done a great thing with founding Project Ijtihad. Reviving 'critical thinking' is not something Muslims need to do but all people, of all nations world wide need to do. It only makes sense to question preaching that discriminates and dehumanizes certain sections of any particular faith. One of the questions all of us should be asking is why Muslims and non Muslims alike are trying to keep us separated? Why is it wrong to associate with people of other faiths? Why is it wrong to marry a person of another faith? Are we not all human beings? Are we not all equal before God? Each religion says they are the true religion. Each religion says they pray to the true God. I believe each religion holds a part of the truth but not all. Remember, the Koran and the Bible were written by men, religious men to be sure but still men. Imams, like Christian preachers, can make mistakes. Both the imams and the preachers are peddling guilt and fear to keep us cowed, to keep us submissive, to keep us from asking questions. Isn't there a better way to worship God than to be brow beaten and demoralized? If you fear God too much, won't you be afraid to talk to him? If you are made to feel unworthy, doesn't your life become colored with hopelessness? I don't believe that is the life that most faiths want for us. We are all human beings, each trying to find our path, our way in life. Life is hard enough without being alienated from God through guilt and fear. I believe God wants us to embrace him with hope and love. If we can embrace God in that manner, can we not then embrace our fellow human beings in the same manner? That is a much better way to live life.
Posted by: John Siordia | August 20, 2007 9:16 AM
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Irshad Manji has done a great thing with founding Project Ijtihad. Reviving 'critical thinking' is not something Muslims need to do but all people, of all nations world wide need to do. It only makes sense to question preaching that discriminates and dehumanizes certain sections of any particular faith. One of the questions all of us should be asking is why Muslims and non Muslims alike are trying to keep us separated? Why is it wrong to associate with people of other faiths? Why is it wrong to marry a person of another faith? Are we not all human beings? Are we not all equal before God? Each religion says they are the true religion. Each religion says they pray to the true God. I believe each religion holds a part of the truth but not all. Remember, the Koran and the Bible were written by men, religious men to be sure but still men. Imams, like Christian preachers, can make mistakes. Both the imams and the preachers are peddling guilt and fear to keep us cowed, to keep us submissive, to keep us from asking questions. Isn't there a better way to worship God than to be brow beaten and demoralized? If you fear God too much, won't you be afraid to talk to him? If you are made to feel unworthy, doesn't your life become colored with hopelessness? I don't believe that is the life that most faiths want for us. We are all human beings, each trying to find our path, our way in life. Life is hard enough without being alienated from God through guilt and fear. I believe God wants us to embrace him with hope and love. If we can embrace God in that manner, can we not then embrace our fellow human beings in the same manner? That is a much better way to live life.
Posted by: John Siordia | August 20, 2007 9:16 AM
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Have you ever seen live programming of the debates occurring in the House of Lords? At first glance the Ministers of the House, come across as monkeys, bantering back and forth. Really, what is happening is brilliance. The members, debate, quarrel and fight out the issues of the day… how beautiful is such a thing to have the freedom of voice to discuss and debate?
Irshad who is one woman does not claim herself to be THE saviour of Islam, she is however one strong voice who has the courage imbued with hope for Islam and humanity (as artificial as that may sound), to encourage individuals to fight for their personal freedoms and to be able to THINK FOR THEMSELVES. Faith and independent thinking over doctrine. Faith ABOVE fundamentalism. Pluralism and acceptance of others OVER literalism and absolutism.
Those in this discussion forum who insult Islam have no merit as in doing so; you insult your own religion. The underlying meaning of every religion is to have faith in something that is larger than oneself and to respect others and that is indeed a beautiful thing. At the very least we see in Irshad Manji, a beautiful and courageous soul who is fighting for that very same “beautiful thing”. Ladies and Gentlemen, she recognizes the beauty of Islam, she sees it! Evidenced in how she discusses the flourishing of Itjihad before the 12th century. At the very most we have yet to see the encompassing change that I believe Irshad is setting in motion.
To all those critics and cynics. There is a fine line between a scholar who is learned in the books and a person who sees the world and humanity outside the written word. Irshad is a visionary, who displays each of these qualities in her own right. I say to those critics and cynics who can recite passages of the Quran with absolute arrogance as though you yourself were the power and might that is Allah, what are you doing for the world today? How are YOU contributing to bettering the world we live in?
I support Irshad in her work with both hands open. May God Bless each of us and May God Bless Ms. Manji.
To the last respondent who wrote in their cynical and sarcastic tone “Dream on Irshad.” I second that response, yet my “Dream on Irshad” is filled with much more support and hope for what Ms. Manji aims to achieve through her Project Itjihad. It is only through courage and dreaming that dreams are achieved.
Posted by: Jamie Caton | August 20, 2007 8:59 AM
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After 9/11 I undertook a study of Islam in an attempt to understand what had happened. What I have learned has been disheartening and often I wonder if Islam is just a violent cult beyond hope and beyond the pale. The concept of Ijtihad is my last hope of avoiding a negative conclusion about a huge sector of the human race. I believe any Muslim who cares about the future of their faith should join in the effort to revive the Ijtihad so Islam can be rescued from history's trash heep of viscious idiologies.
Posted by: Don | August 20, 2007 8:28 AM
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Have you ever seen live programming of the debates occurring in the House of Lords? At first glance the Ministers of the House, come across as monkeys, bantering back and forth. Really, what is happening is brilliance. The members, debate, quarrel and fight out the issues of the day… how beautiful is such a thing to have the freedom of voice to discuss and debate?
Irshad who is one woman does not claim herself to be THE saviour of Islam, she is however one strong voice who has the courage imbued with hope for Islam and humanity (as artificial as that may sound), to encourage individuals to fight for their personal freedoms and to be able to THINK FOR THEMSELVES. Faith and independent thinking over doctrine. Faith ABOVE fundamentalism. Pluralism and acceptance of others OVER literalism and absolutism.
Those in this discussion forum who insult Islam have no merit as in doing so; you insult your own religion. The underlying meaning of every religion is to have faith in something that is larger than oneself and to respect others and that is indeed a beautiful thing. At the very least we see in Irshad Manji, a beautiful and courageous soul who is fighting for that very same “beautiful thing”. Ladies and Gentlemen, she recognizes the beauty of Islam, she sees it! Evidenced in how she discusses the flourishing of Itjihad before the 12th century. At the very most we have yet to see the encompassing change that I believe Irshad is setting in motion.
To all those critics and cynics. There is a fine line between a scholar who is learned in the books and a person who sees the world and humanity outside the written word. Irshad is a visionary, who displays each of these qualities in her own right. I say to those critics and cynics who can recite passages of the Quran with absolute arrogance as though you yourself were the power and might that is Allah, what are you doing for the world today? How are YOU contributing to bettering the world we live in?
I support Irshad in her work with both hands open. May God Bless each of us and May God Bless Ms. Manji.
To the last respondent who wrote in their cynical and sarcastic tone “Dream on Irshad.” I second that response, yet my “Dream on Irshad” is filled with much more support and hope for what Ms. Manji aims to achieve through her Project Itjihad. It is only through courage and dreaming that dreams are achieved.
Posted by: Jamie Caton | August 20, 2007 8:16 AM
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Have you ever seen live programming of the debates occurring in the House of Lords? At first glance the Ministers of the House, come across as monkeys, bantering back and forth. Really, what is happening is brilliance. The members, debate, quarrel and fight out the issues of the day… how beautiful is such a thing to have the freedom of voice to discuss and debate?
Irshad who is one woman does not claim herself to be THE saviour of Islam, she is however one strong voice who has the courage imbued with hope for Islam and humanity (as artificial as that may sound), to encourage individuals to fight for their personal freedoms and to be able to THINK FOR THEMSELVES. Faith and independent thinking over doctrine. Faith ABOVE fundamentalism. Pluralism and acceptance of others OVER literalism and absolutism.
Those in this discussion forum who insult Islam have no merit as in doing so; you insult your own religion. The underlying meaning of every religion is to have faith in something that is larger than oneself and to respect others and that is indeed a beautiful thing. At the very least we see in Irshad Manji, a beautiful and courageous soul who is fighting for that very same “beautiful thing”. Ladies and Gentlemen, she recognizes the beauty of Islam, she sees it! Evidenced in how she discusses the flourishing of Itjihad before the 12th century. At the very most we have yet to see the encompassing change that I believe Irshad is setting in motion.
To all those critics and cynics. There is a fine line between a scholar who is learned in the books and a person who sees the world and humanity outside the written word. Irshad is a visionary, who displays each of these qualities in her own right. I say to those critics and cynics who can recite passages of the Quran with absolute arrogance as though you yourself were the power and might that is Allah, what are you doing for the world today? How are YOU contributing to bettering the world we live in?
I support Irshad in her work with both hands open. May God Bless each of us and May God Bless Ms. Manji.
To the last respondent who wrote in their cynical and sarcastic tone “Dream on Irshad.” I second that response, yet my “Dream on Irshad” is filled with much more support and hope for what Ms. Manji aims to achieve through her Project Itjihad. It is only through courage and dreaming that dreams are achieved.
Posted by: Jamie Caton | August 20, 2007 8:12 AM
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Instead of attacking the alleged intentions & charater of Irshad, doubting naysayers should go learn about the tradition of Ijtihad from academic and theological literature for themselves. Not only that, but learn that the orthodoxies like Sunni & Shi'a Islam that most adhere to today were not around during the prophet's time, nor the time of the first dozen caliphs. Most Muslims still believe ('cause its taught at a young age) that Mohamad intended for Sunnism or Shiism are the right form of Islam to follow, when in reality Islam had dozens of struggling idealogies in the first 3 centuries of its existance.
Irshad's efforts are on target to getting people to open their eyes. Learning your own history comes with accepting that what you've been taught is not necessarily the full truth. Ijtihad will follow.
Many Muslims don't even know that 3 out of the 4 Sunni Imams weren't even born by the time Muslims reached Spain (AD 711). There was no Sunni Islam when Muslim Spain was erected. What does that say about Sunnism? Why do Muslims hold on to its Sunni tradition so much? Key word: "tradition". Funny thing is: Sunnism managed to label its tradition as God's exact will. That to me is unacceptable. Not because I enjoy rebelling against the establishment, but because I read primary sources such as Ibn Ishaq's Sira (translated by Guillaume) which is the earliest surviving work on Mohammad, among other sources. Once traditional Muslims open their eyes to the raw facts in their history, and stop being spoon fed the rubber-stamped ministry of ed school books, then Ijtihad will come naturally to them.
But like one poster here said: you have to outnumber the blindly indocternated. And Irshad is bringing people together to do just that.
Posted by: Imad | August 20, 2007 8:02 AM
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Dear Irshad
here in India we have a special problem. Young muslims boys are exhorted to court and marry if possible non-muslim girls for which, till a few years ago, each marriage would get the boy Rs.1,00,000 in cash.
The idea is to get the women from other faiths in - increase the population and also the means to increase the population- the women. However, if a muslim girl wants to marry outside - she and her hsuband are to be killed if they don't convert to islam.
Posted by: Piyush | August 20, 2007 8:02 AM
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First I hope you were able to make full sense of my comments above which i did not edit as i wish i had done.
Second i recommend the video link given above by Michael.
Ya Hum Naneen...TERRORISM IT IS NOT US.
excellent and poignant.
