Monday, January 1, 2007

Sharia Reforms

SHARIA REFORMS

Mike Ghouse

The laws that govern the life of a Muslim from birth to death and every moment in between are claimed to be inspired by the Qur'aan. Please note that the laws were incorporated nearly two centuries after the death of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and not from the inception. A few actually think Sharia is God's law. It ain’t.

Much of the guidance from Qur'aan has been crystallized into Sharia laws; most of them are complementary to the civil laws as practiced in the USA, Canada and other democracies. Some of the laws transgress the sense of justice.

The issue is with laws that deal with Marriage, divorce, apostasy, adultery, stealing and Aggression. These laws that are in question, if applied to the letter will contravene the concept of Justice in Islam. There are recent examples of applying those laws in some of the countries that claim to be Islamic and were totally un-just. A few names as examples are: Abdul Rahman in Afghanistan, Ahmadiyya in Pakistan and Bangladesh, Raped Muslim woman in Nigeria, Nazanin Fatehi in Iran and to top it off, the Saudi clerics who have issued the fatwa that Shia's are not Muslims. This is outrageous. Every one wants to get ahead of Allah to judge people prior to the Day of Judgment?

In the United States we have sent wrong people to the gallows, and we do have bribery, adultery, crime and injustice by the politicians, clergy and the common people. Our men beat over 3000 women a year to death in a rage, and we have child abuse and rape every day in our country. However, we take the precaution, and make near certain before we execute that the person is not innocent. There is defense to argue the case without any fear. Justice prevails most of the times. As a few Evangelists (men) desire to have their way in the governance of our nation, so are the few Sharia (men) who dream for such a possibility in their countries, which they have a right to, and they can apply it to themselves and not other human beings. As Qur’aan says, there should be no compulsion.

The Muslims living in America, Canada and other democracies have lived without the Sharia Law, as the laws of the land are adequate to run the society with justice. Besides, Most Muslims living in America or Canada have understood that it is not the divine law.

Dr. Inayat Lalani shares this experience “I asked a question to all those present: "Is it possible for one to get justice in American courts?" The answer was unanimously 'yes, it was possible'. I then asked if it was possible for justice to be miscarried in a Sharia court and the answer again was a unanimous 'yes'. I then proposed that that settles the argument”.

The World Muslim Congress and the Foundation for Pluralism held a workshop led by Hasan Mahmud Director of Sharia Laws of Muslim Canadian Congress on Sharia Law. The workshop in Dallas on January 7th was attended by about 60 people representing every faith. The attendees brought their own copy of Qur’aan to cross reference the Sharia Laws’ that conflict with Qur’aan.

As Hasan Mahmud said so eloquently, “I have questions and I have verses in Qur'aan that go against Sharia Law". Several comments have been received; pretty much the drive is for cleaning up most of the Sharia laws. “Our community has languished too long in archaic laws, "blindly following their forefathers" as the Qur’aan states regarding the unbelievers of the Prophet's time. God Almighty repeatedly asks mankind to think, reason, understand” Dr. Iffat Khan. “Just as Christianity underwent a major house cleaning in the mid l800’s with the emergence of New Thought Christianity, Islam is likewise undergoing a major house cleaning, challenging the continued existence of laws that are unjust and pernicious”. Mary Lou Ghyst.

At the World Muslim Congress, we believe in presenting all sides of the issue, as we believe Islam is a range of values for humans to be guided. Insha Allah, we will be holding one more conference in the coming months, those who honestly believe that Sharia Laws are divine and must be followed are invited to join and share their facts and be a part of the presentation. Only God's word is final, all else is debatable.

If there were to be a change, it has to begin some where, thanks God, it has begun now. We are a small part of that change that is going on around the Globe. We hope to reach out and ask people to evaluate the legitimacy of some of the laws that are not just - and are in contradiction with its own source. We have to be a catalyst for the change. Change cannot be regulated or imposed; it has to become a part of the acceptor to sustain.

