I have been hearing more Muslims everyday talking about “reforming” Islam. I have read article after article (that means two articles), claiming that Islam is in the beginning, middle, or end of a reformation. Really? Reza Aslan, author of No god but God reportedly said this:
I believe we are living in the time of the Islamic reformation. In fact, I think we are living in the twilight of that reformation.
For me, the word reform is defined by its inevitability. This process cannot be stopped; it can be slowed down for a time but reform is inevitable. It’s an historic reformation taking place within Islam — it’s adapting itself to the realities of the world around it.
I think we’ll see the same process we saw in the Christian reformation from doctrinal absolutism to doctrinal relativism; toward a truly indigenous Islamic enlightenment.
And it’s up to us as Muslims in the US to give voice to that for our brothers and sisters who don’t have the voice or the same ability to speak out as we do.
Reza, I love you as my brother in Islam, but I think you missed the mark. I want to write a refutation right here and now, but I think this will need some time, research, and consideration. Look for an article in the coming weeks.
Nevertheless, I will leave this for everyone, especially Muslims, to ponder:
reform (ri-ˈform)
transitive verb
1 a: to put or change into an improved form or conditionb: to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses2: to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action
From Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary
I am no linguist but “reform” seems to refer to “fixing” something that is fundamentally flawed. And “doctrinal absolutism” is something that is alien to Islam, aside from the most extreme fringes. More on this later.
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Tags: christianity, Islam, muslims, reform, reformation
