REFORMER OU DEFORMER LA PENSEE ISLAMIQUE?
Par Mohamed Mestiri Directeur de recherche à l’Institut International de la Pensée islamique / France , Rédacteur en chef de la périodique en langue arabe Roua.
Beaucoup de voix s’élèvent aujourd’hui pour réclamer, voire même exiger, la réforme de l’Islam, des plus impliquées en terme de foi ou d’engagement religieux aux plus haineuses ou du moins islamophobes. C’est en quelque sorte un phénomène de mode, où quiconque trouve son compte ou règle son compte envers cette islamité de plus en plus massive, quantitative et peu pensée.
Les démagogues, les idéologues, les arrivistes, les sectaires, sans oublier les politiques de tout bord, se précipitent tous vers des projets d’« islamisation » de la réforme, dans lesquels l’Islam est souvent identifiable à la pensée islamique, qui semble être démunie de toute identité, historicité, et évolution.
Une grande confusion s’installe alors autour de l’objet de la réforme et de ses objectifs. Les approches sont très paradoxales, allant d’une certaine orthodoxie musulmane jusqu’à la vision libérale ou socialiste ; même si cela heurte l’histoire du patrimoine de la réforme islamique. Il y aurait même semble t-il des tyrans mondialistes et de nouveaux penseurs, à peine sortis de la « fabrique » de la mondialisation, pour faire découvrir à la Oumma ( communauté des croyants), ô combien égarée de la bonne voie du paradis moderne, les vertus de la réforme occidentale sur l’Islam, les musulmans et leur mémoire.
Identité de la réforme
J’ai eu l’honneur de débattre publiquement un jour avec notre professeur P. Ricoeur, l’éminent philosophe de l’herméneutique. Je n’avais pas caché ma surprise lorsqu’il s’est adressé à moi avec le souhait de voir au jour naître des traditions d’interprétation du texte sacré dans le monde musulman, qui pourraient, selon lui, générer une herméneutique islamique permettant l’accès de la pensée islamique à l’autocritique. Je me souviens l’avoir surpris autant par ma réaction que lui par son souhait, en rappelant à ceux qui doutent ou qui veulent ignorer, qu’il existe bien une pensée musulmane; laquelle s’est appropriée son identité, notamment religieuse, à travers diverses lectures du texte sacré, formant un énorme patrimoine d’écoles d’interprétation, qui n’a cessé d’être productif, malgré sa chute apparente depuis les derniers siècles.
La question essentielle maintenant est de savoir si la raison islamique contemporaine est capable de gérer la continuité de ce patrimoine et de contribuer à son renouveau, en l’impliquant dans les nouveaux défis de notre temps moderne.
On a à tort véhiculé, certes pour des fins politiques et sectaires, l’idée de la fermeture de l’accès à l’Ijtihad, à savoir la méthodologie de l’interprétation du sacré en Islam. Néanmoins, toute la splendeur de la dynamique intellectuelle qui a marqué le règne de la civilisation islamique durant plusieurs siècles, était fondée sur l’identité de la controverse autour du sacré, bien enracinée dans la littérature des théologiens comme des philosophes, et même encore chez les juristes. Le statut de la parole humaine face à la supériorité de la parole divine était le questionnement fondateur des premières réflexions sur le texte, illustrées à travers les thématiques du statut du pêcheur, le libre arbitre et la toute volonté divine, le rapport de l’unicité à la justice, etc. C’est ainsi que naissait le parcours de la science du Kalam (Parole), marquant l’identité de la théologie et la méthodologie de l’interprétation dans une sphère islamique. Les grands débats et polémiques dans ce domaine en font les célèbres écoles, telle que l’école mu’tazilite portée par la priorité de la responsabilité raisonnable, ou ach’arite penchée vers une recherche conciliatrice entre le dogmatique et l’humain, ou soufie développant l’intégrité de la spiritualité et l’importance de l’évaluation intuitive, ou même les écoles littéraliste et anthropomorphique qui se contentaient de la forme de l’expression sacrée plutôt que de son essence interprétable.
Des traditions de critique et de dépassement d’autrui ont bercé cette dynamique intellectuelle globale, au point de voir surgir des sciences à part entière conçues spécialement pour fonder des normes aux conflits et gérer des règles aux débats. Il s’agit des sciences de la controverse (Munadara), de la dialectique (Jadal), et des multiples systèmes éthiques portants sur les valeurs de l’acquisition ou de la transmission du savoir. Les fameuses correspondances volumineuses et rudes entre le philosophe Averroès et le théologien Ghazali illustrent bien l’esprit critique de l’intérieur de ce qu’on appelle aujourd’hui patrimoine, accusé quelque fois de traditionalisme, ou potentiellement générateur de traditionalisme.
Or la densité et la longévité dans la créativité de ce patrimoine n’est autre qu’une expression permanente et continuelle de renouveau et une volonté d’intégrer l’identité musulmane dans la ligne temporelle changeante.
Le recul du rayonnement universel du patrimoine islamique pour des raisons diverses et complexes et son repli sur son identitaire national, régional ou même ethnique, ne l’a pas épargné de la sacralisation. Bien au contraire plus le fossé qui le sépare de l’histoire s’élargit, plus son image s’élève aux cieux, et quitte davantage le monde des hommes pour s’identifier à la sacralité du texte.
C’est de là que des confusions et amalgames s’enracinaient entre la Shari’a comme étant les normes juridiques du texte sacré qui fixent simplement les orientations éthiques du Coran, et le Fiqh qui n’est que l’effort de l’interprétation de ces normes sacrées de la Shari’a, mais qui pas n’est en lui même sacré, et que nous devons être en mesure d’aborder avec un regard critique, pour assumer le dépassement de la validité historique du patrimoine juridique vers une exploitation contemporaine.
« Islams » Traditionalistes
Les dérives de l’Islam dit « traditionaliste », caractérisé par la sacralisation du patrimoine et le refus d’affronter le changement, conduisent vers une pensée unique « religieuse », encore plus grave dans ses conséquences que toute pensée unique « non religieuse ». Cependant la méthodologie de l’auto appropriation de l’Islam, et le monopole de son image est semblable dans les tentations de la patrimonialisation de l’Islam, comme dans les tentations de l’occidentalisation de ce même Islam. Elle se focalise sur le rejet de l’effort d’une interprétation contemporaine et l’attachement à l’esprit de l’imitation des Salaf (les Ulémas prédécesseurs), ou des nouveaux Khalaf (successeurs), représentés entre autre dans la modernité occidentale. Car l’esprit d’une imitation dépourvue de toute critique, qu’il soit porté sur le patrimoine ou l’occident, est tout autant une forme de traditionalisme. Ces deux formes de traditionalisme proposent des projets d’Islam prêt à consommer, statique et interdit à la pensée. La conception du salafisme qui était à l’origine une méthodologie critique envers l’héritage des prédécesseurs, a pu se transformer en sources pour des doctrines sectaires qui divinisent ses mêmes prédécesseurs. De la même manière, la conception d’autrui comme facteur essentiel du renouveau tel qu’il a été perçu durant l’âge d’or islamique, là où sagesse hellénistique et néoplatonicienne côtoyait les lectures du Texte révélé de l’Islam, a pu se transformer en une double expression de phobie envers l’autrui contemporain, que ce soit à travers le rejet formel ou l’assimilation totale.
Le renouveau est un processus complexe d’ouverture à la différence, à la fois interne et externe, en vue d’une remise en question permanente de soi même, de son passé et de ses défis qui l’entoure dans l’instant présent. Le renouveau suppose une nouveau regard sur l’ancien, à partir des nouvelles données du présent pour se projeter vers un avenir meilleur. Or, vouloir se passer du patrimoine de l’interprétation du texte, le manipuler partiellement de façon sélective, pour finir par le déformer pour plaire à la culture au dominant, c’est accepter le statut et le rôle du dominé, sans pouvoir un jour se servir de son patrimoine pour bâtir l’avenir. Beaucoup de bruits peuvent être provoqués par des intentions « révolutionnaires » envers le patrimoine, mais ils ne peuvent l’influencer, le changer, ou le contextualiser, car il demeurera à cet égard muet et anéanti, comme s’il n’avait jamais été historique.
La réforme : Un cheminement spirituel
Définir la réforme dans la pensée musulmane, c’est retourner aux sources fondatrices de la philosophie de la réforme en Islam. Avant que la réforme ne prenne la forme d’un courant de pensée, d’une idéologie ou d’un mouvement, elle est tout d’abord une identité du changement global, social, éducatif et institutionnel. Mais aussi et surtout, l’identité de la réforme est intimement liée à l’expérience personnelle, à l’évolution de la productivité à travers l’élévation des capacités intellectuelles et des charges émotionnelles.
1 - Problème étymologique
La définition de la réforme dans l’espace culturel musulman pose un problème de concordance étymologique et donc conceptuelle dans la culture occidentale. La réforme est identifiable au changement des mœurs, lois et institutions pour un meilleur résultat. C’est aussi le rétablissement dans la forme primitive d’un culte ou d’une religion. Elle peut signifier encore l’expression des mouvements religieux du XVIème siècle qui fonda le protestantisme avec notamment Luther et Calvin, d’où l’appellation « Eglise réformée ». S’inspirant de la vision graduelle du changement, la méthode réformiste est à l’opposé de la méthode révolutionnaire qui repose sur la vision radicale. De ce fait, le réformisme peut être considéré comme étant la doctrine du changement partiel, et par étapes, par opposition à la doctrine radicale et révolutionnaire.
L’étymologie arabe de la réforme fait moins référence au changement de forme qu’à la validité du changement. La source de la réforme (Islah) est la racine trilogique (SLH) qui signifie être utile, crédible et valable. Par conséquent, la réforme est l’action du changement capable de corriger et d’orienter vers le bénéfique pour les hommes. L’implication de l’action dans le processus de la réforme l’identifie à la bonté, d’où les expressions « ’Amal Salih », désignant la bonne action, ou « Rajul Salih » qui renvoie au sens de l’homme saint. Ainsi la validité rejoint la bonté, pour fonder le processus du changement dans l’esprit de la réforme. Donc ce que nous prétendons être l’équivalent de la réforme, n’est en effet ni changement pour le meilleur tout court, ni changement hérétique, ni même antirévolutionnaire.
2 - Réformer / se réformer
Dans l’esprit de la pensée islamique, l’action bénéfique et bonne pour autrui doit être conditionnée par l’attachement à une finalité divine. La validité de l’action est une bonté d’esprit vis à vis de Dieu, jugée ainsi par Le Juge Suprême Divin. C’est une inspiration permanente, se ressourçant de la Bonté Absolue et de la Validité Eternelle. L’usage du Coran en fait un pilier de l’éthique et chemin vers la purification de l’âme. « Nous ne laissons pas perdre la récompense de ceux qui réforment » (Coran 7/170), « Dieu seul distingue les corrompus des réformateurs » (Coran 2/220).
Se réformer « soi même » devient l’essence de réformer « le monde », puisqu’il s’agit d’une action de spiritualité intimement liée à la foi, et au degré de piété « ceux qui croient et se réforment, nulle crainte sur eux et ils ne seront point affligés » (Coran 6/48), « ceux qui acquièrent la piété et se réforment, n’auront aucune crainte et ne seront point affligés » (Coran 7/35).
Réforme rime aussi avec mission prophétique dans le sens de témoignage. Rappelons-nous du message de Moïse s’adressant à Aaron : « Remplace moi auprès de mon peuple et soit réformateur, et ne suis pas le sentier des corrupteurs » (Coran 7/142), ou celui de Shu’ayb : « Je ne veux que la réforme tant qu’elle m’est possible et mon guide pour cela est Dieu » (Coran 11/88).
3 - Norme de civilisation
« Ne semez pas la corruption sur terre après qu’elle ait été réformée » (Coran 7/56), « Dieu ne détruit pas les cités dont les habitants sont réformateurs » (Coran 11/117). La mission de la réforme est opposée à la corruption à l’échelle de l’humanité entière, et même au niveau ontologique en rapport avec la nature humaine et ses besoins existentiels d’une éthique de réforme. Elle représente alors une vitalité nécessaire pour l’évolution des cités, en terme de cheminement continuel de bonté vers l’idéal divin. L’aspect interne spirituel rejoint donc l’expression civilisationnelle et conditionne sa validité éthique. L’éthique prend ainsi à la fois une forme sociale et ontologique, comme si la vie en dépendait.