Posted by: Aminah Yaquin Carroll | August 20, 2007 7:58 AM
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Dear Irshad,
I admire you for taking up a steep uphill struggle.
Muslims,a large majority any way, gave up on modern education and enterprise centuries ago. The reasons for this retrogression are complicated and beyond the scope of this note but not beyond the over all discourse.
With out an analysis of the causes of back wardness of Muslims and their wide dessimination, no exhortation of Ijtihad would work. And that has to be done again and again and yet again as the historic burden id heavy indeed.
Ehtisham
Posted by: S.Ehtisham | August 20, 2007 7:33 AM
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As a revert to Islam I have been astounded at times when I have been told by others to "follow blindly" interpretations of the Quran. I must compliment the Scholars that I have listened to or spoken with as none of them have expressed this limited view. I believe in Islam and the Quran because it demands that Muslims seek the truth through their own reflections and prayers. It says that we are each responsible and if we follow the wrong path we will be held accountable- thus one can not say but I was only following the scholars interpretation. If one reflects on The Quran it encourages freedom of thought and peaceful solutions. If one reads about the Prophet(pbuh) he encouraged discussion, let Muslims and non-Muslims have their say and decisions were made with all of this input. Muslims who have told me to follow blindly seem to be taking the 'easier' path of not having to think or question for themselves thus giving up their rights and responsibilties.
Posted by: Barbara Cartabuke | August 20, 2007 7:08 AM
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Your article is very enlightening. I am a Catholic and do not know very much about your religion. That said, your voice has opened my eyes to its beauty.
I pray for you.
Posted by: Claud | August 20, 2007 6:52 AM
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Ms. Manji - Once again you have brought the underlying truth of this vital subject directly to the forefront. Education is empowerment. Not being forced to rely on others to be told what something says, let alone it's interpretation, keeps people enslaved; mentally if not literally. When it comes to faith- not being able to independently explore the basic teachings of your religion stufles thought and action and perpetuates the teachings of the powerful- who may not necessarily be the wisest! The ability to exercise critical thinking and seek one's own answers to the basics of one's faith system is the only way in which we can understand our own world and our relationship to it and to each other, in the positive way that does exist. In addition to Muslims having access to their own religious writings, all persons of any faith must undertake to gain at least a basic understanding of the belief systems of our brothers and sisters. We are all related in very basic and profound ways. I thank you again, Ms. Manji, for articulating these vital thoughts and ideas and am very pleasedto see that your words are accessible to more and more people.
Posted by: Sharon from NY | August 20, 2007 6:43 AM
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We are still discussing and interpreting the Constitution of the United States after over 200 years. The bible has been discussed and interpreted since its beginning. The West has flourished and progressed while the Muslim countries of the world (generally) have not. Why?
I have watched Irshad for the last year - she differs from her critics since she does not HATE.
To reject ijtihad would be easy, but I predict that it will happen when the average Muslim moderate is no longer afraid to discuss, debate and interpret.
Please see this beautiful video of Muslims singing, "This is Not Us."
“Yeh Hum Naheen - This is Not Us”
Posted by: Michael | August 20, 2007 6:06 AM
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I read Irshad Manji’s article “Islam Needs an Age of Reason,” and I agree that ijtihad is the only way that can bring answers to many who seek peace in our own troubling times.
For centuries Muslims have relied on the interpretations of the so called “experts” while there are Qur’anic passages which when read from a different perspective, clearly advise to the contrary of those interpretations.
I want to argue for an essential point here and that is religion, like humanities and arts, offers a way of looking at things and just like art it can be interpreted differently. If this is true, why do Muslims restrict themselves to the interpretation of a few so called “experts” without question or giving themselves an opportunity to view it from different angles?
For centuries we have been told exactly who the right-doers and the wrong-doers are without once asking the criteria for right and wrong. Today, we know better that right and wrong are relative terms and they depend upon how you look at things; today we exercise the right to question in every field but our faith.
I can cite examples of numerous verses from the Qur’an and Hadith that, when looked at from a different perspective, support individual responsibility which means individual’s effort to seek out the truth for himself/herself, in other words the individual ijtihad:
Every one is responsible for the choices they make:
“…And every one of them will come to Him singly on the day of Judgement….” Qur’an -19:95.
“… And certainly you come to Us bare and alone As We created you for the first time. You have left behind you All which We have bestowed on you: We see not with you your intercessors whom you thought to be partners in your affairs Certainly now relations are severed between you and what you conceived which misled you…”Qura’n -6:94.
“…There everyone is affected by what they have done before And will be brought back to God -their rightful Lord- And vanished is what they falsely claimed…” Qur’an -10:30.
It is quoted from Imam Sadiq (8th c.) that if a Muslim does not become knowledgeable in his/her religion, no good will come out of him/her. Everyone who is not rich in their religious knowledge, will become dependant upon others’ interpretations and thus will enter into the same misleading ignorance as their advisors, and he/she will not know.*
If a Muslim has faith in God and the Day of Judgment, as explained in the above examples, it means that everyone must be responsible for his/her own actions. To put it differently, on something as important as our “eternal salvation,” we cannot pursue according to others’ perspectives, particularly when the Qur’an advises against it:
“ And pursue not what that of which you have no knowledge; Every act of hearing Or of seeing or of the heart will be questioned…”Qur’an -17:36; it clearly means that we are individually responsible for whatever we hear, see, do and believe. It is quoted from the prophet who also said everyone is responsible (no exceptions!)
“…That there is nothing for man but what he strives for…”Qur’an -53:39. What better task to strive for than one’s own belief.
No imam will volunteer this information to their followers for the fear of losing their business. The simple point is in order to stay in power, they take the individual power and responsibility away from everyone else by encouraging (or even forcing) all to rely on their so called “expert” interpretations. So, not to fall into this trap, it is up to people to seek the truth for themselves, and this IS ijtihad.
*Principles of Kafi. Vo. I: 40
Posted by: Shadieh Mirmobiny | August 20, 2007 5:17 AM
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i completely agree.
Posted by: charles r. hinckle | August 20, 2007 5:14 AM
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i completely agree.
Posted by: charles r. hinckle | August 20, 2007 5:14 AM
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i completely agree.
Posted by: charles r. hinckle | August 20, 2007 5:13 AM
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i completely agree. only when muslims are able to reconsile from within their faith and speak out loudly and firmly against those who have hyjacked islam will there begin the process of peaceful co-existence with the rest of the world.
Posted by: charles r. hinckle | August 20, 2007 5:11 AM
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I was raised in a traditional Muslim-Arab family (as per my aunts, uncles and grandparents etc.). However, my father was always extremely liberal and Western (my mother is American), he taught my sisters and I to be the exact kind of persons that you are describing. He did, however, have an aversion to marrying outside the religion, but it is my hope that were he still alive today he would condone a union between me and any person that I felt were my soul mate.
It has been said that 1500 years after every religion is founded there is a push towards fundamentalism (eg. Protestantism pushed by Martin Luther) and that Islam is hitting that mark; which explains a lot. I just hope that such movements do not hold strong.
Project Ijtihad is crucial to the survival of Islam, may it grow and remain a strong force.
Posted by: Sarah Al-Mulla | August 20, 2007 5:07 AM
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These are doubtlessly hard words for many traditional Muslims to hear. But, the call to reason and spiritual reflection on the meaning of the Qur'an in the modern world is inevitable.
Christianity has had wave after wave of reinterpretation of its most sacred New Testament writings (believed by Christians to God's Word). I cite one parallel case to the controversy cited above by Ms. Manji: St. Paul in his famous first letter to the Corinthians says: "any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled bring shame upon her head" (1 Cor 11:5). This was generally practiced for centuries, but has fallen into disregard (except by a tiny minority). Why? This and many of the moral teachings and sayings of Christian Bible (regarding slavery, dietary issues, role of women, etc.) have been reinterpreted in light of cultural circumstances, new information, and reason.
The Catholic Church places great value in finding God's plan in "natural law" which reason can find independently. This is because elements of God's will are written for all humans to see in the laws of nature. I hasten to add that traditional authorities in the Catholic Church would qualify this by saying that reason should be enlightened and guided by authoritative teachings of the Church leadership.
I applaud the above article and pray for Ms. Manji and the success of her work.
Posted by: Gregory Krohm | August 20, 2007 4:40 AM
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Thank you Irshad for what you do. Sinds I discover Project Ijtihad, i've another relation with my religion. Before this discovery, I was so disapointed by my religion. I thought it was a sad religion. So thank you very much Irshad...
I dispatches you all my encouragement for this splendid work which you make.
Take care of you...
Posted by: ANONYMOUS | August 20, 2007 4:13 AM
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To Raquel Evita Saraswati,
Executive Director, Project Ijithad:
You mentioned in your most recent posting that "In fact, Islam is sometimes referred to as the world's fastest growing religion." Can you please provide evidence of this? Maybe a legitimate source or two? I would hedge that higher birth rates account for this apparent increase rather than da'wa or conversions (forced conversions are not exactly what I count as legitimate....) You mention this fact as if we are supposed to step back and say: 'well, if so many people are converting to this religion, it can't be that bad' - WRONG: There is a direct correlation between education and births: The lower the education the higher the birthrate. And where are the rates of low education found? Let's ask a Pakistani or a Moroccan? Or one of the Chinese Muslims you mentioned. Read the UN Arab Development Report. Indeed, a Muslim acquaintance of mine - well aware of the difficulties facing the Islamic world, among those the lack of female education - said "It is the quality of the religion, not the quantity, that counts most." That is why the United States will remain strong and powerful.Saudi Arabia will wilt away once the oil dries up. The US draws strenght from numerous religious sources,yet all respect human rights and the rule of law. Can Islam say the same? I pray that Project Ijithad is successful in "reforming" the current state of Islam. Good Luck. You will need it.
Posted by: Bart | August 20, 2007 3:14 AM
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Great views Raquel ! However, I am a pragmatic person and is more often guided by head than my heart. Religion, at its core is a matter of heart - a feel good factor. I often view that as a cuddly thing. Cuddling gives you some pleasureable feeling, that in turn might stimulate some weird hormone which might extend your longevity. So, is religion and hence the rationale for the existence of (blind) faith.
Having said that, I believe that you might choose to take a peek into history. In India, there used to be a great emperor - Akbar. He had tried to start a faith called "Din-i-ilahi" that was a fusion of all religions - Vedic traditions (that recognize and pay homage to goddess Saraswati as Brahma's wife), Islamic monotheism and most importantly IJITHAD. The faith was to embrace all folks in all fairness and accept that there was one Creator.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbar
Well, you know what ? That faith died with Akbar ...
Given this gem from history, how do you plan on a longer lasting legacy of Project Ijithad as compared to Akbar ?
Posted by: Deb Chatterjee | August 20, 2007 2:46 AM
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Dear Irshad.
I hope all Muslims have open mind, like you, because without that Muslims will not be free. Without rationalism Muslims will be under abuses, tyranny & dictatorship. I hope everybody can read my studies in Arabic visit my website.
Posted by: Sohel Ahmed Bahjat | August 20, 2007 2:38 AM
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Great article/great message.
Assimilation, acceptance, adaptation, inclusion, compassion and evolution.........not seperation, discrimination, exclusion, violence and hatred.
Posted by: J Nem | August 20, 2007 2:08 AM
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Great article/great message.
Assimilation, acceptance, adaptation, inclusion, compassion and evolution.........not seperation, discrimination, exclusion, violence and hatred.
