The Illusion of Reforming Islam

 

Since, thanks to Islamic terrorism the interest to know Islam has peaked and Islam has come under scrutiny, the westerners began asking, where are the moderate Muslims. Well, there is none. The concept is absurd. Muslims view this issue differently. You are either a ‘good’ practicing Muslim or a bad wishy-washy Muslim. It’s the latter group that the westerners have misnamed moderate Muslims. As far as Muslims are concerned they are ‘hypocrites.’  Not surprisingly, the ‘moderates’ also confess being hypocrites. They will tell you they believe in Islam but they are not good Muslims. In the back of their minds however, they plan to become ‘good’ Muslims once they have done all the ‘sins’ and enjoyed life enough.

The Illusion of Reforming Islam

Can Islam be reformed? All other religions have reformed; why not Islam?

The problem with Islam is that it is rotten from its core.  The evil is in its holy book. Many Muslims realize that there is something wrong with their religion.  Unable to understand that the problem is the religion itself and unwilling to accept the truth, they pretend to reform Islam. The truth is that every Muslim knows that Islam cannot be reformed, but the idea has its appeal for the non-Muslims. When there is a demand for something there will be someone who will rise to satisfy that demand.

Let us consider the etymology and meaning of the word “re-form.” It derives from Latin refōrmāre, which means to redeem, to reclaim, to renew. All these imply restoring something to its original shape. Let us first take a look at reform in Christianity.

The Christian Reformation

The Christian Reformation began as an attempt to reform, not the religion, but the Catholic Church. Many believers were troubled by the Church and its practices, such as the sale of indulgences (tickets to paradise) and simony (buying and selling church positions). They considered these as false doctrines and malpractices within the Church.

Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin and other reformers protested these and other practices and beliefs of the Church such as Purgatory, devotion to Mary (Marina veneration), the intercession of and devotion to the saints, most of the sacraments, the mandatory celibacy for the clergy (including monasticism), and the authority of the Pope.

None of these are doctrines of Christianity. These were practices of the Church. The reformers protested against the Church. They did not defy the authority of the Bible. They suggested that the Bible should be read literally. They rejected the allegorical interpretations of the Scriptures and took the texts of the Old and the New Testaments as something like statute law. The words meant what they said; any difficulty, contradiction, or obscure meaning was the fault of the reader and not the text.

Anything not contained explicitly and literally in the scriptures was to be rejected, and anything that is contained explicitly and literally in the scriptures was to be followed unwaveringly. [1]

This is the essence of Protestant Reformation

The Islamic Reformation

An analogous reformation also took place in Islam. It is called Salafism.

Many westerners erroneously believe that Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab, (1703–1792) was the founder of Salafism, an extremist sect of Islam. This is not true. Abdul Wahhab did not found a new sect. He was a reformer of Islam in the same sense that Luther was of Christianity.

The core of Abdul Wahhab’s thinking is that Islam is perfect and complete and its decline is the result of religious innovations (bid‘ah), and that an Islamic revival will result by purging the religion from foreign influences and by emulating Muhammad and his companions.

The concept that Islam was perfect in its early stages is asserted in the Quran. “Today have I perfected your religious law for you, and have bestowed upon you the full measure of My blessings, and willed that self-surrender unto Me shall be your religion.” (Q.5:3)

Abdul Wahhab proposed that Muslims should refrain from introducing any innovation and follow the examples of the salaf, (predecessors or early generations) hence the name Salafi.

This definition is not an invention of Abdul Wahhab, but is based on a hadith that reports Muhammad saying, “The people of my generation are the best, then those who follow them, and then those who follow the latter (i.e. the first three generations of Muslims).[2]

It is important to note that ibn Taymiyyah (1263 – 1328) was also a Salafi. He opposed the celebration of Muhammad’s birthday and the construction of shrines around the tombs of Sufi ‘saints,’ saying, “Many of them [Muslims] do not even know of the Christian [Catholic] origins of these practices. Accursed be Christianity and its adherents.”

There is a hadith where Muhammad says, “I am the best Salaf for you.” [3]

The desire to reform Islam and go back to its original pristine state is actually an old thought. Abdul Wahhab, however, succeeded to give shape to this concept, which took ground thanks to the Saudi kings who are his descendants through one of his daughters.

The Similarities between Christian Reformation and Islamic Reformation

There are many similarities between Protestantism and Salafism. The former rejects devotion to Mary and saints and their intercession. The latter rejects devotion to Muhammad, his intercession and the intercession of Islamic holy men (such as practiced in Shiism). Both these reform movements want to take their respective faiths to their original purity and eschew the innovations that have been added to the religion after the death of their founders.

