Critical-Progressive Muslims: On Islamic hermeneutics, Gender and Interreligious Dialogue

  Adis Duderija As an academic who has been publishing on   hadith literature and the debates surrounding the sunna of the Prophet   of Islam since 2007 I have come to appreciate the complex and multifaceted nature of competing and often   irreconcilable visions of what constitutes   his legacy. The diversity within Islamic intellectual traditions itself testifies to this inherent complexity. Rather than being a cause for distress or denial, this reality presents an opportunity for us to embrace principled pluralism. By recognizing and respecting the existence of multiple competing visions of the prophetic example and teachings, we can foster inclusive discussions and move away from claims of a singular 'true' Islam. This essay expands on the main points by exploring the implications of principled pluralism in interpreting the prophetic legacy and its potential for a progressive and compassionate approach to Islam.   The Plurality of   Under...

  The Necessity of Beauty, Mystery, and Truth in Human Life   Adis Duderija (with help of Chat GTP)   A day spent without the sight or sound of beauty, the contemplation of mystery, or the search of truth is a poverty-stricken day; and a succession of such days is fatal to human life." - Lewis Mumford   In his thought-provoking quote, the renowned philosopher and writer Lewis Mumford emphasizes the profound importance of beauty, mystery, and truth in our daily lives. As per the above quote, according to Mumford, a day devoid of these essential elements is a "poverty-stricken day" that can ultimately prove fatal to the human spirit. This brief essay explores the significance of beauty, the contemplation of mystery, and the pursuit of truth in human existence and posits that their absence leads to a diminished life experience.   The Power of Beauty   Beauty, in its various forms, as pointed out elegantly by ,among others,   Patricia ...

The Lingering Costs of Violence Adis Duderija Armed conflicts   can ,at times,  be  justified as necessary means to resolve immediate conflicts and threats, but it is important  to recognize that their impacts ripple well beyond the formal cessation of hostilities, undermining future peace in subtle yet profound ways. While violence may defeat enemies in the present, it sows the seeds of radicalization, social disintegration, and deep polarization that gestate over time into renewed instability. By examining three “second-order effects” - the radicalizing impact on political factions, erosion of social cohesion, and closing of the policy space - we can better understand how war perpetuates itself by weakening societal structures crucial for durable peace.   Nonviolence, though riskier initially, may disrupt this generational embedding of conflict and rejectionism by obstructing violence from corrupting community ties and the political sphere.  One...

   Unveiling the Problems with Classical Theism Adis Duderija   Throughout history, classical theism(I use the word here in the sense of approaches to concept of  God as espoused by Aristotle, Augustine and Ghazali to new some famous examples)   has shaped religious traditions, defining the ideal believer through concepts of obedience, liturgical piety, and devotion. However, an urgent need exists to reassess these traditional paradigms and redefine religious authenticity in ways that prioritize multiperspectivity, creativity, and appreciation for original and contextualized thought. This short piece   outlines   the problematic aspects of classical theism, shedding light on its reinforcement of patriarchal structures, the presence of eschatological thinking, the notion of eternal damnation, and the enforcement of rigid beliefs.   I. The Patriarchal Foundations of Classical Theism: Feminist theology has played a pivotal role in exposin...