Posted by: J Nem | August 20, 2007 2:07 AM
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Amen, Irshad, the world needs creative, enterprising spirits such as yours.
I wish I could read all the comments posted here and respond to some of the points they raise. Having skimmed a few only, let me say this, in a nutshell:
Project Ijtihad may look like a dream to some people, but if you don't dream and hope, what hope of progress is there for humanity? Remember Martin Luther King's impossible dream!
Besides, it's a rational dream. Irshad Manji believes that human beings are endowed with reason and will use it, given a chance to do so.
I hate to disagree with one of the supportive posts here, but Irshad has the right outlook: it may seem like her message will only reach the converted, but our means of communication nowadays give it a chance of succeeding outside liberal countries. Project Ijtihad, I am convinced, is one of those noble efforts that will inspire people beyond North America and Europe to have the courage to start thinking for themselves. And it is happening right now!
I am so tired also of the sterile academic argument that ijtihad requires full knowledge of the processes that were used in early medieval times, etc. etc., that in order to practice ijtihad legitimately one needs a kind of PhD in "ijtihadian studies." No, this is a way too easy dismissal of Irshad Manji's enlightened outlook. What we need to remember is the goal of Project Ijtihad: to encourage people's faith in their own abilities to reason and discriminate right from wrong. Once they gain that courage and faith, the Muslim world can return to a more balanced view and practice of its religion. It will happen, inevitably. When it will happen is another question.
No, Irshad Manji is not just "youthful," i.e. naive. She has the energy of youth, god bless her, to achieve great things. May she keep that energy going for a long time! Let us trust in the young at heart, the future belongs to them!
Posted by: Catherine | August 20, 2007 2:03 AM
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Hey Deb! The important thing for many of us to remember is that the majority of the world's Muslims are in fact not Arabs. In fact, Islam is sometimes referred to as the world's fastest growing religion. This means that there are a lot more Muslim Smiths, Millers, Patels, Gonzalezs, etc- popping up everywhere. We all share a faith that has room for all of us- no matter what. That is one of the beauties of faith- it sees beyond the superficial- to the heart. Truth be told, Deb-for all of the troubles in Islam today- most people I talk to agree with what I'm saying in this posting. (Even if they don't agree with my other postings!).
We all come from different backgrounds and paths- and that is a good thing.
Just a fun fact- there are estimates of anywhere between 20 to 100 million Muslims in China. We're diverse, arriving at this point from many various ones. In short- whether you're a Chen, a Manji, an Abdullah, a Patel, an O'Clare- or even a one-name wonder (a la Madonna)- the integrity and voracity of your faith is between believer and Creator. At the end of the day- the rest simply doesn't matter.
Lastly, I appreciate your kind words- (calling us courageous). I'd say we're simply acknowledging and trying to do justice to the blessings that are freedom and pluralism.
Peace to you.
Posted by: Raquel Evita Saraswati, Executive Director, Project Ijithad | August 20, 2007 1:54 AM
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Wow! It is so refreshing to read Irshad's proposition that modern Moslem followers should think for themselves and not necessarily follow the edicts of their Islamic teachers.
As Christians, we can reflect on our religious past when fanatics burned people at the stake in the name of Christianity. We were wrong to follow such repressive teachings rather than the message of love and tolerance delivered to us by Christ himself.
As Irshad has written, we need a world where Islamic believers can follow their faith while allowing for dissention. Christians and Moslems need to live side-by-side in love and respect not as mortal enemies.
Thank you for printing this important message.
Posted by: George Staley | August 20, 2007 1:48 AM
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Dear Irshad,
I command you for your article. I want to add a few points:
Enlightened by the Quran, the primitive Arab tribes in a dizzying speed became the pioneers in sciences and technology, such as medicine, astronomy, optics, automations, and mathematics. They mobilized in search of knowledge without looking at the religion, color, ethnicity, geography or the language of the source. They translated the entire Greek philosophy and was ignored by the Christendom and contributed to them.
Unfortunately, the impact of hadith and other sectarian dogmas finally became manifest in 12th century and with the rise of al-Gazzali and his ilk, the decline became official.
I would like to suggest a correction regarding one of your statements, though:
"The Qur’an states that women are subject to men’s authority only if men spend money to "maintain" women. So if a woman earns her own assets, as did the Prophet Muhammad’s beloved first wife, Khadija, she can make decisions for herself."
No, the Quran does not state that. As I argued in detail in the beginning of Quran: a Reformist Translation, the word AUTHORITY is a mistranslation. The correct translation is PROVIDER.
For more information, you may visit www.yuksel.org, www.islamicreform.org, or www.brainbowpress.com .
Peace,
Edip Yuksel
Posted by: Edip Yuksel | August 20, 2007 1:32 AM
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Irshad is one of the lonely voices of reason in the muslim world, why are people of her own faith supressing her? Please everyone, listen up and give an open ear. Our world needs more understanding and less ugliness.
Steve
Posted by: Steve | August 20, 2007 1:07 AM
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I find all this to be quite complex indeed. As a non-Muslim westerner, I'm going to find it easy to compare the Catholic faith as the most obvious match for the idea of Islamic authoritarianism; witness the persecution of Galileo, for example.
Having said this, I must also give credence to those forces in any society whose interests are said to preserve established order in the name of the common good.
For me the value of radical forces in any society is where the junction of tradition and change intersect. Those who see the effects of change and can react to it, are both devils to the traditionalists, as well as saviours to those who wish for betterment in times of ferment.
I don't think that those who seek to maintain and impose conservative values upon Islamic culture are in any way bad people for the most part. It's not so hard to understand their alarm and upset about the changes extant in the world, if one tries to see things from their perspective. In this view, they appear to act in a caring fashion in order to preserve the ideas of good which they cherish and wish to promulgate.
Now, having tried to walk in the shoes of others, I will walk in my own. It's not so easy to see people of possible good will as enemies to the daily world I inhabit; it's also easy to see that this western world can be viewed as anathema to such notions of peace and stability.
So, here we all are, each wishing peace and stability, each seeing that the "other" somehow interferes with this goal.
I don't really buy into this apparent opposition; to me one of the objectives of Itjihad is to basically become a tool to open up mutual awareness of common goals, even if reached via quite different value systems. As such it provides the necessary mental awareness required to actually bring such harmonies into action.
Certainly the Western academic value system is mostly quite well attuned to the ideas of Itjihad, so it's tempting to view people such as Irshad as an exile from these aspects of Islam until the necessary intellectual order can be restored within Islam, as it has managed to be preserved here for the most part.
We have our own failings to deal with as a culture which those in Islam should rightfully criticise & fear; also we have been somewhat more successful in keeping a tradition of open-mindedness active in our culture, so perhaps it's time to lend a hand where it's feasible to do so.
In this light I strongly applaud the courage and intelligence of this courageous woman for finding the strength to both challenge and lead; for me it's an inspiration to ensure things turn out well for *everyone*. I am very pleased to be given hope in this way ...
Posted by: Bruce | August 20, 2007 12:37 AM
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Awesome Article!!! The idea of Ijtihad is a very important one, and essential for the progress of islam. By keeping our minds and hearts closed, we will never be able to attract more people towards our beautiful religion. It is time we learnt to see islam in it's correct light
Posted by: Iffat Gillani | August 20, 2007 12:06 AM
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Bravo! This is what we need to hear. This is also the proof that change in Islam will come from women. Thank you for your endeavors Irshad!
Posted by: greg vanden | August 19, 2007 10:10 PM
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I have simply admiration for both Ms. Manji and Ms. Saraswati. However I have reasons to believe that despite the very noble intentions and goodwill that these two courageous ladies have shown, the project i.e. "Project Ijtihad" is doomed to failure. That is, this project will be restricted to North America only where secular liberalism, feminism and personal freedoms thrive. These are the very qualities that classical (or orthodox) Islam resists. In most Islamic countries, and even in the liberal ones like Indonesia, radical Islam is on the rise. If radical Islam is not arrested wsith reason - as Ms. Manji rightly suggests - anything like Project like Itjihad is doomed. IT cannot get global acceptance. I would question, the methodology by which Project Itjihad aims at presenting itself as compatible with the secular and liberal West. For example, how can Ms. Manji or Ms. Saraswati convince this Anjem Chaudhry (in England) who wants UK to become an Islamic Caliphate and establish the Shariah laws there ?
Will the members of the Hizb-ut-Tahrir be convinced of the noble goals and missions of Project Itjihad ?
Also, there is a lack of credibility here. Islam has a very negative position for women. Evidence of two women equals one man. In particular, as I write this blog, Taslima Nasreen is now being held under quarantine from mullahs who have threatened to kill here in Kolkata, India. How would Project Itjihad deal with such a situation (and similarly with Salman Rushdie) ?
Finally, though this may seem funny, the director of Project Itjihad (Raquel Evita Saraswati) has a birth or adopted name that most Muslim women shall not find acceptable. The "Saraswati" is the name a Hindu goddess of wisdom. Islam is against Hindu (polytheistic) religious practices. Thus if this lady would go to Pakistan and on a Project Itjihad mission, she would be in a double-whammy. First the whole effort would be condemned, and second the director would not find credible acceptance just because who she is.
Posted by: Deb Chatterjee | August 19, 2007 8:41 PM
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Fully agree with the ideas presented in the article. Ijtihad is the only answer to the present day crisis of Islamic world. We need to wake up...the sooner the better.
Good work Irshad Manji!
Posted by: Mudassir Ali, M.D. | August 19, 2007 8:28 PM
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Dear Zakia, and others interested in becoming involved with Project Ijtihad:
Drop me a line at projectijtihad@project-ijtihad.com!
Zakia, you are right. It is "our project". I hope to hear from you (and others!) soon.
Peace and blessings,
Raquel Evita Saraswati
Executive Director,
Project Ijtihad
Posted by: Raquel Evita Saraswati, Executive Director, Project Ijtihad | August 19, 2007 7:17 PM
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Hi Irchad,
This is an amazing project. I would like to give you all my support and my entire agreement as a modern Muslim who is committed to a non-Muslim man for such a noble cause. There is a lot of fundamental aspects that should be re-interpreted in the Quoran. As a young Arab who has the ability to read the holly book by herself, I say yes definitely to your project, our project.
Zakia
Posted by: Zakia Tomi | August 19, 2007 6:06 PM
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Well said Irshad; as always food for thought. I am a member of Project Ijtihad. To me the process of ijtihad is AN AUTHENTIC RETURN to Islamic Tradition and the real teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).
Muhammad, Upon Him Be Peace, said "if you know even one Surah, teach it"...the highest form of teaching, to me is by example.
The Qur'an and Hadith discourage full time clerics of any kind. They support the civil and human rights of women. They point the way to an Islamic society where all the orphans and vulnerable as well as the poor are cared for, where the social safety net is an antidote to the ilss of poverty, where all learning is encouraged. It seems that nowadays only rote memorization (even when the memorizer comprehends little of the Qur'anic Arabic s/he recites)and dogmatic screed are encouraged; actual critical thinking and true scientific study & inquiry are squelched.
Certain schools are claiming that they are the sole Islam and killing those who are their variant or dissident muslim sisters and brothers. It is taught that we are to argue with beautiful words and substance of our lives; to disagree without harming each other; to prctice as we believe best and to maintain our faith in Allah and our kindness to the whole world, and every creature in it including dogs.