Dr. Ingrid Mattson, the president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), when asked whether Wahhabism is an extreme right wing sect of Islam, responded, “No it’s not true to characterize ‘Wahhabism’ that way. This is not a sect. It is the name of a reform movement that began 200 years ago to rid Islamic societies of cultural practices and rigid interpretation that had acquired over the centuries. It really was analogous to the European protestant reformation.”[4]

The Outcome of Reform in Christianity

Although Christian Reformation and Islamic Reformation are almost identical in their scope, their outcomes have been very different. The literal reading of the Bible became the underpinning of the social theories and organization of Protestant societies and the foundation of social organization of the English colonies in America.

These reformers literally transformed the philosophical, political, religious, and social landscape of Europe. We still live in a society dominated by protestant theory of social organization.

American political discourse is essentially Calvinistic. In other words its social organization is based on the literal meaning of Christian scriptures.

According to Calvin and Zwingli, not only should all religious belief be founded on the literal reading of Scriptures, but Church organization, political organization, and society itself should be founded on this literal reading.

Luther wrote a letter to Pope Leo, (which resulted in his excommunication from the Church) in which he explained the substance of his ideas. The letter is entitled “On the Freedom of the Christian.” This letter explains the core of Luther’s thinking. According to Luther, the essence of Christianity is “freedom,” or “liberty.”

It is this concept that eventually gave rise to the notion of individual freedom, political freedom, and economic freedom.

Most of the European Enlightenment revolves around freedom and the project of “liberating” people: liberating them from false beliefs, false religion, arbitrary authority, etc.–this is, what is called “liberation discourse.” Westerners still participate in this Enlightenment project today.

That is why America invaded Iraq, to prevent a dictator taking control of most of the world’s oil   reserves and to liberate Kuwaitis, and a decade later, to liberate the Iraqis. That is why America has fought nearly forty wars abroad, from Japan to Germany, to Italy, to Panama to Nicaragua, to Kosovo, to Vietnam, to Korea, to Angola, to Somalia, to Afghanistan.  These wars were not always right, but the nation was told, and sometimes deceived into believing that the wars are to liberate people, to stop dictators, to export democracy and freedom. This idea of “liberating” people, so entrenched in America’s international politics, comes out of Luther’s idea of “freedom.”

 

The Outcome of Reform in Islam

What is the essence of the reformation in Islam? The essence of the Wahhabi belief is that man is a slave of Allah. People are ibad (slaves).

This is diametrically a different discourse from the discourse of Protestantism, and here lies the essential difference between Christianity and Islam.

On the surface, there are many similarities between Christianity and Islam. Both believe in a god; both rely on an intermediary between man and God; both faiths are eschatological – have a hell, a heaven and an afterlife, etc. However, in their core, they are very different, in fact opposite to one another. The reformation of both faiths took the same road, but going back to their roots, they went to opposite directions. Islam is not a continuation of Christianity, as Muhammad and Muhammadans claim. It is an anti-Christian belief. Christianity advocates freedom of man, Islam, his slavery. One brings the message of liberation, the other, of submission.

The discourse of freedom, so essential to Christianity is contrary to what Islam stands for. When Muslims carry placards that read “democracy is hypocrisy,” and “freedom go to hell” during their laud demonstrations, they are expressing the true message of Islam, which is anti-freedom, anti-democracy, pro slavery and pro subjugation.

Muslims are not free to choose. They must obey Allah and His Messenger. “And it behoves not a believing man and a believing woman that they should have any choice in their matter when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter; and whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he surely strays off a manifest straying.” (Q. 33:36)

It is not up to Muslims to decide what is good for them. This decision is already made for them and all they have to do is to obey, even when they don’t like it. “Fighting is ordained for you, even though it be hateful to you; but it may well be that you hate a thing the while it is good for you, and it may well be that you love a thing the while it is bad for you: and God knows, whereas you do not know.”(Q. 2:216)

Islam can be distilled in its name: ‘Submission.’ Allah knows best. Therefore, man must accept his command blindly and unwaiveringly.

Democracy means the government of people by the people. In Democracy men make the law. In Islam the law comes from God. Man must obey even if those laws appear contrary to reason and are oppressive.

This is the reason why “moderate” Muslims cannot abrogate stoning, killing the apostates or other abuses of their fellow practicing Muslims, and that is why their protests don’t go beyond a lip service, and that too is only for the consumption of the western media.

Both Christianity and Islam underwent reformation. They took similar paths, but they ended up in two opposite poles. While Christian reformation brought freedom, Enlightenment and democracy, Islamic reformation bore oppression, dictatorship and terrorism.

Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Abdul Wahhab were reformers of Islam. Among the contemporary Islamic reformers we can name Maududi (1903 – 1979) who wrote an interpretation of the Quran and Sayyid Qutb (1906-1966), the leading intellectual of Muslim Brotherhood in 1950s and 1960s, who was the inspiration to all Muslim terrorists including Ayatollah Khomeini and Bin Laden.

Reformation vs. Transformation

What today’s so called Islamic reformers are proposing is not reformation, but transformation of Islam. Unlike the above mentioned reformers, these new reformer wannabes don’t want to go to the origin of Islam. They want to eschew a part of the Quran and the entire Sharia and invent a different religion, still calling it Islam.

