India: The Crossroads of Intolerance and Modernity

Reading Fareed Zakaria’s take on India and Hinduism in The Post-American World, one is left with the impression that all Hindus are practical and India’s road to modernity is a smooth one.

How Stoning Came About in Islam

Anyone who is familiar with the Quran will notice that the punishment of stoning adulterers is absent. The Quranic punishment for adultery is one-hundred lashes and there must be four eyewitnesses to the alleged crime (Quran 24:2, 24:4).

However, the practice of stoning is still promoted by some within the fold of Islam. According to the Hadith, which are oral traditions that are separate from the Quran, a goat ate a page from the Quran that prescribed stoning for adultery. Fortunately, many Muslims question the logic behind this assertion found within the Hadith.

al-Rahma TV

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has had its translation of Arabic media questioned in the past (and for good reason). Historian Juan Cole has an excellent commentary regarding an instance where MEMRI’s translation was flawed. Cole notes that the organization tends to “cherry-pick” from the Arab press.

The Quran: Israel’s Right to Exist

Given how many Muslims are confused about the Quran’s stance on Israel and the fact that there are clerics who still advocate violence against the Jews of Israel, a reexamination of the Quran is worthwhile.

The Clerics of Politics and Suicide

As Muslims, we are asked to surrender to God. At no point are we asked to surrender our rationale to politically-motivated clerics.

Why Fighting Terror is Consistent with Islam

The use of force will always have its place in fighting misguided militants. However, as Peter Bergen has pointed out, the war of ideas is crucial in this conflict.

Mermaids Given More Regard Than Women

Some of my coreligionists might wonder why I take a critical eye to what is or isn’t Islamic. When it comes to following something you consider your guide in life, I find it pertinent to ask questions and contemplate.

Common Sense

What irritates me as much as Muslims who discredit their faith through their naive actions? Non-Muslims who do the same. Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson is a fine example.

Wife-Beating…Never Halal

There are still clerics in the Middle East telling gullible Muslims that wife beating is acceptable, albeit with the stipulation of being done lightly. We are told to separate from them, not beat them.

Why Israel is Not Anathema to Islam

Unfortunately, many Muslims fail to see that Islam adds another layer to their ethnic identities; it adds a layer of peace and rationale.