Towards a Progressive Islam
By
Ghulam Mohiyuddin, New Age Islam
31 March
2022
Modern-day
Muslims do not accept the wall that has been created between Islam and
modernity. They are in favour of incorporating into Islam the best liberal and
fact-based trends in modern thinking. While not all progressive Muslims accept
all of the progressive ideas that have been proposed in recent decades, certain
trends seem to be gaining more and more acceptance. It may be opportune to
identify such trends and seek feedback from others who have been engaged in
similar introspection.
The
following is a simplified listing of the principles that many may consider the
appropriate components of Progressive Islam. Some of these principles may seem
to some to be contrary to our usual teachings but they are, in my view,
consistent with the true spirit of Islam.
(1) Islam
promotes the brotherhood of man and the development of humane and caring
societies. It encourages individuals to be kind, loving, and respectful to
others.
(2) Islam
lets us think for ourselves.
(3) Islam
is based on rationality and common sense.
(4) Islam
emphasizes righteousness, justice, and compassion. It rejects cruel and unusual
punishments.
(5) Islam
supports gender equality.
(6) Islam
supports a pluralistic society and respects the religions and sects of others.
(7) Islam
rejects obscurantism, supremacism, racism, and casteism. It considers concepts
such as 'jihad' and 'Kafir' to be obsolete.
(8) Islam
believes in peace and nonviolence.
(9) Islam
favours democratic and secular governments, favours the separation of state and
religion, promotes human rights, individual freedoms, freedom of speech, and
freedom of the press. It rejects all blasphemy laws.
(10) Islam
cherishes education and science. Boys and girls have equal rights to quality
education.
(11)
Progressive Islam considers the above principles to be consistent with the true
spirit of the Quran and the Sunnah.
While some
people may disagree with some of the above principles, it would be good to see
them as suitable subjects for future discourse.
---
Ghulam
Mohiyuddin is a retired psychiatrist.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-society/progressive-islam/d/126696
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