The subject on Islamic liberal movements against the conservative ones has been contentious for a long period of time. This embodies itself as a silent split within this major religion. The Liberalists advance their own perspectives just as the conservatives. The liberal Muslims generally aim at a renewed interpretation of the ancient laws and culture in spite of the impeding western influential ideas. The second part discusses the Muslim feminists and their goals, how these ideas and goals contradict the Islamic practice over the centuries. Finally, how the Muslim feminists trace their ideas on how Muhammad treated women and the divergent opinion on hijab among the feminists is discussed.
How do liberal movements within Islam differ from more conservative movements
The liberal movements in Islam denounce the ancient static nature of creation and adopt a rather dynamic point in their ideas. The proclaimed liberty gives more importance to an individual contrary to the earlier system of war and blood being observed by the conservatives. The liberals are considered to be progressive in their own right and they have produced a culture of free, willful and open thinking within Islam. The conservatives aim at retaining the old culture and teachings of Islam as documented in the Quran.
The progressive or liberal Muslims unlike the conservatives have philosophy of ijtihad which is aimed at giving a rather new way of interpretation as documented in the holy writings as well as cultural laws. The modern Muslim liberals, according to Ahmad and Malik (1995), are perfectly justified in their quest for a liberalized Islam culture. Hence, the liberals claim that they are within the principals of the early writings compared to the conservatives who say they are not.
What arguments do liberal Muslims make when they maintain that they advocate a purer form of Islam
The liberal Muslims argue that they are returning to the principals of early Ummah (Anonymous 2009). Moreover, they claim that they are still within the ethical and general purpose of their holy scripture. They seclude themselves from the ancient teachings of Islam that seem not be liberal. They assert that they have been invented by culture and are not universal in terms of acceptance.
In what ways to liberal Muslims hold to essential Islamic beliefpractice, and in what ways are they affected by Western ideas
Majority of Muslim liberals have a strong belief that Islamic religion propagates the idea of total fairness on all human beings. They add that human right is one of the most important practices. However, their belief for equity in mankind has not succeeded internationally. Most Islam countries have signed international human rights treaties.impactlargely remainsin local systems (Contemporary and Controversial Issues, 2009).
Secular modernity is highly favored by some Muslim liberals. The say that as much as there is separation of powers between the church and the state. Islam is also a separate entity from the state and should not be classified as a political outfit or organization. At the same time, the way Islamic law is executed is highly questioned by liberals (Contemporary and Controversial Issues, 2009). The western notion on some of the Islamic laws called sharia is very weird. The western world tends to believe that sharia is the basis of terrorism in this century. Moreover, the Islamic fundamentals apply sharia on the basis that it is supported in the Quran.
What are the general goals of Muslim feminists
Feminists thought that women were subordinated and often oppressed and deprived (Badran, 2000). Women were supposed to excessively submit to men. This led to oppression which they now wanted to change. They have also inequities of patriarchal domination meted out on women (Badran, 2000). Their rights were overlooked. They formed several feminist movements to articulate their views.
How might their ideals and goals differ from the way that Islam has been practiced over many centuries
The traditional Islamic law permits polygamy for men. However, women are not allowed to practice polyandry. Feminism and marital sharia law conflict each other in the sense that women are supposed to submit fully to men despite being oppressed. Equally contentious is the traditional Islamic law of inheritance whereby daughters are to get less inheritance compared to sons. This aspect would automatically go against their fight for equality. Some Islamic feminists are also opposed to the traditional dressing called hijab which they say deprives them of liberty and that any modest clothing is sufficiently Islamic for both men and women (Contemporary and Controversial Issues, 2009).
How do Muslim feminists trace their ideas back to how Muhammad revolutionized the treatment of women in Arabian culture during his lifetime
As Prophet Muhammad grew old and less active, women involvement on different affairs also started to decline. Their involvement in public discourse became more blurred (Hasyim, 2006). When he was still alive, women participation in socio-political and economic activities was high. In his last sermon, one of his key addresses was that of women destiny in future (Hasyim, 2006).This is a great inspiration to Muslim feminists knowing clearly well that even Muhammad recognized them.
