Re: The raging controversy in Islam
First I would like to clarify there is no raging controversy among muslims or our scholars but the controversy is among those are unable to digest muslims with their own identity. Definitely you’ll find muslims who want to assimilate into cultures abundant with practices which are actually prhibitions in Islam, however that is not controversial but a lack of faith and understanding on part of those muslims and it is also intolerance on part of the people from those differing cultures to accept muslims along with their beliefs as long as it does not harm them. Why should a muslim have to alter his ways to become friends with people from other cultures, where is the respect and toleranace from people in other cultures, which allows us to befriend each other and yet respect our boundaries.
Muslims do not befriend people from other religions or cultures contingent upon them changing their beliefs but there has to be some respect for each other and avoidance of things which could generate snetimental greivances between the two. It is unfair of other people if they want to form a relationship which implicitly requires muslims to give up their beliefs and things that are honourable to them, muslims do not reciprocate in this way.
This statement bares the inherent problem with understanding Islam even by many muslims. When it is said “Islam to take into consideration”, it implies that Islam is finite and rigid. Islam is a framework of principles accompanied with a nominal routine of worship. Realities of life change as time progresses or have changed as it has lapsed. The natural principles of this life do not change with time yet we can and should expect them to evolve with different applications. Realities of todays life are not all based on moralistic principles much as many realities of 7th century Arabia were not either based on moralistic principles. Irrespective of the time epoch you may live in, realities do not always have to be acceptable, that is why reality changes. What was real yesterday may not be real today, if it still is then it may not be tomorrow.
What sort of music are we talking about here and what kind of dancing? Music may have its advantages for some but then are there not better alternatives which yield the same advantages. What do you say of a musical artist who on one hand might sing songs professing the might and glory of God and then also sing songs about romance and carnal pleasures and lores of love. You need to have a character that does not mold in either to become a mouth piece for both.
Dance, what is dance all about? If its excercise, then what prevents you from excercising. If you take excercise out of the dance then what is left except sexuality and display of it to each other and others. For a muslim who believes no except his wife who is permissble for him to touch would end up dancing in the crowd with others or staring at others. Would you like to see your family member put on a display that stimulates others in a crowd?
Dogs are allowed as pets for certain purposes. Will having a dog as a pet in a muslims life bring him good fortunes?
Islam is perhaps the only religion which has respect for other faiths which profess God. None of the other Abrahamic religions accept Muhammad SAW as a prophet but Islam recognizes their prophets, it doesn’t get anymore evident that that. Tolerating others religions is not pre-packaged with acceptance of others beliefs, if it were, it renders your religious philosophy meaningless. Tolerance implies giving justice and rights to people from other religions not attesting their faith.
Quranic commandments are not applied if the situation does not exist. This is your short sightedness in understanding faith. You are asking muslims to change their fundamental beliefs. Would Christians abandon their belief or amend the Bible to say that Jesus PBUH is not the son of God or similar things in other religions so they can befriend muslims?