The moderate Muslim: An endangered species?
by Nazeeya Faarooq
There is an endangered species out there – strangely it is not an animal, or bird or plant but is in fact a human being - it is the moderate Muslim.
Many hundreds of years ago, the moderate and modern Muslim was alive and well and vocal. It was they who engineered and flourished in the great Islamic empires of old. Education, Science, literature, astronomy, architecture, travel, mathematics and other spheres of knowledge blossomed and prospered under the moderate thinking Muslim. Today, the moderate Muslim has either died out or in danger of dying out. They are in fact under threat. And what is worse is that the threat comes from within their own community.
What has replaced the moderate Muslim is a pernicious breed of human beings who would like to be called the only true guardians of the faith. This invasion of extremists, vocal in their righteousness target the moderate or modern Muslim as being un-Islamic and are in fact the criminal hunters of ijtihad, thought, reason and rationale. It is said that they are well funded by the Saudi government who export Wahhabi versions of Islam for the growth of religious extremism throughout the Muslim world.
Look at any country in the world that has a thriving population of radical Muslims and you will find the Saudi’s behind the madrasahs, the mosques, the community networks. They encourage the development of powerful intellectual, political and other networks which explains how a small minority of radicals can influence and control large numbers. Sri Lanka is no exception. While radical Islam can be defined in many different ways (and of course they would never see themselves as being radical, but simply being true Muslims) a constant feature of radical Muslims is their arrogant self-confidence that it is their interpretation of the religion (Quran, Hadiths, Shariah,) that is correct. There is absolutely no other interpretation in their eyes that could also be Islam. How ironic that attitude exists in a religion that says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 256]
While around the world Muslims like: Chandra Muzaffar in Malaysia, Tarik Ramadan in Europe, Maulana Waheeduddin Khan and Asghar Ali Engineer in India, Khalid Abul Fadl and Louay Safi in the US, Karim Soroush and Muhammad Khatami in Iran are vocal and committed moderate Muslims, we in Sri Lanka have consistently lacked a strong moderate Muslim voice.
What exactly is moderate Islam? It is in short the aspiration for a society within a Muslim framework that will treat people with dignity and respect. Ijtihad, which is, independent reasoning to articulate Islamic law is used to allow Islam predominant place while allowing the mind to experience freedom of thought. A moderate Muslim is one who while recognizing the importance and necessity of faith, cherishes reflective, self-critical, pro-democracy and pro-human rights contemplation. In fact the two are not an either or option, but co-exist harmoniously complimenting all aspects of life in a moderate Muslim.
What we need are the moderate Muslims of Sri Lanka to speak out at every opportunity, give sermons at Friday jumma, write their opinions, in short not be afraid to speak their minds. Intellectuals, artists, performers, housewives, professionals, students, activists, farmers, fishermen, carpenters, salespeople all have a role to play.
There is no qualification in being a moderate Muslim other than in believing that Islam is more than terrorism, gender inequality, intolerance, violent, rigid and judgemental. Islam is one of the few religions where the believer has a direct relationship with Allah. There is no necessity for mediators, no role for priests. Therefore, keeping quiet, is allowing others to speak for you. Taking no action is allowing other to hijack your belief.
It is important that moderate Muslims participate in the definition of what Islam is, instead of allowing others to define it for them. It is ironic but some non-Muslims who may not have Islam’s interest at heart and radical Muslims both have the same agenda – and the victim for both will be the moderate Muslims. While perhaps those particular non-Muslims would like to see a watered down version of a Muslim, similar to the nominal or non-practicing Christian or Jew, the radical Muslim would like to see only one type of Muslim – rabid, unyielding, and judgemental. This is therefore a plea. If you don’t want to see Islam being practiced in a manner that is inherently contrary to the spirit of Islam – speak up.
You have nothing to be afraid. Your religion has everything to gain and you have nothing to lose.
(This article published exclusively on "groundviews" is reproduced here with due acknowledgement)
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2 Comments
It must be said that there is no extremism per se in Islam. A Muslim is expected to live strictly by the Quran and Hadith; there is only one path, hence there is no moderate or extreme path. However some Muslims may be perceived to be extreme due to their rigid adherence to Islamic practices and some moderate due to their less rigid adherence. At the same time there is no coercion in religion and we are responsible only to the Almighty for our omissions and commissions. Islam consists of compulsory, supererogatory and optional practices, where one may choose the extent of involvement according to ones individual requirements.