La réforme interne ne semble pas être une finalité en soi, puisqu’elle doit s’articuler dans le contexte de la cité. Réformer exige un effort exceptionnel de contemplation globale du sacré, qui ne se contente pas de la lecture de ses textes, mais qui va au delà du sens vers l’essence éducative et purificatrice de l’être.
Ainsi, la contextualisation prend une articulation de vertu sociale, et non un simple changement partiel et graduel, tel que l’expression « réforme » signifie souvent aujourd’hui. Marier le texte au contexte, et la vertu interne à la vertu sociale, fonde le modèle de la civilisation de réforme islamique. La réforme est un processus d’élévation d’esprit, à la fois vers sa source d’inspiration divine et vers la vertu sociale. C’est une démarche fondamentalement personnelle, mais qui s’inscrit dans une finalité collective.
Espoirs
L’ennemi de la réforme demeure l’uniformisme qui s’oppose au droit à l’expérience personnelle, et donc à la différence, surtout lorsqu’il s’appuie sur une quelconque légitimité dogmatique sacré. Le sort de l’anathème semblerait être alors évident, et les conclusions des génocides et exterminations « religieuses » sembleraient acquises.
L’uniformisme qui règne sur le système mondial actuel qui consiste à globaliser le pouvoir économique, politique et culturel, et à influencer même l’opinion publique, profite à l’uniformisme dogmatique, et lui donne plus de crédibilité, et de moyens d’action. L’avenir du droit à la différence, l’essence même de toute réforme, est donc menacé face à la montée de l’esprit d’uniformisme, allant même jusqu’à freiner des systèmes visant à la réforme. Serait t-il capable d’uniformiser les derniers réformateurs de notre temps moderne ?
L’avenir nous dira si les différentes écoles et tendances de réformes, islamiques et non islamiques, seront conscientes des défis communs, et en mesure de bâtir le modèle d’un nouveau monde qui respecte l’intégrité de la personne et la différence.
NB: Je me suis permis de faire ressortir un certain nombre de points ( ceux en gras, en italique ou souligne)
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Reformer Ou Deformer La Pensee Islamique? Extrait de Ouma.com// Un point de vue!
#2
Posté 23 mars 2005 - 08:22
Patate !!!!
Farah s'y met aussi avec ces histoires de 'reformes' !
En encotrepartie, j'aimerai enchainer avec le texte ci-dessous
Désolée mais le texte n'est disponible qu'en anglais !
Je vous présente ce texte afin que les lecteurs puissent voir le revers de la médaille et pour qu'ils s'en tirent leurs propres conclusions.
Enfin, il n'est sécret pour personne que je ne suis point d'accord avec notre 'philosophe' Mestiri car les Tunisiens ont une vision un peu trop libertine de la réligion. La Tunisie, n'est-elle pas le seul pays musulman à avoir interdit le port du voile ? Quoique les choses aient pu changer depuis, je n'accorde pas beaucoup de crédibilité à leurs théologiens.
Si les Talibans flinguaient les femmes pour ne pas porter la bourka, Le gouv. Tunisiens les jettaient derrières les barreaux pour l'avoir porter.
Un monde déchiré entre deux extrêmes... un monde de déviation à mon avis.
Peace,
-----------------------
Modernism in Islam
WHAT IS MODERNISM AND WHERE DID IT COME FROM?
We can relate, ideologically, the modernist movement spreading these days to one sect in the past. This sect is called the Muta'zila, which is dated back to the third Islamic century. Although those people accepted the Qur'an and Sunna they made ta'weel (their own interpretation of the Qur'an) and said 'aql (intelligence) takes precedence over naql (guidance of the Prophet). However, this school died out. The modernist movement did not evolve from them, but they are very similar to them. The modernist movement actually originated in Europe (middle-ages). At the time when the scientific method came about in Spain, it was seen that what the church was teaching was not true. This led to a slow revolt. The basic view of modernism (in all religions)is that: the religion should change according to the circumstances, and that it is not fixed. There is no such thing as absolute truth. The Jewish and Christian modernist responce in Europe tried to explain how the religion was still relevant for the people. They made innovations to keep people interested in the religion (such as singing in church, introduced only in the 1900's). They tried to say the divine and the human is mixed in the Bible and that the parts that are true must be the ones that are not out of date. Also, the religion is improving over time and there is no absolute truth in the Bible. This is the time in history when many Muslims were looking to Europe. This led to three choices for those Muslims: accept the West; reject the West; or mix the two (reform Islam). Those who followed the third (the modernist) developed in, and focused on: Turkey - because it was under British influence; and Egypt - because Al-Azhar was the seat of Islamic knowledge. The people of this modernist movement judge Islam according to their 'aql. Some of their faults in regards to it are:
1) use it for things which it can't comprehend;
2) refer everything to it: accept what agrees with it, reject what does not;
3) judge the revelation by it. However, Ahl As-Sunna Wal Jamaa' believes that using the sound 'aql should lead one to the conclusion that the Qur'an and the Prophet are true and that their teachings should take precedence over pure 'aql.
THE INFLUENCE OF MODERNISM IN AMERICA
Modernist are saying that the West and the world has changed, and that Islam must become "civilized". Modernism has spread the most in the U.S. because:
1) there are no scholars available to refute them, or they won't refute them because people don't want to criticize them;
2) it allows Muslims from overseas to become part of American society and they do not have to be recognized as Muslim. Also, new American Muslims will not have to change their old lifestyle;
