Republic of virtue, 6/09

How to speak about Islam PDF Print
Posted by admin
Thursday, 25 June 2009 11:34

Of late the debate on who should or should not speak about Islam continues to be an interesting topic especially in Malaysia.

A REPUBLIC OF VIRTUE
Dr. Azly Rahman
http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/

Non-Muslims are also joining the bandwagon in presenting ways on how to speak about Islam. This is a good beginning to a dialogue with the assurance that we speak well of ANY religion.

I suppose, like the topic of "jihad" that became popular on American prime time television since the early 1980s, the question of "Islam and feminism" in Malaysia is gaining popularity as the country continues to move from one phase of liberalization to another.

"Islam" which means "submission to the will of one God" has now become an adjective to linguistically violent words created by those who wish to destroy the essence of the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH); teaching that validated the message of other prophets in Islam - from Adam, Idris, Noh, Hud, Salleh to Musa, Daud, Zakariya, and Isa (peace be upon them).

The struggle for the hearts and minds of Muslims continues in all countries that have evolved in their various unique cultural moulds while Islam as a way of life offers its ideas on human and national development.

Instead of arguing over this one particular aspect of Islamic law or ritual or even philosophical dimension, one needs to go back to the basics and explore the complexity of the faith before joining the bandwagon of public debaters.

For non-Muslims wishing to understand the debate, I do think a course of study on the Holy Quran and the Hadiths (traditions) is necessary to appreciate the gist of any dialogue on Islam.

We must be fair to any religion; to withhold judgment and to explore each of them with an open mind.

The beauty of appreciating how each human being strives to live a good and ethical life, lies in a scholarly pursuit of the ways various people achieve this.

Thus, to understand Hinduism, I began reading translations of the Vedas (Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda) and the Ramayan and the Mahabharatta.

I have used the Bhagavad Gita in my classes on Cultural Perspectives. To understand Buddhism I studied the life story of Siddharta Gautama and read the main idea of his teachings as well as how he arrived at the juncture of breaking away from Hinduism.

And to understand the Judeo-Christian tradition, I read the Jewish and the Christian bibles.

For basic Chinese philosophy, I read the Daodejing (Tao Te Chng) and the Analects of Kung Fu Tze.

Understanding other faiths

Essentially, I would then explore the sacred texts of the religion or cultural philosophy I wish to understand and appreciate.

I would approach the study of each religion not only from its historical, philosophical, and sociological point of view, but also from the hermeneutics and phenomenological aspects. In this sense it is useful to have a good grasp of the English language as most texts are translated.

In appreciating Islam in all its complexities and simplicity I would encourage my non-Muslim friends to consider the following course of action:

Study the origins, content, and meaning of the primary sacred text of Islam, the Koran (Qur'an). Discuss the relationship between the Koran and the Hadith (a record of the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad).

Discussions on the relationship between the scripture, the self, spirituality, and social relations of production can form the basis of this study. Approach the reading of the Quran hermeneutically (in text and context) and phenomenologically (process of revelation and the psycho-social relations).

I suggest ten basic themes below as a framework of study:

1. understand the historical, cultural, and religious background and development of Islam;

2. understand the major teachings and themes in the Koran and Hadith and explain their historical and theological significance;

3. understand the various Islamic traditions and understand the differences between them;

4. understand the major differences between Islam and other major religions;

5. understand the ways in which Islam has shaped the development of social, political, literary, and cultural institutions in the Islamic world; and

6. study the life and work of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him)

7. understand the history of the formation of the Koran

8. understand the major themes and teachings in the Koran

9. understand the formation of the Hadith and their relationship to the Koran

10. study the institutional and legal development of Islamic society

It will be indeed a daunting task yet intellectually rewarding for one to begin the study before proceeding with any form of criticism against this or that aspect of the religion.

The message

Muslims believe in the concept of siddiq, amanah, tabligh, and fatanah which basically means that the message received from the teaching of Muhammad and the Quran is the truth (siddiq) and one must strive to guard this message from being adulterated (amanah), and teach others what Islam is (tabligh) but teach with wisdom nonetheless (fatanah).

These are also the attributes of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in that the message of Islam is spread with the utmost wisdom, befitting what Muslims believe as the prophet's role as not only the last but the seal of the prophets (khattamul anbiya)

Speaking about Islam and any religion for that matter need not be a confrontational act if we begin with the fundamentals -- with the help of those who devote their entire life studying the holy texts.

