Irshad Manji

Alhamdulilah I read the article and I liked what it was talking about Ummziba that was a great article to post. I wanted to add that the article brought up some good points. First point wa that to those outside the fold of Islam i.e. Non-Muslims who view the world in a dualistic form i.e. Moderate Extremist would see such a so-called Moderate such as Irshad Manji as a moderate because she expresses her isolated beliefs by dropping the central tenants of Islam and questioning them at the same time.

How is it that such a person who questions the justice of Islam not practice the implimentation of that? I remember reading some excerpts from her book that we should question the Qur'an. I would pick a better word such as examining the Qur'an as far as the truths embedded in each word. But how can such a person who call herself Muslim be so focused on centralizing other issues beyond the important issues such as being an upright Muslim? I believe the problem with Muslims (not Islam) is that we have issues concerning implimentation of the Qur'an and its dialects.

Ummziba from what you said earlier if it's true, if she is a professed lesbian then this totally discredits her and isolates her as far as being a Muslim from the rest of those who are practicing Muslims. Funny how such a person can totally discredits Islamic practice by questioning the central parts of faith yet claims to follow them at the same time.

Dear Brother and sisters,

These days a lot of propaganda is going on in the Western media regarding the un-compatibility of Islam with the modern progression of human kind. Unfortunately some of the Muslim men and women have also joined the ranks of west in criticizing Islam and calling for reforms due to lack of their knowledge about Islam. There are even some who want to invent Islam according to their own thoughts and some who are paid by the media to project and plant such issues which have never been heard of. Irshad Manji, Tasleema Nasreen, Asma Gul Hasan, Isra Nomani and Amina Wadood are some of the feminist activists who are in the front row of carrying out cynical propaganda against Islam. The basic concept of Manji�s book �THE TROUBLE WITH ISLAM� is to prove that Quran is an outdated book which needs to be re-interpreted in the light of modern Ijthad. Unfortunately she forgets that if Quran is a divine book and free from any kind of error and calling it as outdated means that she refuses to accept it as God�s word. Because if it is from God then it can�t become outdated as God�s knowledge is perfect and human mind can�t overwrite God�s words.

The word Muslim means one who submits his will to Allah�s command. It doesn�t imply that one who finds an instruction or order against his wish or will he has the right to temper it or to replace it as per his / her own mindset. If that be the case he or she is free to accept or choose another religion which suits him / her. As a Muslim we have to submit to basic Islamic principles otherwise we have the choice to become an atheist or adopt any other religion. There are numerous places where we are given options to choose but there is no question of compromise on basic Islamic beliefs and principles.  

So these so called reformists have the option to adopt any other religion as by defying the basic Islamic principles they are anything but Muslims. If they feel that Islam is un-compatible with the modern western values and that this world is the only place where they are living and that there is nothing known as Hereafter then they have the right to choose the way which suits them. They can become lesbians or gays or heterosexual or whatever and surely we will be told in the hereafter of our deeds.     

Shams Zaman  Pakistan

Here is an interesting article by Yasmin Magahed that mentions Manji and the sadly growing phenomenon of the "not too Islamic Muslim":

http://islamonline.net/English/Views/2005/03/aricle02.SHTML

Peace, ummziba.

Nausheen wrote: Auzubillahi minash shaitan ir rajeem, Bismillah ir rahman ir rahim, Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullah, Israfil, first of all, am very happy that you are back. I hope there will not be too many untoward incidences, insha allah. I personally want to thank you for changing your mind. Your presence was grately missed, and Br. Suleyman can confirm to this

always! always!! always!!!...welcome back brother Israf�l