is islam a backward religion?

[AlbaSaab]

albasaab if you want to extend your knowledge towards islam, i have a english translated qu'ar.
i could send it to you if you like. free postage
muslims believe the arab traslated word allah cannot be translated into any other langiuage and still have the same meaning.
allah was used in arabic in jahleyyah period, this is before islam.
to mean the Only God

Although I have written to Diri telling him that I won't be using this forum for a while, I feel obliged to reply to your post, and to thank YOU at least, for your kind offer. Maybe it would be a good idea if I posted my view towards the opinion of the majority in this forum, but having said that, what would be the point.

[freedom+unity]

religion is a sensitive subject.
i should of thought before entering my feelings towards a religion which i think i yet to learn from.
the qu'ran is one of the best written text i have read from all my book collection. but my problem is not the qu'ran but the people who try to folow it.
it is very strict religion.
you are welcome to a copy of mine or if you go to a nearby mosque and they will give you a copy.
please compare with the bible and you will be shocked.

[Zaza]

Depends upon interpretation. Any religion can be interpreted in such a way as to deem it backwards or progressive.

The interpretation of Islam these days is backwards.

[AlbaSaab]

Depends upon interpretation. Any religion can be interpreted in such a way as to deem it backwards or progressive.

The interpretation of Islam these days is backwards.

How do you mean, "backwards"? I have to say though, that in my own case, I have a very open mind, and love to learn about different cultures and religions, but I found Islam sadly lacking in any answers to my questions, as I did with most people I have EVER asked about Islam; therefore: If I was contemplating converting to a religion, Islam would not be an option for me now, whereas before, it certainly would have been. I suppose we all have preconceived ideas about religions, but the sad thing for me is that Islam, (or rather the people who follow Islam), has turned out to be a great disappointment. Now, if Muslims actually followed the Koran, I would have a completely different view. Is there a "sect" that actually does adhere to the Koran?

[Piling]

Is there a "sect" that actually does adhere to the Koran?

What makes difference between muslim sects is their own interpretation of the Coran : literally meaning, symbolic, esoteric, etc. Moreover, as all the questions/answers are not in Coran, muslims tried to have answer in Prophets's sayings (sunna) by collecting stories and anecdotes about his life (more or less true) : that is Sunna.

To decide a religious question, there was too the general agreement of Islamic scholars : ijmâ`.

And a way to decide by analogy about similar points : qiyas

You could have too personnal opinion, public interest, custom ('adâ), imitation of ancient people, ijtihad (effort of personnal reflection).


Some religious "school" prefer a point or another one; For example Hanafis insist aobut "analogy". Malikits about general agreement and personnal opinion, etc.

Shi'a has its own tradition and religious school.

Then, as in Islam dogma is very simple : Unicity of God and Muhamamd's prophecy, out of that point, Coran and "islamic path" could be interpreted in many different way. But no pious muslim will say that he won't follow the Coran.