Islam Methodology

As I get into debates regarding politics and issues that branch off Islamic realms on what is or what isn’t part of Islam and regarding ways of governance in Islam I tend to cross lines with a some folks in classes or social gatherings ( or sometimes blogs) that are highly opinionated about Islam and politics and how an Islamic state should be yet their basic understanding of what is Islam and how to derive belief is a complete mess. Yet they don’t even take a step back and evaluate how they come to these conclusions.

When is confronted by Muslim “Liberalists” who are conscious of that its easy tends to be easy to obliterate their arguments so long as they stick to the debate. How should we understand Islam as Muslimeen regardless of politics, its simple.

Quran and Sunnah as it was taught by the prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him to his companions. Some people out there come and tell us that maybe we should reinterpret the Quran or that the way one understands it is a personal thing between them and God. No Quran was revealed the Prophet (PBUH) with an intended message, that has implications on beliefs and actions. The best people who understood this are the companions of the prophet PBUH they were there with him in all his actions ( including his wives may Allah be pleased with them) and thus Allah in the Quran in numerous verses praises the companions and their understanding of Islam. And the prophet Muhammad PBUH commands us to follow his way and the ways of his companions. They are the ones that not only transmitted the Quran to us and the Prophetic traditions but also their understandings, objectives and intentions.

فَإِنْ آمَنُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا آمَنْتُمْ بِهِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوْا وَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاقٍ فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

So if they believe as ye believe, they are indeed on the right path; but if they turn back, it is they who are in schism; but Allah will suffice thee as against them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. [137:2]

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُمْ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ

قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ

O mankind! there hath come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts, and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy.
Say: "In the Bounty of Allah. And in His Mercy, in that let them rejoice": that is better than the (wealth) they hoard. [57-58:10]