Why a Liberal Forum like New Age Islam Is a Must for All Muslims

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 31 October 2024 Some indoctrinated and fanatic Muslims may be under the impression that the editor and Publisher of New Age Islam (NAI), Mr. Sultan Shahin is a closet atheist who encourages all non-believers and ex-Muslims on this site to express their views candidly. But they should read Mr Ashok Sharma's comment. He's full of praise for the NAI for doing a great service to the beleaguered minorities who're at the receiving end. Naipaul and Rushdie kept reiterating that Islam's obscurantism and extreme fanaticism didn't come from its clerics and village mullahs; it actually came from the 'educated' and ' English-speaking' bigots and got entrenched by the rigidity of those who've mortgaged their rationality. To quote Shakeel Badayuni, "Mujhe khauf aatish-e-gul...

The Perils of Misusing Religious Texts in Political Discourse

By Adis Duderija, New Age Islam 31 October, 2024 In today’s world, where political polarisation and conflict seem to deepen by the day, the intersection of religion and politics has become a critical battleground. The manipulation of religious texts for political gain is not a new phenomenon; it has been a tool used throughout history to justify wars, oppression, and discrimination. However, in contemporary society, the stakes have never been higher. The use of religious texts to create essentialising views on political affairs is not only irresponsible but downright dangerous. In this essay I will explore why we must challenge those who distort religious texts for political ends, and why accountability is essential in this discourse. The Authority of Religious Texts Religious texts...

Why Do Some People Resort To Abusive/Quasi-Abusive Language?

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 30 October 2024 Recently, a gentleman's quasi-abusive language in a public forum got me thinking as to why do some people abuse and use cuss words in public? A few years ago, I got an e-mail from a ' highly educated ' woman, who taught at an MBA institute in Gurgaon. The language of her mail was so execrable with the choicest Hindi imprecations of Northern India that it shocked all because she sent the same mail to my friends on the mailing list. To top it all, she had a Doctorate degree. No self-praise but in my entire life, I've never used a single intentional abuse for any individual. If ever I used a harsh word for a person, I apologised as well without any ulterior motive. Nor have I ever used words like 'tu'/ 'tum ' even for my pets, let alone human beings. And...

The Transformative Power of Mentorship: Lessons from Sufi Tradition

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 30 October 2024 Exploring the Essential Role of Character and Authenticity in Guiding Personal and Spiritual Growth Main Points: Changing a person’s life fundamentally requires a mentor to embody the values they preach, emphasizing that mere words are insufficient without aligned actions. The Prophet’s character reflected the Quran's teachings, demonstrating the importance of living one's values to effectively guide others. The Sufi tradition provides practical guidelines for self-discipline and ethical living, including the significance of silence, self-control, and focusing on spiritual growth. Repentance is a vital component of spiritual advancement, encompassing various forms that promote self-awareness, accountability, and connection to the Divine. The...

Citizenship from a Prophetic Perspective: An Islamic Approach to Social Responsibility and Governance

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 29 October 2024 Citizenship in the contemporary world is largely defined by the nation-state, where individuals' rights and responsibilities are based on legal documents, borders, and political affiliations. However, Islamic teachings offer a broader perspective on citizenship rooted in divine principles, social responsibility, and justice. Main Points: · Islam does not limit citizenship to geographical borders or national identity. · Instead, it emphasises principles like justice, human dignity, and collective responsibility, ensuring the welfare of all individuals, regardless of their background or status. · The Qur’an and Hadith provide a timeless framework for building inclusive communities, ensuring that governance serves...

From Divine Command to Rational Imperative: How Philosophy Reinterpreted Religious Morality

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 29 October 2024 Religious teachings and philosophy have long intersected in the realm of ethics, yet they approach morality from distinct perspectives. Religion often presents moral guidance as a set of divine commands, describing virtues that might not have made intuitive or rational sense at first but became valued for their societal benefits over time. Philosophy, in turn, has reinterpreted these moral rules, building on the cumulative wisdom of religious teachings to establish a rational framework for ethical behaviour. This transformation has not only solidified these moral insights but made them accessible across diverse contexts, including secular ones. Religious Ethics: Establishing Morality with Divine Authority Religious ethics provide a foundation...

Racism-The Quranic and Biblical Perspective on Human Equality

By V.A. Mohamad Ashrof, New Age Islam 29 October 2024 Racism is like a corrosive force that erodes the very bonds meant to unite humanity. Despite historical strides toward equality, it remains a festering wound, weakening the moral fabric of society. It is a disease of the heart, manifesting as arrogance and hatred, blinding individuals to the shared humanity that binds all people. From both a Quranic and Biblical standpoint, the antidote to this societal ill is made clear: a call for unity, equality, and the recognition of the inherent dignity in every human being. In the Quran, the rejection of racism is both explicit and foundational. Like the sun shining on all corners of the earth without bias, the Quran’s teachings on race offer universal guidance against racial prejudice and affirm...

Sahir's Atheism Was Bereft Of Pretension

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 28October 2024 "Sahir Ka iIlhaad Riyakaari Se Aari Tha..." Prakash Pandit (Sahir's atheism was devoid of insincerity) Did Sahir really need to renounce religion to be progressive? This very question is irrelevant. Sahir didn't relinquish religion (read Islam) to project himself as a progressive individual. Sahir's atheism wasn't 'fashionable or schoolboy atheism.' It wasn't like people conversing in English to prove that they're elite and educated. Sahir never had any interest in any damn man-made religion. There's an erroneous notion that having witnessed the unprecedented mayhem during the Partition, Sahir left Islam and turned an atheist. Sahir was always an iconoclast and a non-believer. Way back in 1938, when Sahir was just 17-yr-old, a Sikh friend...