Law, rather than guidance has become ascendent, and the more literal and the less progressive and life-giving interpretations of Qur'an by living hearts and minds are attacked by the ultra-orthodox.
Many, far too many to name, incorrigible breaches of Islam have ocurred due mainly to those who destroy our tradition of scholarship and harmony with those of other faiths and with each other, varied yet one, as they destroy the actual literature and commentary by ancient scholars and faithful practitioners of Islam with whom they disagree.
What a horror.
The Prophet (SAWS) said that there would come muslims with the bodies of men and the souls of Shaitan. Terrorists and muslim bigots, trying to make Islam an exclusive club with a brutal reductionist dogma that is misogynistic and cruel, claim that the criteria for membership is an enforced and coerced punishing orthodoxy.
The emphasis by these agents of human pride and jusdgementalism rather than the traditional humane hospitality and generosity of Islamic spirit emphasize appearance (does she have a hair showing from her hijab? is her chador long enough? is she Asian looking enough?) rather than substance.
Islam is a progressive, gentle tradition of MERCY,dignity and honor. having the courage to speak truthfully and to stand up for the disenfranchized and dispossessed, especially when they are cheated by power mongers, Islamic or otherwise, can be considered to be a whole cloth of righteousness, and so too for all forms of pursuit of social justice.
The Qur'an says "for each person there is a goal, a destiny and a life path to which ALLAH turns her or him" .
For many of us that is the path of righteousness, according to God's guidnce, notr human made rules, even if they are called Sharia.
Woe to those who kill and maim their struggling sisters and brothers, or any sincere believer, including the People of the Book,even if the murderer sports a beard like the Prophet or is wearing perfect hijab.
As salaamu aleikum
Posted by: Aminah Yaquin Carroll | August 19, 2007 5:37 PM
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raised in america i searched with my whole being for god in my self and others-
as a muslim- islam is for me incorruptable in that it wisely forgoes the hiearchal structure -
my relationship is with the god only- no intercessors, no one else to think for me-
peace
Posted by: victoria | August 19, 2007 5:30 PM
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Making the world a better place through peace and reason is an effort that everyone should support. Yes it is difficult, but it is too important to do anything less. I didn't know just how dedicated Irshad was to this effort until I saw her documentary, "Faith Without Fear". I commend her for her efforts. I believe that we owe this effort to all future generations of children so that they can live in peace among all people of the world.
Posted by: B. W. | August 19, 2007 5:21 PM
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I read many posts to this discussion that use intricate detail regarding "facts" presented in the Qu'ran to substantiate positions of rigidity and control. The same arguments are made by rigid Christians in discussions of the Bible and its' application to daily life. After years of reading, observing, and soul searching, I have come to the following conclusions regarding religion. 1) It is all man made. Not that there is no God, but religion is constructed by people... mostly men. 2) The original constructs of religion were myth. Not fairytales or absolute untruths, but myths. Stories that embody profound, eternal, universal concepts that cannot adequately be expressed by direct intellectual construction. 3) People like concrete. We don't want to hear beautiful stories that convey ideas regarding loving our sons and daughters, careing for those who can't care for themselves, or remaining faithful and devout regardless of the realities of life. We want to make the world solid and predictable, and we want a structure that assures us that we are correct in this world and thus guaranteed of the next. 4) We have made myth into history. This creates a rigid dogma based of historical "facts" that we can adopt as absolute truth that can be easily followed and provides us a "tribe" of like minded to verify our correctness. 5) We have a universe of evidence for a miraculous God. Look at the reproductions available online of images taken by equipment on the Hubble telescope. How can the creator of all this space and time care weather I marry a Christian, Buddist, Musulim, Jew, Hindu, Jainist, or athiest? 6) The truth of religion is really very simple and was expressed in the New Testiment by Christ: Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, mind, and spirit. Love thy neighbor as thyself. How easy is that? Obviously from history, Not easy at all.
Posted by: Robert Landry | August 19, 2007 5:13 PM
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Most of the interfaith marriages I know involving Muslims, involving a Muslim man marrying a Christian woman. Personally, I think if you are very very stuck in the letter of a religion, it is better NOT to marry outside of faith.
All the ijithad stuff is cool but when all is said and done, it would be nice if more Muslims were willing to look INWARDLY rather than trying to force others (INCLUDING OTHER Muslims) to "worship" god as they see fit. I get impression that intent is very important in Islam as it is in Christianity. Wearing a hajib to protect oneself from being beaten up for example, means nothing. (There is a verse in the Koran about pilgrimage for the wrong reasons.) An orthodox Muslim, who does IJithad and still holds to the old ways without imposing himself/herself to others, is still held to respect in my books. Sadly, separation of Mosque and State does not really seem to be an Islamic tradition.
Radical muslims, need do look at the man in the mirror, rather than tainting Islam as an evil religion in the minds of the 80% who don't support this faith. (And who knows how much among the 20% who don't take it all as the crazies do.)
Moderate Muslims need to be louder. They try but radicals voices are maginified many times over by the evil they do. They taint Muslims are being a insecure sociapaths.
Posted by: george | August 19, 2007 2:23 PM
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I agree with you about (The Qur’an states that women are subject to men’s authority only if men spend money to "maintain" women. So if a woman earns her own assets, as did the Prophet Muhammad’s beloved first wife, Khadija, she can make decisions for herself.) what about muslims in the USA, does that mean that if the husbands income not enough which means she still can keep her money and dump him???
Posted by: akram saidkhonov | August 19, 2007 10:18 AM
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I agree with you about (The Qur’an states that women are subject to men’s authority only if men spend money to "maintain" women. So if a woman earns her own assets, as did the Prophet Muhammad’s beloved first wife, Khadija, she can make decisions for herself.) what about muslims in the USA, does that mean that if the husbands income not enough which means she still can keep her money and dump him???
Posted by: akram saidkhonov | August 19, 2007 10:17 AM
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Assalamu Alaikom,
Irshad Manji is a breath of fresh air! As a new revert to Islam from Australia and still "a baby" so to speak, I don't profess to know all about Islam by any means. However, after watching several enlightening videos and reading her book "The Trouble With Islam", one doesn't have to be a Rhodes Scholar to know that this articulate and amazing lady is indeed a reformer of our times.
I truly hope all Muslims and also non-muslims alike open their ears and really listen to what Irshad is saying about Ijthad and think about it deeply. She makes perfect sense to me! Insha Allah.
Hebba
Posted by: hebba | August 19, 2007 3:18 AM
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Meg C. - I can understand discouraging interfaith marriage.
There is only a problem when people are fundamentalists with literalist truth claims. Otherwise it is easy. It sounds like you were brought up in a fundamentalist household.
Posted by: Maurie Beck | August 18, 2007 11:44 PM
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Ijtihad is the only option for Muslim nations in order to make them compatible with rest of the mankind. Irshad Manji's emphasis on Ijtihad is not ignorable. She is calling reasoning back in the Muslim societies. Since we, the Muslims, have closed the doors of Ijtihad, we have been alienated from new philosophies, creativity and scientific developments. We certainly need to reform the Islam. No doubt, Irshad is a great reformer of our times.
Tahir Gora
Posted by: Tahir Gora | August 18, 2007 11:14 PM
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Ijtihad is the only option for Muslim nations in order to make them compatible with rest of the mankind. Irshad Manji's emphasis on Ijtihad is not ignorable. She is calling reasoning back in the Muslim societies. Since we, the Muslims, have closed the doors of Ijtihad, we have been alienated from new philosophies, creativity and scientific developments. We certainly need to reform the Islam. No doubt, Irshad is a great reformer of our times.
Tahir Gora
Posted by: Tahir Gora | August 18, 2007 10:51 PM
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I am very happy about the wiretapping. I have nothing to hide and I want all the terrorists caught. The libs are using this issue to play politics with our security.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 18, 2007 10:34 PM
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Gustav Hallin
You must be God for in order to say there is no God you would have to have the attributes of God. Are you all-knowing Gustav? Have you searched the whole universe at the same time requiring that you are everywhere present. Maybe we should bow down and worship you the Almighty Gustav.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 18, 2007 10:29 PM
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I can understand discouraging interfaith marriage. It makes it difficult even in the Christian world when a couple believes in different sects of Christianity; how do you instruct your children when Mom is Catholic and Dad is Methodist? How about when Dad is Mormon and Mom is agnostic? Now imagine Mom is Muslim and Dad is Christian. Do you teach the kids that there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet? Or do you teach the kids that God is the Father and Jesus Christ is his Son, and the Saviour of the world? Or how do you explain religion and the world if one parent is Jewish and the other Muslim? Mom and Dad love each other, but their people want to kill each other?
How do you decide which holidays to celebrate? Its things like this that make interfaith marriage something that most religions discourage.
To say its prohibited, however...what kind of message does that send? Its ok to be friends with others with different beliefs, but if you marry them, you're going to burn in hell? Religion should promote feelings of goodwill and peace.
I personally don't think I could handle the difficulty of trying to reconcile religions that are so different in basic beliefs, but that's not to say no one should try.
Posted by: Meg C. | August 18, 2007 10:27 PM
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Everyone in this discussion should read the lead article in this week's New York Times Sunday magazine section. The article is called The Politics of God. This is an article about how it came to be historically that the West has separated religion and politics, and how that separation differs from the fusion of religion and politics in the Muslim world, and how to manage those very different worldviews.
Posted by: janet | August 18, 2007 10:17 PM
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I commend Irshad on her courageous stand. I believe that honest examinations of our religious texts can lead to a deeper understanding and love of our own faith traditions. I also believe that with individuals like Irshad, who are willing to question with love their faith traditions, that we as a world can move forward. I pray for your success Irshad and I hope that your ideas will spread and grow.
Posted by: Patrick | August 18, 2007 9:59 PM
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People who are participating in the Jihad parade in NYC on 9/11 need to be kept under the eyes of the wiretapping - broad survelliance. The details on the Jihad parade are given at the link:
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/3105
Is scary to see how the free society of America is slowly but deliberately falling prey to radical Islam. Irshad Manji is a breath of fresh air in this Islamic wilderness.
Posted by: Deb Chatterjee | August 18, 2007 9:52 PM
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Two plus two equals four? What a shocking discovery! Next you'll be telling us the earth revolves around the sun. God never talked to anyone, hence didn't promise anything to anyone and wasn't ghost writer to our supposed holy books. We're on our own, folks, and reason is the best tool we've got.
Posted by: Gustav Hallin | August 18, 2007 7:06 PM
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Does the bible have mistakes? Check out this link and find the truth.
http://video.namb.net/More_Than_Dreams/More%20than%20Dreams_500k.wmv
Posted by: truth seeker | August 18, 2007 4:13 PM
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James Beldock,
It would be nice if Islam could be peaceful but that would be a contradiction to the qur'an and the example to the prophet. Manji's ideas are simply a pipe dream. The only way to make islam peaceful is to get rid of the qur'an and forget the example of the prophet. Do you know anything about islam? I do not think you do but you sure can tow the politically correct line.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 18, 2007 4:02 PM
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Why is it that anyone who bravely raises her voice to seek reason, discussion, or tolerance within Islam immediately becomes the target of such vitriol? I suppose I don't object to the reasoned (if intensely verbose) review of her book by Haroon Moghul, which someone was "clever" enough to cut and paste above (thus flagrantly violating US copyright law :-). Twice. (Incidentally, the review was originally published in Islamica Magazine, whose tag line reads "Opening Minds Everywhere." Irony.) But the intense desire of the others who speak out above and insist on flinging mud at Ms. Manji for her person--instead of her argument--is truly astonishing. I suppose it simply proves her point: that intolerance is at the core of the problem, and is, in effect, the Trouble with Islam Today....
