16.11.2012 Views

A critical analysis of the Modernists and the Hadeeth ... - Islam House

A critical analysis of the Modernists and the Hadeeth ... - Islam House

A critical analysis of the Modernists and the Hadeeth ... - Islam House

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

media, likes to hear. They persist in this<br />

even if it alienates Muslims <strong>and</strong> reinforces<br />

biased stereotypes about <strong>Islam</strong>. In <strong>the</strong><br />

name <strong>of</strong> 'progressive thinking', <strong>the</strong>y<br />

organize campaigns against <strong>the</strong> head-<br />

covering for women, for women to pray in<br />

mosques alongside men, for <strong>the</strong> acceptance <strong>of</strong><br />

lewdness, <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r similar issues. They seek to<br />

misinterpret <strong>Islam</strong>ic texts in light <strong>of</strong> rational thought, modern values<br />

<strong>and</strong> even feelings <strong>and</strong> desires for, <strong>the</strong>y consider <strong>the</strong> rational (Aql) <strong>and</strong><br />

desires decisive over <strong>the</strong> revealed texts (Naql).<br />

Ano<strong>the</strong>r group that is an equally staunch patron <strong>of</strong> free-<br />

thinking <strong>and</strong> modernist interpretations is that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> so-called<br />

'<strong>Islam</strong>ic-thinkers' <strong>and</strong> activists. Their primary goal is political power<br />

<strong>and</strong> thus, <strong>the</strong>ir novel interpretations are aimed at supporting <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

revolutionary goals <strong>and</strong> undermining genuine priorities <strong>of</strong> <strong>Islam</strong>ic<br />

Dawah that <strong>the</strong>y see as a hurdle or a distraction from <strong>the</strong>ir primary<br />

goal.<br />

Politically, <strong>the</strong> two modernist groups are poles apart. The<br />

'progressive thinkers' are extreme secularist while <strong>the</strong> '<strong>Islam</strong>ic-<br />

thinkers' are ardent callers to <strong>the</strong> Khilafah - however distorted <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

views may be about it. But <strong>the</strong> two are similar in making Aql decisive<br />

over Naql, in <strong>the</strong>ir apathy towards <strong>Hadeeth</strong>, in <strong>the</strong>ir emphasis on<br />

modernistic interpretations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Qur'aan, <strong>and</strong> in <strong>the</strong>ir unjustified<br />

toughening or lightening <strong>of</strong> <strong>Islam</strong>ic regulations for <strong>the</strong> achievement<br />

<strong>of</strong> political/organizational goals.<br />

The vocal participation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se media-savvy modernist<br />

groups in speaking about <strong>Islam</strong> <strong>and</strong> affairs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Muslims has<br />

resulted in <strong>the</strong> spread <strong>of</strong> a lot <strong>of</strong> confusion <strong>and</strong> misinformation. In this<br />

book, Insha'Allah, we shall <strong>critical</strong>ly analyze <strong>the</strong> <strong>Modernists</strong>,<br />

- 04 -

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!