How many Muslims agree with this?

Question

I recently came across this site that promotes a women's book and the concept of Ijtihad, which is independent thought in Islam. It is to restore Islam's tradition of critical thinking and to reform Islam.
So my brothers and sisters, do you agree that Muslim needs to be reformed? I think the followers of Islam (the ones who give us a bad name) need to reform to the true way of Islam. Do you think this is a good cause? I like the concept of Ijithad, because it promotes education, which is one of Allah's commands to educate ourselves.


http://www.muslim-refusenik.com/ijtihad.html

Answer 1

I have independent though as a Muslim. Why do you think we dont? No i dont think Islam needs to be reformed in what way exactly? The ones who give a bad name to Islam do not speak for or represent me. Islam promotes education without Ijithad, i am educated, my husband is educated what is it in Islam that's is being perceived as against eduction? I have never come across it quiet the opposite i have found to be true, education is a top priority.


Allah's words in the quran are not to be reformed. Why anyone thinks it should is beyond me.
If she is hanging on to Islam by her finger nails that is her problem. For her to suggest as muslims we dont speak up is just a lie. For her to suggest the laws of Saudi government are the responsiblity of Islam come on. As a muslim woman i can drive a car, i can wear red. She needs to take it up with the saudi government not other muslims who totally agree women in Saudi should be aloud to do the same. She is talking like all the stereotypes are true and giving fuel to the fire. If she wants to try and walk without her shaddow let her. I answer to Allah i follow Allah laws. Is she blind to all the groups we have about womens rights has she never seen sisters stand up and say its wrong and still be wearing a hijab, still choosing to wear a Burkha. For her to suggest we are silent i find insulting. Islam is what it is, if she is "holding onto Islam by her fingernails" its her own struggle. Why have we to change and reform to suit her agenda? Sorry but Allah has made it plain and simple, there is nothing in Islam that is not good for you. What is it she wants for Islam that we dont already have?

Answer 2

Dear sister Ayesha:
You have used word "reform Islam", so sister who ever want to reform Islam, that means that person does not have knowledge of Islam.
Islam does not need reforms but need to implement in its original form, with its dynamic principles. Islam gives answers to every facet of life and covers all aspects.
Once Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was sending one companion as governor of some place. Prophet asked you will be independent, so if there will be requirement to give any ruling what you will do first, he replied, I will consult Qura'n. Prophet asked if you still need guidance for details, he replied Prophet's Sunnah. Prophet again asked if still you don’t find in Sunnah as well then, He replied I will use my Ijtihad. Prophet said now understands how to implement Islam.
This is important sister that Ijtihad is not just your own idea but only a person who understand Qura'n, and Sunnah very well is capable and allowed to use Ijtihad, Not any one can claim that he want to use Ijtihad.
If you know details about Paul in Christianity, this fellow never has companionship of Prophet Jesus (pbuh), and never met Jesus in his first life on earth before Allah raised Jesus to heavens.
But he claimed to be an apostle and even changed rulings of Jesus. For example Jesus said Swine and pork is un cleaned but this fellow said I was dreamed that I am consuming Pork so Pork is allowed, that person was not a companion of Jesus, neither he met Jesus, in fact he opposed Jesus. How come he used his Ijtihad? Big Question?? There are so many questions like this and examples for us to be care full about Ijtihad.
Ijtihad is not a game of kids.
May Allah give us wisdom to follow true Islam and keep us on right path, Ameen.

Answer 3

Have you not heard the gates of ijtihad are closed and have been since the third Islamic century. Shariah is a static and unchanging thing for the Muslim. To change it would be admitting that ALlah was wrong. If you don't execute adulterers, apostates and homosexuals you would be condoning these actions and calling Allah a liar.

Answer 4

Itijihad simply means a struggle or striving to reinterpret and reunderstand the traditions in the context of contemporary times. I think Muslims are beginning to do that. We are beginning to see how religion can play essential roles in the life of a Muslim without sacrificing any of the modern context. In other words, Muslims do not have to live in isolation to be good Muslims.

What role can Western governments play in this shift?
The first step would be for Western governments, the United States especially, to embrace and amplify mainstream Muslim voices and give them credibility by engaging them -- inviting them to the United States to speak with policymakers, interfaith leaders, scholars, and the public. Once those voices find that they are being embraced by mainstream society, I think they will be amplified. One of the fundamental grievances that many Muslims have would be that we are not given importance. That is the feeling that really alienates the youth. We are not given respect. We do not have a situation of hope. Once that changes, the extremists will be increasingly demarginalized.

Answer 5

Now lets take a short glimpse into our own islamic history.

Up until the death of the last Caliph, things were nice and tidy.

Then the people who came after them decided to go on conquests and invading other lands.

During this era people were divided between those who went to war and fought for more land, and those who sat down and studied the sciences to increase their outlook on life.

Muslims who chose to go on the scientific path contributed what is known to be the Golden Age of Islam. When europe was still wondering if the earth was flat, muslim scientists were measuring earths diameter.

Now, I believe we as muslims need to sit down and try and understand what went wrong afterwards. Besides the mongols who pillaged the libraries of Iraq, what really went on to bring so much ignorance in general to our people?

I think people went so greedy they forgot to uphold human rights as much as they upholded religiousness.

They stopped emphasizing how God does not forgive you if you eat another humans rights without them forgiving you first. They stopped being aware of how Fair God truly is and they sought the riches of the world, instead of knowledge and advanced human behaviour.

Answer 6

sorry ,u have to go deep only when u know the basic ,and if u r muslim mohamed sahw said in hajit al wadaih ,(last pilgrim) before he died i left two things if u follow u nevr get lost after me,the koran and sunniti ,so if u know them and under the menings ijtihad is only gonna deepen the understanding but using it to twist and modify islam is big sin

Answer 7

Maybe they need to be sent to education camps and reformation villages. Straighten them out until they are better behaved.

Answer 8

Yes. We need to show people that we are not a bad religon like they think. I think this "Itjihad" will be a great project.

Answer 9

No we don't need to be reformed.

Answer 10

True way of Islam???