Posted by: James Beldock | August 18, 2007 2:11 PM
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Does the bible have mistakes? Check out this link and find the truth.
http://video.namb.net/More_Than_Dreams/More%20than%20Dreams_500k.wmv
Posted by: truth seeker | August 18, 2007 11:47 AM
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Ever since I read Ms. Manji's book "The Trouble With Islam" I have continually been amazed at her reasoning & calm conversation/debate about Life, Love, & frankly Islam. I know that with Ijtihad Muslims all around the world can live happier & more fulfilling lives. I know that's what God wants for all of us. Interfaith marriage is not bad or evil or sinful. And for that matter neither is same-sex marriage. I echo Irshad's comment "May they have lovely weddings."
Posted by: Katharine Dean | August 18, 2007 10:49 AM
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Irshad writing is music to my ears. I am proud and pleased that such thoughts and ideas are published by the WP. I first experienced the American way of life and thinking as a freshman at the American University of Beirut ( AUB ) in 1957 and I came to the America in 1964 and never looked back. Only four of us the 14 Jordanians/Palestinians boys who arrived with me at AUB in 1957 on full shcolarship provided by the United States tax payers were as affected as I was by this experience and I as well as the other three are now residing in the States and retired and have done extremely well. We are doctors, businessmen, and scientists. All of the men here are thinking the same way as Irshad. Their children as well as mine have integrated into the American culture completely and now live the American way of life as free as they could be. The Ben Laden crowd are as alien to us as the main stream Americans and more so. Actually we always wonder with great pain where the heck these terrorists came from and why. All of us, while very proud to be Moslems, understand the need for reformation of the religion of Islam and suffer greatly when we hear the shouters on TV attack the religion itself rather than the few who abuse it. Our children have married Christians and non-believers and we are proud of them and we support them in every way. These are the Moslems immigrant I know in America and we are all proud of what we and our children have become.
Posted by: salim | August 18, 2007 8:32 AM
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What ever happened to God? After Adam and Eve was dispatched from the Garden of Eden, God said, not Jesus, not Allah, not Buddha, not any other man but God said “go forth and multiply”. Gods Ten Commandments do not mention religion with marital boundaries. Quit asking man what to do when it comes to all things including marriage. God’s word was written into all of us at conception. Follow your heart and your soul. Do not follow your mind which is influenced by the very traps that God seeks to remove. END THE REPUBLICAN WAR IN IRAQ.
Posted by: Jim Rush | August 18, 2007 8:24 AM
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As a Canadian, I'm proud of Irshad. Her power is the key to critical thinking, she asks alot of questions. If one does on occasion, disagree with her conclusions, one cant deny she is living her life with her eyes open rather than following blindly or coercing others to her view with force.
The idea that interfaith marriages might be supported under islam in interesting. I think the most important thing is for some of the more narrow minded muslims to allow other muslims to make their own descisions.
As far as I've seen it in practice, interfaith marriages in Islam, usually mean a Muslim man marrying a non-muslim woman. These happen in very traditional places like Iran on occasion. The converse is very rare, as far as I can tell. I know one case of the converse.
Personalily, i think if one is very very religious and believes in a faith like islam or christianity, it probably is wiser to marry within your faith. However, alot of people have a faith without adhering to it utterly rigidly to the letter. We should be allowed to choose our faith for ourselves. My beef with Islam is the loudness of those who seek to impose 'religion' on other muslims; i doubt god is glorified by someone acting to save his life rather than from his free heart.
Posted by: george | August 18, 2007 7:55 AM
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Very good article. Everyone, including Muslims, should question everything about their faith. Read, meditate, question, debate, pray and most of all think about your faith and what it means to you and the world. It is time people of faith stop being led like sheep and become thinking reasoning members of society. There is a reason God, or whatever term you use for a Greater Being, gave us free will and the ability to reason. Use it.
Thankful Irshad and others have the courage to speak out. Terry
Posted by: Terry | August 18, 2007 7:39 AM
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Hatin' on the concept of religion as a whole, or dismissing it as inherently leading to violence and irrationality as has happened in many of the above comments is not going to do any good. Like it or not, religion is a motivating factor for a huge part of humanity.
It will do no good at all to alienate Muslim believers, whether it's by dismissing them as inherently kinda fundamentalist and scary or, if they DO try to make positive changes, calling them naive idealists. Yes, islam has some wacky followers and, unfortunately, has become intricately bound up with repressive cultures. And yes, there are some very questionable passages in the Qu'ran. All these things call for self-criticism among Muslims and for a willingness to reexamine traditional interpretations.
And this is exactly what Irshad Manji is offering. So why are people spending so much time beating her initiative into the ground? She is pushing for an alternative to fundamentalism, for equal rights for women and gays, and for freedom of thought and expression-- and isn't that what we are all after?
Posted by: Elma | August 18, 2007 7:16 AM
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Hatin' on the concept of religion as a whole, or dismissing it as inherently leading to violence and irrationality as has happened in many of the above comments is not going to do any good. Like it or not, religion is a motivating factor for a huge part of humanity.
It will do no good at all to alienate Muslim believers, whether it's by dismissing them as inherently kinda fundamentalist and scary or, if they DO try to make positive changes, calling them naive idealists. Yes, islam has some wacky followers and, unfortunately, has become intricately bound up with repressive cultures. And yes, there are some very questionable passages in the Qu'ran. All these things call for self-criticism among Muslims and for a willingness to reexamine traditional interpretations.
And this is exactly what Irshad Manji is offering. So why are people spending so much time beating her initiative into the ground? She is pushing for an alternative to fundamentalism, for equal rights for women and gays, and for freedom of thought and expression-- and isn't that what we are all after?
Posted by: Elma | August 18, 2007 7:15 AM
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"Of any moralising or demoralising effect that Muhammad's teaching had upon his followers we cannot say with precision. When he was at the head of the Robber(Muhammad earned his living through armed robbery) community, it is probable that the demoralising influence began to be felt; it was then that men who had never broken an oath learnt that they might evade their obligations, and that men to whom the blood of their clan had been as their own, began to shed it with impunity in the "cause of god". And that lying and treachery in the cause of Islam received divine approval. It was then too that Moslems became distinguished by the obscenity of their language. It was then too, that the coveting of goods and wives possessed by Non-muslims was avowed without discouragement, in fact active encouragement, from the Prophet...."
- D.S. Margoliouth in Muhammad and the rise of Islam
Posted by: Ted Baines | August 18, 2007 6:27 AM
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Why Did Mohammed Get So Many Wives?
March 2007 version
Introduction
Muslims will tell you a Muslim man can have up to four wives at a time, based on Sura 4:3. Strictly speaking that is not the complete truth, as a Muslim can also have unlimited concubines and can have sex with "women their right hands possess". (Sura 23:5-6; 33:50,52; 4:24; Sura 70:29-30). Regardless, though, Mohammed recited a verse in the Qur’an (Sura 33:50) that made an exception for one individual: himself. Why is that?
‘Aisha remarked, "It seems to me that your Lord hastens to satisfy your desire." Sahih Muslim vol.2 book 8 no.3453-3454 p.748-749.
On the other hand, a Muslim told me that every marriage was for humanitarian or alliance purposes. ‘Aisha and some wives were daughters of powerful chiefs Mohammed need the support of. Others such widows, "taken care of" by Mohammed after their previous husband died. I asked, incredulously, was the Muslim really taught that every marriage was for those reasons? When he said "yes", then I said, "what about Safiyah and Zainab bint Jahsh? Since he was not aware of those, other Muslims (as well as non-Muslims) might not be either. As to the accuracy of the sources of my information, it all comes from either the Qur’an itself or authoritative hadiths of Sunni Islam.
Mohammed’s Wives
Here is a list of wives of Mohammed by the Muslim scholar Ali Dashti. He probably based much of this on an earlier list in the History of al-Tabari vol.9 p.126-241. It should be mentioned that scholars and Hadiths are not entirely agreed on the wives of Mohammed. For example some hadiths (not Bukhari or Sahih Muslim) mention a couple of wives of Mohammed that he divorced, and these are not shown here. Nonetheless, Ali Dashti’s list, while perhaps not entirely agreed upon as being comprehensive, shows many of the wives. Following this is the evidence from the hadiths, independent of Ali Dashti, for these relationships.
1. Khadija/Khadijah bint Khuwailid/Khywaylid - died first
2. Sauda/Sawda bint Zam’a
3. 'Aisha/Aesha/’A’ishah - 8 to 9 yrs old, 2nd wife
'Aisha's Slaves
'Aisha and the Battle of the Camel
4. Omm/’Umm Salama/Salamah
5. Hafsa/Hafsah
6. Zaynab/Zainab of Jahsh
7. Juwairiya/Jowayriya bint Harith
9. Safiya/Safiyya bint Huyai/Huyayy bint Akhtab
10. Maymuna/Maimuna of Hareth
11. Fatima/Fatema/Fatimah
12. Hend/Hind
13. Asma of Saba (Sana bint Asma')
14. Zaynab of Khozayma
15. Habla?
16. Divorced Asma of Noman / bint al-Nu’man
¾slaves / concubines ¾
17. Mary the Copt/Christian
18. Rayhana/Raihana/Rayhanah bint Zayd/Zaid
¾uncertain relationship -
19. Divorced Omm Sharik
20. Maymuna/Maimuna (slave girl?)
21. Zaynab/Zainab the third?
22. Khawla / Khawlah
23. Divorced Mulaykah bint Dawud
24. Divorced al-Shanba’ bint ‘Amr
25. Divorced al-‘Aliyyah
26. Divorced ‘Amrah bint Yazid
27. Divorced an Unnamed Woman
28. Qutaylah bint Qays (died right away)
29. Sana bint Sufyan
30. Sharaf bint Khalifah
31. Women of Mohammed’s Right Hand
Mohammed Turned Some Women Down
Some Women Turned Mohammed Down
¾ Ali Dashti missed at least nine possible other wives.
Mohammed married 15 women and consummated his marriages with 13. (al-Tabari vol.9 p.126-127)
Bukhari vol.1 Book 5 ch.25 no.282 p.172-173 said that [at one time] Mohammed had nine wives.
Following is a short description of the hadiths and early Muslim historians say about the wives of Mohammed.
1. Khadija/Khadijah
(pronounced ka-DI-ja) bint Khuwailid/Khuwaylid Sahih Muslim vol.4 book 29 no.5971-5972 p.1297 died three years before 'A'isha married Mohammed. She is mentioned in Bukhari vol.5 book 58 no.164,165 p.103.
The full name of Mohammed’s first wife was Khadijah, daughter of Khuwaylid bin Asad bin. ‘Abd al-‘Uzza bin Qusayy. al-Tabari vol.39 p.3
Mohammed was 20-some years old when he married Khadijah, a widow. al-Tabari vol.9 p.127.