Critical Thinking or Convenient Scepticism? A Rejoinder to "The Fallibility of Beliefs and the Imperative for Compassionate Action"

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 28October 2024 The article, The Fallibility of Beliefs and the Imperative for Compassionate Action, showcases the risks of superficial critical thinking. It misconstrues Bertrand Russell's caution about dying for beliefs as a universal distrust of belief itself. Yet in attempting to champion critical thinking, it fails to apply it, overlooking the essential distinction between holding values and committing violence in their name—a confusion that undermines its point. The real concern today isn’t that people are willing to die for their beliefs; rather, it’s the staggering number willing to compromise values for personal gain. Had there been more willing to defend their convictions against injustice, we might not be watching—via live streams—the tragic loss...

Faith and Figures: Why Many Great Mathematicians and Scientists Have Believed in God

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 26 October 2024 In the worlds of mathematics and science, we often think that rigorous rationalism leaves little room for faith. Figures like Bertrand Russell and Richard Dawkins—vocal critics of religion—might suggest that the pursuit of knowledge and belief in God are incompatible. However, history tells a more nuanced story, particularly in the fields of mathematics and philosophy, where many of the discipline’s greatest minds found room for faith in something beyond the material world. The Statistical Approach to Belief and Doubt Statistics, at its core, is about weighing evidence, balancing confidence levels, and testing hypotheses. This methodology doesn’t easily lend itself to absolute conclusions, especially on metaphysical matters like the existence...

The Fallibility of Beliefs and the Imperative for Compassionate Action

By New Age Islam Staff Writer Reflections on Bertrand Russell's Perspective: The Complexity of Belief and the Human Experience Recently, esteemed commentator Mr. Ghulam Mohiyuddin quoted the philosopher Bertrand Russell, who stated, "I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong." This thought-provoking assertion invites us to reflect on the nature of belief, the fallibility of human understanding, and the implications for our interactions in an increasingly polarized world. Bertrand Russell’s statement reflects a profound awareness of human fallibility. Throughout history, individuals have clung to beliefs they deemed absolute truths, often leading to catastrophic outcomes. Wars have been fought, lives lost, and communities shattered over differing ideologies—whether political,...

Legacy of Muhaddith-e-Deccan Hazrat Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 26 October 2024 Muhaddith-e-Deccan Hazrat Maulana Syed Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi Was One Of The Great Islamic Scholars Of The 20th Century From Hyderabad Who Was Known Not Only For His Monumental Work In The Hadith And Jurisprudence Alone But For The Spiritual Reformation He Brought About As A Sufi Master. His Magnum Opus, Zujajat Al-Masabih, Remains A Stellar Testimony To The Depth Of Knowledge He Possessed In The Field Of Hadith. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Abdullah Shah was born in Hyderabad in 1872. He was an Islamic scholar and a Sufi master who had specialized in the study of Hadiths as "Muhaddith-E-Deccan." 2. He composed the celebrated book, Zujajat al-Masabih. His work is an important contribution to the Hanafi Fiqh. 3. Hazrat Abdullah Shah...

Obituary of Fethullah Gülen: A Life Dedicated to Interfaith Understanding and Global Peace

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 26 October 2024 Fethullah Gülen, the Turkish Islamic scholar, educator, and spiritual leader, passed away in October 2024 at the age of 83, leaving a profound legacy of interfaith understanding, religious tolerance, and commitment to global peace. For decades, Gülen was a prominent voice in fostering dialogue among diverse faiths and cultures, striving to build bridges of understanding in an increasingly divided world. His lifelong dedication to education, pluralism, and humanitarian service inspired countless individuals and established a global network of schools and peace-building initiatives, collectively known as the Hizmet (Service) movement. Fethullah Gülen (April 27, 1941 – October 2024) ------ Early Life and Spiritual Formation Fethullah...

Restating The Agenda Of Hindu Rashtra: RSS Chief Sets The Tone For BJP Politics

By Ram Puniyani for New Age Islam 26 October 2024 Now In His Dussehra Speech He Restated Most Of The Policies Of BJP, Took On The States Where The Non BJP Governments Rule And Outlined The Deeper Goals Of RSS And The Core Of Hindutva Politics, “Words Like ‘Deep State’, ‘Wokeism’, ‘Cultural Marxist’ Are Enemies Of All Cultural Traditions. ------ This 12th October 2024, the Vijayadashmi (Dussehra), which is regarded as the foundation day of RSS, as is the practice of RSS Chief (Sarsanghchalak), Dr. Mohan Bhagwat gave a speech. This came in the background of his other significant speech in the aftermath of the slide down of BJP in 2024 General elections. In that speech he had targeted Narendra Modi. Modi had been claiming that he thinks he is non-biological, sent by God. As BJP slid...

Iqbal Ashhar: Wielding A Formidable Quill

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 26 October 2024 Years ago, the redoubtable Raghupati Sahay 'Firaq' Gorakhpuri wrote, "Yoon Toh Hujoom Shayaron Ka Nazar Aata Hai/ Kaun Waaqai Shayar Hai Ye Sawaal Rah Jaata Hai" (Though there's a crowd of poets/ But who's an actual poet remains to be answered). Poet Iqbal Ashhar turns 59 on October 26 ------ Yes, there's a mushrooming of poets not just in Urdu, but in all languages who can't even be called penpushers or apologies for poets. Despite that, there're a few names who indeed deserve to be called poets. Delhi-based Iqbal Ashhar is one such Urdu poet whose name cannot be overlooked. Though one of the most sought after Urdu poets across the country, Iqbal Ashhar's regular presence at poetic gatherings doesn't make him a poet of renown. It's...