Since the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001 the United States and indeed most of the western world has had something of parlous relationship with Islam. The imminent threat of Islamic extremism has placed the West on egg shells. The recent rise of Donald Trump and his nativist rhetoric has only added to the tension. A recent Brookings Institute poll revealed that 61 percent of Americans hold an unfavorable attitude towards Muslims. Ali Shariati, maintains that there are two types of Islam, that come into conflict with one another in. There is “the degenerate and narcotizing religion’ and ‘the progressive and awakening religion.” () This essay will argue that Shariati’s progressive Islam can help combat the negative perception of Islam
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Shariati speaks of an Islam which holds human life in the highest regard. For Shariati, Islam "emphasizes social justice and the fate of others, even of a single other, if you keep one other person alive or revive him, it is as if you have revived all men, and if you kill another person, it is as if you have killed all other men.” (75) This is a clear and decisive repudiation of murder. Here, Sharitai proclaims the supreme importance of humanity. This is significant because it challenges the narrative that Islam is inherently violent. It reveals a serious moral structure that is in stark contrast with the likes ISIS Al Qaeda and other Islamic extremist. Shariati is able to present an Islam that exist outside of sectarian practices. It draws a distinction and introduces the public to a positive aspect of …show more content…
Their pursuit is folly because with the connection to God they have nothing. Their violent barbarism prevents them from having that connection. Moreover, because this caliphate would be their own paradise, Shariati would view them as egotist, who are dishonor all the spiritual values of humanity. He states “It is true that he is following the path of worship, devotion, and religious exercises, which leads to God and paradise, but even so, he is an egotist. Even if he does attain paradise, he is an egotist. And the egotist is something less than an animal. Paradise has animals as well. Getting to paradise is not important; to be human and reach paradise is important” (72) In Shariatia is saying that even in the pursuit of what may seem right, if one does so in a material manner they will lose their
Shariati speaks of an Islam which holds human life in the highest regard. For Shariati, Islam "emphasizes social justice and the fate of others, even of a single other, if you keep one other person alive or revive him, it is as if you have revived all men, and if you kill another person, it is as if you have killed all other men.” (75) This is a clear and decisive repudiation of murder. Here, Sharitai proclaims the supreme importance of humanity. This is significant because it challenges the narrative that Islam is inherently violent. It reveals a serious moral structure that is in stark contrast with the likes ISIS Al Qaeda and other Islamic extremist. Shariati is able to present an Islam that exist outside of sectarian practices. It draws a distinction and introduces the public to a positive aspect of …show more content…
Their pursuit is folly because with the connection to God they have nothing. Their violent barbarism prevents them from having that connection. Moreover, because this caliphate would be their own paradise, Shariati would view them as egotist, who are dishonor all the spiritual values of humanity. He states “It is true that he is following the path of worship, devotion, and religious exercises, which leads to God and paradise, but even so, he is an egotist. Even if he does attain paradise, he is an egotist. And the egotist is something less than an animal. Paradise has animals as well. Getting to paradise is not important; to be human and reach paradise is important” (72) In Shariatia is saying that even in the pursuit of what may seem right, if one does so in a material manner they will lose their