You are wrong (again and again)

Submitted by Khaled Al-Mutairy (Turkey), Jun 24, 2008 at 02:08

First and foremost, İ would appreciate it if you did not resort to personal attacks because you only do injustice to yourself and further show... how illogical and unresearched your claims are.

İ challenge you to get an English-translated Quran (don't rely on wikipedia) and read Al-Ma'idah 5: 5

A few aspects of your question are directly covered by the Qur'an, while in case of a few others the matter would be decided by Ijteha'd (consensus). For instance, the Qur'an has clearly stated that: women from the people of the book, that is Jewish and Christian women are lawful (in marriage) for Muslim men. The case of a Muslim woman marrying a non-Muslim man – besides that of prohibiting polytheist men for them – has not been directly covered in the Qur'an (once again, a modern consensus can be reached as we are a flexible religion).

The main point is that some interpretations will mean that all groups present in the world that hold any form of polytheistic belief or indulge in any kind of polytheistic practice shall stand prohibited for Muslim men and women. According to this interpretation all the sects of Hindus, Christians, Jews and Muslims that, in the eyes of another sect, hold a polytheistic belief or indulge in a polytheistic practice shall stand prohibited for that sect.

The above explanation would clearly show the issue could have various answers. Religion is there as a code of conduct that is there not to DİCTATE –but to GUİDE. People like you need to think in a modern sense –and not just feel that they are experts overnight after having converted to a new religion. ... İt is truly astounding that someone calling himself a ‘scholar' would endorse such unthought-up responses and false, unsubstantiated claims against a religion of over 1.3 billion followers –the largest in the world and the fastest growing.

A person should consider the reasoning of the parties holding these different opinions and follow the particular opinion that in his understanding is the strongest and closest to the directives of the Qur'an. İt is more flexible than people (or the media) would want you to believe. As İ said earlier, religion (whatever you follow is your choice and you are free to practicer) is there to guide you on the right path and live a healthy life. You cannot appreciate religion if you get caught up on only small and trivial issues, and don't view it in a bigger picture. This is the mistake that many people like yourself often make.

... İ have personally witnessed professors (well-travelled ones at that) get fired from my university (American University) simply for making mere critisism of American/İsraeli foreign policy. The human right of freedom of thought and expression is long gone in America. A real pity for those seeking reconciliation and dialogue –especially for the 10 million Muslims in America. A real pity.

p.s. just because the Respect MP George Galloway has a large Muslim support (learn about his Constituency. London is multi-cultural!), happened to be married to a Muslim women, and happens to call for İslamic Unity (which is a good thing –it would solve problems in İraq and Lebanon) ---doesnt mean that he is automatically a Muslim.

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