3) much of the literature, scholars, and institutions in the U.S. reflect the modernist thinking.
In tafseer, Yusuf Ali is the most popular translator of the meaning of the Qur'an, even though he denies what the 'aql can't see (of the unseen). In seerah, one book is saying the Prophet is like anyone else. Another tries to say the sunna is not for the shariah and that sometimes we have to throw away the hadith because Allah did not correct the Prophet's mistakes when he made ijtihaad. In Fiqh, modernists say interest is permissible, menstruation women can pray, and Muslim women can marry kaafir men. They say the face of women was not covered until 150 years after the time of the Prophet, even though it existed in his time, and that women should always pray in the mosque, even though hadith only show women in the mosque at Ishaa and Fajr because they could not be recognized in the dark. They also say the hadith that a people with a woman ruler will not succeed is not true today and polygamy is forbidden except under certain conditions (which do not exist). Finally, it should be mentioned that this movement is organized and has resources such as magazines, television, conventions, and literature.
SOME OF THEIR VIEWS
Modernists influence the thinking of people, and that person spreads their views on unknowingly. Their way of thinking is the most dangerous thing about them. None discuss aqeedah (belief) because it is not important to them ('aql judges naqal). They are also trying to remove the sunna and say that the system of the old muhadditheen is insufficient. Most say (as do critics of the Bible) that we need a "higher criticism" of hadith and the earlier conclusions (ijmaa) of scholars are not sufficient, yet they give no new way to judge hadith. However, we as Muslims understand that the Prophet was guided by Allah and that we may not be able to understand everything in the hadith with our 'aql. It is common for the modernists to question the role of the sunna in the shariah. One said all of the sunna is of this world and not deen, even in the Prophet's time, therefore it is all a matter of shoora (consultation) and ijtihaad (therefore changeable). Another says we need to make ijtihaad for what is to be followed, and changes of time and place make sunna difficult to use. All of this is mentioned to weaken the view of the sunna. The Jews and Christians tried to differ the human from the divine. Modernists try to point out the differences between the Messenger as a human and as a Prophet. They also avoid following the sunna by dividing his life into parts (imam, judge, military leader, prophet, etc.), saying some are not divine teachings and not law. Some say everyone is free to make ijtihaad, and later restrictions on it were imposed by the people. Another said a ruling may change even if it is from the Qur'an and Sunna.
HOW DO MODERNISTS GO ASTRAY?
The observer can easily point out the following points as the driving force for this trend:
1) Their premises and assumptions are wrong Modernists look to the West and try to reinterpret the "old religion" with modern science and modern times. They assume that:
a) the present situation is advanced or different (i.e. "this is not the Prophet's time!"). However, the idea of progress and that things are better now is Marxian and Hegelian. It is against the hadith, as the Prophet said each generation is getting worse. They must prove that there has been progression (no definition of it given). Islamically the advanced society is the one that comes closer to Allah, and understands and applies Islam better (such as the sahaaba). In fact, the current societies have the things of the old societies (such as homosexuality, etc.) as mentioned in the Qur'an;
religion is relative to time and place (i.e. "therefore we need to judge Islam in light of modern science"). Modernists are "people of science" and judge Islam according to modern science. They think that the West is based on science, but they fail to notice that not all science is based on fact. In reality, much of science is only hypothesis (not a fact). Also, every science has its own philosophy, which will lead to its own conclusions;
c) the way of thinking of a society is based on (is a product of) its enviroment. Modernists say most of religion is from the people and their environment and it can be judged by later times, and hadith are related to that time only. However, there is no proof for the modernist hypothesis that religious truth is relative. Allah says the Qur'an is Haq (truth). Modernists are saying (by inference) that if the Qur'an is not true now, then it was never true.
2) The methodology they use is wrong. The methodology of the modernists is the way they mislead people to the wrong conclusions. They claim to be scientific, but they are usually inconsistent or have no proof or foundation for their beliefs. Some of the means and principles they use include:
a) Sunna and Hadith. They claim the Qur'an is authentic and they only follow "authentic" hadith. This implies that they have a way to judge hadith (different from that of the traditional scholars), yet most give no new way to judge hadith, and are using their 'aql (intelligence) to determine this (like the female ruler hadith). Modernists especially dislike hadith which have specific meanings and prefer ones which only have general principles.
Use of weak hadith to help their points and arguments (while they are calling for the use of authentic hadith). For example, in the area of women in Islam (the two areas the modernists try to change the most are the sunna and women) they like to quote two stories from the time of Umar: 1) when Umar was giving a Khutbah he tried to restrict the amount of dowry, a woman opposed, and Umar corrected himself and thanked the woman, and 2) Umar appointed Umma Shifaa as a market-regulator (used by modernist to say women can work in the government). However, both of these stories are not authentic.
c) Use vague terms without defining them. Modernists use terms like democracy, freedom, and equality, but they do not define what they mean by them. The danger in using vague terms is that a knowledgeable person will pass over the word or concept, thinking they meant the Islamic or acceptable definition while in fact they did not, while others may believe what they are saying is true.
