In trying to combat Islamic radicalism, liberals and conservatives often turn to secular Muslims and even atheists who have abandoned Islam. These Muslims-in-name-only try to portray themselves as leaders of reform in the Islamic world. As a matter of fact these secular Muslims--like Hirsi Ali and Irshad Manji--have no real Muslim constituency. Indeed their biggest following appears to be among people who dislike religion in general and Islam in particular. Anybody who expects that Muslims will change their religious understanding in response to the demands of atheists and apostates is obviously not living in the real world.
But there are people with impeccable Muslim credentials who are trying to bring about change within Islam. Fortunately the Washington Post featured two of them in its "On Faith" series, giving us a chance to read what they actually say. One of them is Ali Gomaa, the grand mufti of Egypt. Gomaa is the second highest ranking cleric in the Arab world, and he is known as the "show me" sheikh. When jihadists come to him claiming Koranic authority for attacks on civilians or fellow Muslims, Gomaa simply asks them to show him where the Koran gives them their justification. Usually they cannot, and if they try, they are typically overwhelmed with Gomaa's superior knowledge and learning.
A second reformer is Tariq Ramadan, who ironically was denied entry into the United States on the grounds that he once made a contribution to a charitable group affiliated with Hamas. Ramadan is also suspect to many neoconservatives because he is the grandson of the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood. Read Ramadan's works, however, and you see that he is a trenchant critic of radical interpretations of jihad and sharia. He has also called on European Muslims to eschew violent groups and to become full and participating members of their society.
Want to read Gomaa and Ramadan on the meaning of jihad? On religious freedom in Islam? On the role of Muslim women? You can get an introduction to Gomaa's views here and to Ramadan's views here. We are not going to agree with these fellows on everything--Robert Spencer once complained that Gomaa has very intolerant views on sculpture, which you should keep in mind if you hire him to give art lessons to your children--but they are the ones who will reform Islam, if reform ever comes.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 2)
16. This site needs to allow HTML tags - it's pretty lame without it. Also, none of my URL's appeared, so here they are:
http://www.danielpipes.org/article/2043
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Egypt/10141696.html
Within the limit of 2 - hope this works
Infidel Pride at 3:26AM on Jul 28th 2007
17. I want to enligthen readers about the use of word "moderation in islam". The truth is that prophet Muhammad PBUH brought us the message of Allah with its rules and regulations about this life and the life hereafter and such rules will last unchanged and unaltered till this world comes to its end i.e. the day of judgement. Islamic laws are not to be altered or medernized by any one except Allah (God). Only in non basic rules can a Mujtahid give directions about the application of certain rules in certain situations. And no Mujtahid has ever given any directive to Muslims to commit suicide bombing acts or enforce his or her own version of Islam with the barrel of a gun like the Lal Masjid clericks and Taliban were doing.
Let us not confuse the religion of Islam and the practice of Ijtehad with the terrorist acts of a few misguided Mullahs or Taliban.
twa matters of Vested interest like the Taliban, Kingdom of Saui Arabia and Lal Masjid clericks interepret the religion because they are mislead and want to abuse the name of Islam. Readers would notice that IYou
syed irshad raza at 6:54AM on Jul 28th 2007
18. Thank you Infidel Pride.
So Dr. Gomaa the moderate thinks apostates should be killed.
Taken with all the others that should be killed, the denial of human rights and dignity to women and non Muslims, this religion is really toxic. Sure the Bible has the same kind of revolting ideas in it, but at least the Christians have rationalized it away as "historical" and not applicable now.
I have no idea how any Muslim can say with a straight face that it is a peaceful religion. Only if everyone submits to Islmaic tryanny, gives up democracy, freedom of speech, equality, religion, thought, and human dignity, would it be peaceful.
cdnbirch at 2:10PM on Jul 28th 2007
19. Islam ... the religion of peace? So, why are Muslims fighting in every damn war on the planet?
Islam ... the gutter religion of suicide bombers, Burkas and beards.
Thomas J Gassett at 6:16PM on Jul 28th 2007
20. Thomas J Gassett for your remarks 'Islam ... the religion of peace? So, why are Muslims fighting in every damn war on the planet?
Answer: Because of nasty people like you who promote warfare and drag others into it-just read history and you will find your Damn answer.
Islam ... the gutter religion of suicide bombers, Burkas and beards.
Answer-How about the likes of people like you in the sink, floating in the dirt.
Take it easy and do not be naive and nasty. Check your principles of faith and then blair out at others !!!.
Farooq Khan
New Jersey
Mr. Farooq Khan at 12:06AM on Jul 29th 2007
21. http://www.news.faithfreedom.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1167
Mein Kampf:104 "The invention of democracy is a crying shame.... A majority can never replace the Man." Mein Kampf:106 "The one true leader, provided by Fate, is to be placed in that position."
