Exposing the Call for Islamic Reformation

Book excerpt: The first attempts at reforming Islam resulted in the abolition of the Khilafah and the end of nearly fourteen centuries of Islamic rule. However with less then a century passing from this historical event Muslims have returned to Islam and every day edge closer to the re-establishment of the Khilafah. It is for this reason that the West has once again initiated plans to change Islam, since any revival of Islam will naturally end in the establishment of the Khilafah which represents an alternative system of governance that would then challenge the dominance of capitalism in the world.The battle for hearts and minds is now fully underway. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair outlined this after the 7/7 attacks in July 2005: "It is not a clash of civilisations - all civilized people, Muslim or other, feel revulsion at it. But it is a global struggle. It is a battle of ideas and hearts and minds, both within Islam and outside."4This battle is taking varying shapes and forms. A spectrum of various shades of modernist thought ranging from the extreme such as that of Irshad Manji to the more subtle such as Sheikh Ali Gomaa form part of this battle for hearts and minds. Amongst this spectrum are people from various backgrounds including academics, activists and traditional Ulema. All are in some shape or form, knowingly or unknowingly, propagating the reform of Islam in order to change Islam to fit with contemporary realities instead of working to change the reality in order to fit with Islam.It is for this very reason this book has been written. To outline very clearly the attempts being undertaken to reform Islam and highlight the key styles and means being used. It outlines the specific arguments being used by the West and those smitten by the West. It looks at the events that have already occurred to reform Islam outlining the common approach taken by the West. It also outlines the correct method in defending Islam ensuring the responses do not inadvertently aid the agenda to reform Islam. It also outlines the method to go on the offensive rather than become defensive and accept the propaganda being levelled against Islam.