Rethinking of Islamic reform

The Rethinking Islamic Reform conference, originally held May 26, 2010 by Oxford University Islamic Society & hosted by Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Hanson (Zaytuna Institute, USA) and Professor Tariq Ramadan (Oxford University, UK). They provide guidance in the ever polemical topic of reform in Islam.

My dear sisters and brothers in Islam,
Islam was once at its zeeneth when every muslim was a true believer and true recepient of Quran, because every muslim understood the message of Quran back than. today in our busy lives we have restricted quran to nothing better than a bargain shop, that one may open it to recite one chapter so many times to get rid of some wordly issue.

Muslims should not be so sensitive with regards to issues that are the matter of scholarly differences or make them the cause of division and fitnah among the Muslims. Differences within the ummah existed at the time of the Sahaabah, yet they remained united. The youth in particular and to all those who are committed to Islam must remain united, because they have enemies who are laying in wait. In islam if you have five different valid opinion ( we mean valid). All five are equally valid & should be honoured equally. But what we are trying to make things the way it was in our culture, society or our country. Islam is not run by culture or country. It is a faith based religion following Quran and Sunnah. You can not bring innovation, nor subtract anything from the quran and sunnah. But you can discover as much as you can. That is why knowledge is the first and foremost criteria of Islam. Kullu bida'tin daiala: "Every innovation is a misguidance"? Doesn't the term "every" include all innovations?".. yes which, contradicts Quran and Sunnah.

Islam cannot be customized to suit individual needs and lifestyles or the country you are running & living. This is a great hypocrisy. One can ask themselves how pious and strict follower of the Quran and Sunnah, am I in reality?......?

Let's find some great biddah, innovation of todays world among ourselves & our muslim ummah:
1. Buying houses on mortgages (interest);
2. Holding (Debt) Credit on credit cards;
3. Eating non halal meat and foods (MacDonald, KFC, etc.)
4. Disobedience to parents and ill treatment of either wife or husband;
5. Sending of children to Islamic school but not practicing Islam themselves
6. Calling other Muslim brothers Miskeen (poor) based upon nationality;
7. Undue extravagance: Luxuries (Castles, Rolls Royces, Cadillacs etc);
8. Engaging in fraud and corruption;
9. Celebrating own anniversaries and birthdays;

Let's shed some light on a misconception & innovation that is growing like raging fire. Its never too late to get back to the real purpose of our lives.