Muslim feminists from around the world vowed to create the first women’s council to interpret the holy Quran and overcome two stereotypes about their religion: Muslims are terrorists and Islam oppresses women.
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"Two misconceptions about Islam are that it is associated with terrorism and that Islam is an oppressor of women. These are two myths that we seek to demolish."
Well, I wish them luck. The Quran is pretty consistent when it comes to terrorism and women's rights.
How will the Muslim Feminist Council interpret these verses, for example?
Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. 4:34We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. 3:151
I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger. 8:12
Behold them, staring wide (in terror), the eyes of those who disbelieve! 21:97
I suspect the council will treat these verses like liberal Christians treat similar verses in the Bible: either ignore them entirely or claim that they don't really mean what they very clearly say.
3 comments:
They can try. Its harder for muslims to interpret away inconvenient verses.
Christians have an excuse. According to them, Jesus forfilled the ceremonial and some civil laws of the OT. Those laws are no longer in effect, and can be ignored. But no part of the bible says which laws are in which category, so its trivial for Christians to pick-and-choose. "Stone the gays!" is usually declared to be a moral law and thus still in effect, if in a watered-down form. While "Give God burnt offereings!" is just dismissed with a wave of the hand and a declaration that its a ceremonial law.
Islam has no such instant escape route.
What you are psoting is actual interpretation of the Quran and not actual quotes from the Quran.
Salam
Edward Ott said...
"What you are posting is actual interpretation of the Quran and not actual quotes from the Quran."
The quotes are taken from Pickthall's traslation (or "interpretation") of the Quran. Do you prefer another?
How do you think these verses should be translated?
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