Not to rain on your parade but the concept of appointing female Islamic judges is still considered highly controversial and impermissible by all major schools of Islamic thought. Since you consider yourself a 'tradiionalist' I'm surprised that you would support something that is considered unacceptable...
LOL. Nice gif. Sorry but Hanifa did NOT support it to the extent that is being pushed today. He only just barely made it permissiable for women to be judges on a LIMITED capacity, not in any way that is equal to the way a...
Are you really so naive as to believe that Islamic scholars of the past called into question women's intellectual and emotional capacity to become judges simply because "they questioned everything"and it was par for the course? Seriously? You really go to great lengths to avoid...
Empty maxims? When 3 out of the 4 major Islamic schools of thought believe women can't be judges and there are Muslim countries in which women can't be judges or are limited in this field due to their gender? Thanks for that list of scholars...
Islamic Scholars...
I agree that "Yes, women can become Islamic scholars, too." But this is dismissive of the fact that men still dominate Islamic study and discourse at the highest levels. In time, I hope to see women have equal say and influence in all fields of...
In many Muslim countries there is a serious problem. The people do not read Arabic (strictly speaking, the Koran may not be translated), and have to rely on barely literate imams to tell them what to think. These imams are misogynistic and bigoted and just...
I am very impressed by your answer to my question about the Koran in different languages. I freely confess it was a facetious question, but I was impressed by your personal interpretation. The trouble with Islam, perhaps, is that it is still a consensus religion....
When I say "trouble with Islam" I mean it on a micro-level. The way Islam is used in every day life. All the problems you list exist. But also, for example: when a tribal custom becomes confused with the faith. For example: the Burka, or...
In some Islamic countries (for example, Iran) a girl is forced to start wearing a hijab from the age of 9. Why is this? Doesn't that imply that 9 year old girls are sexually attractive? And if that is the case, isn't that idea in...
The American government does not mandate that I participate in a beauty pageant. The Iranian government does mandate that little girls wear a hijab (and really, you could have just Googled it. It's perfectly true). That's a serious difference. You ask why Iran and Saudi...
The Idea of an Islamic State...
You spoke at my school today and you were really interesting. There wasn't enough time for me to ask my question. My question is: what did you mean when you said that there are no secular countries in the Arab world?...
Osama, Im not Muslim but what is tajdid? Is it reform?...
As-salam alaikum brother, I was late to your khutba...
Salam br. Usama, why dont you approve of Ibn Taymiyyah? Why are you afraid of being proud of your deen and being forceful about your beliefs? Is it due to your status as a liberal Muslim?...
Assamalaikum, I hope you're doing well. Query: When people are going about establishing shariah or what shariah is, to what extent, if any, do you think "western" practices can be adapted or applied? I mean, so people tell me voting is haraam because it contributes...
you spoke at my university yesterday, and a few of us are wondering 1: why do muslim women in egypt continue to wear hijab? 2: why do you say your vision of sharia is so different to others? and 3: would you date a student...
Salam alaikum, Im Muslim, my friend asked me about "infidel tax" & said that would happen if Muslims took over a country & that they have it in Muslim countries...
As-salaam Alaykum, I see that you're a lawyer mash'Allah. What are your thoughts on the ban of the niqab while taking the citizenship oath in Canada? Should women abide by the law or is this an issue of freedom of religion?...
Asalamu Alaikum, I was just wondering about the relationship between Muslims and Jewish people after having a conversation with a Jewish friend of mine. I've seen loads of references to Israel while reading the Qur'an and it got me thinking about current issues. And I'm...
The Roots of Today’s Orientalism...
Did the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, break crosses? W. Muir's controversial biography of him states so....
Can we really say that Islam is not patriarchal when Muslim wives are instructed to obey/be obedient to their husbands (because the man is the head of the household and in charge of feeding them, clothing them, guiding them and disciplining them)? There is even...
Do you agree with this sentiment from Dr. Asma Barlas?: "Many people who are using the hadith are unhappy with the egalitarianism of the Quran. Whatever the Quran opens up, the hadith can shut down." Going by some of your commentary on the utilization of...
Assalamualaikum. What is your opinion about Dawkin's views? Not his personality, but his (and his kinds') views. Thank you....
Assalmalaikum. I was having a discussing with my mother where we were discussing how women in many Muslim countries are discouraged to work etc. My mom understands that that is wrong, but also pointed out that "women and men were created for different purposes -...
Salaam al-aykum, have you ever read Timur Kuran's arguments, particularly those in his book "The Long Divergence," on how Islamic Law stagnated the economy of the Middle East and caused the region to fall behind Europe? If so what is your opinion on that idea?...
Is continued Arabization of Muslim populations necessary for Islam to flourish? Was it ever necessary to begin with? The legacy of Arabization (often times via force or coercion) in Muslim conquests of the past does not sit very well with me and I feel that...
I loved your response to that Anon, but don't you think it's kind of embarrassing that we even have to argue about whether or not our religion allows women to be judges and that most don't seem to think so. It's beyond depressing. Sometimes I...
Were there any Prophets who were Non-Arab? Like black or Asian?...
What do you think of Taqwacores? or "Punk Islam"?...
Why does the Quran describe women as fields/tilths for their men to go in to as they please? I'm referring to the common English translations of Q 2:223, which I've always felt really uncomfortable with because it's dehumanizing in a way and I'm not sure...
Salaamualikum! Do you think the implementation of Shari'ah law in various countries has led to the inaccuracies of how it's sadly viewed as an "oppressive" legal system (i.e. it's not the laws that are the issue, but how leaders enact upon the laws)? And, with...