This is delusional thinking and impractical, both logically and logistically. It is also strictly prohibited in the Quran.

These neoreformers want to change Islam and bring bid’a. Is that possible? Can believers have an opinion contrary to what the Quran says? We already saw that the Quran 33:36 prohibits the believers to have any choice in their OWN matter when Allah and his Messenger have made their choice. How can they decide what is good for the RELIGION?

When the Quran says, “Fighting is ordained for you, even if you don’t like it,” the message is clear. This is God speaking. So how can you dispute with God? Once you accept the Quran as the word of God you cannot pick and choose and discard what you don’t like. This is strictly prohibited, not once, but repeatedly.

“Do you, then, believe in some parts of the divine writ and deny the truth of other parts? What, then, could be the reward of those among you who do such things but ignominy in the life of this world and, on the Day of Resurrection, they will be consigned to most grievous suffering? For God is not unmindful of what you do.” (Q.2:85)

Am I, then, to look unto anyone but God for judgment [as to what is right and wrong], when it is He who has bestowed upon you from on high this divine writ, clearly spelling out the truth?”(Q.6:114)

Wert thou to follow the common run of those on earth, they will lead thee away from the way of Allah. They follow nothing but conjecture: they do nothing but guess. (Q. 6:116)

Verily, as for those who suppress aught of the revelation which God has bestowed from on high, and barter it away for a trifling gain – they but fill their bellies with fire. And God will not speak unto them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He cleanse them [of their sins]; and grievous suffering awaits them. (Q. 2:174)

See also 16:89 and 39:23,

Such as We send down for those who make division, Those who break the Quran into parts. Therefore, by the Lord, We will, of a surety, call them to account,(Q.15: 90-92)

there is none that can alter the words of Allah.(Q. Q. 6:34 )

There is no changing the Words of Allah that is the Supreme Triumph. (Q.10:64)

And recite that which hath been revealed unto you of the scripture of your Lord. There is none who can change His words, and you will find no refuge beside Him. (Q. 18:27)

How can one claim to believe in the Quran and disregard all these warnings?

The so called reformers of Islam are misguided at best and deceptive at worst. Their efforts should not be welcomed. Whatever their intention, whether genuine or disingenuous, they are pulling wool over the eyes of non-Muslims and as the result giving legitimacy to a very dangerous creed.

 

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly:

Muslims can be classified in three categories, the good, the bad and the ugly.

The good Muslims are those who follow the Quran and the examples set by Muhammad and become terrorists.

The bad Muslims are those wishy-washy Muslims who don’t practice Islam completely, don’t read the Quran, don’t pray and rarely, if ever, go to mosque. Their knowledge of Islam is deficient even though their faith may not be necessarily weak. However, because of their lack of understanding of Islam they don’t harbor ill feelings towards non-Muslims, although they are often suspicious of them. They strive to improve their lives and live like others.

Many of these bad Muslims will admit that they are not good Muslims and hope that eventually they will summon enough faith to become good Muslims. These are the majority.

The ugly Muslims are those who know the truth about Islam but lie about it. They try their best to portray Islam in a good light. They even agree with you that the good Muslims are bad, and claim that Islam has been hijacked by the good Muslims.

By sugarcoating Islam you cannot change its nature. You can purify filthy water and drink it. You can even purify urine into drinking water. But can you purify gasoline enough to make it drinkable? The essence of Islam is evil. It is not a contaminated good faith. You cannot reform it enough to make it a humane faith. Can you reform Nazism? This whole notion is misguided and absurd.

What is the point of reforming a religion founded by a mentally deranged man who committed so much evil on Earth, lied, deceived, raped, tortured, raided, looted, massacred and committed the most despicable crimes? Why keep his cult alive and his memory honored? He deserves scorn, not recognition.

Reforming Islam is impossible. It is either a dilution or a ruse. Jihad is based on two pillars, war and deception. I don’t want anyone to be fooled by the soothing promises of Muslim reformers. Moderate Islam does not exist. It’s a myth.

I do not trust Muslims who are against Sharia. I do not understand them. What they say does not add up. I don’t know what they are up to. I do not trust people who say, I am a follower of Muhammad, but I do not follow Muhammad. There is something fishy, something dishonest and hypocritical about their claim.

If you are a Muslims, be a Muslim. I don’t agree with you but at least I know where you stand and where I should stand to be safe from you. But if you are a Muslim and against Islam and the Sharia, I don’t trust you. You are either a fool or a crook. “You are neither hot nor cold. I will spit you out.”

Some of these so called reformers hide their identity and face claiming to ‘fear Muslims.’ Why should they? They are not saying anything that CAIR does not say when it wants to Con Americans with Islamic Ruse. This is all sham.

Reforming Islam is impossible, but to transform it you need divine authority. Only God can change his words. Where is that divine authority? If you are allowed to pick and choose from the Quran, why Osama Bin Laden should not have the same right? Which Islam is the right Islam? Wouldn’t this lead to more division and fight among Muslims?

The only serious reformer of Islam was Baha’u’llah. He realized Islam cannot be reformed. So he founded a new religion and announced that he was vested with authority from God to annul all His previous mandates in the Quran.

He told Muslims, whereas before you were told to slay the unbelievers, now God wants you to love all the people irrespective of their faiths. Whereas before He told you women are deficient in intelligence, beat them if you fear they may disobey you, now He says men and women are equal and give preference to the education of your daughters, because they will be the mothers and the primary educators of future generations. Whereas in the previous dispensation God told you all non-believers will go to hell, now He says it’s your deeds that matter and your faith without good deeds is worthless and that He is not going to discriminate against anyone because of his belief. It’s the purity of heart that matters not what you profess with your tongues. Whereas before He had built a huge rotisserie to burn humans for disbelief, He has actually shut it down. He wants you to obey him for the love of Him alone and not because you fear him. Just act as mature people. There is no threat. Whereas before He said, ”fighting is good for you,” now He is tired of all the fighting and says fighting behoove the ferocious beasts and choiced deeds behooves humans. Whereas before you were promised virgins, there are no virgins. Your body will rot here. The rewards are all spiritual in nature, like joy and love. There is no hanky-panky in paradise. Also there is no punishment, except the regret that you’d feel for losing the chance to develop spiritual limbs in this world.

That requires courage. Now this was in 19th century in the middle of Shiite Persia. Of course Baha’u’llah was put in a dungeon and spent the rest of his life in exile. Many of his followers were executed. However, there is logic in that argument. The logic is that only God has the authority to abrogate His laws. This logic remains valid, until you ask, what was God smoking when he sent Muhammad? Baha’u’llah is the only credible transformer of Islam. But again, Baha’i Faith is not Islam. It’s entirely a different religion and is rejected by Muslims as a heresy.

You cannot reform Islam and you cannot transform it. All you can and should do, is dump it. Please, let us stop this charade. Either be a Muslim and do as Muhammad said or leave Islam and don’t become a shield for the terrorists. Don’t muddy the waters. Don’t mix among the enemy and pose as a friend. This is the same tactic that Palestinians use in war. They mix among civilians and innocent children to make it difficult for their enemy to target them. You are causing confusion. You provide a protective shield for the enemy. I am not writing this for you. I know you are not going to change. You are a deceiver. I am writing this for the non-Muslims so they do not fall into your trap and don’t provide for you free podium to deceive them.

Islam cannot be reformed. They tried it in every imaginable way. The Mu’tazelis tried it, the Sufis tried it, hundreds of old and new schools tried it and they all failed. If you cannot stomach the Sharia, why do you want to keep Islam at all? Islam belongs to the toilet of history. Dump it and flush. Get rid of it and don’t fool yourself with this nonsense. Accept the truth. Yes truth matters. Islam is a lie. Muhammad was a mentally sick conman. Get over with it and stop this ridiculous farce of reformation.

 


[1] A History of the Modern World by R.R Palmer, Joel Colton, P 78-79. 1950

[2] Bukhari 3:48:819 and 820 and Muslim 31:6150 and 6151. Tabi‘in and the Taba‘ at-Tabi‘in,

[3] Sahih Muslim: no. 2450

[4] http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=1470

 

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  1. drin says:

    Ali please take a look at this….This women believes Islam can be reformed  http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/headtohead/20

  2. Nick Darkness says:

    Nothing, in islam, made by god/Allah is allowed to be portrayed by man as he can't come close to the perfection of Allah. So they can't even draw flowers let alone their precious Mohammed. If you look in Mosques etc you'll see the Irish type decorations or abstract pictures of flowers etc not actual representations.

  3. renitheking says:

    wonderful..

  4. tomenttatet says:

    wonderful…

  5. dpa says:

    St Paul called himself a 'slave of Christ' and said elsewhere that he wished others were 'as he was'. Its a modification to say that real Christianity advocates 'freedom of choice'. Either you share Christ's and his disciples fervour and evangelical ministry or face judgement after death. Same principle as Islam dont ya think ?

  6. cutbulla says:

    How abt cutting the tail…

  7. Vijay says:

    As per Buddha, we have term, the God is nothing. Hazrat Sarmad Shahid RA
    was killed by Aurangzeb for saying, La Illaha, No God.

    Buddha did meditation so did Sarmad. Bothe saw the reality. The second last verse at the end of Manu Samriti, which tells that Salvation to one who see self in all makes all other caste related to things null and void in Manu Samriti. So one verse of Holy Quran, stating all with be destroyed but the God, makes prophet, hell, infidal, last day of judgement all null and void. Had i been in Islamic nation making such free thought, i could have my throat slit.

  8. Vijay says:

    If you see the picture of Mr Rahman or his mothers with their hands, they have rings with perhaps gemstones.

