Monday, December 15, 2008

Liberal Islam

Liberal Islam is a new set of thinking that has influenced mostly Muslim 'intellectuals',as they are being referred with.Usually their views show that whether they are not really understand the basics of Islamic teaching,or that they choose to be 'critical',or rather radical;about the true teaching of Islam.

Definition

Liberal,according to dictionary.com,means

–adjective
1.favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
2.(often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
3.of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.
4.favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
5.favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
6.of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
7.free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
8.open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
9.characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.
10.given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.
11.not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.
12.of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts.
13.of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman.
–noun
14.a person of liberal principles or views, esp. in politics or religion.
15.(often initial capital letter) a member of a liberal party in politics, esp. of the Liberal party in Great Britain.



Islam on the other hand means submission to Allah,the only God.It is also mean peace.According to dictionary.com,Islam means:


1. A monotheistic religion characterized by the acceptance of the doctrine of submission to God and to Muhammad as the chief and last prophet of God.
2.
1. The people or nations that practice Islam; the Muslim world.
2. The civilization developed by the Muslim world.



In easy words,Liberal Islam means a doctrine,an ideology that liberalize the understanding of Islam.They want a new interpretation of the Quran,amendment to the Islamic laws,and such.But having said that,Liberal Islam 'believers' deny about being deviated from the true faith (aqidah) of Islam,which profess that there is no god but Allah,and prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His messenger,and it is his way of practicing and understanding Islam,is the way that we Muslim must follow.

Islam and Liberal Thinking

By having the definitions above,it is as if Islam does not recognize mind as a medium of progressing oneself.This false understanding is made worse when there are parts of Muslim countries that does not uphold the true understanding of Islam,and govern their countries' law in a such un-Islamic manner but then,still boast that they use Islam as their core value.For instance,the Taliban,when they were in power,they made a law that prohibits ladies from working,whereas there is no such law in Islam.As a result,Islam being portrayed as if it is oppressing the social value,and human rights.

The true teaching of Islam is actually against that.The liberty of thinking is highly appreciated in Islam,as it is stated in:

يَرۡفَعِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬‌ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ ۬


"Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks. Allah is Informed of what ye do."

It is not wrong to think.But it is wrong to do reasoning and logical approach in understanding the ghaib (the Unseen).It is a basic understanding in Islamic faith.

Allah,The Creator,He knows what is the best for us.Therefore it is not for us to think why He made this wajib,or that haram.Sure,it sounds like an oppressing religion.But for Muslims,it is an act of giving all,the willingness,the understanding that from Allah we came,and to Allah we will shall return.

muhammadblack
15 december 2008
ara damansara

2 comments:

Hadi Mahdi Muhtadi said...

Beb. What a nice beginning. but just some input. avoid making the entry to long. coz its a it academic isnt it?...pecahkan kpd yg pendek2. then if u can just add the 'quotation' symbol tu...terbaik beb....
lagi satu lah...oh laskit chat box kat tepi ni...hihi..arios

shazleeshahazeman said...

ooo.thanks mate.tapi kan bro,tak paham a 'quotation' symbol tu.maksudnya?