Assalamu Alaikum,
najamsahar:
"First you were skeptical that there is a phenomenon of apostasy in this era.
Reason: your wife and you didn
�t know anyone who had done that."
Please read again what I said. You are misinterpreting me. Even in my first post addressed to you, I accepted that woman may be leaving Islam.
"Second, you ask for references. When you are given personal references, you want links
."
I believed what you said. Nevertheless, as per the rules, I said, we need here reliable sources.
"Third, when you are given links, you don
�t think that they are reliable. You delete the links.
It is not that "I think". They are anti-Islam web sites.
"Fourth, you undermine the issue by really funny reasons,
"numbers of women entering Islam are more" and "that woman was not thinking right".
That is true. Islam is the fastest growing religion by the grace of Allah. Islam haters such as those web sites don�t like this. But, I admitted that problem existed. And I explained the ignorance of that woman and ignorance of those who may be leaving Islam.
"I attribute the problem to muslims of today and not Islam. This is where I disagree with you most. Islam as practiced today in regards to treatment of women is in very questionable and no one is willing to acknowledge it."
It is not Islam, but the people who practice it. But, there are still many good Muslims, Masha Allah, practicing Muslims, may be, you didn't come across. I have lived in three major continents for long periods including the place where you are, and I have found many wonderful Muslims. Yes, there are good and bad in every community.
Islam can still be found in Qur�an and Sunnah what was there 1400 years ago. Some people may not follow, that is their problem.
"We can talk about what happened 1400 years ago, and how the Quran and Sunnah has elevated women but how does that help the women whose rights are being taken away under the shadow of Islam?"
Under the shadow of Islam, I agree. But, that is not Islam. It is not the fault of Islam.
"I do not know what you were expecting a ticker tape on Islamicity or ISNA website showing the apostates?"
I explained to you what I wanted.
"Maybe you know the punishment for apostasty in Islam ?"The rationale behind this is that the apostates don
�t spread any fitnah among the righteous."
Qur'an tells us, "Let there be no compulsion in religion."
"If anyone likes to have and keep a certain view of the religion and issues that are plaguing it, they are free to do so. However, can these views influence someone who has experienced a different picture of Islam? Can opinions take the place of experience, I don�t think so."
There is only one Islam. Please don't confuse with terms such as "a different picture of Islam". People may misinterpret Qur'an and Sunnah, it is people's fault.
"I have far more experience (unfortunately) firsthand of many issues that I have mentioned in my posts. Your explanations come across as amusing if not ridiculous."
You will have to provide sound basis to say that my explanations are amusing.
"Lastly, I have neither read nor followed any maulvis. I have lived in four countries till now and have closely observed muslim societies in these countries, including Canada."
Okay.
"Like you I have followed the scholars you have mentioned. My issue is with the scholars you mentioned. Let me elaborate ( your favorite word)"
Dr Zakir Naik : His focus is dawah to non muslims. Through his talks, he mainly dispels myths about women in Islam, his pet topics are polygyny, purdah, right of the women to work and so on . But I do not know of any effort he has made to address any of the issues that I mentioned in my first post. If you have, please elaborate.
Dr Jamal Badawi: He has written a book named "gender equity in Islam", it is one of the thinnest book I have come across. He does talk about how islam has elevated the status of women etc.
Hamza Yusuf: He is the one scholar that has strongly put forward that 3 of the 4 madhabs believe that domestic chores are not the responsibility of women.
I am not aware of the works of Imam Shakir, will look up the next time I am in the States inshaAllah."
what have you done
But what the scholars say is nothing new. Islam in not flexible and there is no room for doubt. So whether you read the Hadith books, tafsirs or you listen to the scholars, Alhamdulillah there is no controversy.
Again, this is not helping those who are in need. How many of the muslims actually read up and reflect? Out of the ones that do, most are those who are oppressed. The oppressors rarely read and reflect. And where do these scholars stand in way of making social progress? I have to go back to my original post where I said that there has to be a sustained effort from EVERY side, ISNA, scholars, MYNA, MSA�, local masjids. There should be community efforts and efforts at the family level. Anything short of this will simply not suffice."
Blaming others is easy. What have you or I done compared to these scholars so far? Let us ask that question first before pointing fingers at others.
Peace
Edited by peacemaker
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~ Our feet are earthbound, but our hearts and our minds have wings ~
(see again
) that some times needs explaining 
.
Angel wrote: