Muslim “Progressives”: Attackers of the very foundations of Islam from within

In December 6, 1960, Meryam Jameelah, wrote a letter to Maulana Maudoodi, a very known Muslim Theologian, revivalist, and a journalist. In the letter, Jameelah talked about how she wanted to devote her life “to the struggle against materialistic philosophic-secularism and nationalism” which was threatening the survival of Islam and the whole human race. She explained how she has read a few articles about westernization and secularism, which some addressed the compatibility of Islam and modernization. Maudoodi, replied by expressing how happy he was with Jameelah’s intentions and ideas, and already regarded her as a muslim-sister.

Jameelah and Maudoodi discussed the many issues of the influence of modernization to the traditional Muslim culture and how there are many Muslim “progressives” who are changing the values of fundamental Islam. Jameelah’s main concern in her first letter sent to Maudoodi was about the Muslim “progressives”. She challenged the idea of how westernized thinking is praised as liberal, forward looking, and progressive, while those who think as how they do (traditional) are branded as reactionaries and fanatics who refuse to face the realities of the day. Maudoodi mentioned, that “these westernized Muslims over whose lack of Islamic spirit you are lamenting, are the worst products of western colonialism in Muslim countries”(2^nd Letter). He evaluated that it was imperialism that produced many mental slaves, who are now faithfully following the steps of their former masters.

Among the many issues that they discussed, I will list some of the critiques that both Jameelah and Maudoodi agreed to be problematic. The first reality that caught my attention was society’s perception towards smoking cigarettes and drinking. As a college student, I understand what Jameelah means when she disagreed with the many people that cannot live without cigarettes or cannot go to parties without drinking. These modern people are depending on object to enjoy their lives and ven to continue their lives without depending on their faiths and believe. The modern people rely on objects that can definitely hurt them in the future. Smokers know that smoking can cause cancer, but they keep doing it and praising it. Alcoholics know that ‘over-drinking’ can ruin their lives and other’s lives, but they keep drinking and getting drunk.  Another issue that Jameelah argued and Maudoodi agreed about is fashion, Jameelah mentioned how she thinks that the western fashion designers are just creating fashion that makes western women look more and more like a “street-walker”. She talked about the meaning of clothes which is created for modesty.

Going back to Jameelah and Maudoodi’s explanation about progressive Muslims, I feel that their critiques really address these issues. Progressive Muslims are changing the basic or fundamental ideals about Islam. We can see or find many Muslims nowadays that claim to be Muslims, but drink Alcohol, and dress minimally. While it is obvious that Islam prohibits Alcohol as it is “haram” (prohibited) and enforces Muslims to dress modestly.  When questioned, these progressive Muslims spread their ideas about how drinking is not prohibited if you drink just a little, and it is okay for muslim women to wear miniskirts or minim dressing as long as they  don’t seduce the men. When they answer these question based on their wrong understandings, other Muslims think about their ideals and adapt them. They too, become progressive Muslims that later forget the real rule as how it is mentioned by the Prophet or written in the Quran. This is why Muslim Progressives can attack the very foundations of Islam.

Rossa D.