Key Messages
Understanding The Religious Roots Of Islamist Terrorism And Why A Muslim Reformation Is Needed
Islam, at its core, is violent and needs to be reformed, as seen from the recent rise of terrorism by Islamist groups such as Islamic State (IS) and Boko Haram.
The religious foundation of these murders can be traced to certain Islamic scriptures that sanction violence against those who do not follow Islamic customs.
It is extremely hard for Muslims to stand up and criticize their own religion due to the stigma attached to it, which further impedes any chance of developing a contemporary version of Islam that could ease the current wave of violence carried out in its name.
Additionally, there are still many parts of the world where seventh-century sharia law is applied.
Considering all this, an urgent reform within Islam has become necessary so that people can learn how to practice Islam peacefully and with respect for human life.
We Need To Look Deeper Into Islamic Texts And Practice To Understand The Causes Of Terrorism In The Name Of Islam
It’s clear that Islam is not considered a peaceful religion and that Islamic terrorists, as well as certain Islamic states, commit acts of violence in its name.
The Kouachi brothers, who carried out the deadly attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine in January 2015, believed their actions were justified by what was written in the Qur’an – a holy text which permits violence for reasons such as blasphemy or threats to family honor.
And groups like Al Qaeda, Islamic State, and Boko Haram use religious texts to back up their violent practices.
Moreover, within some countries such as Pakistan and Iran, there are laws in place which allow for punishments such as beheadings or public hangings based on religious beliefs.
This paints an unfortunate picture of Islam being seen as an oppressive religion where offenses like adultery or homosexuality can come with dire consequences.
Overall, it’s evident that violence is carried out in the name of Islam – whether it’s perpetrated by individuals or governments – making it difficult to reconcile the faith with peace.
The Different Types Of Muslims And The Need For Reform
Muslims around the world may have different beliefs and practices, but at the core, all Muslims share two main tenets: belief in the Qur’an and Hadith and following the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
The variations come from how they interpret the different periods of Muhammad’s life.
Thus, there are three main groups of Muslims today.
The first are fundamentalist Medina Muslims who honor Muhammad’s later behavior.
They rely on sharia and defend their faith to those who don’t practice it, even going so far as to use violence to convert nonbelievers.
Moreover, they praise martyrdom and deaths in defense of Islam.
The second group consists of Mecca Muslims who respect the other holy religions, while keeping to a more peaceful interpretation of Islam that is still conservative with regards to modern culture.
They often keep their children from any exposure that is not Islamic in nature.
Finally, there is a growing population of Modifying Muslims who engage critically with Islam, some going so far as rejecting it altogether—a path that Western countries should particularly encourage for those interested in reform within Muslim communities worldwide.
A Call For Islamic Reformation: Five Tenets That Need To Be Changed Or Abandoned
A Muslim reformation requires a radical shift in thinking, starting with five religious tenets that must be abandoned or changed.
The first is the semi-divine status of Mohammad and the literalistic interpretation of the Qur’an.
This allows for misinterpretations of the text that can lead to a justifications for violence.
The second tenet is an emphasis on life after death, rather than life before death – something which often ends up neglected as an unimportant factor.
Sharia Law is another traditional belief which needs to be rethought, along with the empowerment of individuals to enforce Islamic law, and finally jihad – holy war – an idea which far too often incites violence.
According to Islamic reformer Tawfik Hamid, these five connected tenets are not only outdated but are also considered untouchable, beyond criticism.
Complicating matters is that history suggests we cannot escape them entirely since parts of the Qur’an have been abrogated or reinterpreted in the past.
For this reason though reform seems like a long shot, it’s important that these aspects are addressed if there is any hope for real change in interpretations of Islam.
The Barriers To Muslim Reformation: Punishment For Criticism, Ideological Connectedness, And Fear Of Loss
Making a Muslim reformation is not easy due to the inability to criticize Islam and the tight relationship between religion and state.
Criticizing Islam can mean severe punishment or death for those who dare to do so – it’s no wonder why reform attempts are often stalled.
Part of the problem stems from the view that the Qur’an is perfect and timeless, leaving no room for actual reform beyond returning to Muhammad’s first principles.
Furthermore, Islamist terrorists act on the Hadith which states that Muhammad’s generation would be better than others, further blocking any real reform.
The fear of criticism causing many to leave Islam is also a major factor, with Yusuf Al-Qaradawi – a leader ofrthe Islamist Muslim Brotherhood – even saying that unless punishments existed for defectors, there would be no more Islam at all.
The intertwined connection between religion and state could also explain why reforming Muslims is difficult: in 17 Muslim-majority countries, they use Islam as their official identity.