d) Do not present all of the relevant information that is available on the subject. That is, from Qur'an, sunna, etc. They only present that which will support their views. This tactic is used to avoid unliked beliefs, so they just do not mention them.
e) Force their interpretation onto the text. This is what the Muta'zilla did, when they said 'aql takes precedence over what is from the Prophet. Many modernists say Islam is the "rational" religion. This is true if you mean everything is from Allah and there is no contradiction, but to say that we can study everything in Islam by judging it with only our intellect is unacceptable and there is also no proof for this. To avoid implementing what the Qur'an and sunna says, the modernists say we need to follow the "spirit" of Islam and not worry about the laws specifically. But it is clear from the Qur'an and Sunna that we are to take both. They will argue that the text of the Qur'an only says for women to dress modestly and they do not like to talk about the specific details of hijaab and say we only need to follow the "spirit" of the law.
f) They tend to oppose scholars by saying they meant something else. They say that the door to ijtihaad is open, which is something accepted by the Ahl As-Sunna Wal Jamaa'. However, it is not open to everybody on any subject. Modernists claim that anyone would make ijtihaad until Imam Shaffie narrowed the qualifications (not true), and today anyone can do it. In one magazine, on the question of polygamy and divorce, some said that these two can be restricted by ijtihaad. They often misquote scholars and give their own meanings for what they said.
g) Often follow strange and rejected opinions. They try to revive some of the old opinions because they like it and say that this writer said it in the past. Modernists try to open the door to these opinions and choose what is the most suitable and easy to follow. However, we are supposed to look for the fiqh opinions that are the closest to the truth. They usually bring bad hadith such as "The differences in my Ummah is a mercy" or reject authentic hadith such as the one about the breakup of the Ummah into 73 sects.
h) Follow their desires. They often make rulings and fatawa without permissible daleel (evidence). One said music is permissible because he did not see something wrong with it, so it is halal. But he did not check what the Qur'an and the sunna say about this subject.
ISLAM AND MODERNISM
Ahl As-Sunna Wal Jamaa' believes that there is only one true Islam. This is proven in Qur'an and Hadith. One hadith shows the straight line as leading to Allah, and branching paths leading off it with a devil at each one calling to it. Also, the umma will break into 73 sects, and the true way is the one who follows Muhammad and his companions. Modernists are differing from Ahl As-Sunna Wal-Jamaa' in:
1) everything in accordance with Qur'an and Sunna is Haq (truth) and what disagrees with it is false (some modernists disagree with this). Also, statements consistent with the Qur'an and Sunna are accepted;
2) Ijmaa (consensus) of the sahaaba (and early generations) is a hujja (proof) for all Muslims. Modernists say sahaaba are men and we are men, and even matters agreed on by them are open to ijtihaad;
3) anything in the Qur'an and Sunna cannot be opposed by 'aql, rational thought, opinion, or qiysas. This is supported in the Qur'an and is not open to discussion or vote. One modernists said the cutting of the hand of the theif is a "Khomeni Islam" and is unethical;
4) there are constants in Islam related to belief, worship, etc. and these are good, sound, proper, and correct for all places and times. This view is accepted by the Ahl Sunna, but not by many of the modernists, saying that all truth is relative and there is no constants. However, these constant principles are basic aspects of the Ahl Sunna and are traced to the Qur'an and Sunna and Sahaaba. They are not questionable or changeable things. In many of these things, modernists say we need ijtihaad and tajdeed.
DANGERS
1) Many are influenced by it and do not know it. Also, their views are unacceptable and should be refuted.
2) Many people do not recognize it as a movement of munkar or bida' and do not evaluate its writings and speeches, so they try to defend it. Many of their writings are from rationalization (which has no end or conclusion), and the effects of this are seen in the Christian church (that is, they now have no relationship to their religion, and it has no practical value or purpose).
3) This group is also playing into the hands of the kuffar. They are happy with is because their effort is to bring the Muslim women out of the home to change them. The last 200 years has been a colonialist and orientalist attack on the position of the woman in Islam (to destroy her and the society).
CONCLUSIONS
1) The modernists movement as a whole (what it is based on) is from Bida' (innovation). They have their own principles and ways, which contradicts that of Ahl-Sunna. They say we want ijtihaad in the basic principles of the deen (religion) which are constant.
2) They are very willing to reject and contradict the ijmaa of the sahaaba on clear points (such as stoning of the adulterer and the apostate is to be killed) and hadith are dealt with as if they are not important (women ruler hadith is common).
3) One of the main points of modernism is to change the role of women. They say it is permissible to mix men and women and to not wear hijaab. The modernists are impressed by the West and their conclusions always seem to agree with the views of the West.
Jamal. Al-Azrabozo
****
The speaker frequently pointed out that his purpose was to warn about the dangers and mistakes of this movement and not to defame individual Muslims. Also, his information came from their writings, speeches, and discussions with these individuals, and not from what he heard from other people.
Farah s'y met aussi avec ces histoires de 'reformes' !
En encotrepartie, j'aimerai enchainer avec le texte ci-dessous

