Posted on 02/26/2008 11:57:16 AM PST by northmoor
Turkey in radical revision of Islamic texts By Robert Piggott Religious affairs correspondent, BBC News
Turkey is preparing to publish a document that represents a revolutionary reinterpretation of Islam - and a controversial and radical modernisation of the religion.
The country's powerful Department of Religious Affairs has commissioned a team of theologians at Ankara University to carry out a fundamental revision of the Hadith, the second most sacred text in Islam after the Koran.
It says that a significant number of the sayings were never uttered by Muhammad, and even some that were need now to be reinterpreted.
Some messages ban women from travelling without their husband's permission... But this isn't a religious ban. It came about because it simply wasn't safe for a woman to travel alone Prof Mehmet Gormez, Hadith expert, Department of Religious Affairs
Prof Mehmet Gormez, a senior official in the Department of Religious Affairs and an expert on the Hadith, gives a telling example.
"There are some messages that ban women from travelling for three days or more without their husband's permission and they are genuine.
"But this isn't a religious ban. It came about because in the Prophet's time it simply wasn't safe for a woman to travel alone like that. But as time has passed, people have made permanent what was only supposed to be a temporary ban for safety reasons."
Prof Gormez points out that in another speech, the Prophet said "he longed for the day when a woman might travel long distances alone".
So, he argues, it is clear what the Prophet's goal was.
Yet, until now, the ban has remained in the text, and helps to restrict the free movement of some Muslim women to this day.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Hope they don't lose their heads over this.
Sounds like somebody has a fatwa headed their way.
Turkey - leading the Muslim world into the 12th century.
...This will go over well with the radicals.
Hopefully there are a lot of comments to read.
There might be more impact if an Arab country, especially Saudi Arabia, was the country heading this, and not the Turks. But still, a move in the proper direction.
Interesting. Now work on getting a reversal of the new law allowing head scarves.
Now, does it mean they see the Hadith as a “living document”?
It’s about time.
So ... do these folks call themselves the “Mohammed Seminar?”
Agreed, The Turks are helping everyone out here...
LOL!
Well...
It IS progress...
Indeed!
They murder, burn, rape, rob, and pillage over cartoons.
Can’t imagine what they’ll do to an attempt to change Islam.
Sounds like a good candidate for a “top-ten new entries in the Koran” list - how about “Pork - the other white meat” for starters
It could lead to good things. Although I seem to remember Europe having a couple centuries of religious wars as people struggled to nail down what their religion really stood for, in light of the latest learning.
Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
They need an Islamic reformation, even if it kills them.
If they stopped being Muslims and converted en masse to Christianity, that would be great, but barring that, this is a decent move.
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