‘Aisha says that Khadija took Mohammed to a Christian convert who used to read the Gospels in Arabic. Bukhari vol.4 book 55 ch.17 no.605 p.395
A’isha was jealous of Khadija. "On that, the Prophet remembered the way Khadija used to ask permission, and that upset him. He said, ‘O Allah! Hala!’ So I [A’isha] became jealous and said, ‘What makes you remember an old woman amongst the old women of Quraish an old woman (with a teethless mouth) of red gums who died long ago, and in whose place Allah has given you somebody better than her?’" Bukhari vol.5 book 58 no.168 p.105
2. Sauda/Sawda bint Zam'a/Zam’ah
Sahih Muslim vol.2 book 8 no.3451 p.747; Bukhari vol.3 book 34 ch.4 no.269 p.154; vol.3 no.853 p.29; Sahih Muslim vol.2 book 7 no.2958 p.651; Sahih Muslim vol.2 footnote 1918 p.748 says that probably ‘Aisha was married to Mohammed before Sauda, but ‘Aisha did not enter Mohammed’s house until after Sauda was married to Mohammed.
There is disagreement about whether Mohammed consummated the marriage with Sauda or A’isha next, but al-Tabari vol.9 p.128-129 says it was Sauda.
Sauda’s ex-husband, al-Sakran b. ‘Amr b. ‘Abd Shams became a Christian in Abyssinia and died there. al-Tabari vol.9 p.128
Physically, ‘Aisha called Sauda "a fat huge lady". Bukhari vol.6 book 60 ch.241 no.318 p.300
When Sauda was old she was afraid Mohammed would divorce her, so she gave her turn to ‘A’isha. Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2130 p.572
Sauda is also mentioned in al-Tabari vol.39 p.169.
3. 'A’isha
A’isha was Abu Bakr’s daughter. Her moth was named Umm Ruman according to al-Tabari vol.9 p.129. She married Mohammed when she was (six) 6 years old, went to his house when (nine) 9. Bukhari vol.7 book 62 ch.60 no.88 p.65; Sahih Muslim vol.2 book 8 no.3309,3310,3311 p.715,716
Contrary to this marriage being important for political reasons, Abu Bakr was the first convert to Islam.
This wife of Mohammed is mentioned in many places, including Sahih Muslim vol.1 book 4 no.1694 p.372; Abu Dawud vol.1 no.1176 p.305; vol.1 no.1268 p.335; vol.1 no.1330 p.350; Abu Dawud vol.1 no.1336 p.351; vol.1 no.1419 p.373; vol.2 no.2382 p.654.
‘Aisha played with dolls while Mohammed was present. Sahih Muslim vol.4 book 29 no.5981 p.1299
‘Aisha was 6 (or 7) years old when she was married, and the marriage was consummated when she was nine years old. al-Tabari vol.9 p.130,131
A’isha was married when she was six years old, and nine when she went to Mohammed’s house. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.1876 p.133
A’isha was seven years old when she married, nine years old when she lived with Mohammed, and 18 years old when he died. (not Sahih) Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.1877 p.134
A rationale trying to explain why Mohammed married such a young girl is given in Sahih Muslim vol.2 footnote 1859 p.715. It says that "it was some exceptional circumstances that Hadrat ‘A’isha was married to the Prophet… The second point to be noted is that Islam has laid down no age limit for puberty for it varies with countries and races due to the climate, hereditary, physical and social conditions." They also mention support from the disreputable Kinsey report on Sexual Behaviour in the Human Female.
Mohammed himself once deliberately struck ‘Aisha "on the chest which caused me pain", according to Sahih Muslim vol.2 book 4 ch.352 no.2127 p.462.
There was other discord too. One incident, started by A’isha was so bad, Mohammed kept away from his wives for a month 29 days) Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2060 p.241. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2063 p.243. This is the context of Sura 50:1.
A’isha’s Slaves
‘A’isha had at least one servant who cooked for her during the time of the delegation from Banu’l Muntafiq. Abu Dawud vol.1 no.142 p.34
A’isha had a male Muslim slave she later freed named Abu Yunus. Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 no.475 p.340
A’isha had a slave girl. Abu Dawud vol.1 no.371 p.96
Barirah was a female slave of A’isha’s, whom she later freed. Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2223 and footnote 1548 p.601
A’isha was quick-tempered too, striking the hand of a servant and breaking a bowl of food from another wife for Mohammed. Abu Dawud vol.2 no.3560-3561 p.1011
‘A’isha had a strong, loud voice. al-Tabari vol.17 p.65
‘Aisha reluctantly freed many slaves due to a broken vow. "He [Ibn Az-Subair] sent her [‘Aisha] ten slaves whom she manumitted [freed] as an expiation for (not keeping) her vow. ‘Aisha manumitted more slaves for the same purpose till she manumitted forty slaves. She said, ‘I wish I had specified what I would have done in case of not fulfilling my vow when I made the vow, so that I might have done it easily.’"(1) Footnote (1) says, "‘Aisha did not specify what she would do if she did not keep her promise, this is why she manumitted so many slaves so that she might feel at ease as to the adequacy of her expiation." Bukhari vol.4 book 56 ch.2 no.708 p.465.
Just how many slaves did ‘Aisha have? Or how much money did she have to buy forty slaves? The hadiths do not say. The only two clue I have found are
1) Mohammed’s wives could command for tents to be set up. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.1771 p.67.
2) One-fifth of the war booty went to the Muslim treasury, and Mohammed could take of that for he and his wives. Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2347,2348; vol.2 footnote 1463 p.519; Bukhari vol.4 book 51 ch.80 no.153 p.99; vol.6 book 60 ch.297 no.407 p.379
A’isha and the Battle of the Camel
‘Aisha originally supported those who wanted to kill ‘Uthman. She claimed ‘Uthman became a disbeliever. However, after ‘Uthman’s murder she changed her mind and wanted to avenge ‘Uthman’s killers. Another Muslim called her to task for that. al-Tabari vol.17 p.52-53
After this, Mu’awiyah had Mohammed bin Abu Bakr executed for murdering ‘Uthman, then put his body in the carcass of a donkey, and then burned the donkey in 38 A.H.. A’isha mourned her half-brother greatly and made extra prayers for him. al-Tabari vol.17 p.158
4. ‘Umm Salama
‘Umm Salama bint Abi Umayyah (discussing intimate things with the apostle) Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2455 p.540
Umm Salamah’s real name was Hind bint Abi Umayyah bin al-Mughirah bin ‘Abdallah bin ‘Umar bin Makhzum. al-Tabari vol.9; p.133; vol.39 p.175.
Um/Umm Salaim/Salama (not said to be a wife) Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2992 p.656; vol.2 no.3445 p.746; wife Bukhari vol.4 book 53 ch.4 no.333 p.216; Bukhari vol.7 book 62 ch.34 no.56 p.40. Ibn-i-Majah vol.2 no.1634 p.473; Abu Dawud vol.1 no.383 p.99. Mohammed was married to Umm Salama, widow of Abu Salama (died 4 A.H. in Abyssinia). Al-Tabari vol.39 p.175. Umm Salama died when in 59 H. when she was 84 years old. Sahih Muslim vol.2 footnote 1218 p.435. Umm Salama was pregnant when Mohammed married her, and her daughter was Zainab bint Abu Salama (Sahih Muslim vol.2 no. 3539-3544 p.776-777. (This is the same girl as Zainab bint Umm Salama)
This wife of Mohammed is mentioned in Abu Dawud vol.1 no.274 p.68; vol.3 no.4742 p.1332; vol.2 no.2382 p.654; Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 no.240 p.228; Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.1779 p.72; al-Tabari vol.17 p.207; al-Tabari vol.39 p.80
‘Umm Salamah had a son before she married Mohammed. Her son went with A’isha, al-Zubayr, and Talhah. al-Tabari vol.17 p.42
Clients of Umm Salamah were Nabhan (=Abu Yahya) and Ma’in bin Ujayl(=Abu Qudamah) al-Tabari vol.39 p.320
5. Hafsa/Hafsah
The daughter of ‘Umar bin Khattab is mentioned in Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2642 p.576; vol.2 no.2833 p.625; vol.2 no.3497 p.761; Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2448 p.675; vol.3 no.5027 p.1402. She was the daughter of ‘Umar bin al-Khattab. She was the 18-year old widow of Khunais when she married Mohamed in 625 A.D. She was born in 607 A.D., and died either 647/648, 661/662, or 665 A.D. She is also mentioned as a wife in Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2086 p.258
After Hafsa’s husband died of wounds received at Uhud, Hafsa’s father thought of her marrying ‘Uthman, but ‘Uthman declined because he knew Mohammed wanted to marry her. They married in 3 A.H. She was four years older than ‘A’isha. Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 #32 p.117. Thus Mohammed did not marry her just to provide for her. Rather he married someone who otherwise would have been married to someone else.
‘Umar told his daughter Hafsa not to be misled by ‘Aisha who is proud of her beauty and Mohammed’s love for her. Bukhari vol.7 book 62 ch.106 no.145 p.108. Hafsa said to ‘Aisha "I have never received any good from you!" Bukhari vol.9 book 92 ch.5 no.406 p.299-300
‘Umar said Mohammed divorced Hafsah (revocable divorce) and then took her back. Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2276 p.619. According to Ibn Ishaq, Mohammed divorced Hafsa but then took her back. al-Tabari vol.9 footnote 884 p.131.
"Yahya … from Malik from Muhammad ibn Abd ar-Rahman …that he heard that Hafsa … killed one of her slave-girls who had used sorcery against her. She was a mudabbara. Hafsa gave the order, and she was killed." Muwatta Malik 42.19.14
Hafsa ordered killed on of her slave girls that had used sorcery against her. Muwatta Malik 43.19.4
Hafsa, wife of Mohammed, died when she was 60 years old. al-Tabari vol.39 p.174
6. Zainab/Zaynab bint Jahsh
Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2347 p.519; vol.2 no.3330 p.723,724; vol.2 no.3332 p.725; vol.2 no.3494 p.760. Bukhari vol.3 book 33 ch.6 no.249 p.138; vol.3 no.829 p.512; vol.4 no.6883 p.1493; Zainab's original name was "Barrah", but Mohammed changed it to Zainab Bukhari vol.8 book 72 ch.108 no.212 p.137; Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4935 p.1377-1378. Abu Dawud vol.1 no.1498 says Juwairyiha’s name used to be Barrah.
Sura 33:36-38 in the Qur’an says, "It is not for any believer, man or woman, when God and His Messenger have decreed a matter, to have the choice in the affair. Whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has gone astray into manifest error. When you said to him whom Allah had blessed and you had favoured, ‘Keep your wife to yourself, and fear Allah,’ and you were concealing within yourself what Allah should reveal, fearing other men; and Allah has better right for you to fear him. So when Zaid had accomplished what he would of her, then We gave her in marriage to you, so that there should not be any fault in the believers, touching the wives of their adopted sons, when they have accomplished what they would of them; and Allah’s commandment must be performed. There is no fault in the prophet, touching what Allah had ordained for him."
Zainab bint Jahsh was married to Mohammed’s adopted son, until Mohammed spoke the Sura that she was to divorce his son and marry Mohammed. Zainab "used to boast before the other wives of the Prophet and used to say, ‘Allah married me (to the Prophet) in the Heavens.’" Bukhari vol.9 book 93 ch.22 no.517 p.382. Also vol.9 book 92 ch.22 no.516,518 p.381-383; al-Tabari vol.9 p.133. In other words, in the eternally existing uncreated Qur’an in heaven, Zainab’s marriage was mentioned.
