Harmonization of Reason and Revelation in Islam: Rescuing the Umma from Trauma (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798311018487)

Is Islam as practiced at present the same Islam as practiced by the prophet? An examination reveals differences. These differences were triggered by different events. As a result, Islam of tradition differs from the Islam of revelation. The Book of Allah inaugurated a reformation. It restricted arbitrary rule. It teaches justice. Hawkish rulers, however, resented these restrictions. They wanted a rendition of revelation that would endorse wars of territorial enlargement. This required exegesis and jurisprudence that would render wars of aggression lawful. The re-interpretation of revelation required the weaponization of exegesis and jurisprudence. Research was politicized. The re-articulation of revelation as a teaching of war was accomplished by "abrogating" all verses of reconciliation by the "verses of the sword." Recourse to the teaching of abrogation was justified by the assertion that the Book of Allah is "contradictory." The reinterpretation of revelation as a teaching of war was bolstered by turning to tradition. The turn to tradition was justified by the allegation that parts of revelation are "unclear" and "insufficiently detailed." This required a rejection of the verses that teach that the Book of Allah is "clear" and "complete." The re-articulation of Islam using exegesis and jurisprudence resting on a defiance of key teachings of revelation transformed Islam into Islamism, a teaching of aggression rather than reconciliation. Reinventing Islam as "a religion of war" corrupted knowledge. This corruption was enabled by the repression of reason. Rendering revelation as a teaching of war furnished a "religious" justification for waging wars of aggression through jihad al-talab, the "sixth pillar of Islam." The umma is suffering from the politicization of Islam. Islamists aim to establish a paradise on earth: the caliphate. This is a secular aspiration. Islamism was enforced on the population through repression. The repression found a political expression in the execution of 5,000 philosophers by Musa-Hadi, in the early part of the "inquisition" or mihna in 786. This tragic event, reported by al- Suyuti, is reminiscent of the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution that transpired a millennium afterwards. This was reenacted in the repression of the rationalists by al-Mutawakkil after 852. The repression of reason was referred to by Fazlur Rahman referred as "intellectual suicide." The "intellectual suicide" ushered in a "tradition of intellectual retardation." The "retardation" brought "political suicide," too. "Political suicide" was triggered by unlawful wars of aggression, waged under the banner of Islam, to propagate Islam through wars of aggression, in the epic clash of the realm of peace and the realm of war, a variant of the "clash of civilizations" thesis. The reluctance to engage reason triggered a set of disasters. By preventing the umma from understanding and following revelation, the repression of reason separated the umma from the Book of Allah. The reluctance to engage reasoning also prompted the corruption of jurisprudence, penal legislation, and knowledge. These issues require attention. The corruption of the knowledge of revelation undermined the umma spiritually as well as politically. Simultaneously, it exposed the umma to the risks of retaliation by aggrieved parties. A million Muslims perished in the retaliations against Baghdad in 1258, Afghanistan beginning in 2001, and in Iraq from 2003. Millions of Muslims paid with their blood for the abysmal acts of the rulers. The negative perception of Islam prevents reverts from coming to Islam, while simultaneously providing resons to Muslims to detach themselves from what they perceive as religion of violence. It is time to say no to extremists and return to the Islam of the Book of Allah, from the jungle of hawkish traditions and Islamist delusions.

Author: Leslie Terebessy
ISBN-13: 9798311018487
Publisher: Independently Published
Language: English
Published: 02/16/2025
Pages: 206
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.62lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.44d