Just this last month, Pakistan was looking to scrap some of the Hudood (limits) laws that were introduced some 30 years ago with the pressure from the fundamentalists.
Last year in India, the women formed their own Muslim law board challenging the domain of men for 14 centuries. It has diluted the arrogance of men.
Women Led prayers happened last year in the United States and Canada for the first time in history since the times of Prophet.

Nazanin Fatehi in Iran is on re-trial for killing the attacker, she was sentenced to death.

The Saudi Clerics have issued a Fatwa in January this year declaring that the Shia denomination of Islam are not Muslims, this is yet to be refuted by the Scholars in their own country.
Muslim did not dare, just like Christians, Hindus or Jews questioning their traditions, to question the validity of Hadith (oral tradition like Talmud in Jewish tradition) was an apostasy and one could have been killed a decade ago. Thanks to the internet, knowledge is within the grasp of common man and they are questioning everything without fear of persecution. In the democratic societies it is happening in workshops, seminars etc. Thanks God, we have just begun the process.

In the next issue, we will pitch the actual Sharia Laws against the Verses of Qur’aan presented in the workshop by Hasan Mahmud.

Mike Ghouse is a Muslim thinker, speaker and a writer. He is president of the Foundation for Pluralism and is a frequent guest on talk radio, discussing interfaith issues. He has appeared on the local affiliates of CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS and FOX . He founded the World Muslim Congress on the belief that if we can learn to accept and respect the God-given uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, conflicts will fade and solutions emerge. His email is MikeGhouse@gmail.com. © Copyright 2007 by Mike Ghouse

You can post your comments at:

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/01/sharia-its-origins-legitimacy-and.html


Jeff,

If there were to be a change, it has to begin some where, thanks God, it has begun now. We are a small part of that change that is going on around the Globe. We hope to reach out and ask people to evaluate the legitimacy of some of the laws that are not just - and are in contradiction with its own source. We have to be a catalyst for the change. Change cannot be regulated or imposed, it has to become a part of the acceptor to sustain.


Just this last month, Pakistan was looking to scrap some of the Hudood (limits) laws that were introduced some 30 years ago due to the pressure from the fundamentalists.

Last year in India, the women formed their own law board challenging the domain of men for 14 centuries. It has diluted the arrogance of men.

Women Led prayers happened last year for the first time in history since the time of Prophet (twice during his time).
Muslim did not dare, just like Christians or Jews questioning their traditions, to question the validity of Hadith (oral tradition like Talmud in Jewish tradition). Now they are doing it without fear of persecution. Of course it is happening in the democratic societies openly and the theocratic societies through Internet.

Reform has taken root, it has to be nurtured now

Mike Ghouse

www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
www.FoundationforPluralism.com

Sola Scriptura?
Posted by Jeff Weiss at: http://religion.beloblog.com/archives/2007/01/sola_scriptura.html

I attended an interesting event last night in Addison. Hosted by Mike Ghouse, who runs the ambitiously named
Foundation for Pluralism and even more ambitiously named World Muslim Congress. About 50 people heard a head-on challenge to the authenticity of Muslim Sharia law given by Hasan Mahmoud, a Canadian Muslim human rights activist. Imagine a Jewish speaker dissing the Talmud or a Christian rejecting all Christian theology after, say, the Council of Nicea.

More after the jump.

Mahmoud’s claim is that the elaborate system of Muslim jurisprudence sometimes contradicts the instructions of the Quran. Divorce laws, punishment for apostasy, punishments for adultery – he contrasted verses from the Quran with translations from longstanding Muslim legal authorities.

His claim is that Islam got hijacked – my word, not his – not long after the death of Muhammad. With the dawn of Muslim kingdoms, the rulers took a hand in shaping Islamic law for their own purposes, Mahmoud said.
And yet, he had to admit that there exists more than 1,000 of tradition and widespread general acceptance, if not support, for the laws as they are now understood. And that it’s not possible to go back and tweeze out the “true” laws from those he says were a response to royal pressure. Other than to go back to the not-so-plain text of the Quran itself.

