Islam is what Muslims do. It is not what Islam/Muslim say

Submitted by Ted (United States), Mar 10, 2011 at 03:00

Dear Dr Pipes:

So many times the argument that we must learn about Islam fully from an authentic source before we can criticize it will be repeated? Your reader Muslimah repeated the same tired argument once again.

No, Islam is not what it says. Islam is what Islam does. Islam is not what Muslim say. Islam is what Muslim do.

Under most favorable interpretation, every doctrine is right. It is the routine interpretation of a doctrine that must be used to criticize it for not every follower of a doctrine is expected to find the most esoteric interpretation. For example, in a perfect society, chopping the hands of a thief may work. In normal society no permanent punishment should be rendered for a non-permanent crime (for it leaves no room for mercy and penence). I can spend the whole night giving additional examples but I hope Muslimah got the idea. And I need not take her challenge. Do I need to go to al Azhar to confirm that punishment of theft is severence of hands? Probably not. If I am incorrect, Muslimah should correct me.

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