The Words of Jesus

jacques4173

Memorization shows dedication, but it does not show knowledge. I believe the New Testament is shorter then the Koran and is therefore easier to memorize. So what. I even heard some Muslims memorize the Koran in Arabic which they do not even speak. No knowledge can come from that.

However, unlike Christianity, Islam has a tradition of both civil and criminal law. It is based the Koran and Hadith. This law, often called Sharia, has a long history. Accordingly, if I were a Muslim, I would consult with high level Sharia Law experts concerning important matters, not some local "Imam" who has gained some measure of local authority but may have little or no scholarly background in Islamic Jurisprudence.

For instance, in recent times some Imams have counceled their congregations to take to the streets in actions that are clearly illegal even to non-Muslims. Specifically, NO PERSON may be punished without Sharia trial. Accused persons might lawfully be apprehended by Muslim citizens, for instance, for apostacy. But those citizens are clearly prohibited from vigilante actions of punishment. To do so would itself be against Sharia law.

This is something that has seemingly been neglected by those who take military action into their own hands. For instance, by what Sharia Court Order did the Indonesian Muslims bomb the Bali hotels? These are not idle questions. Is Sharia a legal system of courts, jurists, and laws? If so, let us know who these jurists are, and under what authority they practice.

Your local Imam is subject to these same laws and has no authority of his own to impose his own ideas on these matters. IMHO he must identify an appropriate Sharia court and submit to its authority, not impose his own.