Reform? Back to basics. Certainly, since the fifth ruler, Mu'awiya, came to power and turned the leadership of the then Islamic State into a hereditary dynasty, free-thinking based on Koran, sunna and own God-fearing judgment (Ichtiaat) has been a problem. Not that kingdom for all Muslims is an obstacle itself: as long as the ruler(s) are just and competent, Muslims will support such establishment. Freethinking has always a problem for rulers. "Islamic" rulers and others. Many rulers indeed, of all political currencies and religions, have tried to use religion and such to put themselves above others. To justify their acts and position. In the ('secular') Islamic State this was no different. All founders of Islamic laws of schools, besides Abu Hanife, were tortured by the Sultans of their time. They all disobeyed the oppressor, who wanted those scholars to improve, by way of interpretation of Islamic fundamentals open to interpretation, the image and power base of the ruler. Their knowledge of Islam protected them from being killed. For sure if someone is granted a position this is (according to Islam) to give that person the opportunity to work according to his or her belief in full responsability of ones acts. All should work for; take care of; the benefit of all. However, not every Islamic ruler did so. A "Sultan" is merely a earthly ruler while the "Caliph" expressed his power from the knowledge he found in Islam. On many occasion both were supported or tolerated. Some sultans who were not such good rulers had qualities who were needed and could be, because of the Islamic environment they were thriving in, be brought closer to Islamic ruling. (Cf. In 100 years the Tartars became Muslim themselves). This environment has been largely disturbed now. Urging for ichtiaat is for that reason not forbidden or whatsoever but such an appeal has to take the environment(s) Muslims are living in nowadays into account. The article above pictures the state the Muslims are in as a result of their own obstinacy to think in a liberal way(ichtiaat). That is a bleak representation of reality. Colonialism has had a major impact on what are now "Islamic" countries. Furthermore ichtiaat has to be considered both as an individual AND a social process. Ideas must be discussed before being implemented. This is Koranic rule. Rather the distance there came between Islam and the Muslims, influenced or threatened in many ways, is a major reason Ichtiaat froze and indeed then the situation worsened. Maybe so called Islamic rulers prefered to trade with colonial powers instead of taking on their responsibility towards their communities. We are all "Caliph", responsible towards what God has entrusted us. Some Sultans/(Caliphs) had forgotten that it seems as pure materialism replaced their religious strength (imaam). Very soon ichtiaat was considered as the work of those Muslims who had studied "Islam" only. For the record: orientalists are excluded; then and now. Not that they are not heard, or might not provide useful viewpoints, but they will never be accepted to rule on issues that are the Muslim community (Ummah) own). This rather elitist approach has some advantages. For sure those who have knowledge and know how to discuss their insights and express themselves have an advantage on those who might need to do something else; like an 'ordinary' job. Islam does not recognize hierarchy (besides the 'secular' issues: state), however if ichtiaat is limited to those who had the opportunity to do formal study only.... Of course, many are given the opportunity to go and take more or less formal Islamic theologian training. This order to spread knowledge of all kind is fundamental in Islam. Many poorer are given scholarships to go and study abroad. Making education available to those who would lack it otherwise is a highly rewarded duty for every (richer) Muslim. Still: where to turn to to get a good training? Al-Azar? The madrassa in Pakistan? The European Islamical University in Rotterdam?... One can learn something on any place in the universe but Islamic education (this includes 'non-religious subjects as well of course, holistic) is nowadays hard to find. Well, we're on the path and have good and bad experiences behind us. One has to recognize these problems before one summons for chaos. Ichtiaat is both a duty of the Ulema (scholars) and of every individual. 'Ikra', learn, study, recite, repeat in Arab, was the first revealed word to the prophet Muhammed (saws). Once we've learnt something, we have to discuss it (see Koran) and then come forward with a creative solution that benefits all. Not just the ruler and his crew. That's what democracy should be about. That's what Islam teaches. Ibrahim Hublou ATTACHED: -------------------- "The Islamic Intellectual Tradition" Interview with Sister Noura Shamma (English/ AUDIO, 21MB *.MP3) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ILM-publication/message/292 Mu'awiya as a Model of Islamic Governance.htm Mu'awiya as a Model of Islamic Governance. Muawiyah I 602 -- 680 First Umayyad caliph (661--80). He opposed the Prophet Mohammed until the conquest of Mecca in 630, then became his secretary. Under the second caliph, Omar, he took part in the conquest of Syria and was made governor in 640. He rebelled against the fourth caliph, Ali, for the murder of his kinsman, the caliph Uthman, and fought him at the indecisive Battle of Siffin (657). Read more at: http://www.biography.com/ http://www.salaam.co.uk/knowledge/biography/viewentry.php?id=1150 Via: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ILM-publication/files/ Also: ---------- Secularisation no answer for Muslim world http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ILM-publication/message/225 http://www.theage.com.au/news/state/2002/01/16/FFXN85RPGWC.html The Seerah as a basis for an intellectual revolution in Muslim thought http://www.muslimedia.com/seerah-stages.htm ( Seerah (life) = of the Prophet Muhammad) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ILM-publication/message/468 Sami Zemni Humanistisch Verbond 041102.mp3 (Dutch/ AUDIO) Sami Zemni - Bijna volledig interview - Humanistisch Verbond (Radio) 04-11-2002 2548 Via: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PIN-forum/files/Interviews%20%26%20Music/ Democracy or Occupation of the Arab world http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ILM-publication/message/514 ISLAM AND REVOLUTION: the "Arab-Islamic nationality" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ILM-publication/message/552