There is NO Such thing as Moderate Islam or a Moderate Muslim
This is a “politically correct” term used initially so as not to offend or alienate Muslims. But it is a misnomer unless some westerners mean a “Nominal Muslim” similar to a “nominal Christian” in the western jargon. We shall elaborate on this later. But I see what most people say are “moderate Muslims” are those Muslims who work and live peacefully within their communities not causing any problems with their neighbours. But they, nevertheless are as devout in their beliefs as “orthodox Muslims” but exist peacefully. I assess such Muslims as most likely “dormant Muslims” or “sleeper Muslims” who are playing a low profile in an alien or unfriendly environment but may become activated when called upon. These are the Muslims who will not raise their voices against the Islamic Jihadists who perpetrated the 9/11 atrocities in New York, or the 7/7 carnage in London because it is not politic to do so. They may even rejoice quietly among themselves when they see Islam winning over non-Muslims. In fact these Muslims empathize with the cause of Islamic Jihadists worldwide but lie low. They will in all probability surreptitiously give material or spiritual or moral support to Islamic Jihadist quietly or demonstrate by dancing and shouting Allahu Akbar on occasions like 9/11 or 7/7. But they are, in truth, orthodox Muslims, living a quiet and peaceful life, and unobtrusive or lying low, yet loyally and piously Muslim. Perhaps he is even a Jihadist sleeper.
Why the Deafening Silence from Moderate Muslims after 9/11 and 7/7 and others?
Because if they are “religious” Muslims who know the commands of Allah and know the contents of the Qur’an but are lying low, hiding their real feelings and are unable to condemn such acts (as one Muslim never squeals on another,) because they know it is Allah’s Islamic Martyrdom at work, as the Qur’an has commanded:
Qur’an:2:216 “Jihad [holy fighting in Allah's Cause] is ordained for you [Muslims], though you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and like a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not.” [Another translation reads] “Warfare is ordained for you.”
So if they are “religious” Muslims, to speak out against any Muslim acting in the service of Allah they would be considered treacherous to the cause of Islam and to Allah? All Muslims are aware that if they spoke out against those acts, they are speaking out against Jihadism, i.e. speaking out against the teachings of the Qur’an. The few who do speak out against some of these atrocities as un-Islamic, like Dr. Wafa Sultan and Amil Imani are taking risks with their lives. They will be classified as apostates and a Fatwa issued on them. Both those mentioned have already death threats.
Amil Imani, is an Iranian-American, who is now an ex-Muslim and writes about Islam. Amil says.
“There is no such thing as moderate Islam. There is no such thing as secular Islam or a secular Muslim. It’s the nature of the faith to deny any separation of religion and the state or religion and society. There are numerous sects within Islam. One and all are extremes and not in the least amenable to change. Keep in mind that Islam claims that it is the perfect eternal faith for mankind. Splits have occurred and will continue to occur in Islam. Yet, reformation has not happened in nearly 1400 years and is not going to happen. Islam is carved in granite, just the way it was. No change is possible. Allah’s Qur’an is a sealed volume. ” [20]
This concept that there is no flexibility in Islam is difficult for those with a Christian background to understand. Remember that it is a Seventh Century concept/religion mentality that and you have to understand. The Jews and Christians and Romans of that era were all of a similar mentality. They were living in harsh, nomadic, desert, illiteracy, where life and early death were the norms of the day. But Christianity has since moved on into the 21st Century, while Islam has remained in the 7th Century because of the concept of the finality of the word of Allah as contained in the Qur’an.
The following will illustrate the Commands of Allah from the Qur’an and the Hadiths to show that every Muslim owes obligations to Allah, if he is a Muslim, without exception. Of special interest is Qur’an 4:95 below that show that even 1400 years ago Mohammed recognized that there would be those Muslims “who sit at home and receive no injurious hurt………but Allah prefers Jihadists who strive hard and fight above those who sit home. He has distinguished his fighters with a huge reward. (in Paradise)”
It would not take much to influence the attitudes of those who sit at home to join the Islamic Jihad because of their faith and their knowledge of the wishes of Allah. The significances of the following 10 Qur’anic and Hadith verses says much to Muslims.
