Reply to Islamic Scholar Hamza Yusuf: Is Reform Possible?

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[quote=Anonymous]TY, PP.

Sorry for the typos. It was late at night, which is often times the only time I have to write longer posts.

I hope other posters don't get the feeling that I am trying to convert them to Islam. I just don't want people to misunderstand Islam.

You are correct and I agree with your concern that those who understand 7th century Arabic are usually Wahabi scholars who have been accused before of interpreting the Quran too literally. There are apparently a few hundred such scholars in the world, however, and SOME of them are not Wahabi. I don't know if Dr. Jamal Badawi has a background in linguistics but I do hope scholars like him will be involved in the reform. His knowledge is extensive but it is not confined by a literal interpretation of the Quran.

In his lecture, I believe Shaykh Yusuf is saying that the interpretation of Quranic Arabic should be in the context of the 7th century Arabic spoken by the Quraish tribe (the tribe of Prophet Muhammad). If it was interpreted in the context of modern Arabic, the Quran might lose it's original meaning because words may have additional meanings today.

As far as the reform itself, I think what is likely to change if, in fact, there is reform, is the interpretation of the rules of war, Jihad, the treatment of apostates, and women's rights. These are the areas that have been the most misunderstood, misinterpreted, and even corrupted.

I don't, however, think that the the religion itself will fundamentally change. Only the interpretation will improve. Homosexuality and lesbianism, premarital sex, alcohol, consumption of pork, associating partners with God, and deifying prophets or religious people are not likely to be permitted in the reform.

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