Désolée mais le texte n'est disponible qu'en anglais !
Je vous présente ce texte afin que les lecteurs puissent voir le revers de la médaille et pour qu'ils s'en tirent leurs propres conclusions.

Enfin, il n'est sécret pour personne que je ne suis point d'accord avec notre 'philosophe' Mestiri car les Tunisiens ont une vision un peu trop libertine de la réligion. La Tunisie, n'est-elle pas le seul pays musulman à avoir interdit le port du voile ? Quoique les choses aient pu changer depuis, je n'accorde pas beaucoup de crédibilité à leurs théologiens.
Si les Talibans flinguaient les femmes pour ne pas porter la bourka, Le gouv. Tunisiens les jettaient derrières les barreaux pour l'avoir porter.
Un monde déchiré entre deux extrêmes... un monde de déviation à mon avis.
Peace,
-----------------------
Modernism in Islam
WHAT IS MODERNISM AND WHERE DID IT COME FROM?
We can relate, ideologically, the modernist movement spreading these days to one sect in the past. This sect is called the Muta'zila, which is dated back to the third Islamic century. Although those people accepted the Qur'an and Sunna they made ta'weel (their own interpretation of the Qur'an) and said 'aql (intelligence) takes precedence over naql (guidance of the Prophet). However, this school died out. The modernist movement did not evolve from them, but they are very similar to them. The modernist movement actually originated in Europe (middle-ages). At the time when the scientific method came about in Spain, it was seen that what the church was teaching was not true. This led to a slow revolt. The basic view of modernism (in all religions)is that: the religion should change according to the circumstances, and that it is not fixed. There is no such thing as absolute truth. The Jewish and Christian modernist responce in Europe tried to explain how the religion was still relevant for the people. They made innovations to keep people interested in the religion (such as singing in church, introduced only in the 1900's). They tried to say the divine and the human is mixed in the Bible and that the parts that are true must be the ones that are not out of date. Also, the religion is improving over time and there is no absolute truth in the Bible. This is the time in history when many Muslims were looking to Europe. This led to three choices for those Muslims: accept the West; reject the West; or mix the two (reform Islam). Those who followed the third (the modernist) developed in, and focused on: Turkey - because it was under British influence; and Egypt - because Al-Azhar was the seat of Islamic knowledge. The people of this modernist movement judge Islam according to their 'aql. Some of their faults in regards to it are:
1) use it for things which it can't comprehend;
2) refer everything to it: accept what agrees with it, reject what does not;
3) judge the revelation by it. However, Ahl As-Sunna Wal Jamaa' believes that using the sound 'aql should lead one to the conclusion that the Qur'an and the Prophet are true and that their teachings should take precedence over pure 'aql.
THE INFLUENCE OF MODERNISM IN AMERICA
Modernist are saying that the West and the world has changed, and that Islam must become "civilized". Modernism has spread the most in the U.S. because:
1) there are no scholars available to refute them, or they won't refute them because people don't want to criticize them;
2) it allows Muslims from overseas to become part of American society and they do not have to be recognized as Muslim. Also, new American Muslims will not have to change their old lifestyle;
3) much of the literature, scholars, and institutions in the U.S. reflect the modernist thinking.
In tafseer, Yusuf Ali is the most popular translator of the meaning of the Qur'an, even though he denies what the 'aql can't see (of the unseen). In seerah, one book is saying the Prophet is like anyone else. Another tries to say the sunna is not for the shariah and that sometimes we have to throw away the hadith because Allah did not correct the Prophet's mistakes when he made ijtihaad. In Fiqh, modernists say interest is permissible, menstruation women can pray, and Muslim women can marry kaafir men. They say the face of women was not covered until 150 years after the time of the Prophet, even though it existed in his time, and that women should always pray in the mosque, even though hadith only show women in the mosque at Ishaa and Fajr because they could not be recognized in the dark. They also say the hadith that a people with a woman ruler will not succeed is not true today and polygamy is forbidden except under certain conditions (which do not exist). Finally, it should be mentioned that this movement is organized and has resources such as magazines, television, conventions, and literature.
SOME OF THEIR VIEWS
Modernists influence the thinking of people, and that person spreads their views on unknowingly. Their way of thinking is the most dangerous thing about them. None discuss aqeedah (belief) because it is not important to them ('aql judges naqal). They are also trying to remove the sunna and say that the system of the old muhadditheen is insufficient. Most say (as do critics of the Bible) that we need a "higher criticism" of hadith and the earlier conclusions (ijmaa) of scholars are not sufficient, yet they give no new way to judge hadith. However, we as Muslims understand that the Prophet was guided by Allah and that we may not be able to understand everything in the hadith with our 'aql. It is common for the modernists to question the role of the sunna in the shariah. One said all of the sunna is of this world and not deen, even in the Prophet's time, therefore it is all a matter of shoora (consultation) and ijtihaad (therefore changeable). Another says we need to make ijtihaad for what is to be followed, and changes of time and place make sunna difficult to use. All of this is mentioned to weaken the view of the sunna. The Jews and Christians tried to differ the human from the divine. Modernists try to point out the differences between the Messenger as a human and as a Prophet. They also avoid following the sunna by dividing his life into parts (imam, judge, military leader, prophet, etc.), saying some are not divine teachings and not law. Some say everyone is free to make ijtihaad, and later restrictions on it were imposed by the people. Another said a ruling may change even if it is from the Qur'an and Sunna.
HOW DO MODERNISTS GO ASTRAY?
The observer can easily point out the following points as the driving force for this trend:
1) Their premises and assumptions are wrong Modernists look to the West and try to reinterpret the "old religion" with modern science and modern times. They assume that:
a) the present situation is advanced or different (i.e. "this is not the Prophet's time!"). However, the idea of progress and that things are better now is Marxian and Hegelian. It is against the hadith, as the Prophet said each generation is getting worse. They must prove that there has been progression (no definition of it given). Islamically the advanced society is the one that comes closer to Allah, and understands and applies Islam better (such as the sahaaba). In fact, the current societies have the things of the old societies (such as homosexuality, etc.) as mentioned in the Qur'an;