    His Hindu name was A S Daleep Kumar, while Muslim name is A R Rahman. Why both the names starting with A ?

    Maybe there is some astrological issue as in Past there were some Moghul Kings who converted their relative to Catholic faith, that too for astrological reason.

  9. Boiragi says:

    wow..I feel honoured. Thanks Mr Sina.

  10. Ali Sina says:

    1- I think Ayan Hirsi Ali is a bright and brave woman.
    2- I don’t support Tarik Fatah, Irshad Manji and other so called moderate Muslims because Islam cannot be a moderate religion ever. and they are merely deceiving their audience, filling a demand with falsehood.
    3- Michael Scheuer presents the excuses of Muslims to hate America as the causes of the hatred. Nonetheless, with or without the excuses cited by him Muslims will be still hostile to America because it is an infidel nation. Now this is just a very simple and maybe simplistic answer. The relationship is more complex and America is aggravating the situation. America often acts out of sheer interest disregarding the interest of the other nations, and even harming them, sometimes out of ignorance, but sometimes out of sheer evil.

  11. Boiragi says:

    I really wish If Mr Sina answers these questions, don't know whether this will get to him or not. Or will he answer to someone like myself.

    1) What is your stance on Ayan Hirsi Ali?
    2) Why exactly you do not support people like Tarek Fatah, Irshad Manji, what is wrong if the bad Muslims, as per your example above, prevails in the Muslim world in future.
    3) What is your view on Mr Michael Scheuer, and is proposition of non-interventalist policy. He believes that due to America's oil dependency is the problem why Muslims/Arabs are still important, and America should not poke it's nose to someone else's business.

    I hope you read these questions Mr Sina, I must say I have been mind blown since I have come to your site. It was wonderful to get to know your work.

  12. Boiragi says:

    well if someone follows sufi teachings..I do not think he or she will be much different from core of hinduism, buddhism, christianity in terms of the spiritual aspect.

    One not so famous old Indian mystic (sri ramkrishna) once said. HOw many opinions, that many paths..but all paths lead to one destination..in eternity.

    I do not think Ali Sina will have any issues with Mr Rahman for sure. Or inrestrospect, what A R Rahman and his philosophy is an enemy to Ali Sina's philosophy, maybe a difference of opinion.

    A R Rahman converted from Dilip Kumar because his sister was mortally ill and the pledge was if she gets cured he will convert to Islam…but..Indian version of Islam and from being a hindu first, I do not think he is those kind of Muslims that Mr Sina wants to fight against anyway.

    My opinion only – and as Pat Condell says always at the end …peace

  13. Boiragi says:

    hahahahah what the heck is a secular muslim family ( I am sorry, did not mean to offend, but can't help laughing)

    Either a secular family or a religous family which did not put any pressure on religion, is that what you meant.

  14. DPhysicist says:

    And I thought islam can change… lol, but the day Muslims begin to question they will not remain Muslim…

  15. DPhysicist says:

    I think something better should be thought… Religions have become too much a dogma…

  16. Rohit says:

    "He never said yr sins can be forgiven but subjected to the Law of Karma. Jesus said yr sins can be forgiven if u believe in him. An incredible tale created by the early christians to attract more believers ? "

    No offence meant, but it is true. I believe the message especially in regards to intercession has been distorted and misrepresented by the Church. There is no better theory at present then the Law of Karma that explains the glaring inequalities in the world?? eg: No theory explains as to why some are born with deformities and some are born perfect.

    Forgiving sins without punishment is like encouragement to committ misdeeds. This intercession concept was later picked on by Mo and Quran to mislead Muslims.

  17. enlightened25 says:

    "It is very simple, it is called the golden rule:
    Do to others what you want them to do to you, or less demanding:
    Do not to others, what you do not want done to your self."
    Is the "Golden rule" a rational rule? Should we take notice of people who cannot "do good" to us or harm us? What about your enemies that want to injure and kill you, why should you refrain from returning the compliment? Should you not fight them? May it not be "doing good" to annihilate them? May it not be "good" for them to fight others? What is "good" anyway? Could preying animans continue to exist if they were to do unto others as they would be done by? If only some accepted the Golden rule as their guiding moral principle would they not become victims of those that don`t follow it? What does your "golden rule" say about this?

  18. JensB_DK says:

    Just Dan said:
    I really think that secularism and Islam can be compatible.

    We all whish it were so easy.
    I promish you, Ali Sina do not speak out of ignorence or hate.

  19. JensB_DK says:

    Maruf asked: But who will decide the ethics meaning which is bad or which is right?

    And you ask about rules on bikinies and vegetables.

    It is very simple, it is called the golden rule:
    Do to others what you want them to do to you, or less demanding:
    Do not to others, what you do not want done to your self.

    Buddhist rule, but international walidity.

  20. I used to be suggested this website by means of my cousin. I am now not positive whether or not this submit is written by way of him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble. You’re incredible! Thank you!