When we speak about extremism in Islam as the term is used in language today, there can be different connotations.
1. Terrorism – Actions against civilian populace by Al-Qaeda, Laskar-e-Taiba etc which do not have sanction from religious teachings, Quran and Hadith. This appears to be based more on the Judaic principle of an eye for an eye, a tooth for tooth (Deuteronomy 19:16-19).
2. In a second category are the groups such as Hamas, Hizbullah who are acting in self defense of their own territories in the face of continuing oppression by Israel. Groups in category 1, sometimes use this as a justification for their actions. Here too some actions such as suicide bombings, attacks on civilians do not find sanction in Quran and Hadith.
3. Religious extremism practice by the Taliban. This means strict implementation of Islamic law mainly in countries where Muslims number more than 80-90% of the population. Such implementation should be as sanctioned in the Quran and Hadith with adequate safeguards for the minorities and their rights.
4. Fundamentalism as practiced by individuals as per Quran and Hadith, applied to their individual lives and immediate families etc. Although there is no threat to anyone else by people practicing their own religion, they are viewed with suspicion.
Unfortunately all the above categories have been lumped together and branded as terrorists or extremist. This includes a large percentage of Muslims living moderate lives and simply exercising their right to practice the religion of their choice. Consequently they have been subjected to attacks, ridicule and discrimination under the ‘global war against terrorism’, resulting in a backlash against western interest and culture in the Islamic World. Actually there is hardly any problem between Islam and the West other than lack of understanding, mutual suspicion and distrust. The wish of certain western nations to impose their values and culture on Muslims without first understanding Islam has exacerbated the problem. As stated by the writer we as Muslims are also at fault for not adequately countering the efforts of the Terrorist elements who have hijacked Islam and given it a bad name. Certain Islamic Governments are guilty of blindly funding and assisting such groups without taking into account the damage being done to Islam.
With regard to living as a minority in a non-Islamic country there are no major problems as such, other than discrimination. Islam is a progressive and adaptable religion and can overcome such problems. Whereas the fundamentals are secured and cast in stone as it were, Islam is extremely practical and it is up to the individual to achieve perfection or practice something less according to his ability and circumstances. Muslim preachers and clerics mainly concentrate on general and special topics of religious content which will help Muslims to better understand and practice their religion. This is more important in order to preserve and protect the purity, core values and practices in Islam as well as improve our personal lives and well being. In Islam there is no clergy as such as every Muslim is supposed to be knowledgeable in his religion. However due to the massive body of knowledge available and day to day involvements it may not be possible for the average person to master all of this. This led to the advent of the Clergy in Islam who are dedicated to the learning and teaching of Pristine Islam. At times what is said from the pulpit may be hard on us if we are in default, but we should give ear to their advice in order to improve our own selves. If we are unable to follow their advice we are at liberty to do as we wish, which is a matter between ourselves and God Almighty. Most of the original texts on Islam and Islamic Jurisprudence is available translated into English and we can determine the truth ourselves if there is any doubt.
Politically as a minority we have no special demands other than the freedom of worship and other human rights available to all sections of the community. Also it is not desirable to mix religion with politics as present day politics is not honorable or religious. It is the duty of the Muslim Politician to practice Islam and not Islam to support Muslim Politicians. Ordinary Muslims prefer to give politics and politicians a wide berth. However this will not prevent Muslims from exercising their franchise and voting for good and decent people when the opportunity affords. With regard to the current climate of breach of human rights and culture of impunity prevailing in the country many Muslims are appalled and deeply distressed by the situation. They may not speak openly as they will be targeted by the powers that be. Also our values are not applicable to people of other faiths who are free to act as they wish. However from the standpoint of Islam we see that the current situation is not sustainable and will eventually lead to the eventual destruction of the very perpetrators of injustice and violence and society as a whole. Islam has its own system of values, social justice and welfare. The principles of Zakath and Sadaqa are cornerstones of our faith which will enable us to help our less fortunate Muslims in times of distress and difficulty. The principle of Jihad is available in the case where Muslims are attacked or oppressed. Hence Islam affords the solution to a variety of social problems which may be activated if the need arises.
If you believe in absurdities, said Voltaire, you will commit atrocities.