What are differences in perspective among Muslim feminists about how Muslim women should dress
Some argue that young women in Islam are usually compelled to wear hijab by their family members to prevent men from admiring their physical beauty. However, this is disputed by some who reason out that men would be attracted to women mainly because of their personality rather than how they appear. There are those who maintain that wearing of hijab is not a burden but a personal responsibility from God, in order to remain decent and morally right.
How do liberal movements within Islam differ from more conservative movements
The liberal movements in Islam denounce the ancient static nature of creation and adopt a rather dynamic point in their ideas. The proclaimed liberty gives more importance to an individual contrary to the earlier system of war and blood being observed by the conservatives. The liberals are considered to be progressive in their own right and they have produced a culture of free, willful and open thinking within Islam. The conservatives aim at retaining the old culture and teachings of Islam as documented in the Quran.
The progressive or liberal Muslims unlike the conservatives have philosophy of ijtihad which is aimed at giving a rather new way of interpretation as documented in the holy writings as well as cultural laws. The modern Muslim liberals, according to Ahmad and Malik (1995), are perfectly justified in their quest for a liberalized Islam culture. Hence, the liberals claim that they are within the principals of the early writings compared to the conservatives who say they are not.
What arguments do liberal Muslims make when they maintain that they advocate a purer form of Islam
The liberal Muslims argue that they are returning to the principals of early Ummah (Anonymous 2009). Moreover, they claim that they are still within the ethical and general purpose of their holy scripture. They seclude themselves from the ancient teachings of Islam that seem not be liberal. They assert that they have been invented by culture and are not universal in terms of acceptance.
In what ways to liberal Muslims hold to essential Islamic beliefpractice, and in what ways are they affected by Western ideas
Majority of Muslim liberals have a strong belief that Islamic religion propagates the idea of total fairness on all human beings. They add that human right is one of the most important practices. However, their belief for equity in mankind has not succeeded internationally. Most Islam countries have signed international human rights treaties.impactlargely remainsin local systems (Contemporary and Controversial Issues, 2009).
Secular modernity is highly favored by some Muslim liberals. The say that as much as there is separation of powers between the church and the state. Islam is also a separate entity from the state and should not be classified as a political outfit or organization. At the same time, the way Islamic law is executed is highly questioned by liberals (Contemporary and Controversial Issues, 2009). The western notion on some of the Islamic laws called sharia is very weird. The western world tends to believe that sharia is the basis of terrorism in this century. Moreover, the Islamic fundamentals apply sharia on the basis that it is supported in the Quran.
What are the general goals of Muslim feminists
Feminists thought that women were subordinated and often oppressed and deprived (Badran, 2000). Women were supposed to excessively submit to men. This led to oppression which they now wanted to change. They have also inequities of patriarchal domination meted out on women (Badran, 2000). Their rights were overlooked. They formed several feminist movements to articulate their views.
How might their ideals and goals differ from the way that Islam has been practiced over many centuries
The traditional Islamic law permits polygamy for men. However, women are not allowed to practice polyandry. Feminism and marital sharia law conflict each other in the sense that women are supposed to submit fully to men despite being oppressed. Equally contentious is the traditional Islamic law of inheritance whereby daughters are to get less inheritance compared to sons. This aspect would automatically go against their fight for equality. Some Islamic feminists are also opposed to the traditional dressing called hijab which they say deprives them of liberty and that any modest clothing is sufficiently Islamic for both men and women (Contemporary and Controversial Issues, 2009).
How do Muslim feminists trace their ideas back to how Muhammad revolutionized the treatment of women in Arabian culture during his lifetime
As Prophet Muhammad grew old and less active, women involvement on different affairs also started to decline. Their involvement in public discourse became more blurred (Hasyim, 2006). When he was still alive, women participation in socio-political and economic activities was high. In his last sermon, one of his key addresses was that of women destiny in future (Hasyim, 2006).This is a great inspiration to Muslim feminists knowing clearly well that even Muhammad recognized them.
What are differences in perspective among Muslim feminists about how Muslim women should dress
Some argue that young women in Islam are usually compelled to wear hijab by their family members to prevent men from admiring their physical beauty. However, this is disputed by some who reason out that men would be attracted to women mainly because of their personality rather than how they appear. There are those who maintain that wearing of hijab is not a burden but a personal responsibility from God, in order to remain decent and morally right.
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