  21. Maruf says:

    According to Blaise Pascal (in article http://alisina.org/what-if-god-exists/) we should believe in God. Because if we now believe that there is no God, but after death suddenly found that there is really a God, then no scope to rectify, straight looser. But If we believe in God in this life, then we will be in safe side whether there is God exists or not. So what we have to do is to find out the only true / loving God among the Gods in various religions.

    If Dr. Ali Sina was honest, suppose one of my friends called me, Maruf come out of your home, right then I will asked him where I will live at night? If he could not provide me another home than he has no right to call me come out? My friend should first manage another better home for me if he wants me to leave my current home. But Mr. Sina is not doing that he should have at first come up with a truer / lovelier God comparing to Muslim God before asking Muslims to denounce their faith. But without giving a solution he is offering a problem. This proves that Mr. Ali Sina has something evil hidden in his mind.

    He also suggests that to live ethically this will be enough for you. I am also agree with him in this regard.

    But who will decide the ethics meaning which is bad or which is right?

    Somebody tells, looking to a woman is bad, somebody tells looking is ok but touching is bad, somebody tells shaking and kissing is ok but adultery is bad, somebody tells everything is ok if both agree. Somebody tells Gay is very bad, some tells no it is their right. Some tells to be vegetarian is right , some tells no everything which is permitted can be eaten . Some tells bikini is perfect because it reveals the whole beauty, some tells no- woman should be modestly covered. Doctors say alcohol is harmful but it is permitted in many countries. Some says gambling is bad because it looses man financially, socially but many countries has permitted it. Some says interest is not bad for economy although it can’t resist recession, others tell that Islamic banking is less affected by the recession. A robber says robbery is good because he can earn much money with less effort and enjoy a luxurious life but the victim will say it is crime.

    For these reasons laws of every country differs each other and there is a continuous clash between pro and con.

    So the question is that who will define the good or bad or set limit. It is obviously the God, the Creator. Otherwise every right or wrong i.e. ethics becomes meaningless. So Gods presence/guidance is essential.

    So what is Dr. Sina doing, he is trying to make Muslims ex, without suggesting a more true God/religion for them. He wants to bring them out of home to under the sun, rain, storm, danger. It is inhuman. He is utilizing his brilliancy, literacy for misleading people, for the evil of the society.

    [email protected]

  22. Just Dan says:

    Oh man, i shall plea a no-contest Mr. Ali’s statements. Kinda too far out for me. This is heavy.

    Maybe i think i’m gullible but who am i to judge? I really think that secularism and Islam can be compatible. From there, democracy and freedom should follow. And another face of Islam shall emerge.

    I don’t know how. Don’t know when.

    Maybe it’s time to stop and look around that the world has changed a lot since Post-Jahilliyah age. Maybe it’s time to change, if change is indeed possible.

    Peace and Respect…

  23. Bjorn says:

    its all true, as i happen to be a muslims who left islam, i live ina a islamic country and here too muslims are hoping to reform islam to which i keep telling that islam will never allow it, and like you stated ali sina they dont want to go to the origin of islam. they really dont know what they are up against.

    PS. i am a very big fan of your work. i have been following from apostate of islam, you give me alot of courage, i never believed in islam it just did't work for me, but its was recently i started reading the quran and researching that landed me on apostate of islam, i was really happy to see ex muslims. never knew they existed and voice out the truth about islam.

    i use alot of your groups materials on my blog, i try to convey this massage to muslims, but i seriously dont know how to get out of here, and i cant openly say i am an apostate of islam. we have had examples.

    anyways i'd like to share this with you http://bjornenfiddle.tumblr.com/page/30 its the Quran and Hadith's with cartoon illustrations. exactly how it should be

  24. everin says:

    Sorry if u deem it  to be derogatory.  It was meant to be a joke. No Joke no fun no f**k no son. Similarly u called my master  a charlatan but I never get angry in the Johrei spirit.

  25. John K says:

    More precisely, he was an enlightened man. His teachings have done much good for the people who practice it.

  26. John K says:

    Everin wrote: "As I've said, u American shouid get the hell out of Iraq n Afghanistan as soon as possible n build up yr home defences. U are there to teach the unteachables n to control the uncontrolables. More n more "terminators" are pouring in from Pakistan into Afghanistan n Syria into Iraq. So it is an bottomless pit for American money n blood. Obama realized this but withdrawing too sowly. Save the money for other better cuases n the US soldiers will be too happy to go home to enjoy their lives.."

    Hi Charlee.

    The merit of a cause is not measured by its cost, but by its worthiness. You are right that we face great challenges because centuries of cultural traditions like corruption and Islam are hard to break. We are further hindered by our military's "see no Islam" attitude, with it's recent culmination in asking female soldiers to wear a hijab. But it's nevertheless true that people in Afghanistan who have lived under the Taliban do not want to go back to that. It remains to be seen whether they can survive our withdrawal, but they want and deserve the chance.