Qur'an 4:65 "They can have no Faith, until they make you (Muhammad) judge in all disputes, and find in their souls no resistance against Your decisions, accepting them with complete submission."
Mein Kampf:1 "The distress of the nation gives us the moral right to acquire foreign soil and territory. The sword is then the plow. From the tears of war there grows the daily bread for generations to come."
Qur'an 13:41 "Do they not see Us advancing from all sides into the land (of the disbelievers), reducing its borders (by giving it to believers in war victories)
Mein Kampf:51 "I knew that I must rid the world of her."(speaking of all other polital sysytems, which he saw as being one)
Qur'an 8:39 "Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah."
Mein Kampf:56 "They will not recognize the outrageous curtailment of their human liberties, for in no way does the delusion of an intolerant doctrine dawn on them.
Qur'an 33:36 "It is not fitting for a Muslim man or woman to have any choice in their affairs when a matter has been decided for them by Allah and His Messenger. They have no option."
Mein Kampf:56 They see force, brutality, and the aim of the doctrine to which they finally and always submit."
Qur'an 9:29 "Fight those who do not believe until they all surrender, paying the protective tax in submission."
"Mein Kampf:56 "The technical tools of Social Democracy became clear to me. I understood the infamous mental terror which this movement exercised on the population which could neither morally nor physically resist such attacks. There was a bombardment of lies and calumnies toward the adversary who seemed most dangerous, till finally the nerves of those who had been attacked gave out and they, for the sake of peace, bowed down to the hated enemy. But these fools will not find peace after all."
Ishaq:461 "Muhammad besieged them for twenty-five nights. When the siege became too severe for them, Allah terrorized them. Then they were told to submit to the judgment of Allah's Messenger."
Bukhari :V5B59N448 "They surrendered to the Prophet. 'I give my judgment that their men should be killed, their women and children should be taken as captives, and their properties distributed."'
Mein Kampf:58 "The importance of physical terror against the individual and the masses also became clear to me."
Bukhari:V4B52N220 "Allah's Apostle said, I have been made victorious with terror."
Mein Kampf:58 "In the ranks of their adherents the victory gained is looked upon as the triumph of the righteousness of the cause. While the beaten adversary despairs entirely, viewing all further resistance futile."
Qur'an 33:22 "When the faithful saw the retreating allied armies this enhanced their faith and obedience...Allah drove the infidels back in their fury so that their resistance was futile."
Mein Kampf:60 "The battle against them has to be fought with weapons to have any hope of success.... The struggle for the abolition of evil will be decided in favor of the stronger force."
Qur'an 8:59 "The infidels should not think that they can get away from us. Prepare against them whatever arms and weaponry you can muster so that you may terrorize them. They are your enemy and Allah's enemy."
Mein Kampf:63 "In politics, the application of economic means of pressure permits extortion so long as the doctrine is reckless and the people are stupid and sheepish."
Qur'an 8:65 "O Prophet, urge the Believers to fight. If there are twenty among you with determination they will vanquish two hundred. If a hundred, they will slaughter a thousand infidels: for these are a people devoid of understanding."
Mein Kampf:64 "So great was the fear that people dreaded war. So the doctrine can ratchet up demands higher and higher. It's a devilish attempt to weaken or even paralyze the victim's holiest claims. Considering the limited thinking power of the masses, the success of this strategy is not surprising"
Ishaq:470 "We attacked them fully armed, sharp swords in our hand, cutting through heads and skulls."
Ishaq:471 "We were steadfast trusting in Him. We have a Prophet by whom we will conquer all men."
Mein Kampf:123 "But once it is in danger of being oppressed, it is justified in fighting with all available weapons.... For any man who is not willing to fight, righteous Providence has already decreed his doom. The world is not intended for the cowardly."
Qur'an 2:191 "Oppression is worse than killing."
Qur'an 8:15 "Believers, when you meet unbelieving infidels in battle while you are marching for war, never turn your backs on them. If any turns his back on such a day, unless it be in a stratagem of war, a maneuver to rally his side, he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell, an evil refuge!"
Mein Kampf:135 "The mission of a successful movement is to gain leaders and fighters. It must embrace its destiny with force, defiance, and martyrdom. It must fight, not negotiate."
Qur'an 9:88 "The Messenger and those who believe with him, strive hard and fight with their wealth and lives in Allah's Cause."
Qur'an 9:5 "Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war."
Mein Kampf:127 "With religious conviction...the bearers of the new doctrine must declare themselves ready and willing to fight."
Qur'an 8:65 "O Prophet, urge the faithful to fight."
Mein Kampf:128 "The will to fight using all instruments of power gains favor and draws the greatest possible advantage to the movement." Mein Kampf:132 "Greatness wins new fighters for the cause and they are rewarded with success."
