Islamic Law In Our Times: Recent Comments

Comment on Islam and Homosexuality

2012-01-25T19:24:46Z

It's a good point, and sorry for taking so long to put it up. It was buried in spam, due to a filtering error.

Comment on Islam and Homosexuality

2012-01-25T16:18:02Z

I would say the same curious short sighted attitude and arrogance exists towards Muslims on other subjects as well. To hear Westerners and their politicians talk you would think that women's rights, freedom of speech, laws against slavery and child labour, democracy and social mobility had been with the West for at least 500 years! At least.

Comment on Environmentalism and Islam in Our Times

2012-01-09T22:44:14Z

Wa Alaikum Assalam

Just to be clear, I am not a member of the 'ulema, nor would I ever claim to be. Merely a lonely academic, observing the world and describing it as I see it. I'm sorry you find that patronizing.

Comment on Arabic Transliteration and the Bluebook

2012-01-09T22:33:30Z

Thanks. And sorry for the delay in posting this valuable comment. It had a website in it and so was mistakenly by the system thrown into spam.

Comment on Arabic Transliteration and the Bluebook

2012-01-01T18:51:13Z

I came across this post while searching about transliteration. as you said, its really a pain in the neck especially if you learned English at later stage!
there are online tolls but most of them are helpless as they follow no standard. However, yesterday, I found a utility application that lets you automatically or manually transliterate your text from Arabic into English, using the writing-based model of the Arabic orthography, compatible with the ALA-LC transliteration scheme with slight modifications. I am using it now but you may need to make some amendments but at least is following a standard. but there is still a problem if I want to publish in a journal which follows a different transliteration system.

http://rotas.iium.edu.my/

Comment on Environmentalism and Islam in Our Times

2011-12-28T04:50:31Z

As-Salaam 'alaikum.
"Nor is shari'a going to be extended in any sort of fiqh like manner to cover environmentalism in any sort of comprehensive fashion." My question is why not? The Fuqaha in Malaysia made Shari'a rulings on how an astronaut prays while in Earth orbit. What I understand is that the Shari'a is MEANT to evolve to fit circumstances not specifically ruled on before. Are you speaking for all the 'Ulema, and saying that none of you are up to the task? Or that you lack the will?

I am an American, and much as this may surprise you, I am both familiar with traditional works of Fiqh, and have several I consult regularly. I find your patronizing attitude very unfortunate. I don't think there will be any "Death of Islamic Law" unless your evaluation is correct, and the Scholars lack the will to do what is necessary.

Comment on Tim Tebow as Muslim: A Hypothetical

2011-12-20T01:43:54Z

I disagree with you. I think a Muslim acknowledging Allah would get much less flak than Tebow does. Except that what you said is really long and would get boring.

It is terribly un-PC to criticize Muslims as individuals, but perfectly fine to paint evangelical Christians as bigoted jerks who want to control the universe. That is how I read things--your mileage may differ.

I for one wish more people of honest faith of any kind--Christian, Jew, Muslim--would acknowledge the Divine publicly. We have altogether too many people mistaking themselves for God.

Comment on Random Thoughts on Slavery and the Shari'a

2011-12-20T00:22:48Z

Thanks Ted, hope all is well. HAH

Comment on Random Thoughts on Slavery and the Shari'a

2011-12-19T17:24:30Z

Excellent. A cogent analysis that can be applied to fundamentalists of all faiths and philosophies.

Comment on A Shi'i's Lament

2011-12-12T18:42:07Z

Refreshing honesty