Mohsen Kadivar – författare

Human Rights and Reformist Islam' critiques traditional Islamic approaches to the question of compatibility between human rights and Islam, and argues instead for their reconciliation from the perspective of a reformist Islam. The book focuses on six controversial case studies: religious discrimination; gender discrimination; slavery; freedom of religion; punishment of apostasy; and arbitrary or harsh punishments. Explaining the strengths of structural ijtihad, Mohsen Kadivar’s draws on the rational classification of Islamic teachings as temporal or permanent on the one hand, and four criteria of being Islamic on the other: reasonableness, justice, morality and efficiency. He rejects all of the problematic verses and Hadith according to these criteria. The result is a powerful, solutions-based argument based on reformist Islam – providing a scholarly bridge between modernity and Islamic tradition in relation to human rights.

Published in Association with the Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim CivilisationsTranslates the influential collection Haqq al-nas, which argues for the compatibility of human rights and IslamWritten by an original and prolific intellectual of the Iranian reform movementAdds an extensive new introduction and annotations throughout the text from Mohsen Kadivar bringing the work up-to-date and placing it in its academic and public contextsIncludes a preface by Professor Mirjam K nkler explaining the importance of the translation and the value of its contribution to current scholarly debateCritically compares Mohsen Kadivar's approach to Islam and human rights with those of five leading contemporary scholars: Mahmoud M. Taha, Abdullahi A. an-Na'im, Ann E. Mayer, Mohammad M. Shabestari and Abdulaziz A. Sachedina Includes a glossary of key terminologyHuman Rights and Reformist Islam critiques traditional Islamic approaches to the question of compatibility between human rights and Islam, and argues instead for their reconciliation from the perspective of a reformist Islam. The book focuses on six controversial case studies: religious discrimination; gender discrimination; slavery; freedom of religion; punishment of apostasy; and arbitrary or harsh punishments. Explaining the strengths of structural ijtihad, Mohsen Kadivar's approach is based on the rational classification of Islamic teachings as temporal or permanent on the one hand, and four criteria of being Islamic on the other: reasonableness, justice, morality and efficiency. In the book, all of the verses and Hadith that are problematic in relation to human rights are abrogated rationally according to these criteria. The result is a powerful, solutions-based argument based on reformist Islam providing a scholarly bridge between modernity and Islamic tradition in relation to human rights.

Is it lawful to shed the blood of someone who insults the Prophet Muhammad? Does the Qu’ran stipulate a worldly punishment for apostates? This book tells the gripping story of Rāfiq Taqī, an Azerbaijani journalist and writer, who was condemned to death by an Iranian cleric for a blasphemous news article in 2006. Delving into the Qu’ran and Hadith – the most sacred sources for all Muslims – Mohsen Kadivar explores the subject of blasphemy and apostasy from the perspective of Shi’a jurisprudence to articulate a polarisation between secularism and extremist religious orthodoxy. In a series of online exchanges, he debates the case with Muhammad Jawad Fazel, the son of Grand Ayatollah Fazel Lankarānī who issued the fatwa pronouncing death penalty on Taqī. While disapproving of the journalist’s writings, Kadivar takes a defensive stance against vigilante murders and asks whether death for apostasy reflects the true spirit of Islam.

Published in Association with the Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim CivilisationsTake a front-row seat to the debate on blasphemy and apostasy in IslamPresents a back-and-forth debate between two modern Shi'a jurists (one conservative, one reformist) that locates the exact points of controversy surrounding apostasy and blasphemyEngages with the broader subjects of religious freedom and human rights, addressing both secular and religious interestsArticulates the secular religious divide and proposes a pluralistic solution, making a case that apostasy and blasphemy are non-existent in the Qu'ranPacked with translations of primary sources, including fatwas and interviews, that allow English-speaking readers to understand the arguments advanced by both parties in the debateIs it lawful to shed the blood of someone who insults the Prophet Muhammad? Does the Qu'ran stipulate a worldly punishment for apostates? This book tells the gripping story of R?fiq Taq?, an Azerbaijani journalist and writer, who was condemned to death by an Iranian cleric for a blasphemous news article in 2006. Delving into the Qu'ran and Hadith the most sacred sources for all Muslims Mohsen Kadivar explores the subject of blasphemy and apostasy from the perspective of Shi'a jurisprudence to articulate a polarisation between secularism and extremist religious orthodoxy. In a series of online exchanges, he debates the case with Muhammad Jawad Fazel, the son of Grand Ayatollah Fazel Lankar?n? who issued the fatwa pronouncing death penalty on Taq?. While disapproving of the journalist's writings, Kadivar takes a defensive stance against vigilante murders and asks whether death for apostasy reflects the true spirit of Islam.