This has made it harder for a proper reformation as it suggests that worshiping God and following Islamic practice are intrinsically linked together.
Why Islam’S Combination Of Religion And Social Order Makes Criticism Difficult
Islam stands apart from other religions due to its unquestioned religious beliefs and strict social order.
Unlike Christianity or Judaism, which view their Gods as divine and prophets as flawed humans, Muslims hold an unwavering belief in the perfection of both Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’an.
This reverence leaves little room for criticism, making it difficult to reform or reinterpret the religion.
Moreover, unlike most Abrahamic religions that have few rules outside of scripture, Islam has a comprehensive system of moral and political laws referred to as sharia law.
Created by Muhammad himself in the form of the Constitution of Medina, this corpus includes prohibitions against stealing and guidelines for organized society—even extending into honor killings if members fail to live up to these laws.
The observance of these commandments is necessary for believers’ full submission within Islamic culture—a fundamental aspect that sets Islam distinctively apart from other religions.
The Dangers Of Enforcing Sharia Law And Its Outdated Punishments In The 21St Century
As it stands, the Islamic sharia law remains unchanged from its 7th century roots.
This ancient law dictates much of the behavior expected from all Muslims, even within the family.
Outdated stances on these rules exist in many countries around the world and involves punishments such as execution, crucifixion and physical mutilation as determined by these laws and are still applied today.
Many countries across the globe maintain strict adherence to these Islamic Laws that govern behavior regarding marriage, public relationships, moral codes, religious observance and more.
These rules permit severe punishments for those who do not comply with their decree – including beheadings, stonings, lashings and executions.
Tragically, there are instances such where families themselves advance punishing a loved one for failing to abide by sharia law.
In 2009 in Arizona, a father ran over his 20-year-old daughter for liking makeup boys and Western music – ultimately receiving 34 years in prison for his actions but was found received support from some in the local Iraqi community who viewed what he did as faithful to Islamic Law.
Overall, while being greatly outdated in modern times, Islamic sharia law continues to be applied in many regions across the world and is expected to be followed – even sometimes within one’s own family.
Islamic Clerics Must Take Action To Forbid Jihad And Make Islam A Peaceful Religion
Jihad has been ingrained in Islam for many centuries and is a religious obligation for all Muslims.
Islamic scriptures encouraging violence and terrorism are often used by jihadist groups to justify their actions and recruiting more people to fight against those who do not share their beliefs.
With versec 8:39 of the Qur’an stating that “Muslims shall fight the unbelievers until there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere”, it is clear that every Muslim seeks to make Islam the world’s only religion as a goal.
Those calling for jihad are far from being underprivileged, uneducated or brainwashed; take ‘Lady al-Qaeda’ Aafia Siddiqui – a former MIT scientist convicted of planning a chemical attack on New York – as an example of this.
To prevent these kinds of attacks from occurring again, Islamic authorities must stand up and forbid jihad and militancy in the name of Islam.
This means clerics, imams, scholars and national leaders must take action – deception needs to be abandoned with people no longer suggesting that Islam is peaceful.
History sets precedent for this with Christianity giving up its militancy after many violent Crusades throughout history.
The Growing Call For Muslim Reformation: How The Internet, Immigration, And Reform-Minded Groups Are Creating Change
Fortunately, there are already signs that a Muslim reformation is on its way.
Many Muslims want the best life possible for themselves and their children, so they’re naturally looking away from radical fundamentalism.
This is being aided by the rise of technology, which has given like-minded people a way to connect and spread the message of reform.
Additionally, with more and more Muslims immigrating to Western countries, they’re finding that reform is the best path to take in order to enjoy all the benefits these countries have to offer.
What’s more, activist groups are emerging in several Islamic states.
For example, millions of women in Afghanistan are demanding their right to vote despite Taliban threats.
Even those inspired by Arab Spring saw how reform was needed for a better future.
Furthermore, many governments such as those in the United Arab Emirates have condemned Islamic extremism as a “transnational cancer” that needs urgent attention from an international effort to confront it.
These early warning signs clearly demonstrate that change is taking place and an Islamic reformation is on its way!
Wrap Up
The Heretic gives a powerful message – Islam needs to undergo reformation for it to become a truly peaceful religion, and now is the perfect time for this to happen.
It suggests that individuals should not be afraid to voice their ideas, critics and doubts when it comes to understanding and interpreting sacred texts.
This is then followed by an open dialogue between all parties.
In conclusion, The Heretic provides an objective look on how we as individuals can work together in creating a peaceful and united society.