c) the way of thinking of a society is based on (is a product of) its enviroment. Modernists say most of religion is from the people and their environment and it can be judged by later times, and hadith are related to that time only. However, there is no proof for the modernist hypothesis that religious truth is relative. Allah says the Qur'an is Haq (truth). Modernists are saying (by inference) that if the Qur'an is not true now, then it was never true.
2) The methodology they use is wrong. The methodology of the modernists is the way they mislead people to the wrong conclusions. They claim to be scientific, but they are usually inconsistent or have no proof or foundation for their beliefs. Some of the means and principles they use include:
a) Sunna and Hadith. They claim the Qur'an is authentic and they only follow "authentic" hadith. This implies that they have a way to judge hadith (different from that of the traditional scholars), yet most give no new way to judge hadith, and are using their 'aql (intelligence) to determine this (like the female ruler hadith). Modernists especially dislike hadith which have specific meanings and prefer ones which only have general principles.

c) Use vague terms without defining them. Modernists use terms like democracy, freedom, and equality, but they do not define what they mean by them. The danger in using vague terms is that a knowledgeable person will pass over the word or concept, thinking they meant the Islamic or acceptable definition while in fact they did not, while others may believe what they are saying is true.
d) Do not present all of the relevant information that is available on the subject. That is, from Qur'an, sunna, etc. They only present that which will support their views. This tactic is used to avoid unliked beliefs, so they just do not mention them.
e) Force their interpretation onto the text. This is what the Muta'zilla did, when they said 'aql takes precedence over what is from the Prophet. Many modernists say Islam is the "rational" religion. This is true if you mean everything is from Allah and there is no contradiction, but to say that we can study everything in Islam by judging it with only our intellect is unacceptable and there is also no proof for this. To avoid implementing what the Qur'an and sunna says, the modernists say we need to follow the "spirit" of Islam and not worry about the laws specifically. But it is clear from the Qur'an and Sunna that we are to take both. They will argue that the text of the Qur'an only says for women to dress modestly and they do not like to talk about the specific details of hijaab and say we only need to follow the "spirit" of the law.
f) They tend to oppose scholars by saying they meant something else. They say that the door to ijtihaad is open, which is something accepted by the Ahl As-Sunna Wal Jamaa'. However, it is not open to everybody on any subject. Modernists claim that anyone would make ijtihaad until Imam Shaffie narrowed the qualifications (not true), and today anyone can do it. In one magazine, on the question of polygamy and divorce, some said that these two can be restricted by ijtihaad. They often misquote scholars and give their own meanings for what they said.
g) Often follow strange and rejected opinions. They try to revive some of the old opinions because they like it and say that this writer said it in the past. Modernists try to open the door to these opinions and choose what is the most suitable and easy to follow. However, we are supposed to look for the fiqh opinions that are the closest to the truth. They usually bring bad hadith such as "The differences in my Ummah is a mercy" or reject authentic hadith such as the one about the breakup of the Ummah into 73 sects.
h) Follow their desires. They often make rulings and fatawa without permissible daleel (evidence). One said music is permissible because he did not see something wrong with it, so it is halal. But he did not check what the Qur'an and the sunna say about this subject.
ISLAM AND MODERNISM
Ahl As-Sunna Wal Jamaa' believes that there is only one true Islam. This is proven in Qur'an and Hadith. One hadith shows the straight line as leading to Allah, and branching paths leading off it with a devil at each one calling to it. Also, the umma will break into 73 sects, and the true way is the one who follows Muhammad and his companions. Modernists are differing from Ahl As-Sunna Wal-Jamaa' in:
1) everything in accordance with Qur'an and Sunna is Haq (truth) and what disagrees with it is false (some modernists disagree with this). Also, statements consistent with the Qur'an and Sunna are accepted;
2) Ijmaa (consensus) of the sahaaba (and early generations) is a hujja (proof) for all Muslims. Modernists say sahaaba are men and we are men, and even matters agreed on by them are open to ijtihaad;
3) anything in the Qur'an and Sunna cannot be opposed by 'aql, rational thought, opinion, or qiysas. This is supported in the Qur'an and is not open to discussion or vote. One modernists said the cutting of the hand of the theif is a "Khomeni Islam" and is unethical;
4) there are constants in Islam related to belief, worship, etc. and these are good, sound, proper, and correct for all places and times. This view is accepted by the Ahl Sunna, but not by many of the modernists, saying that all truth is relative and there is no constants. However, these constant principles are basic aspects of the Ahl Sunna and are traced to the Qur'an and Sunna and Sahaaba. They are not questionable or changeable things. In many of these things, modernists say we need ijtihaad and tajdeed.
DANGERS
1) Many are influenced by it and do not know it. Also, their views are unacceptable and should be refuted.
2) Many people do not recognize it as a movement of munkar or bida' and do not evaluate its writings and speeches, so they try to defend it. Many of their writings are from rationalization (which has no end or conclusion), and the effects of this are seen in the Christian church (that is, they now have no relationship to their religion, and it has no practical value or purpose).
3) This group is also playing into the hands of the kuffar. They are happy with is because their effort is to bring the Muslim women out of the home to change them. The last 200 years has been a colonialist and orientalist attack on the position of the woman in Islam (to destroy her and the society).
CONCLUSIONS
1) The modernists movement as a whole (what it is based on) is from Bida' (innovation). They have their own principles and ways, which contradicts that of Ahl-Sunna. They say we want ijtihaad in the basic principles of the deen (religion) which are constant.
2) They are very willing to reject and contradict the ijmaa of the sahaaba on clear points (such as stoning of the adulterer and the apostate is to be killed) and hadith are dealt with as if they are not important (women ruler hadith is common).
3) One of the main points of modernism is to change the role of women. They say it is permissible to mix men and women and to not wear hijaab. The modernists are impressed by the West and their conclusions always seem to agree with the views of the West.
Jamal. Al-Azrabozo
****
The speaker frequently pointed out that his purpose was to warn about the dangers and mistakes of this movement and not to defame individual Muslims. Also, his information came from their writings, speeches, and discussions with these individuals, and not from what he heard from other people.
Ce message a été modifié par charisme - 23 mars 2005 - 09:01 .
#3
Posté 23 mars 2005 - 11:22
anyway I am a post-modernist
.
Franchement, je ne pense pas que l'islam doit etre reformer mais la sharia (j'ai des problemes avec elle
).
Comme vous l'avez compris ya kelke chose qui va pas et si les modernists se mefient des hadiths c'est que pour la lapidation par exemple ce n'est pas dans le Coran mais dans un hadith.
Il est impensable et moralement inhumain que les droits de le femme ne soient pas correctement respecté ( divorce, crimes d'honneur, lapidation). Une civilisation qui traite mal les femmes est condamnee a disparaitre.
La sharia a besoin d'un coup de balais quand il s'agit des droits humains fondamentaux: la peine de mort, les punitions corporelles sont incompatibles avec nos societés. Je n'utiliserais pas de hadiths pour demontrer que lapider une femme c pas bien : j'en ai pas besoin. C'est pas bien c tout , c'est inhumain , c'est cruel.
Et ca ne fera pas de moi une athee , je suis toujours musulmane.
loooooool mais vous preferez la femme non-eduquee qui ne vote pas.
Pourkoi l'occident
, dans le droit chinois on ne lapide pas les femmes, ni chez nos amis nippons, ni dans le droit hindoui, ni chez les Innuits... y'a pas que l'occident qui est contre la lapidation de la femme mais LE 4/5 DE L'HUMANITE
Jamal. Al-Azrabozo QU'EST-CE QU'IL est ridicule ce type !!! Avec des individus pareils on s'etonne qu'il ya des problemes dans certaines societes islamiques

