Are there no moderate Muslims to quell my fears regarding Shariah Law?

Question

I have sought to encourage acceptance of Muslims in my life and in this forum. Earlier today I asked a question about the apparent harshness of Shariah Law, hoping that some Muslims would say that its more strident elements were not applicable in modern society. If you like, you can review the question here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=An7Z.KufmQVtmpdt359jr.Lsy6IX?qid=20061122092124AAdAdRc

Instead of reassurance, what met me were simple clarifications that declared the punishments were warranted and, to the writers, desirable.

I am truly trying to remain supportive of Islam's place in a multicultural society, but these answers are making it a struggle. Are there no Muslims who consider the harsher elements of Shariah antithetical to freedom and dignity, particularly for women?
Is it the duty of every Muslim to adhere to Shariah?

Answer 1

Guess what? Your source for your question previously is not entirely correct. Women are, in fact, allowed the right to divorce. Also, a person who speaks ill of Prophet Muhammad(swt), etc isn't sentenced to death - at least not from what I've read in fiqh books.

And yes it is the duty of every Muslim to adhere to the Shariah as long as it is from Quran and Sunnah. period.

Answer 2

It must be an honor to have GorgeW Bush himself teach you about islam! I looked at your question and it looks to me you misunderstood Islam! Where did you get this half information, Ihateislam.com??? I'm a proud Muslim woman, and i believe that if muslims ever face discrimination in any shape or forum they should not and will not put the blame on islam but on the unislamic culture of their societies and the failure to fulfill it's directives! Lets look at a couple of these laws that you misunderstood.

-Amputating the hands of thieves: Only if they took something really expensive like stole a diamond store and they did not need the money and they where not sorry for it! that's when it applies.
-Preventing women from seeking a divorce (while allowing men to divorce their wives simply by telling her three times): that's not true!! a woman has a full right for divorce, she can divorce a man simply because she doesn’t like the way he looks!
-Outlawing marriage between Muslims and non-Muslims: also not true! A Muslim men are allowed to merry people from the book, which means the Old Testament and new.
--Execution of anyone who speaks ill of Allah, Muhammad, or Islam. That's totally not true!!! It is a huge sin by not punished with execution!!! You need to get your facts straight! There’s more i can answer but i don't have time, i only answered the ones that i feel a lot people ask about. Your best bet is to go to whyislam.org. Knowing half the answer to a question is the worse thing you can do!! before i leave, repeat after me: I will not take Islamic lessons from bush, or anyone who hates islam!

Answer 3

Dear Sir, I am not sure whether my answers will be sufficient but I'll give it a try.

The supposed punishments under Shahriah Law is not implemented as easily as they are proclaimed. For example if a man was convicted for stealing, his hand wil not be that easily cut off. They will see the situation from all angle before proclaiming punishment and most probably I don't think that his hand will get the chop. In real Islam, punishments like this don't take place that easily at all cause we understand the seriousness of taking someone's limb away.

Anyway if the country is not under Shariah Law, and that man is already punished by the state, there is no need to punish him under Shariah Law again.

Shariah Law could in fact be more justified in most cases. For example a man who stole when he was hungry and incapable would still get some sort of punishment in the state court. I read a hadis where a similar incident happened but the man was freed and the blame was put on his neighbours because they did not attend to his plight. Don't worry, their hands were not cut off either.

Frankly the nonsense about Muslims being radicals and camels and blowing themselves up is getting out of hand. I'm Muslim and when I told a dudein YouTube that I listento Enimem and see my friend's performance at church, he said that I am not a real Muslim and that other Muslims would consider me an outcast.

Imagine... a non Muslim telling me that I dunno anything about my own religion..Fella needs to travel more, I tell ya..

Anyway one race, one world and peace.

Answer 4

Hey listen. There is nothing as Moderate islam. What is Islam?

Islam means PEACE and another meaning is "Submission for your will"

Therefore ISlam means Peace acquired by submitting your will to GOD.

As per your question, see if the saudis dont follow the religion properly dont blame islam. You never blame the car, you blame its driver for an accident.

And if you say, that these laws are not applicable in todays society, that means, GOD almighty did not know the future!

If you want to analyse islam from an authentic, un-biased source which also compares it with other world religion then check the videos on this site:

http://www.irf.net/irf/videogallery/index.htm

Answer 5

Well, well, well. Welcome to the world of enlightenment. Do you feel confused? Good. Because you should. This is precisely what the trouble is with following the Ancient ways of another society & culture. This is why even the Muslims in Iraq could never really know what true democracy is. Their faith & beliefs would NOT allow them to live in a truly democratic society. I'm NOT passing judgement on these people. I am simply being a realist. I am an American woman who has given just about every religion a try & the Muslims were just too much for me because of their inability to see a female as anything other than what they feel she is worth or has earned in the eyes of the people who call the shots in the community. You are at a crossroads & now you must make a decision. I wish you the best, my Brothers & Sisters. We will ALL be forced to make difficult decisions in the coming months that will hold difficult times for those of us who seek true enlightenment.

Answer 6

There is no such thing as moderate Muslims, If you are a true Muslim, you follow the book to the core, if you dont, you are a sinner.

Answer 7

Why do you feel you must "remain supportive of Islam's place in a multicultural society"? This type of political correctness is EXACTLY what radical Islam wants. They view our political correctness as weakness. It serves only to embolden them. Radical Islam understands one thing and one thing only. Might makes right.

Those who seek to negotiate with radical Islam are sadly mistaken if they think radical Islam wants anything short of total world domination and a worldwide Islamic state.

Answer 8

My dear brother,

It seems that today is my lucky day...i have found a man who thinks scientifcally......

Dear Sir,

i like your question and your previous one....

the first question was justified....and you had some answers from muslims...

but the second question was not justified and not need because they already answered you in the first one......but it seems that you didnt get it quite well.....or you didnt expect these answers...or may be,...you considered these answers as a kamikaze defence........

Anyway...i think i have not much to say ...because others have said what have to be said.....

i will just ad a small note about women.....u said its ok in islam to beat and hit women....

In fact women in islam occupies a great position....

the verse you said about beating...was just simple.....

but when our prophet muhhamed showed an example...he just bonded together a few 10cm straws and tapped on the hand by it.....

It is is emotional signature rather than physical signature....it shows that i have reached the end ....(my wife, you have made me very sad or angry)

...and also taking into your generous account that there is numerous HADITHs about urging to treat women well....

http://www.answering-christianity.com/woman.htm

Islam encourages the husband to treat his wife well, as the Prophet Muhammad said: {The best among you are those who are best to their wives.}

http://www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch3-13.htm

In a truly Islamic society women have the following rights in Islam:



1-The right and duty to obtain education.

2-The right to have their own independent property.

3-The right to work to earn money if they need it or want it.

4-Equality of reward for equal deeds.

5-The right to participate fully in public life and have their voices heard by those in power.

6-The right to provisions from the husband for all her needs and more.

7-The right to negotiate marriage terms of her choice.

8-The right to obtain divorce from her husband, even on the grounds that she simply can't stand him.

9-The right to keep all her own money (she is not responsible to for spending on the upkeep of the house or any persons).

10-The right to get sexual satisfaction from her husband.

..........

Sir there are many words to speak..but limited time and space left.....

If you are really..a scientific mind....then i am sure you will check this scientific duscussion about

http://islamyesterday.com/science/

...........................................................

Sir, i think what the below mentioned yahoo answerers are right and they have said every thing...and there is nothing left for you to ask about it.....:

Poki Poki

Miss Leo

Ibrahim

zajil

sfndx

..........

They have answered your last question...and they are absolultly right!

Sir, if you still find my reply hard to understand then please ....read what they answered...and read more.....

Sir, islam is peace...islam is the reason of the european civilization after medeival ages......ask spain......europe,....

a few sites for you to research on Sir,

Thank you and peace be upon you........

***** and Sir...there is moderate muslims that will quell your fears sir.......******

Have a nice day...

Peace be upon you