Zainab of Jahsh had a brother who died before her. Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2292 p.624
Alleged statement that Zaid first divorced his wife Zainab just so that Mohammed might marry her. al-Tabari vol.39 p.180-182
Zainab bint Jahsh died when she was 53 years old. al-Tabari vol.39 p.182
Zainab (unspecified) Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2641,2642 p.575,576.
Zainab bint Jahsh should not be confused with Zainab who was Abu Sa’id al-Khudri’s wife. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2031 p.223
Zainab [verbally] abused A’ishah, so Mohammed told A’ishah to abuse her. "…The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) came upon me [A’ishah] while Zainab daughter of Jahsh was with us. He began to do something with his hand. I signaled to him until I made him understand about her. So he stopped. Zainab came on and began to abuse ‘A’ishah. She prevented her, but she did not stop. So he (the Prophet) said to ‘A’ishah : Abuse her. Then she abused her and dominated her. Zainab then went to ‘Ali and said : ‘A’ishah abused you and did (such and such). Then Fatimah came (to the Prophet) and he said to her : She is favourite of your father, by the Lord of the Ka’bah! She then returned and said to them : I said to him such and such, and he said to me such and such. Then ‘Ali came to the Prophet (may peace be upon him) and spoke to him about that." Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4880 p.1364-1365
In the Bible Malachi vol.2 no.16 says that God hates divorce.
7. Juwairiya/yya/yah bint Hareth
Juwairiya bint Harith/al-Harith was a captive. Bukhari vol.3 book 46 ch.13 no.717 p.431-432. Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2349 p.520 says that Mohammed attacked the Bani Mustaliq tribe without any warning while they were heedlessly grazing their cattle. Juwairiya was a daughter of the chief. Sahih Muslim vol.3 no.4292 p.942 and Abu Dawud vol.2 no.227 p.728 and al-Tabari vol.39 p.182-183 also say Juwairiya/Juwairiyyah was captured in a raid on the Banu Mustaliq tribe. She had been married to Musafi’ bin Safwan, who was killed in battle.
Mohammed’s wife Jawairyiyah used to be named Barrah. Abu Dawud vol.1 no.1498 p.392. However, Bukhari vol.8 book 72 ch.107 no.212 p.137; Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4935 p.1377-1378 say Zainab’s name used to be Barrah.
Juwayriyyah bint al-Harith bin Abi Birar bin Habib, great grandson of Jadhimah al-Mustaliq of the Khuza’ah group, was taken as booty when Muslims raided the al-Mustaliq tribe. Her husband, Musafi’ bin Safwan Dhu al-Shuir bin Abi Asrb bin Malik bin Jadhimah was killed in the battle. She was a prisoner of war who agreed to marry Mohammed. al-Tabari vol.39 p.182-183; al-Tabari vol.9 p.133.
Juwayriyyah was captured at the Battle of al-Muraysi [against the Banu Mustaliq]. al-Tabari vol.39 p.183
Juwayriyya married Mohammed when she was 20 years old. al-Tabari vol.39 p.184
8. Omm/Umm Habiba
Umm Habiba was the daughter of Abu Sufyan al-Tabari vol.9 p.133; Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.3413 p.739; vol.2 no.2963 p.652; Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.1581 p.352; vol.2 no.3539 p.776 Ibn-i-Majah vol.5 no.3974 p.302; al-Tabari vol.17 p.88
Umm Habiba was 23 years younger than Mohammed. Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 #60 p.127
Umm Habiba and her first husband ‘Ubaydallah were Muslims who went to Abyssinia. ’Ubaydallah converted to Christianity. al-Tabari vol.39 p.177
Mention of Zainab bint Jahsh. al-Tabari vol.39 p.180-182
Umm Habiba, wife of Mohammed should not be confused with another woman was also named Umm Habiba. She was the daughter of Jahsh, wife of ‘Abd al-Rahman and sister-in-law of Mohammed, since Zainab of Jahsh was his wife. Abu Dawud vol.1 no.288 p.73
9. Safiya/Safiyya/Saffiya
Safiya bint Huyai/Huyayy was a captive Mohammed married after slaughtering her father, brother, husband and the men at Khaibar, according to Bukhari vol.2 book 14 ch.5 no.68 p.35; vol.4 book 52 ch.74 no.143 p.92; vol.4 book 52 ch.168 no.280 p.175 and al-Tabari vol.39 p.185.
Safiyah’s husband was named Sallam bin Mishkam bin al-Hakam bin Harithah bin al-Khazraj bin Ka’b bin Khazraj. al-Tabari vol.9 p.134-135.
Safiyyah was called Safi, for the first share of the booty, which went to Mohammed. Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2988 p.848; Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2985-2989 and footnote 2406 p.846-849
Safiyya was purchased by Mohammed for seven slaves. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2272 p.357. She was 17 when Mohammed married her. al-Tabari vol.39 p.184
Mohammed felt kindness toward Safiyya. "If Safiyyah were not grieved, I would have left him [her husband whom Mohammed executed] until the birds and beasts of prey would have eaten him, and he would have been resurrected from their bellies." Abu Dawud vol.2 no.3130-3131 p.893
Physically, Safiyyah was short. Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4857 p.1359
There was discord between wives. Zainab did not want to loan a camel to Safiyya when Mohammed asked her to. Zainab called Safiyya a "Jewess" Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4588 p.1293
Mohammed had nine wives at one time, including Safiyya bint Huyayy, and later he did not give her a "turn". Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.3455-3456 p.749
This wife of Mohammed is also mentioned in Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.3325; vol.2 no.2783 p.605; vol.2 no.3118 p.678; vol.2 no.3497 p.761; Bukhari vol.3 book 33 ch.8-13 no.251-255 p.139-143; vol.2 book 21 ch.22 no.255 p.143; Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.1779 p.72; Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2464 p.681; al-Tabari vol.39 p.169
Safiya bint Abi 'Ubaid Mohammed’s wife in Bukhari vol.4 book 52 ch.136 no.244 p.151 is probably the same person.
10. Maimuna/Maymuna bint Harith/Hareth
Sahih Muslim vol.1 no.1671,1674,1675 p.368-369; vol.2 no.1672 p.369.
Mohammed married Maymunah bt. Al-Harith in 7 A.H. while Mohammed was in a state of ritual purity on the journey to Mecca. al-Tabari vol.8 p.136; al-Tabari vol.9 p.135
Maymuna had been divorced once, and widowed before marrying Mohammed. al-Tabari vol.39 p.185. Maymuna was 80/81 when she died. al-Tabari vol.39 p.186
Maimuna was 30 years old when the 53-year old Mohammed married her. Mohammed died four years later. Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 #43 p.120
Mainuma bint al-Harith had a slave girl. She asked Mohammed if she could free her, and Mohammed said instead to give her to Maimuna’s sister to take care of her. Muwatta’ Malik 54.4.9
Maimuna, Mohammed’s wife, screened Mohammed Bukhari vol.1 book 5 ch.22 no.279 p.170-171. People were screened when they bathed or went to the bathroom. Nothing was wrong with that though, for she was his wife.
‘Ata bin Yasar was a man who was a client of Maymunah. al-Tabari vol.39 p.317
Slaves: Maimuna’s freed slave girl was given a sheep, which later died. Ibn-i-Majah vol.5 no.3610 p.93
This wife of Mohammed is also mentioned in: Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2408 p.435; Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 no.809 p.492; vol.2 no.1124 p.108; Abu Dawud vol.1 no.1351 p.356; vol.1 no.1359,1360,1362 p.357; Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 no.243 p.229.
11. Fatima/Fatema/Fatimah
Fatima was mentioned by ‘Ali Dashti. al-Tabari vol.9 p.39 states that Mohammed briefly married Fatimah bint al-Dahhak bin Sufyan (also called al-Kilabiyyah).
Mohammed married Fatimah bint Shurayh/Sara’. al-Tabari vol.9 p.139. It is unclear if Shuray and al-Dahhak were two different people, making this two Fatimas, or they were alternate names for the same father.
Mention of Fatimah bin al-Dahhabi, Aliya bint Zahyah, Sana bint Sufyan al-Tabari vol.39 p.186
Mohammed consummated his marriage with "the Kilabiyyah" (i.e. from the Kilabi tribe). This would be Fatimah bint al-Dahhak bin Sufyan or ‘Aliyah bint Zabyan bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf or Sana bint Sufyan bin ‘Awf. al-Tabari vol.39 p.187
Fatima, Mohammed’s daughter is different
The following could be Mohammed’s wife, but was probably his daughter. In the year of the conquest of Mecca, Fatima screened Mohammed. Ibn-i-Majah vol.1 no.465 p.255 and Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 no.228 p.224; vol.1 no.417 p.307
A Fatima screened Mohammed while he was bathing in Bukhari vol.1 book 5 ch.22 no.278 p.170-171. However, Mohammed was taking a bath and was screened by his daughter Fatima in Bukhari vol.4 book 53 ch.29 no.396 p.263. Fatima was Mohammed's daughter and the wife of 'Ali in Bukhari vol.3 book 34 chg.29 no.302 p.171; Bukhari vol.4 book 53 ch.1 no.325 p.208.
Mohammed did not want ‘Ali to marry anyone else besides his daughter Fatima. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.1998-1999 p.202-204. However, ‘Ali later had a captive slave girl, the daughter of Rab’iah, who bore him a daughter name Umm Ruqayyah. al-Tabari vol.11 p.66.
Wanted a slave: While Mohammed gave many slaves to A’isha, Fatima thought she got a bad deal. Mohammed’s daughter Fatima complained to Mohammed about her using the grinding stone and asked for a slave (prisoner of war). Mohammed did not give her one, but he said he gave her something better. He told her to say glory be to Allah 33 times, Praise be to Allah 34 times, and Allah is most great 34 times. Abu Dawud vol.3 no.5044-5045 p.1405
12. Hend/Hind
Hend/Hind was formerly married to Abu Sufyan, who was a very stingy man, according to Sahih Muslim vol.3 no.4251-4254 p.928-929.
13. Sana bint Asma’ / al-Nashat
Mohammed married al-Nashat bint Rifa’ah of the Banu Kilab bin Rabi’ah, allies of the Qurayzah. Some called her Sana bint Asma’ bin al-Salt al-Sulamiyyah; while others say Sana bint Asma’ bin al-Salt of the Banu Harm. However, she died before the Prophet consummated his marriage with her. She was also called Sana. al-Tabari vol.9 p.135-136. al-Tabari vol.39 p.166 says the same thing about Sana bint al-Salt.
14. Zainab/Zaynab bint Khozayma/Khuzaima
This Zainab belonged to the tribe of Banu Hilal. She was divorced from a Muslim named Tufayl, then married his brother ‘Ubaydah, who was killed at Badr. Then she married Mohammed. She was born 595 A.D. and died in 626 A.D. at 31. See al-Tabari vol.7 p.150 footnotes 215,216 and al-Tabari vol.39 p.163-164 for more info.
al-Tabari vol.9 p.138 also says she died while Mohammed was alive.
Mohammed married Zainab bint Khuzaima, but she died before he did. Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 #64 p.129
15. Habla?
Habla is on Ali Dashti’s list, but I have not been able to independently verify this.
16. Divorced Asma’ bint Noman
Asma bint Noman, or Asma bint al-Nu’man bin Abi Al-Jawn, of the Kindah tribe, was married to Mohammed, but the marriage was never consummated. al-Tabari vol.10 p.185 and footnote 1131 p.185.
