Pick-and-choose Muslims

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

I see this term thrown around very frequently. And its used as an insult.

Ok, so Islam is a complete way of life. Agreed. It has guidance on how to live our lives. Agreed. Isn’t a lot of it open to interpretations? Isn’t that why we have different schools of thought started by very learned scholars who were all going by the same Quran and other evidence of rule-making.

So, what gives rise to the mocking displayed by some when they accuse others of being “pick-and-choose” muslims? Are these people who are mocking others, really follow Islam to the letter in ALL aspects of their lives?

Our aim should be to try our level best. Absolute perfection is not a likely result, unless you consider yourself as a perfect human being.

2

What's the purpose of having a brain or consience if it isn't going to be utilised? And those who end up mocking are generally frustrated with the way things have turned out, and want to pin the blame anywhere except themselves which is ironic as their stagnant thinking is more responsible than anything else for their situation.

3

just playing devils advocate here. there may be something/someone specific behind what you're saying, and i dont know who.

i think Faisal, that its the trying that is brought into question. so long as you're basing your actions on some interpretation of the religion, you're right, you have a point.

as for whether the mockers follow Islam to the letter in all aspects, probably not, but its the active rejection of elements of the faith completely, without anything that could be justifiably be called a reinterpretation at the back of it, that is targeted.

4

I think as adults we all know as to what is right and wrong for us and no amount of coercion can convince or either make us accept something that we do not have a yearning or passion for. For example, you can guide me and tell me about the virtue of leading a particular way of life or following the religion in letter and spirit but you cannot impose your will or your version of it on me. I think in the end we all have to go in our respective graves and we will be answerable for our own deeds. I am open to suggestions, guidance and advice but in the end I would follow what I deem is more close to my heart. If I pick and choose, then that means I as an individual has made a concientious descision to live my life like that. We all have higher goals and aspirations and each one of us strive to achieve that ideal. Maybe I am contended with what little I know. I struggle everyday to know more and increase my knowlegde and understanding of my religion but who knows where I stand when it comes to the question of my relation with God. So, just like I would not appreciate people calling me with such condescending names and calling my faith into question, I bet others would not like it either. I would certainly abstain from saying that I am a better muslim than that person.

5

alrite i cant play devils advocate to that.

very good post minerva. my sentiments exactly

6

I think this term is used for two types of people:

1) The kind of person who doesn't know much about Islam (meaning s/he has not taken any independent initiative to learn about it) and says Islam is simply whatever s/he practices.

2) The kind of person who researches enough to find justification for her/his views, who focuses on those points and does not leave her/himself to open to change or growth. Although I think more "conservative" Muslims often call more liberal Muslims "pick-and-choose," I do think it can easily go the other way around. Plenty of very "conservative" Muslims know down to very particular detail how a woman is supposed to be dressed and what she is not supposed to do, but those very same people don't know how to interact with others or raise a family as described in the Quran and Hadith.

In a way, we are all pick-and-choose Muslims.

Whenever I am reading Quran, Hadith, or literature about Islam, I will always be drawn to some items more than others. This is usually because they are particularly relevant to my life, and help me make sense of whatever is going on at the time. Whatever I "pick-and-choose" changes depending upon my situation. I don't know that this is necessarily a bad thing. As long as we remain open to developing a greater and more nuanced understanding of Islam, are willing to admit that NONE of us understand it in its entirety, and that there are different paths to greater understanding, then I think we are doing well.

7

Re: Pick-and-choose Muslims

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Faisal: *
So, what gives rise to the mocking displayed by some when they accuse others of being "pick-and-choose" muslims? Are these people who are mocking others, really follow Islam to the letter in ALL aspects of their lives?

[/QUOTE]

I think the line is used against people who define islam based on what they practice, not on the evidence provided by Quran and Sunnah.

Theres a difference between commiting a sin, but accepting it is not allowed in islam (after all no one is free from sin) and commiting a sin (over which there is no doubt or no disagreement amongst most scholars) but then justifying it as being acceptable and not against islam, based on your own personal desires.

I dont think the first scenario would be considered pick and choose, otherwise that would include everyone.

We all have the right and freedom to pick and choose what we practice. Afterall thats the whole reason why we are on earth.

But none of us have the right to pick and choose what is a part of islam and what isnt, based on our own free interpretation.

Otherwise everyone would have their own version of islam.

[QUOTE]
033.036
YUSUFALI: It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.
PICKTHAL: And it becometh not a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His messenger have decided an affair (for them), that they should (after that) claim any say in their affair; and whoso is rebellious to Allah and His messenger, he verily goeth astray in error manifest.
SHAKIR: And it behoves not a believing man and a believing woman that they should have any choice in their matter when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter; and whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he surely strays off a manifest straying.
[/QUOTE]

Anyway I think this is an offensive statement, and shouldnt be used against anyone. If you think someone is wrong, discuss your side of the argument (provide the evidence for it), and then leave them to their own ideas. Insulting someone never achieves anything and is unislamic.

8

I agree with Sahar -I think to an extent we are all Pick-and-choose Muslims.I mean I think sometimes some of us dont realize that Islam is complete way of living- and we only use it for some aspects of live. It could be due to ignorance- or it might just be because some people dont agree with every single aspect of Islam.

As for the different schools of thought.That tends to bother me sometimes.There are always arguments about who is right and who is wrong.To me there is one Islam.People should follow the Quran and Hadith and try to find answers for themselves.

9

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Muslim_Queen: *
As for the different schools of thought.That tends to bother me sometimes.There are always arguments about who is right and who is wrong.To me there is one Islam.People should follow the Quran and Hadith and try to find answers for themselves.
[/QUOTE]

The four sunni schools of thought are based on the Quran and Sunnah. And they dont really argue amongst themselves.

10

I meant the people argue among themselves.