For Muslims, the teaching of the Koran and the guidance given by the Prophet Muhammad is to be preserved/guarded as a basis for the foundation of a society based on intelligence, faith, reason, social justice, and most of all for the evolution of a classless, caste-less, and corrupt-less society that elevates the soul of human beings - from the levels of animal, vegetative, rational, to the one that "knows".
OUR USUAL REMINDER, FOLKS:
While the opinion in the article is mine,
the comments are yours;
present them rationally and ethically.
AND -- SET ALL I.S.A. DETAINEES FREE]

Comments (17)Add Comment
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written by technoboy, June 25, 2009 11:45:37
Our PM preach about Islamic values, to reject "UNITY" talk is unIslamic, what a joke for this to come out from his mouth. NAJIS, to UMNO/BN, Islamic culture means to rip, to plunder, to cheat, to lie, to kill, to murder, to C4, to suppress the rakyat, to hijack legitimate state assembly, to corrupt, to abuse/rape the independence of our constitution/judiciary.....the list goes on and on. Hello PM, you are talking thru your a...hole right!
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written by batsman, June 25, 2009 11:50:45
Lots of people talk about Islam as if it is one and homogeneous. This alone does not coincide with the facts and show up such people's ignorance. Islam 600 years ago faces different conditions from Islam of today. For one thing, many extra ideas, philosophies and laws have been added to the corpus of Islam since then. Today, many Muslims scholars try to fit the Islamic framework into the context of modern conditions. Unfortunately many others try to fit modern conditions into the existing framework of Islam. In the meantime, the basics of the Faith remain unchanging and always relevant.Those who do not understand such complexities should at least try and understand first before making ignorant comments.
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written by densemy, June 25, 2009 12:27:44
Error #1

"with the assurance that we speak well of ANY religion."


Why is it necessary to speak well of any religion? In your arrogance you assume that a non religious stand is somehow below that of a religious person

You have made the incorrect assumption common to most muslims that your religion is above criticism. Think again
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written by densemy, June 25, 2009 12:33:48
I wonder how many muslims understand your list of 'understands'

Basically, you are demanding a complete understanding ( islam style) of Islam before one is capable of comment

What if one finds the basic concept of Islam's relationship with god faulty? Then what is the purpose of fully understanding a fallacy
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written by LILIN, June 25, 2009 12:36:55
http://wfol.tv/index.php?optio...&Itemid=30

Sarkozy spoke of the Islamic veil...is he right? or wrong? He is right...says the editor.
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written by batsman, June 25, 2009 12:46:21
What do you call someone who is ignorant, does not understand and yet vehemently insists on opening his big mouth?
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written by cruzeiro, June 25, 2009 12:58:04
In appreciating Islam in all its complexities and simplicity I would encourage my non-Muslim friends to consider the following course of action:
==============================

Azly,
Good that you do recognize the virtues of all schools of thought.
Aren't you being a little "exclusivistic" in presuming that the problem lies only on one side of the coin? As a matter of fact, I believe in our Malaysian context, many non-muslims are relatively more "enlightened" about Islamic practices, than Muslims are of other faiths/cultures (at least in the last 25yrs).

What makes you think that anyone would want to learn or even think of people who exhibit the selfish nature after demanding to be understood, rather than striving to understand?
When was the last time an enlightened Muslims thinker praised the virtues of another religious concept? When was the last time they believed/preached the virtues which are written in books other than that of "Muslim thinkers" or scriptures.

This is what the ghetto mindset which is deplored by most right thinking people, is all about. They fail to understand, and yet seek to be understood. To many "great Islamic thinkers", the world is "Islamocentric" - and nothing else matters.

The people's thinking and the above sentence at what follows should therefore be "recalibrated" as follows:
In appreciating all faiths & ideas, in all their complexities and simplicity I would encourage my Muslim and non-Muslim friends to consider the following course of action......
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written by cruzeiro, June 25, 2009 13:03:26
BTW - Just need to verify ..
Does this word "understand" actually mean "accept and submit",
or is that open to discussion and debate?
If it is the former, then what you expect is actually blind faith which effectively renders understanding irrelevant ....
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written by Disappointed, June 25, 2009 13:35:46
Remember the song by No Doubt "Don't Speak!" So jst don't speak about Islam. Leave it to the Muslims..it is really between each Muslim and Allah. BTW wonder how many ulama think the 1malaysia man is Islamic? His wife doesn't dorn the tudung! smilies/grin.gif

The How's is just one person's view. There can be no real discussion when speaking about Islam because words like "blasphemy!" or kafir or munafiq will be hurled when querying or looking for some form of logical explanation to some practice..
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written by Admiral Tojo, June 25, 2009 17:58:40
A full debate on what is Islam as opposed to the Arab Religion;
mentalbondageinthenameofgod.*********.com

Shalom
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written by Rhan, June 25, 2009 18:57:39
Idiot / Ignoramus / Prick / Boy

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written by AsamLaksa, June 25, 2009 19:34:04
Azly, what you say is right but really not practical to the masses. At the harshest, this article comes across as an academic exercise out of touch with the non-academics that you are trying to preach to.