Daughter of Al-Jaun / Jahal was married very briefly to Mohammed. Bukhari vol.7 book 63 no.181 p.131,132
On the other hand, al-Tabari vol.10 p.190 says that Al-Nu’man al-Jawn offered his daughter to Mohammed, but Mohammed declined. Perhaps "declined" means Mohammed divorced her before ever sleeping with her.
Mohammed married Asma bint al-Nu’man bin al-Aswad bin Sharahil. However, she had leprosy, so Mohammed gave her money and divorced her. al-Tabari vol.9 p.137. Why would he do that to a woman he loved?
‘Asma bint al-Nu’man was a widow Mohammed married Either Hafsa or A’isha tricked ‘Asma by telling her Mohammed would be pleased if she said she took refuge in Allah from Mohammed. al-Tabari vol.39 p.188-190
Brief mention of ‘Asma bint Nu’man in al-Tabari vol.39 p.190.
Mohammed divorced one woman Mohammed because she took refuge in Allah from Mohammed. He divorced another because she had leprosy. There is some mixup of which name is with which case in al-Tabari vol.39 p.187.
17. Mary/Mariya the Copt/Christian
Mary was a wife [concubine] of Mohammed’s according to al-Tabari vol.9 p.141; Sahih Muslim vol.4 footnote 2835. p.1351;. Mary the Copt gave birth to Mohammed’s son Ibrahim in al-Tabari vol.9 p.39. He died when he was two years old. The Muslim emissary Hatib b. Abi Balta’ah returned from al-Muqawqis [Egypt] with Mariya [Mary the Copt], her sister Sirin, a female mule, sets of garments, and a eunuch. Hatib invited them to become Muslims, and the two women did so [according to Tabari]. Mariyah was beautiful, and Mohammed sent her sister Sirin to Hassan b. Thabit. Sirin and Hassan were the parents of ‘Abd al-Rahman b. Hassan. al-Tabari vol.8 p.66,131.
A Muslim might say Mohammed had to marry her because she was a gift from Egypt, but her sister Sirin was also a gift, and he did not marry Sirin. Mary was a gift from the governor of Alexandria. al-Tabari vol.39 p.193
It was claimed that Mary became a Muslim, but Mohammed still kept her as a slave rather than a regular wife. al-Tabari vol.39 p.194
Mohammed "had intercourse with her [Mary] by virtue of her being his property." al-Tabari vol.39 p.194. Footnote 845 explains, "That is, Mariyah was ordered to veil herself as did the Prophet’s wives, but he did not marry her."
Mary the Copt died in 637/638 A.D. al-Tabari vol.39 p.22
18. Rayhana/Raihana/Rayhanah bint Zaid/Zayd
Rayhana was a Jewish captive from the Quraiza tribe. Mohammed offered to make her a wife instead of a slave, but she decline and remained Jewish according to al-Tabari vol.8 p.39. See also al-Tabari vol.9 p.137,141. However, the source in al-Tabari vol.39 p.164-165 says Mohammed set her free and then married her.
Mohammed had two concubines: Mariya bint Sham’un the Copt, and Rayhanah bint Zayd al-Quraziyyah of the Banu al-Nadir. al-Tabari vol.9 p.141. Mariya was an um walid of Mohammed according to al-Tabari vol.13 p.58.
19. Divorced Omm/Umm Sharik / Ghaziyyah bint Jabir
Omm/Umm Sharik is the same person as Ghaziyyah bint Jabir in al-Tabari vol.9 p.139. She was called "Umm Sharik" because she was the mother of a son named Sharik by a previous marriage.
"When the Prophet went to her he found her to be an old woman, so he divorced her." al-Tabari vol.9 p.139. However footnote 922 says Ibn Sa’d in Tabaqat, 8 p.110-112 "gives a different account and lists her among the women to whom the Prophet proposed but did not marry. It was she who gave herself to the Prophet and the Qur’anic verse 33:50 refers to her."
20. Maymuna / Maimuna
Maimuna was a woman who offered herself to Mohammed according to Sahih Muslim vol.2 footnote 1919. It could be the same Maimuna as 10, or a different one. Married in 7 .H.
An unnamed woman said she gave herself to Mohammed as a wife. Mohammed did not accept her, but gave her to a poor Muslim. The only thing the poor Muslim could give as a dowry is his memorization of a sura of the Qur’an. Muwatta’ Malik 28.3.8
21. Zaynab/Zainab the Third?
Ali Dashti lists this wife, but I have not found independent evidence of this.
22. Khawla / Khawlah bint al-Hudayl
It is said that Mohammed married Khawlah bint al-Hudayl. al-Tabari vol.9 p.139. She was a wife of Mohammed’s according to al-Tabari vol.39 p.166
23. Divorced Mulaykah bint Dawud
Mohammed married (married is the word in the text) Mulaykah bint Dawud al-Laythiyyah, but when she was told that Mohammed was the one who had her father killed, she took refuge in Allah from Mohammed. So Mohammed separated from her. al-Tabari vol.8 p.189. The same thing is told of Mulaykah bint Ka’b (who is likely the same person) in al-Tabari vol.39 p.165
Mulaykah bint Ka’b was married very briefly to Mohammed. A’isha asked her if she wanted to marry the man who killed her husband. She "took refuge in God" from Mohammed, so Mohammed divorced her. al-Tabari vol.39 p.165
24. Divorced al-Shanba’ bint ‘Amr
Mohammed married al-Shanba’ bint ‘Amr al-Ghifariyyah; her people were allies of the banu Qurayza. When Ibrahim died, she said that if he were a true prophet his son would not have died. Mohammed divorced her before consummating his marriage with her. al-Tabari vol.9 p.136
25. Divorced al-‘Aliyyah
Mohammed stayed a while with ‘Aliyyah bint Zabyan bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf bin Ka’b, then divorced her. al-Tabari vol.39 p.188
Mohammed married al-‘Aliyyah, but then divorced her. She died while Mohammed was still alive al-Tabari vol.9 p.138.
26. Divorced ‘Amrah bint Yazid
Mohammed divorced ‘Amrah bint Yazid because she had leprosy. al-Tabari vol.39 p.188
Mohammed married ‘Amrah bint Yazid (no mention of divorce) al-Tabari vol.9 p.139.
Mohammed divorced ‘Amra. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2054 p.233 vol.3 no.2030 p.226 (daif [weak], not Sahih)
Mohammed divorced a woman because she had leprosy. al-Tabari vol.39 p.187
27. Divorced an Unnamed Woman
Mohammed divorced an unnamed woman because she would peek at those leaving the mosque. al-Tabari vol.39 p.187
28. Qutaylah bint Qays (died right away)
Mohammed married Qutaylah bint Qays but she died before they consummated the marriage. Curiously, it also says he and her brother apostacized form Islam. So she must have apostacized after the marriage and before her death perhaps? al-Tabari vol.9 p.138-139.
29. Sana bint Sufyan
Mention of Mohammed’s brief marriage with Sana bint Sufyan. al-Tabari vol.39 p.188
30. Sharaf bint Khalifah
Mohammed married Sharaf bint Khalifah, sister of Dihyah bin Lhalifah al-Kalbi, but she died while Mohammed was still alive. al-Tabari vol.9 p.138
31. Women of Mohammed’s Right Hand
"…abstain from sex, except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess - for (in their case) they are free from blame," Sura 23:5-6. See also Sura 4:24
"He [Mohammed] replied, ‘Conceal your private parts except from your wife and from whom your right hands possess (slave-girls).’" Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4006 p.1123
Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4443-4445 p.1244 shows that having sex with a slave-girl a man owns is fine, but a man will be flogged for having sex with his wife’s slave-girl.
As was typical of wealthy Arab men, Mohammed apparently had need of a few slave girls too. See Bukhari vol.7 book 64 ch.6 no.274 p.210.
Salmah for was a maid-servant of Mohammed. Abu Dawud vol.3 no.3849 p.1084
Maimuna was the freed slave girl of Mohammed. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2531 p.514; Abu Dawud vol.1 no.457 p.118
Mohammed briefly had a "very beautiful" captive before he gave her to Mahmiyah b. Jaz’ al-Zubaydi. al-Tabari vol.8 p.151
One of the slave girls belonging to Mohammed house committed fornication with someone else. It is the "someone else" part that was a problem. Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4458 p.1249
Mohammed called a black slave-girl to come and conceal Abu Dharr behind a curtain while he was taking a bath. Abu Dawud vol.1 no.332 p.87
Mention Umm Ayman (=Barakah), a client (slave-girl) of the prophet. al-Tabari vol.39 p.287
Mohammed definitely had a sense of humor. Umm Ayman, the Prophet’s client [i.e. slave whom it was lawful for him to spend the night with]. According to al-Husayn … Umm Ayman: [One] night the Prophet got up and urinated in the corner of the house into an earthenware vessel. During the night I got up, and being thirsty, I drank what was in the vessel, not noticing [anything]. When the Prophet got up in the morning he said ‘O Umm Ayman, take that earthenware vessel and pour away its content.’ I said ‘By God, I drank what was in it.’ The Prophet laughed until his molar teeth showed, then said ‘After this you will never have a bellyache.’" al-Tabari vol.39 p.199
In general, Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4443-4445 p.1244 teaches that having sex with a slave-girl a man owns is OK, but a man will be flogged for having sex with his wife’s slave-girl.
But, having sex with a wife’s slave girl is OK if the wife made her lawful for him. Note that he did not have to be married to the slave girl. Ibn-i-Majah vol.4 no.2551 p.12
Mohammed Turned Some Women Down!
A’isha felt jealous of the women who offered themselves to Mohammed [as wives]. Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.3453 p.748. But it was OK that a woman offered herself to Mohammed. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2000-2001 p.304-305
Some thought Mohammed married al-Ash’ath, but al-Tabari says that is false according to al-Tabari vol.39 p.190i. (Overall, al-Tabari did a masterful job of trying to keep up with all of Mohammed’s women.)
Some Women Turned Mohammed Down
Mohammed asked to marry Ghaziyyah on account of her beauty, but she declined. Tabari claims she was in a state of infidelity but provides no evidence. al-Tabari vol.9 p.136. There is no evidence she was unfaithful and Mohammed was lax in not punishing her, or that she was and Mohammed punished her.
Layla clapped Mohammed’s shoulder from behind and asked him to marry her. Mohammed accepted. Layla’s people said, "’What a bad thing you have done! You are a self-respecting woman, but the Prophet is a womanizer. Seek an annulment from him.’ She went back to the Prophet and asked him to revoke the marriage and he complied with [her request]." al-Tabari vol.9 p.139
From to al-Tabari vol.9 p.140-141, Mohammed proposed marriage to, but ended up not marrying:
1) Umm Hani’ bin Abi Talib [Hind] because she said she was with child.
2) Duba’ah bint ‘Amir but she was too old.
3) Reportedly he proposed to Saffiyah bint Bashshamah, a captive. She was allowed to choose between Mohammed and her husband, and she chose her husband.
4) Umm Habib bint al-‘Abbas but since al-‘Abbas was his foster brother so it would not have been lawful so Mohammed backed out.
5) Jamrah bint Al-Harith. Her father falsely claimed she was suffering from something. When he returned, he found that she had already been afflicted with leprosy.
It is inconsistent on whether Umm Hani’ became a Muslim before or after Mohammed asked her to marry him. al-Tab
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