Go back to the book? Sounds like a Reformation, to me. Does it have any popular support among the billion-plus Muslims in the world? Not so that you’d notice.

But as all such activists point out, all movements started small. And as most activists will not point out: Most stay small.


Stay tuned.

In a message dated 1/8/2007 4:52:33 P.M. Central Standard Time, JWeiss@dallasnews.com writes:
thanks! I blogged a bit about the meeting. IF you go todallasnews.com/religion, there's a link to the blog on that page. I dunnowhat more I might do. At the very least, I'll keep it in mind for futurestories.



http://religion.beloblog.com/archives/2007/01/sola_scriptura.html

Dear Friends,

The Sharia laws i.e., the laws that govern the life of a Muslim from birth to death and every moment in between are claimed to be inspired by the Qur'aan and over the centuries, mind you not from the beginning, they have become attached to Islam. A few actually think Sharia is God's law. It is not.

Some of the guidance from Qur'aan has been crystallized into Sharia laws, most of them are complementary to the civil laws as it is in the USA, Canada and elsewhere in democracies. Some are not.

The issue is with a few laws that deal with Marriage, divorce, apostasy, adultery, stealing and challenging the law itself. These laws that are in question, if applied to the letter; they contravene the concept of Justice in Islam. There are recent examples of applying those laws in some of the countries that claim to be Islamic and were un-just. A few names that pop in my mind are: Abdul Rahman in Afghanistan, Ahmadiyyas in Pakistan, Fatwa by Saudi clerics to call Shia's non-Muslims and now Nazanin Fatehi in Iran.

In the United States we have sent wrong people to the gallows, and we do have bribery, adultery, crime and injustice by the politicians, clergy and the common people. Our men beat over 3000 women a year to death in the rage, and we have child abuse and rape every day. However, we take the precaution, and make near certain before we execute any one to be as right as possible. There is defense to at least argue the case without fear. Justice prevails most of the times. As a few Evangelists (men) desire to have their way in the governance of our nation, the few Sharia (men) may dream for such a possibility.

The Muslims living in America , Canada and other democracies have lived without the Sharia Law, as the laws of the land are adequate to run the society with justice. Besides, Most Muslims living in America or Canada have understood that it is not the divine law.

Following was a part of the talk by Hasan Mahmoud at the Sharia Talk event on Sunday, January 7th , 2007 in Dallas . Most people brought their copy of the Qur'aan to reference the Sharia laws that contradict with Qur'aan. They actually read the translations, there were at least 20 copies of Qur'aan out there among some 60 people who attended the event.

At the World Muslim Congress, we believe in presenting all sides of the issue, as we believe Islam is a range of values for humans to be guided. Insha Allah, we will be holding one more conference in the coming months, those who honestly believe that Sharia Laws are divine and must be followed are invited to join and share their facts and be a part of the presentation. Only God's word is final, all else is debatable.

As Hasan Mahmoud so eloquently said, I have questions and "I have verses in Qur'aan that go against Sharia Law" and if you believe otherwise, let's talk. It is time we base our conversations on facts and not hearsay. I urge Muslims to discourage any gossip based on ill-information.

Every Muslim in Dallas had the chance to sit down and see it for themselves, the message was sent repeatedly. Talking behind the back is not the right thing to do, and I would urge Muslims to simply discourage it.

Mike Ghouse
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARIA, ITS ORIGINS, LEGITIMACY, APPLICABILITY and FUTURE.
Bring your own copy of Qur’aan for cross reference.


Dallas, Texas :- December 20, 2006. The World Muslim Congress and the Foundation for Pluralism present an interactive seminar on Sharia – the laws that regulate the life of a Muslim.

What: Learn about Sharia, it’s origins, legitimacy and it’s applicability
When: Sunday, January 7, 2006 – 4:30 to 7:00 PM
Where: Hotel Crowne Plaza , 14315 Midway Road, Addison, TX75001
Directions: From LBJ/635 take Midway road going North, after crossing Spring Valley Road
Who: Americans of all faiths, races and ethnicities
Refreshments : Provided prior to and after the event
Admission: Complimentary to all attendees – Please note, seating is limited.
RSVP: Please write “Sharia” in the subject line and send an email to: confirmattendance@gmail.com
Call: Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916

The word Sharia may evoke fear in some and curiosity in others. Some assume that the Islamic laws are applied to behead innocent Jews, Christians or others.

The oppression of Muslim women, fatwa’s, Hijab/ Burka, punishment for apostasy and other draconian laws appear to stem from the Sharia Laws. Just as nuclear technology is used for peaceful purposes as well as destruction, the Sharia Laws can be used to constrict one’s life or offer a path of salvation to the follower.

Experts in Sharia will share with you how an element of abuse has developed in countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nigeria and what is being done to rectify the abuse. You will learn about its origins, political manipulations, abuse, reforms, applicability and its legitimacy.

The world Muslim Congress is committed to being a contributor to creating a better world and the Foundation for Pluralism passionately pursues the ideas of opening people’s hearts and minds towards each other.

Send your questions to info@foundationforpluralism.com or come prepared to ask the questions. We ask you to bring a copy of the Qur’aan if you possess one.

“I believe knowledge leads to understanding, and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of another point of view and if we can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.”

Mike Ghouse, President

Foundation for Pluralism – http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/ and
World Muslim Congress – http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/

12 comments:

  1. January 03, 2007
    Posted at Dallas News Religion blog.

    Sharia explained
    Mike Ghouse, a longtime Religion reader and president of the Foundation for Pluralism, wants everyone to know about free presentation from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hotel Crowne Plaza, 14315 Midway in Addison.

    The title: "Sharia, Its Origins, Legitimacy and Future."

    It will deal with the body of Islamic law based on the Quran, Muslim writings and centuries of debate, interpretation and precedent. Attendees are invited to bring along a Quran for reference.

    "The word Sharia," Ghouse writes, "may evoke fear in some and curiosity in others. Some assume that the Islamic laws are applied to behead innocent Jews, Christians or others. It's time to clarify certain issues."

    The laws are sometiems cited to justify the oppression of Muslim women, severe punishment for apostasy and other draconian practices. But, he writes, "Just as nuclear technology is used for peaceful purposes as well as destruction, the Sharia Laws can be used to constrict one's life or offer a path of salvation to the follower."

    Experts in Sharia will discuss how "an element of abuse has developed" in the interpretation of Sharia in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nigeria, "and what is being done to rectify the abuse. ... You will learn about [Sharia's] origins, political manipulations, abuse, reforms, applicability and its legitimacy."

    Seating is limited. RSVP at confirmattendance@gmail.com

    Posted by Bruce Tomaso at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Posted at Religion Blog of Dallas news

    January 03, 2007
    Sharia explained

    Mike Ghouse, a longtime Religion reader and president of the Foundation for Pluralism, wants everyone to know about free presentation from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hotel Crowne Plaza, 14315 Midway in Addison.

    The title: "Sharia, Its Origins, Legitimacy and Future."

    It will deal with the body of Islamic law based on the Quran, Muslim writings and centuries of debate, interpretation and precedent. Attendees are invited to bring along a Quran for reference.

    "The word Sharia," Ghouse writes, "may evoke fear in some and curiosity in others. Some assume that the Islamic laws are applied to behead innocent Jews, Christians or others. It's time to clarify certain issues."

    The laws are sometiems cited to justify the oppression of Muslim women, severe punishment for apostasy and other draconian practices. But, he writes, "Just as nuclear technology is used for peaceful purposes as well as destruction, the Sharia Laws can be used to constrict one's life or offer a path of salvation to the follower."

    Experts in Sharia will discuss how "an element of abuse has developed" in the interpretation of Sharia in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nigeria, "and what is being done to rectify the abuse. ... You will learn about [Sharia's] origins, political manipulations, abuse, reforms, applicability and its legitimacy."

    Seating is limited. RSVP at confirmattendance@gmail.com



    Posted by Bruce Tomaso at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Comments posted for Mary Lou:

    Blog on Sharia

    How refreshing to attend a seminar on Sharia law and learn that these laws are antiquated and grossly unfair.

