Nazia Khan- follow up argument

Submitted by Tariq (United Kingdom), Jul 30, 2007 at 10:10

I have to agree with Nazia Khan, who seems like an intelligent person that has put forward a very plausible argument. There are Muslims who do not completely understand their own faith and to justify such ignorance become blind followers who claim that it is faith that you need and not reason.

Faith, reason and emotion are all linked. Faith is the buzz word that is often misused, misunderstood and thrown into a discussion when people from most religions cannot seem to provide a good argument. They obviously do not like their thinking or interpretations of islam to be challenged. However, many like to preach the word of Islam as part of their duty. Islamic duty also calls for hard work, achievement and success at whatever we do, charity, justice, KINDNESS, honesty, contributing to society, trust, respect, tolerance, consideration, truth and above all higher levels of understanding. This is how Islam is preached, not by being stopped on the road and told that I am going to hell if I do not follow X persons version of Islam. How can Muslims preach without first achieving self-success and societal success?

Following Islam also means questioning ourselves, our actions, thoughts and knowledge. Not in a right or wrong, good or bad sense, but instead in an inquiring manner. It means thinking about and evaluating our own values, culture and knowledge and also accepting others values, culture and knowledge. I think Islam is more than citing a few scholars in Islamic texts, it is a religion for everyone to experience G_d directly without the need for intermediaries. It seems this can only be achieved through societal success which every Muslim should strive to achieve. It links the individual and the society.

However, many Islamic leaders in our societies want to maintain a balance of power by claiming the divine gift of religious purity and ultimate truth. I beg to differ. We are all humans, we are all going through life experiencing ups and downs along the way. To be Islamic means to be supportive and caring, not judgemental, arrogant and ruthless. Let us start thinking for ourselves!!!

Keep up the good work Nazia Khan

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