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

https://www.academia.edu/33469725/review_The_Sunna_and_Its_Status_in_Islamic_Law_The_Search_for_a_Sound_Hadith

( also published on the ABC RELIGION AND ETHICS WEBSITE   in a slightly different version) As it is widely known Ramadan is usually understood as time for increasing intensity in ritualistic practice. Most unfortunately, last few Ramadans in particular are also being increasingly connected with acts of senseless violence and terrorism  perpetuated worldwide by groups like ISIS ( or individuals inspired by their beliefs)  whose perverted interpretation of Islam/Islamic history  views suicide bombing as especially meritorious acts of martyrdom and piety during this Holy Month. It is my contention, however, that Ramadan should foremost be a time for increased intellectual practice or intellectual jihad. The Islamic intellectual tradition, including its fountainheads the Qur’an and Sunna, stress this intellectual jihad in myriad of ways. For example, one of the most repeatedly occurring themes in the Qur’an is that of intellectual reflection and contemplation (tadabbur /tafakk

Respected Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, a very good evening to all! First of all, I would like to thank the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research for organising this wonderful event as a celebration of scholarship and erudition. I would also like to express my gratitude to Associate Professor Halim Rane for his kind words, the effort and time he put to be with us tonight and his penetrating insights. I would also like to thank him for his continued support, especially in relation to my research interests in general, and with respect to my interest in progressive Islam in particular. I would like to use this time to actually not just talk about my book but to make a few general points with respect to two issues: 1. Importance of scholarship and its role in making the public more informed on issues of public concern 2. Address some common misconceptions about progressive Islam. Let me start by saying that in the time of what some have referred to a