    Just as Christianity underwent a major house cleaning in the mid l800’s with the emergence of New Thought Christianity, Islam is likewise undergoing a major house cleaning, challenging the continued existence of laws that are unjust and pernicious.

    And how excellent that Muslims are willing to openly challenge injustice within their own ranks. Many thanks to Mike Ghouse and the World Muslim Congress.

    Rev. Marylou Ghyst
    Unity Church of Sachse
    unityland@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. From: "Inayat Lalani"
    Date: Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:23 am
    Subject: Re: MuslimAgenda :: Sharia law Challenged

    Once several years ago, a few friends had gathered around the dinner table when one of the men present asserted that the Sharia is superior to and should some day supplant the American code (which is derived from the Roman, Napoleonic and Anglo-Saxon codes) of justice and that we, Muslims, are obligated to strive toward that goal.

    I asked a question to all those present: "Is it possible for one to get justice in American courts?" The answer was unanimously 'yes, it was possible'. I then asked if it was possible for justice to be miscarried in a Sharia court and the answer again was a unanimous 'yes'. I then proposed that that settles the argument. Some dissenting opinions were voiced stating that in both cases, individuals were responsible for carrriage or miscarriage of justice and you cannot blame the Sharia for it. My conclusion that, after all, it was people who administered justice rather then any particular code was not, apparently, assailable.

    Many articles of the Sharia (but not all of it) are anachronistic, regressive and - some- completely outrageous. Since we all agree, it seems, that the entire code was written over a period of centuries, long after passing away of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), I propose that we chastise those who would not tolerate any challenge to the codex, calling it 'the Divine Legislation' and re-examine the whole system of Islamic jurisprudence article by article, retaining what is good and sensible (and comports with the guidelines of the Holy Quran) but emphatically trashing the bad. That has to be the first step in our march back to the primacy we once enjoyed as a civilization until about a millenneum ago.

    Inayat Lalani

    ReplyDelete
  5. One of the comments I received (name witheld) was that if Sharia Law were to be abandoned, are we going to be stripped bare with no Laws?

    No Ma'm - In the US and Canada, we do not run our lives by Sharia laws. We have civil laws that take care of Justice as you would read in Dr. Lalani's notes below. The Sharia laws in case of divorce are "male" made rather than Justice and equity that Allah guides us in Qur'aan. In case of rape, the witnesses required assumes that Men have integrity and women don't.

    Nazanin Fatehi needs justice not Sharia ruling, the Saudi Clerics need to apologize for their Fatwa declaring Shia's as non-Muslim. The lady in Nigeria, Rahman in Afghanistan needs Justice of Qur'aan and not Sharia. The marriage of the couple need not be annulled in case where the father in law abused the daughter in law. Calling divorce three times is outrageous and goes against the guidance from Qur'aan... There is a whole lot of Sharia laws that have no bearing or connection with today's society. Dr. Lalani's notes and Dr. Jamil's notes are a good basis to take it further.

    ReplyDelete
  6. From: Shaikh Arif <>
    Date: Tue Jan 9, 2007 3:52 pm
    Subject: Re: MuslimAgenda :: Re: Sharia law Challenged: be cautious Send Message
    Edit Membership
    Ban Author

    AssalamAlaikum Brothers and Sisters in Islam

    Of all threads posted so far, thread posted by brother Doctor Javed Jamil should hold value. With due respect to the forum, value should be accorded to the inference made either by a just Mufti or a just Alim. To opine on religious intricacies, one needs to be a person of repute both on the Deeni Side and the material world. Then only somebody can synchronize the actual requirement by God. Otherwise there would always be a conflict of opinion.

    I hope that this helps.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ASSALAMALAIKUM DEAR MIKE/ALL:

    THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS/TIME TO ORGANIZE THE MEETING.

    THANKS FOR THE WELL THOUGHT SUGGESTIONS FROM DR. JAMIL. WE AGREE WITH MOST
    HIS OF SUGGESTIONS.