Ishaq :325 "Muslims, fight in Allah's Cause. Stand firm and you will prosper. Help the Prophet, obey him, give him your allegiance, and your religion will be victorious."
About the Jews
Mein Kampf:66 "When I came upon the word 'Jew', I felt a slight dislike and could not ward off a disagreeable sensation which seized me whenever they were in my presence. Their external apperance had become human, but they had a strange religion"
Qur'an 2:64 "But you [Jews] went back on your word and were lost losers. So become apes, despised and hated. We made an example out of you."
Mein Kampf:75 "The physical uncleanliness of the chosen people(Jews) was as repelling as their moral blemishes."
Ishaq:240 "The Jews are a nation of liars.... The Jews are a treacherous, lying, and evil people."
Mein Kampf:76 "Jews are a spiritual pestilence - infected with a disease worse than the Black Plague. They are spiritual and moral poison, the carriers of the worst sort of germs, infecting the minds of the world."
Qur'an 5:44 "They are fond of listening to falsehood, of devouring anything forbidden; they are greedy for illicit gain!"
Qur'an 5:64 " they(Jews) strive to make mischief on the earth."
Mein Kampf:79 "Jews were cursed by Fate. They were hit so hard by Fate they have no understanding.... Their boundless hate for themselves soiled their history and abused their heroes."
Ishaq :264 "The Jews denied what they knew. They were obstinate. So Allah revealed, 'People of the Book, believe in what we have sent down or We will efface your features, turning your face into your ass, cursing you.'"
Mein Kampf:81 "It isn't possible to free a Jew from his convictions. I naively tried to make clear to them the madness of their ideas. I talked until my tongue was weary but it only served to strengthen their determination. They refused to understand.... Their glibness of tongue and skill for lying caused me to hate them."
Ishaq :248 "Allah has sealed their hearts and their hearing, blinding them so that they will never find guidance. And that is because they have declared you a liar and they do not believe in what has come down from their Lord. For opposing you they will have an awful punishment."
Mein Kampf:82 "They(Jews) are seducers who condemned truth and denied the word. They are not to be pitied, but to be given their due - to smash the seducer and corrupter against the wall."
Ishaq :254 "We will not remove a Jew from the punishment. They know the shameful thing that awaits them."
Infidel Pride at 2:23AM on Jul 29th 2007
22. Thomas J Gassett for your remarks 'Islam ... the religion of peace? So, why are Muslims fighting in every damn war on the planet?
Answer: Because of nasty people like you who promote warfare and drag others into it-just read history and you will find your Damn answer.>>>
>>>
Yeah, Muslims are killing people all over the world and just happen to be fighting in every war on the planet because of the USA. Thank you mister Liberal traitor!
Nothing chaps my ass more than liberals that make excuses for murdering Muslim scum ... and for know other reason than they hate Bush and will lie for power.
With friends like liberals ... who needs Al Qeada?
Thomas J Gassett at 4:08PM on Jul 29th 2007
23. Dinesh, I have way more than two. Dr. VE--- OB---, Dr. Jima-- Cu----, Cen--- Oz--, Sel--- Oz--, Hacer O---, Muella O---, Seyda O---, and on and on and on. Of course, least we forget my daughter.
If these Islamophobes, exg. INFIDEL, woul come to Philadelphia I would be more than willing to take him to Mosque, ( Cami ), and introduce him to hundreds upon hundreds of peaceful moderate Muslims.
Sunni, Shi'i and although not mainstream Muslim, Dervish. Infidel, with his abundant knowledge, should realize Dervish are a mystical sect, very beautiful to watch while meditating through dance.
For Infidel, hate is what gives him his sense of self importance. It is ashame he is incredibly misinformed. Hitler, Goering, Mussolini and David Duke and all the Ku Klux Klan, neo-nazi, white supremicists must visit his home with regularity.
Peace, Infidel, you are truly a lost soul. God have mercy on you............
rhodalee at 6:09PM on Aug 19th 2007
24. Wow, its like a broken record in these comments.
Such ignorant, intolerant, racist views. Wish you people would actually name yourselves instead of using one letter names, cowards. Bombing from afar and killing children. You call your soldiers hero's when their guns are robots and their missions come from liars? American-Muslim's need not worry, this is America and we can worship as we please and the truth will prevail. Israel and the US are the most cowardly countries on the planet using big guns against Muslims because they cannot sit down for a discussion.
This is a great article because #1 Irshad Manji IS a Neocon stooge paid by Islam haters to spread her innaccuracies, #2 Muslims turn off the TV when she is on.
Read the Trouble with Irshad Manji http://www.chowk.com/articles/8145
Educate yourselves on what Muslims believe, Im sick of this caveman talk from jerks like Daniel Pipes, he's a notorious Zionist with a long track record of inaccurate claims.
Omar Robbins at 11:43PM on Aug 24th 2007