|
Written by Mehmet Ozalp
|
|
Tuesday, 13 February 2007 |
|
Page 6 of 6 Summary - Irrespective of what orientation a Muslim may belong to, the Qur'an is the ultimate reference accepted by all.
- The essentials of faith and the five pillars of Islam are the same for 98% of more than 1.2 billion Muslims on earth. These tenets are clearly outlined in the Qur'an and in the words and the practice of Prophet Muhammad
- Islam is a living religion. The practices of Islam were firmly established at the time of the Prophet and continued to be practised personally and communally.
- At about 83% of the Muslim world, Sunni Islam is in the majority and at about 13%, Shii Islam is an important minority.
- The main polarisation between Sunni and Shii Muslims is not caused by any disagreements over doctrinal issues, rather it was as a result of some political events that took place in the early history of Muslim society.
- A group of people who felt passionately towards Ali and the family of the Prophet responded strongly to these events causing polarisation in the Muslim world.
- Both Sunni and Shii Muslims accept and use the same Qur'an, believe in the same essentials of faith and practice the same five pillars of Islam.
- Sunni orientation is the common denominator in the whole Muslim world while there are a few added beliefs and practices in the case of Shii orientation mainly caused by their deep love of the Prophet Muhammad and his family.
- Sharia (path or way) has been both a source of law and ethics for Muslims for centuries.
- Islamic law has four sources, the Qur'an, Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, consensus and analogical reasoning.
- The Qur'an is the sourcebook of Islamic principles and values. Only about 80 can be considered legal verses in the strict sense of the word.
- Different rulings, although seldom, occur in the peripheral issues of the jurisprudence and law. In no way, do they cover or apply to theology or doctrine.
- Apart from a few negligible instances, Muslims enjoyed freedom of speech and religion as people were not forced to follow one particular legal interpretation.
- Sharia seeks to protect freedom of belief and rights to life, personal property, reproduction, and health (both mental and physical).
- What needs to be done today is to review and codify Sharia in the modern context to meet the needs of a changed world staying true to the spirit of Islam and the principles of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
|
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 13 February 2007 )
|
