.... Bottom line: If Islam teaches X and a Muslim upholds X -- how is he being “extreme”? Seems more logical to say that it is Islam itself that is being “extreme.”
Similarly, if a self-professed Muslim does not uphold Islamic teachings -- including prayer, fasting, paying zakat, etc. -- how is he being a “moderate”? Seems more logical to say that he is not much of a Muslim at all -- that is, he is not submitting to Allah, the very definition of “Muslim.”
It’s time to acknowledge that dichotomized notions like “moderate” and “extreme” are culturally induced and loaded standards of the modern, secular West -- hardly applicable to the teachings of Islam -- and not universal absolutes recognized by all mankind. [The Commentator] Read more