    Our soldiers, by the way, are proud of the contribution they are making to make these places better for the people who live there.

  27. John K says:

    Certainly an acceptable alternative to Islam. Congratulations, Larry.

  28. John K says:

    This was a good comment until it got derogatory. Let's respect each other's beliefs without putting them down or making fun of them.

  29. everin says:

    As I've said, u American shouid get the hell out of Iraq n Afghanistan as soon as possible n build up yr home defences. U are there to teach the unteachables n to control the uncontrolables. More n more "terminators" are pouring in from Pakistan into Afghanistan n Syria into Iraq. So it is an bottomless pit for American money n blood. Obama realized this but withdrawing too sowly. Save the money for other better cuases n the US soldiers will be too happy to go home to enjoy their lives..

  30. everin says:

    They should not pray to him but respect him. He gave the world his message of peace n not doing evil just as Jesus did. But there is a diffrence. He never said yr sins can be forgiven but subjected to the Law of Karma. Jesus said yr sins can be forgiven if u believe in him. An incredible tale created by the early christians to attract more believers ? Ha-ha-ha !

  31. everin says:

    The Law of Karma a.k.a the law of cause n effect is the most important teaching in Buddhism to teach human not to do evil. Unfortunately, in Buddha's meditation, he could not reach the spiritual level n declared that there was no Supreme Being who created everything. Perhaps, it was not the right time for God to reveal to him his presence. Isn't it an irony that if there is a law n no super power ( God ) to enforce it. The Law will become non-existance..
    If u cannot pay yr karmic debt in this life's time, u have to pay it in yr next life's. Reincarnation is another important teaching of Buddhism. All-mi- toh foot.

  32. Duratma_Gandhi says:

    Debate with a 'convert' Sufi Musician – named A.R. Rahman.
    Mr Sina,
    Could you or someone from your team debate with this 'Oscar award winning' musician from Chennai (India)? If you do get an opportunity, please publish what happens.
    MN

  33. Duratma_Gandhi says:

    It's written in the Hadith or Quran – no pictures or other art-work symbolizing humans should be made. If you make a picture of Mo – then Muslims might begin worshipping it – and that becomes a shirk. Unfortunately, this kinda proves that Muslims themselves accept that they're so dumb that they'll begin idol-worship if you made pictures or statues of Mo. Also, they go around kissing the black stone at Kaaba & doing all sorts of shirk as part of Haj. If respecting a stone & kissing it at Mecca is not idolizing, how come kissing a photo of some being idolizing & shirk? Only a twisted Muslim brain can clarify that.
    MN

  34. Duratma_Gandhi says:

    Come to think of it, al-ghazali kinda wrapped it up real nice for the Muslims.
    .
    Even if someone tries to use reason & points out logical fallacies, simply say "Reason leads to despair" – and in a comparison between blind-faith on Allah SWT & 'reason', the former wins hands-down.
    .
    MN

  35. jay says:

    In buddhism there is an Absolute truth. The absolute truth in buddhism is that there is no absolute truth

  36. jay says:

    The idea behind buddhism is to get out of the cycle of rebirths and to avoid suffering. Buddha was a human, born just like u and me. According to buddhism he is free from material desire and ignorance. So according to buddhism he is more than a human but not a god. Buddhism doesnt worship gods. Buddha looks at it as totally useless. Actually buddha in many cases rejected answering metaphysical questions saying they are not important. That is why u cannot find creationism in buddhism. when he was questioned how life was begun he said the beginning of life is unthinkable. What buddhism offers to the people is how to get rid of suffering. and i thnk it is much more relavant to us than finding which god created us.

  37. jay says:

    Buddha was a peaceful person. He did not preach only peace actually his philosophy is very deep. the depth of his teachings are not known among the common people. i am a theravada buddhist so i can answer sum of u're qs. Buddha's teaching mainly consists of 4 truths. 1. there is suffering in the world. 2. there is a reason for suffering. 3. the root cause for suffering can be removed and 4. the way to remove it. Actually suffering is the english transalation of the word buddha used in pali, which is Dukkha. and i have to say the word suffering very poorly represnt the whole idea behind the word dukkha.

  38. zara says:

    Then Larry you should go back and properly read everything that buddha said. It wont take long for you to see behind all the hype people have created over time, buddha WAS just a man. He did NOT create anything. He just preached peace all his life. Thus, it is good that buddhism teaches good way of living and paying respect to what buddha has preached. Unfortunately, It stops there. There is no concept of god in buddhism. There is no such thing as worship or prayer in buddhism.

