Re: Mohammed the man vs Mohammed the prophet.
Zobia - your interpretations of the Quran are correct(for you), the interpretations of the extremist are correct (for them), each thinks they are the true followers of Islam.
The reality is that there are so many interpretations of quran, that there is no uniformity in beliefs. The emotions & hate generated by these minor differences has resulted in Muslims killing Muslims - in Pakistan, Iraq,Afganistan etc.
That is why it is critical to distinguish between True muslims (who only believe in the Quran) and the "Mohammadans" are, as Seminole said: most tend to follow Quran (God) + Muhammad + his companions + early imams + mujtahids + later imams, etc.
That is precisely the point. Some hardcore clerics have their own interpretations, Sufis have their own, and recently, there is one being endorsed by western critiques, their intentions are always suspect. I even heard a Hindu/Zen preacher giving her enlightened opinion of Islam. So who’s interpretation is correct?
We believe the only correct and balanced interpretation of Quran is that of Mohammad(SA). He(sa) shines as beacon of light in an ocean of darkness, and he knows Quran better than anyone.
Quran is truth. Verses in it will never change. With time new interpretations will come in different ages, and they all might be true at their time. For instance, two men are standing starring at the sun, one in the east, the other in the west.
One in east says "Sun is shinning in the west" while the man standing in west says "Sun is shinning in the east".
Even though both the statements seem to contradict each other yet they are both true!
After some time they both might say that the "sun is shinning in the west" and they will still be correct. Interesting thing is that Sun might not have even budged a millimeter, its the men whose circumstances have changed.
So truth is relative and must always be analyzed in its time, place and context. Nothing is stationary; everything changes with time.
