Islam as a Religion of Tolerance and Moderation

The Scholarly Perspective of Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl

Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl stands as a beacon of knowledge in the Islamic scholarly community. With a rich educational background that includes formal training in Islamic jurisprudence from Egypt and Kuwait, as well as degrees from Yale, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, he is well-equipped to speak on matters of Islamic thought. Currently, he serves as the Omar and Azmeralda Alfi Distinguished Fellow in Islamic Law at the UCLA School of Law, having previously imparted his wisdom at institutions such as the University of Texas at Austin Law School, Yale Law School, and Princeton University.

The Misrepresentation of Islam and the Quest for Authentic Understanding

In his book, "The Place of Tolerance in Islam," Dr. Abou El Fadl addresses the misperceptions surrounding Islam in the wake of the September 11th attacks. He emphasizes that the image of Islam as a religion of intolerance and violence is a distortion of its true, traditional beliefs. He recalls the early Islamic clerics who were rigorously trained to lead communities and resolve disputes, fostering an environment where diverse opinions were not only tolerated but celebrated.

However, as secular authorities in Muslim states became more autocratic, the influence of Muslim clergy waned, leading to a "profound vacuum in religious authority" and a state of disarray in contemporary Islamic thought. This decline in scholarly authority paved the way for untrained individuals to propagate amateurish interpretations of Islam, which resonated with those experiencing poverty and powerlessness, as Dr. Abou El Fadl points out.

Confronting Extremism and the Misuse of Islamic Teachings

Dr. Abou El Fadl is particularly critical of Wahhabism, a puritanical movement that emerged in the 18th century and is often associated with the Saudi monarchy. He argues that Wahhabism represents an aberrant form of Islam that contradicts fundamental Islamic principles by rejecting historical or contextual interpretations of divine law.

He also challenges the misuse of Quranic verses by extremists to justify violence, emphasizing that any valid interpretation must align with the Quran's overarching themes of mercy, justice, and kindness. Dr. Abou El Fadl asserts that the concept of jihad as holy war is a later development and that the Quran does not sanction violence against innocents, nor does it contain the phrase "holy war."

Diverse Reactions to Dr. Abou El Fadl's Essay

The responses to Dr. Abou El Fadl's essay in "The Place of Tolerance in Islam" add layers to the ongoing debate about the religion's true nature. Milton Viorst, a Middle East correspondent, praises the essay for its insightful explanation of the challenges facing Muslims. Sohail Hashmi, an international relations professor, concurs that it is the politically motivated interpretations, not the Quran itself, that fuel the divisive mentality among violent Muslims. British cultural critic Tariq Ali reflects on the rich history of dissent and skepticism in Islam, while Pakistani political analyst Abid Ullah Jan criticizes the essay as pandering to Islam-bashers.

In his response to these commentaries, Dr. Abou El Fadl reiterates his commitment to challenging extremist ideologies and preserving the moral integrity of the Islamic tradition. He aims to prevent extremist groups from claiming Islam as their own and to find common ground with the rest of human society.

Conclusion

Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl's work is a testament to the rich, tolerant, and moderate essence of Islam, a narrative that is often overshadowed by the actions of a minority. His scholarly efforts remind us that at its core, Islam is a religion that values diversity, opposes coercion, and seeks justice and mercy for all.

For further reading on Dr. Abou El Fadl's work and the topic of Islamic tolerance, readers can refer to "The Place of Tolerance in Islam" published by Beacon Press in 2002.