Sorry for the delay since the last blog - I am currently abroad on holiday!
Following discussions with a couple of friends, there are two main issues that I need to discuss before moving forward here....
This methodology of Saanei in this regard (using the Quranic worldview to supplement Quranic verses, over and above even sahih ahadith), although in line with many western liberal thinkers (as defined in an earlier blog), is not the only methodology that is worth discussing. There is also a strong movement to a philosophically-based principles approach to discerning the Islamic way of life. The advocates of this approach consider the approach of Saanei to still be too limiting in a growing world, and believe the Quran is a living, growing book, whose true inner meaning will only be discovered through developing independent rational and philsophical principles, that can and will grow with time. This approach similarly has many very powerful implications and I hope to discuss some of the thought in this viewpoint after giving the methodology of Saanei due service.
Secondly, I am in the process of creating an e-group, which will supplement this blog. The e-group is there specifcally to identify areas where the current methodology is failing and where it seems that the spirit of the Islamic way of life is being lost. Having identified several rulings, the aim will be to rationally consider possible alternatives, and scholars amongst the group will be there to put their point of view (whether they believe it is in line with their philosophical grounding). The ideal of course is to have a philosophical framework, which would feed this discussion, but even without it, the exercise is still useful as the thing that has not yet been done is think about these issues in a critical manner. Anyone interested in this - please just email me....
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