Franchement, je ne pense pas que l'islam doit etre reformer mais la sharia (j'ai des problemes avec elle

Comme vous l'avez compris ya kelke chose qui va pas et si les modernists se mefient des hadiths c'est que pour la lapidation par exemple ce n'est pas dans le Coran mais dans un hadith.
Il est impensable et moralement inhumain que les droits de le femme ne soient pas correctement respecté ( divorce, crimes d'honneur, lapidation). Une civilisation qui traite mal les femmes est condamnee a disparaitre.
La sharia a besoin d'un coup de balais quand il s'agit des droits humains fondamentaux: la peine de mort, les punitions corporelles sont incompatibles avec nos societés. Je n'utiliserais pas de hadiths pour demontrer que lapider une femme c pas bien : j'en ai pas besoin. C'est pas bien c tout , c'est inhumain , c'est cruel.
Et ca ne fera pas de moi une athee , je suis toujours musulmane.
Citation
This group is also playing into the hands of the kuffar. They are happy with is because their effort is to bring the Muslim women out of the home to change them. The last 200 years has been a colonialist and orientalist attack on the position of the woman in Islam (to destroy her and the society
Citation
The modernists are impressed by the West and their conclusions always seem to agree with the views of the West.

Jamal. Al-Azrabozo QU'EST-CE QU'IL est ridicule ce type !!! Avec des individus pareils on s'etonne qu'il ya des problemes dans certaines societes islamiques
#4
Posté 23 mars 2005 - 11:32
Citation
Patate !!!!
Farah s'y met aussi avec ces histoires de 'reformes' !
En encotrepartie, j'aimerai enchainer avec le texte ci-dessous
Farah s'y met aussi avec ces histoires de 'reformes' !
En encotrepartie, j'aimerai enchainer avec le texte ci-dessous

lol No No No Farah ne se mets à rien!
Il partage une lecture faite sur www.oumma.com avec les djibnautes!
Farah est assez neophyte pour ce qui est de cette problematique, il lit, se questionne, essaie de raffermir ses points de vue!
Farah te remercie donc, pour pour ton texte, qui va completer le sien, et permettre aux uns et aux autres de se faire un point de vue plus global.
Farah te remercie tres chere Charisme!
NB: Farah est effectivement

Farah parle de lui à la 3ieme personne, c'est chelou!!

#5
Posté 23 mars 2005 - 11:55
Encore un petit lien si vous le permettez.
Un entretien de l'auteur de l'article que je vous ai poste!
Histoire de mieux cerner la personne
http://www.saphirnet...icle.php?id=630
Un entretien de l'auteur de l'article que je vous ai poste!
Histoire de mieux cerner la personne
http://www.saphirnet...icle.php?id=630
#6
Posté 24 mars 2005 - 07:27
Farah, le Wednesday 23 March 2005, 20:32, dit :
Citation
Patate !!!!
Farah s'y met aussi avec ces histoires de 'reformes' !
En encotrepartie, j'aimerai enchainer avec le texte ci-dessous
Farah s'y met aussi avec ces histoires de 'reformes' !
En encotrepartie, j'aimerai enchainer avec le texte ci-dessous

lol No No No Farah ne se mets à rien!
Il partage une lecture faite sur www.oumma.com avec les djibnautes!
Farah est assez neophyte pour ce qui est de cette problematique, il lit, se questionne, essaie de raffermir ses points de vue!
Farah te remercie donc, pour pour ton texte, qui va completer le sien, et permettre aux uns et aux autres de se faire un point de vue plus global.
Farah te remercie tres chere Charisme!
NB: Farah est effectivement

Farah parle de lui à la 3ieme personne, c'est chelou!!

Taquin va !!!!



Je ne suis point contrariée par ton texte bro, au contraire je suis contente que tu l'aies affiché. Tu sais, il est toujours intéressant de voir des positions radicalement opposées car ça nous donne les outils nécessaires pour nous forger notre propre opinion .
Citation
Farah te remercie tres chere Charisme !
Farah parle de lui à la 3ieme personne, c'est chelou!!
Farah parle de lui à la 3ieme personne, c'est chelou!!
Y'a pas de quoi........ "RAHAN"





Allez Ciao,
Ce message a été modifié par charisme - 24 mars 2005 - 07:29 .
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