    THESE ARE SOME OF OUR SUGGESTIONS RE: THE MEETING ON SHARIA AND 'FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION':

    1. WE HEARD ONE SIDE OF THE ISSUES FROM THE GUEST SPEAKER. WE WERE VERY
    KEEN TO HEAR IMAM ZIA (OR ANY OTHER SCHOLAR) GIVING US 'THE OTHER
    SIDE' OF ISSUES.

    1. OUR (MUSLIM) FAMILY ISSUES HAVE TO BE 'DISCUSSED, ANALYZED, CRITICIZED, REFORMED
    (IF NEEDED) ONLY BY (MUSLIM) FAMILY MEMBERS. "ALL SIDES" OF ISSUES SHOULD BE
    SCHOLARLY HANDLED THROUGH OUR (MUSLIM) EXISTING NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL
    INSTITUTIONS.

    2. THE SHARIAH HAS ITS SOURCES FROM HOLY QURAN, SUNNAH, CONSENSUS OF SAHABA AND INDEPENDENT REASONING. RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL, SCIENTIFIC, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, INTERNATIONAL AND SO FORTH...ISSUES INCLUDING 'HALAL' AND 'HARAM' ARE COVERED IN SHARIAH.
    THE SUPREME AUTHORITY DEFINITELY IS THE HOLY QURAN.
    WE ARE SURE SEVERAL SCHOLARS HAVE PONDERED ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND THE CAUTIOUS
    HANDLING OF ANY REFORM/CHANGE. RESPECTING THE SENTIMENTS OF ALL CONCERNED
    IS VITAL. DR. JAMIL'S APPROACH SEEMS SO MATURE AND WISE. SHARIAH HAS BEEN MUSLIM IDENTITY FOR CENTURIES AND INSHALLAH WILL CONTINUE WITH ANY NEEDED REFORM
    TO BE MORE INTUNE WITH QURAN/HADITH AND TO PROVIDE FOR CURRENT SITUATIONS.

    MAY ALLAH (SWT) GUIDE US TO HIS PATH AND HELP ALL TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. AMEEN.

    MAY ALLAH (SWT) BLESS AMERICA AND OTHERS TOO. AMEEN.

    WASSALAM

    RAFI AND SHAHNAZ FARUKHI

    ReplyDelete
  8. Re: MuslimAgenda :: Re: Sharia law Challenged: be cautious

    Dear Mike,

    Though it is right that shariah, the way it is understood and applied, has deviated from the original spirit of the Quran in certain aspects as well as in the overall direction and emphasis, it is not right to straightaway call for abandoning the Shariah. Shariah is based on the interoperation of the Quran and Sunnah by the experts belonging to different periods and it has evolved over a period of time. It may have weaknesses owing to erroneous interpretations of the Quran and the influence of the prevailing trends. However, to call for total rejection of Shariah is neither wise nor practical. We cannot do that unless we have an alternative system available to replace it, and to create that alternative system requires the participation of the representatives of all sects of Islam. These representatives should be such as enjoy the support of the Muslim masses in general. Furthermore, the aims and objectives of such an exercise must be clearly understood, defined and spelled. Unfortunately, the call for the change of Shariah often comes from certain quarters that have only a few specific issues in mind. Mostly, such calls come from those who are somehow knowingly or unknowingly influenced by the Western notions of life. To develop an alternative model of sharaih, the following principles are a prerequisite:

    The new model must have the ability to challenge the current system prevailing at the international level, which has a stamp of economic fundamentalism all over it.

    If it fails to counter the designs of the market forces, it will be only a deviant of Islam and not Islam itself; it should influence the direction of the world rather than getting influenced by the direction of the world;

    It should be able to preserve Islam as an institution among Muslims, but should also be able to present Islam as a system for the whole world;

    It should not in any way disregard the over all objectives of Islam;
    It should not in any way try to distort the clear directives of Islam in order to appease certain quarters;

    Its draft should be prepared with close cooperation of the clerics, experts in different scientific and social fields and representatives of various segments of society including women.

    First, the Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Fundamental Prohibitions prescribed by the Quran must be clearly defined, and then the rules and regulations must be agreed upon;

    While the Quran must hold its supremacy in all the matters, Sunnah and Hadith cannot be ignored altogether. The authenticity of different hadiths should be judged in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Quranic verses. Where there is any dispute or apparent inconsistency between the two, the Quranic directive must prevail;

    The opinion of the jurists of different masalik must neither be given an undue importance nor ignored altogether. They must be respected but not eulogized;
    An extraordinary care has to be taken in revising the laws related to women.

    Men and women must respect each other’s rights and must know that there is no room for either male chauvinism or feminism in Islam. Their rights and duties must be determined in accordance with the needs of a strong family system and security of women and children rather than the demands of the market forces.
    With regards
    Dr Javed Jamil
    Executive Chairman
    International Centre for Applied Islamics
    Saharanpur

    ReplyDelete
  9. No Ma'm - In the US and Canada, we do not run our lives by Sharia laws. We have civil laws that take care of Justice as you would read in Dr. Lalani's notes below. The Sharia laws in case of divorce are "male" made rather than Justice and equity that Allah guides us in Qur'aan. In case of rape, the witnesses required assumes that Men have integrity and women don't.

    Nazanin Fatehi needs justice not Sharia ruling, the Saudi Clerics need to apologize for their Fatwa declaring Shia's as non-Muslim. The lady in Nigeria, Rahman in Afghanistan needs Justice of Qur'aan and not Sharia. The marriage of the couple need not be annulled in case where the father in law abused the daughter in law. Calling divorce three times is outrageous and goes against the guidance from Qur'aan... There is a whole lot of Sharia laws that have no bearing or connection with today's society. Dr. Lalani's notes and Dr. Jamil's notes are a good basis to take it further.

    ReplyDelete
  10. After having attended the recent seminar on Sharia, addressed by the learned scholar of Islamic jurisprudence from Canada, Mr.Hassan Mahmood, I had the following to say on the subject discussed.

    1 When the learned scholar himself asserts that there has been lot of confusion and contradictions created during the last 1300 plus years by various "religious" leaders, isn't it now the time (even though very late), for the scholars like Mr.Hassan, to co operate and coordinate with such high caliber scholars of Islamic jurisprudence, to update the Sharia and bring it in line with the exigencies of the present time, ofcourse without altering the spirit and intent of the faith.

    2 I respectfully differ with the contention of the respected scholar Mr.Hassan Mahmood, that the Ummah has to look to the religious leaders to take the lead in showing us the path of the necessary changes to be brought about in the present prevailing and understood laws of Sharia. I fail to understand how can we rely on the very faction of people, ( "religious" leaders) who have all along in the history of Islam, created and compounded the confusion as very well illustrated by the scholar himself during his delivery.

    Badar Kabani

    ReplyDelete
  11. After having attended the recent seminar on Sharia, addressed by the learned scholar of Islamic jurisprudence from Canada, Mr.Hassan Mahmood, I had the following to say on the subject discussed.

    1 When the learned scholar himself asserts that there has been lot of confusion and contradictions created during the last 1300 plus years by various "religious" leaders, isn't it now the time (even though very late), for the scholars like Mr.Hassan, to co operate and coordinate with such high caliber scholars of Islamic jurisprudence, to update the Sharia and bring it in line with the exigencies of the present time, ofcourse without altering the spirit and intent of the faith.

    2 I respectfully differ with the contention of the respected scholar Mr.Hassan Mahmood, that the Ummah has to look to the religious leaders to take the lead in showing us the path of the necessary changes to be brought about in the present prevailing and understood laws of Sharia. I fail to understand how can we rely on the very faction of people, ( "religious" leaders) who have all along in the history of Islam, created and compounded the confusion as very well illustrated by the scholar himself during his delivery.