Qur’an:2:216 “Jihad [holy fighting in Allah's Cause] is ordained for you [Muslims], though you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and like a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not.” [Another translation reads]: “Warfare is ordained for you.”
Qur’an:4:95 “Not equal are those believers who sit at home and receive no injurious hurt, and those who strive hard, fighting Jihad in Allah’s Cause with their wealth and lives. Allah has granted a rank higher to those who strive hard, fighting Jihad with their wealth and bodies to those who sit (at home). Unto each has Allah promised good, but He prefers Jihadists who strive hard and fight above those who sit home. He has distinguished his fighters with a huge reward.”
Bukhari:V4B52N44 “A man came to Allah’s Apostle and said, ‘Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad in reward.’ He replied, ‘I do not find such a deed.’”
Bukhari:V1B2N25 “Allah’s Apostle was asked, ‘What is the best deed?’ He replied, ‘To believe in Allah and His Apostle Muhammad.’ The questioner then asked, ‘What is the next best in goodness?’ He replied, ‘To participate in Jihad, religious fighting in Allah’s Cause.’”
Qur’an:33:22 “Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah and have gone out for Jihad [holy fighting]. Some have completed their vow to extreme and have been martyred fighting and dying in His Cause, and some are waiting, prepared for death in battle.”
Bukhari:V4B53N412 “Allah’s Apostle said on the day of the conquest of Mecca, ‘There is no migration now, only Jihad, holy battle. And when you are called for Jihad, you should come out at once.’”
Bukhari:V4B52N311 “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘There is no migration after the Conquest of Mecca, but only Jihad. When you are called by the Muslim ruler for Jihad fighting, you should go forth immediately, responding to the call.’”
Muslim:C28B20N4631 “I heard Muhammad say: ‘I would not stay behind when a raid for Jihad was being mobilized unless it was going to be too hard on the believers. I love that I should be killed in Allah’s Cause; then I should be brought back to life and be killed again.’”
Qur’an:9:111 “Allah has purchased the believers, their lives and their goods. For them (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise). They fight in Allah’s Cause, and they slay and are slain; they kill and are killed.”
Bukhari:V4B52N196 “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say,”None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.”‘
These Moderate Muslims are not Muslims who have accepted the peaceful aspects and rejected the militant aspects of Islam, because by rejecting any part of the Qur’an amounts to rejecting the Word of Allah, and that is blasphemy, and the penalty is death. So taking this into consideration, either a Muslim accepts the whole of Islam or he is an apostate. An apostate is not a Muslim, he is a “non-Muslim.” So calling a Muslim a “Moderate Muslim” implies he is not an orthodox Muslim, but a “false Muslim.” So either a Muslim is a Muslim accepting all the conditions expected of a Muslim or he is an apostate. There can be no half-Muslim. But a Muslim could be a “dormant Muslim.” That can be the only explanation for a “moderate Muslim.”
The Nominal Muslim/Cultural Muslim – A Renegade Muslim – non-practising Muslim – an Apostate
There are many Muslims, especially some living in the West, who could be classified as “nominal Muslims” similar to “nominal Christians” who live the life of the “Muslim culture” but do not observe most or any of the Commands of Allah as in the Qur’an. In fact they may even contravene all or some the Commandments of Allah like (1) Not observing the mandatory Islamic ritualistic religious prayers in communion in a mosque, (2) Not observing Halal foods and alcohol ban and other personal practices, (3) Not adhering to rules like, Sex outside the codes of Sharia Law, (4) or not attending prayers in Mosques, (5) or Ignoring the requirements of the 5 (or 6) Pillars of Islam, and so on. But these people are still seen as Muslims by the ill-informed Westerner but are actually “non-practising Muslims.” To be correct and precise these people are “Muslim renegades” or “ex-Muslims” or “Apostates of Islam.”
Misconceptions are due to lack of understanding
So it is quite evident that to the westerner, such critical assessment is impossible unless we understand what constitutes “Haram & Halal” in Islam. This requires a good understand of Islam, the Hadiths, the Islamic traditions, Islamic history, Sharia Law, and the Islamic culture. Here we can only see the tip of the iceberg. [9]