    I took this from buddhanet.net:
    "..The other kind of worship is when we show respect to someone or something we admire. When a teacher walks into a room we stand up, when we meet a dignitary we shake hands,when the national anthem is played we salute. These are all gestures of respect and worship and indicate our admiration for persons and things. This is the type of worship Buddhist practise. A statue of the Buddha with its hands rested gently in its lap and its compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. The perfume of incense reminds us of the pervading influence of virtue, the lamp reminds us of light of knowledge and the flowers which soon fade and die, reminds us of impermanence. When we bow, we express our gratitude to the Buddha for what his teachings have given us. This is the nature of Buddhist worship. "

    Again, emphasizing my point that buddha is NOT and NEVER was god. You ask favor/prayer to God, who is ultimately greater than one is. Buddha was not greater than you and me. He lead a greater life, but he was still a human being.

  39. raiyu says:

    One question that I would really like to know the answer.

    Why does muslim people do not allow Muhammad face to be shown in any picture?

    I think it’s really weird. Even Jesus have a picture, and the other prophets too.

    Muslim are so sensitive when it comes to Muhammad’s picture. maybe they are ashame to show the true face of their prophet.

  40. Larry says:

    I'm a Buddhist, accepted in 2008. I was born in a secular Muslim family

  41. hbk says:

    I agree

  42. John K says:

    You are not reading your history. Muhammad was a gangster robber, murderer, rapist, lecher and con-artist. The Quran teaches Muslims to always be at war with kafirs, so your argument is worthless. All of the world's problems are caused by Muslim violence and aggression. Wake up Adnan!

  43. Arya Anand says:

    Hello,

    You're only parroting your Muslim brothers' deceptive words. If you're sincere and honest in search of truth then go read the original biography of Muhammad and learn about the brutal terrorist acts of this fiend and also Quran verses promoting violence and killings of apostates, polytheists and infidels even when they do NOT harm Muslims.

  44. adnan says:

    seriously, waht have guys got against islam. the place where u tell that muhammad SWAS ordered us to kill non- muslims, its wrong. he only siad that during the time of war against non muslims, and waht do u expect us to do againt enemy soldiers, smile and laugh at them while they put a bullet through our heads. i am proud to be a practicing muslim and i have many non muslim friends towards whom i have not meant any harm or ill. does that mean im not a muslim?

  45. John K says:

    Find your inner guidance, Tejean.

    Buddha said he was just a man and asked people not to worship him or pray to him.

  46. John K says:

    Muhammad was just a servant of Satan ensuring that evil would be accomplished far beyond his own generation.

  47. Audrey says:

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  48. Freedom Fighter says:

    … (cont'd 2/2) …

    Boy, was Mohammed a conniving, malicious individual. I mean he could have called himself a King or whatever. But, why did he brand himself a prophet, why? Was all the killing, hate, misoginy, looting and rape that he committed not enough that he had to make sure he passed them on to the generations that followed as no other than prophetic acts to emulate? Was it his way of lying to himself that all this bad that he committed was not just good – it was god-ordained – so that he could live with himself? Can't he have seen how he was going to scar the psyche of an entire plethora of human beings for what insofar amounts to 1400 years of lost time?

    It may be impossible to realize. But, if I saw you Ali, I would be honored to shake your hand.

  49. Feedom Fighter says:

    Dear Ali,

    God bless you – if there exists one. I wrote to you once before and thanked you for inspiring me to leave this cult of hate. As long as we call this charlatan a prophet, we are doomed as a people. Yet for some reason, Muslims would rather crouch in their corner and defend this so-called prophet viciously lest they lose ther insurance policy on what happens after they die! Are Muslims so morally bankrupt that they would rather believe that a pedophile, murderer and thief was a prophet just to get some sort of "illusory guarantee on the afterlife" rather than face the truth that Mohammed was simply far from being a human being – let alone a prophet? Don't they see what they are missing and causing other to miss NOW, TODAY?

    Anyway, I agree with you. You cannot reform Islam. To Muslims, it is like reforming what God said plain and simple and how can you, a simple human being, reform what God said unless what God said was not perfect, i.e. he was not God? This is why Muslims defend this devil-god of theirs so vehemently! … (cont'd 1/2) …

  50. Arya Anand says:

    There is a saying in Tamil "Naai Vaalai Nimirtha Mudiyaadhu" which means "a dog's tail cannot be straightened". Islam is like a dog's tail. It can neither be reformed nor be transformed.

  51. analytical says:

    its very right that islam cant be reformed.the present formof islam is unacceptable to us.if muslims start to undrstand it neutrally,theyll start to ask and we r witnessing this but the ratio is negligible.Ow its very high time for all of us for the sake of humanity, to find a effective way to combat this idiotic philosophy called islam.Request to all humanity to suggest new and effective way to combat.Even I am thinking very seriously.I am sure very soon I will come out with some soln.

  52. Raja Gopal says:

    God and religion are the creation of the human mind. Unless people realise this, they are going to fight and die for nothing.

  53. tejean says:

    All under heaven should embrace Buddhism. Hail to the guide who is to come!

  54. Elite says:

    Yes, both bad Muslim and liberal non Muslim should heed this call. Dump this evil cult and help humanity to achieve the goal of enlightenment earlier.

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