The masses do not want to understand nor have the time to study all of them, many already have difficulties understanding their own faiths. This is not what they want. Some want to belittle other faiths to affirm their own or lack of one. Some want to find answers without making great effort. Some want to find legitimacy for their actions. People have their own agendas and often they don't recognise it themselves. There are a few who sincerely seek understanding but even then they have other things better to do with their time.

I do not think setting out the 10 basic themes above will assist the majority. It sounds right, looks right but how many bother?

I think it all comes down to one point, and that point is, each individual must be honest with themselves first as to the reason on commenting about any faith. This agenda is vital as it will set the tone and direction of any debate on faith. Thus if the person sincerely wish to seek understanding, then the 10 basic themes would help though I suspect they do it themselves anyway with their own themes.
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written by C360, June 27, 2009 18:18:33
Sorry fellas ... this dont wash with me ...

Anything which wants to start from a declared position that it is the ONLY truth ... as descended from The Almighty ... and takes a pre-engagement position that everyone should ACCEPT/respect each others values/positions ...

TAKE A HIKE ... if you still dont understand why people reject Islam ... for it's failures to address a variety of issues acceptably, in living life on this earth ...
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written by Steven Ong, June 29, 2009 23:37:37
'This is what the ghetto mindset which is deplored by most right thinking people, is all about. They fail to understand, and yet seek to be understood. To many "great Islamic thinkers", the world is "Islamocentric" - and nothing else matters.' - cruizeiro . Right to the point about Muslim.

For Islam to stand up to the modern rational and intelligent mind, it has to be laid open on the operating table, dissected and exposed for all to see. Nothing should be 'too sensitive' or 'holy' as to be un-mentionable. Even right now happenings in Malaysia, like child conversion, burial rights, the name Allah, fredom of NGOs -SIS, proseltysing and apostasy - to name a few drew flakes from the Muslim. How can one talk to a Muslim who dont understand freedom and would not understand others people's pain and surfering? I see its futile to show the reality of the truth to Muslim till God open their eyes.

As cruzeiro wrote : ''Does this word "understand" actually mean "accept and submit",
or is that open to discussion and debate?
If it is the former, then what you expect is actually BLIND FAITH which effectively renders understanding irrelevant ''. Therefore the eyes must be OPENed before one could see and understand.


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written by tripledotimages, July 01, 2009 15:41:07
Let's leave the "speaking about islam", or "speaking about religion X" part for that matter, to the people who believe in that religion. Within a religion itself there are many interpretations of what is right and wrong, and there will be many factions supporting each of the interpretations. It's a bloody conflict , and as an outsider i'd leave the conflict to the believers of that religion, it's not my problem, don't come to me, we live in peace.

However it concerns me, the outsider, when the person of a religion x has done something damage to the society i live in, but claim that their action was good instead because they do it out of their interpretation of their religion. Finger pointed at the religion. This , i can not tolerate. It's about responsibility on your action, and please do not use the religion to bail out your ugly schemes , dear Malaysia politicians.

In summary , understand your religion and do good things unto others = good . Whereas, understand your religion but do bad things unto others anyway in the context of your interpretation = damn you la.

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written by LILIN, July 01, 2009 17:38:28
http://wfol.tv/index.php?optio...3&Itemid=9

Akon is a Muslim born..so is Tpain n others..they are popular, successful and they made it. They did not have to 'embrace' Islam..!
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written by LILIN, July 01, 2009 17:51:30
I think its obvious that Azly's posting here did not do any good to the readers of MT. Most of those who comment did not like what Azly wrote. Some even challenged Azly on his 'good faith' and others claimed non-Muslims had a better understanding of Islam than Muslims had of other faiths.

These are all crap. These commentators should be banned from commenting on things they do not understand and do not know what they are saying about. But banning them will surely make them claim that Muslims or Islam are intolerant! They want to be in win-win situation. That is do not understand Islam, do not practice anything Islamic and do understand and tolerate them. Pitiful. Now I understand why RPK wanted to get rid of the comment section. The right example of the abuse of the Islamic faith is here in the postings by the clowns who know nothing of what Azly has written and know little of Islam. Pitiful kedua!

And lamentable altogether to have those like Crusoe to claim to be super aware of Islamic teachings when they actually hate Islam. I would tell them to go learn more on how to appreciate Islam and Muslims before you start commenting negatively!
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