Comments

1. On August 20, 2009 at 10:05 am, Warbucks said:

   Breaking with the rules, it is worth noting some key words posted on the Ansar AlJihad Network.

   “1. This is an islamic forum which aims to provide accurate and reliable knowledge and information based on the true beliefs and practices of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) and the early generations of Islam (may Allaah have mercy on them). Hence, We ascribe ourselves and adhere to the ‘aqeedah, manhaj and principles of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah.”

   One statement stands out above the rest: ….”the early generations of Islam”..

   This would suggest true historic scholarship is an operating principal for the website. “Early generations” implies “pre-Mohammed (there being several acceptable spellings) being the golden era of wisdom and learning with peaceful relations among other faiths.

   If the inner workings of the website are true we should not fear it but praise it instead. The site could be exactly the sort of western reformation prophesied in Islam as “reformation” some day “coming from the west.” Reformation of Islam means much the same as Reformation of Christianity. .. the power and inherent right of all to question dogma in the spirit of seeking the higher truth.
   Today, one of the strongest spokesmen for true scholarship appears to be a somewhat little known (in the US) scholar Mohammed Arkoun. Arkoun, 81, born in Algeria, has taught at the Sorbonne, at Princeton, and at other famous universities in Europe and America. Today, he is the research director at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, founded by Aga Khan.

   The 81 year old Muslim intellectual quoted in Chiesa (a research organization that covers the Vatican): chastens the youth today to hit the libraries and learn Islam’s early history. This may not seem bold to a Christian in the comfort of our post reformation, but it is indeed radical when the call is given to the Muslim youth as it implies they should go back before Prophet Mohammed.

   Arkoun’s recent lecture given to Pope Benedict office can be found here on an old, abandoned page from Peace and Conflict Resoluton.Org. Scroll down to the blue print:

   http://buckley.rich.googlepages.com/ideasthatwork-thepopeneedshelp

2. On August 20, 2009 at 10:17 am, Warbucks said:

   Furthermore, I would see their link as an expression of the respect they hold for your diligence in your website and an outreach and personal invitation to enter a peaceful dialogue spiritual truth based on respected scholarly methodologies.

   This requires one to look across the table at the Muslim as an equal in love of God and to be humble and respectful at all times and not emotionally based. This requires the Muslim to look across the table at the Christian as an equal in the love of God and to be humble and respectful at all times and not emotionally based.

   The real test of the truth of their “early generations of Islam” is whether or not they can look across the table at a practicing Jew and see an equal in love of God and of course whether a Jew can reciprocate in kind.

3. On August 20, 2009 at 10:26 am, Warbucks said:

   I will submit them a request to register in good faith.

4. On August 20, 2009 at 10:33 am, Warbucks said:

   One final comment of my blather and I will leave this issue alone for now: Jihadist is used for the link in its true meaning not the meaning adopted by the terrorists. It is perhaps not the best use of the term to gain western respect and use it during a war because of its current shock value. But if their invitation is as I suspect, Jihadist means to be seeking the higher truth within and totally committed to learn God’s true purpose over your own emotional self interest…. or something like that. Warbucks

5. On August 20, 2009 at 12:20 pm, Herschel Smith said:

   Having spent time in seminary, I know something about comparative religious studies. I understand that your view is that the notion of jihad as an inner religious struggle represents the early view, whereas the notion of jihad as an outward armed struggle to expand the scope of power of Islam is a later development.

   You’re dead wrong on this. There are indeed those who live side by side within Islam every day who embrace competing hermeneutics, one of jihad as inner and the other violent expansionism. It is the later which was the early view, with the former being the later development.

   Finally, the term muhahideen isn’t applied to an inner religious struggle – not in any document, letter, article or book I have ever seen. It refers to violent expansion of Islam.

6. On August 20, 2009 at 4:28 pm, cfmulloy said:

   Hi Herschel,

   I’ve been lurking for a while around here. Thought I could add something. I read that “early generations” thing differently than you did, Warbucks. It seemed to be a salafi reference, referring back to the righteous caliphs following Muhammad.

7. On August 20, 2009 at 10:27 pm, Herschel Smith said:

   You added something. Don’t lurk. Contribute by commenting and observing.

8. On August 24, 2009 at 9:44 am, Warbucks said:

   So far, you all seem to be correct and I seem to be wrong by the strength of the evidence of the actions or lack of actions of their website administrators found at: http://www.ansarnet.info/showthread.php?p=32410#post32410

   As of to date August 24, 2009, 7:50am Pacific Time, my request and filed application to participate on their website was not yet granted over the past 4 days.

   Perhaps they have not gotten around to it. I will keep this link alive if there is goodwill to be found among them, and transparency is possible.

   There is a growing band of workers world wide that seem to subscribe to a mystic proposition: be fearless, be humble, be loving, seek truth. While this can be physically discomforting at times, it remains the path of light for the group.

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