    Badar Kabani

    ReplyDelete
  12. After having attended the recent seminar on Sharia, addressed by the learned scholar of Islamic jurisprudence from Canada, Mr.Hassan Mahmood, I had the following to say on the subject discussed.

    1 When the learned scholar himself asserts that there has been lot of confusion and contradictions created during the last 1300 plus years by various "religious" leaders, isn't it now the time (even though very late), for the scholars like Mr.Hassan, to co operate and coordinate with such high caliber scholars of Islamic jurisprudence, to update the Sharia and bring it in line with the exigencies of the present time, ofcourse without altering the spirit and intent of the faith.

    2 I respectfully differ with the contention of the respected scholar Mr.Hassan Mahmood, that the Ummah has to look to the religious leaders to take the lead in showing us the path of the necessary changes to be brought about in the present prevailing and understood laws of Sharia. I fail to understand how can we rely on the very faction of people, ( "religious" leaders) who have all along in the history of Islam, created and compounded the confusion as very well illustrated by the scholar himself during his delivery.

    Badar Kabani

    ReplyDelete

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PLANNED MUSLIMS RESPONSE TO QUR'AN BURNING BY PASTOR JONES ON 9/11/13 IN MULBERRY, FLORIDA

We as Muslims plan to respond to pastor Terry Jones' planned burning of 3000 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013 in positive terms.

Our response - we will reclaim the standard of behavior practiced by the Prophet concerning “scurrilous and hostile criticism of the Qur’an” (Muhammad Asad Translation Note 31, verse 41:34). It was "To overcome evil with good is good, and to resist evil by evil is evil." It is also strongly enjoined in the Qur’an in the same verse 41:34, “Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend.”

God willing Muslims will follow the divine guidance and pray for the restoration of Goodwill, and on that day many Muslim organizations will go on a “blood drive” to save lives and serve humanity with kindness.

We invite fellow Americans of all faiths, races, and ethnicities to join us to rededicate the pledge, “One nation under God”, and to build a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of fellow Americans. This event is a substitute for our 10th Annual Unity Day Celebration (www.UnitydayUSA.com) held in Dallas, but now it will be at Mulberry, Florida.

Unwittingly Pastor Jones has done us a favor by invigorating us by his decision to burn nearly 3000 copies Quran on September 11, 2013. Obviously he is not satisfied by the notoriety he garnered by burning one Qur'an last year.

As Muslims and citizens we honor the free speech guaranteed in our constitution. We have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose Pastor Terry Jones' freedom of expression. Instead, we will be donating blood and praying for goodness to permeate in our society.

We plan to follow Jesus Christ (pbuh), a revered prophet in Islam as well as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – that of mitigating the conflicts and nurturing good will for the common good of the society.

We hope, this event and the message will remind Muslims elsewhere in the world as well, that violence is not the way. Muslims, who react violently to senseless provocation, should realize that, violence causes more violence, and besmirches the name of the religion that we hold so dear. We believe that Prophet Muhammad was a mercy to the mankind, and we ought to practice what we believe and preach. We must not insult Islam by the negative reactions of a few.

We can only hope it will bring about a change in the attitude of the followers of Pastor Jones, and in the behavior of those Muslims who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety – We hope this small step towards a bridge to peaceful coexistence would propel us towards building a cohesive society.

Like most Americans a majority of Muslims quietly go about their own business, but it is time to speak up and take positive action instead of negative reaction. May this message of peace and goodwill reverberate and reach many shores.

Lastly, we appreciate the Citizens of Mulberry, Florida, Honorable Mayor George Hatch, City Commissioners, police and Fire Chiefs for handing this situation very well. This will add a ‘feather of peace’ in the City’s reputation. We hope Mulberry will be a catalyst in showing the way in handling conflict with dignity and peace.

We thank the Media for giving value to the work towards peace rather than conflict.






URL- http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html



Thank you.

CIVIL DIALOGUE

The people in Dallas are making an effort to understand and clean their own hearts first, when we are free from bias, it would be easy to share that with others. Islam teaches us in so many ways to "respect the otherness of others" and it is time we find simple practical ways of doing it.