Reply to Islamic Scholar Hamza Yusuf: Is Reform Possible?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If I understood your question- I think all sects of Islam are accessible to nonMuslims, but the reform is likely to make Islam even more accessible. Rules may be less strictly interpreted. 
[/quote]

I guess I didn't phrase that well.

I meant "accessible" in terms of the ordinary layperson's ability to understand Islam and to participate in personal ijtihad/interpretation.  I didn't mean "accessible" as a synonym for "attractiveness" to non-Muslims who might be more likely to convert as a result.[/quote]

To be quite honest, I don't have enough knowledge to answer your question correctly. It's a deeply philosophical question. I know that in nonMuslim countries the concept of Ijtihad does exist somewhat because there is no one leader of Islam here. We have western scholars but none that issue fatwas, judgments, or punishment on Muslims here. Occasionally they may issue judgments but only if they are requested to. Even then, Muslims are not compelled to follow their judgment because we do not live in a Sharia state. Islam in western states, without a central Imam or religious leader, and so many independent opinions and judgments because of the diversity of people here, can exercise true Ijtahid here. Islam can be practiced wholly as a relationship between the believer and God, with no one else intervening. Thus, if a woman is born a lesbian into a Muslim family here in the US, she may consider herself still a Muslim even though the world Muslim community would largely condemn her lesbianism and many may not even consider her a Muslim. Her faith is free to be practiced as she understands and interprets it here.

While it may be true that Muslims may rely on the word of scholars, ultimately, in the end, the Muslim who lives in a nonMuslim country has great autonomy in personal decision making and judgment. He must rely on his own understanding of Islam. Muslims countries, however, often select scholars to interpret and make judgments about the Quran and Hadith and so i think Ijtahid is less possible there.

Ijtahid may be more important in some Muslim countries due to their low literacy rates also. I've read Saudi Arabia's literacy rate is now over 85%, however my parents can recall a time when it was much lower. To be quite honest with you, I'm not sure I even trust this figure. Somalia, Pakistan, Afghanistan also have low literacy rates. It would be difficult, if not impossible for many people in these countries to interpret the Quran and hadith, let alone make sound judgments independently and without the help of a group of scholars to guide them.

In my opinion, the Quran must be interpreted in 7th century Arabic if one is to truly understand what God intended. Since it is universally regarded by all Muslims to be the true word of God, it must be interpreted in the language  God revealed it in. To interpret it in the context of  modern Arabic when modern Arabic is so different now could result in verses bring completely misinterpreted.

This probably doesn't answer your question, I'm not sure.

What would you like to see happen with Quranic reform? [/quote]

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