The fine scholar Michel de Certeau wrote: “Even more, in history as in other fields, one day or another a practice without theory will necessarily drift into dogmatism of ‘eternal values’ or into an apology for a ‘timelessness.’ Suspicion could never be extended over every theoretical analysis.” (The Writing of …
Conditions of death and destruction force us to ask the question: what is wrong with human beings? What is the human condition? In other words, what dehumanizes our souls, minds and sensibilities to commit such unspeakable acts to each other? Why do some of these muscular devotees of Islam produce teachings that violate human dignity at every turn? I need not be reminded that their super power adversaries are equally craven. … Is it not time that conscientious Muslims produce what can be called the “violence critique?” ….While I concede my education was imperfect, but from somewhere I acquired the sensibility to question the unquestionable. The example of the hierodules, those slaves who served the ancient Greek temples come to mind. The hierodules had the advantage over the priests when it came to the secrets of the cult (Calasso 2005). They were surely no less knowledgeable than the priests, but because they were servants they were prepared to take risks and were more willing to expose, question and explore the secrets of the cult. I too behaved like the hierodules.
Please read my op-ed in today’s Orlando Sentinel. Comments on my WordPress page are welcome.
ʿAlā al-Dīn Abū Bakr al-Kāsānī (d. 1189) in what might be a throw away line in his Badāʾiʿ al-Ṣanāʾiʿ fī Tartīb al-Sharaʾiʿ, The Immaculate Calling in Ordering Normative Traditions really startled me. He …
Ever since I heard of Shahab Ahmed’s illness, a few weeks ago, to say I was terribly unsettled, would not be an exaggeration. A particular malignant form of leukemia overwhelmed his body. I was praying for a miracle, but the hour finally came.
وَلَنْ يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا …
