الأصول الجامعة بين كبرى الفرق الإسلامية

The Muslim nation shows great diversity in many ways: Ethnical, lingual, tribal, racial, colour, cultural, etc. Nevertheless, such differences have never been supposed to impede their way to their unity. The Muslim nation has far more reasons and mutual foundations to be united. But unfortunately, the Muslim history witnesses squabbles and skirmishes between different sects of this otherwise one Ummah. These disputes led us to the recesses of ignorance and intolerance, which in turn left us lagging behind the world and advancement, and now, we are called the third world, which is not an honour any way. We need to work on the similarities between different sects of the Muslim nation and let them learn how to live together keeping their differences. So that they may get united. All the Muslims sects fundamentally believe in the same set of beliefs, practices, and rituals. The differences in these areas are the differences of diversity and extensions, not of contradiction. This diversity is the beauty of deliberation and discussion, hence a reason for knowledge to grow, it should not be a matter of contentions. We need to highlight the mutual common grounds of Islamic beliefs and religiosity among the sects to unite this nation. We need to teach how to tolerate and respect each other with difference of opinions. We should encourage constructive dialogues between the Muslims sects and let them understand point of views of each other and thus remove the misconception about; each other. We should curb the contentious and discordant voices and build up an atmosphere where a healthy, tolerant and heterogeneous society may emerge and pave the way to Muslim unity and thence to success in this life and the life to come after death. In this perspective, the author of his present study explores to find the teachings and guidance of Islam. This is the theme of the present study.

Judith Plaskow’s Approach to the Study of Scripture: A Critical Analysis

Feminism is regarded as a cluster of social, political, and religious movements that emerged from the enlightenment movement aiming to demand justice and equality for human beings. The contemporary debate centering around the circumference of feminist discourse has of late been very effective in addressing the issues of certain prejudiced notions in Jewish tradition about the existing patriarchal structure. This thesis is an attempt to show the ongoing paradox existing in the world of feminism which has thoroughly critiqued the patriarchal culture and has naturalized sexual identities, thereby glorifying man‘s supremacy and dominion. Judith Plaskow is a prominent Jewish philosopher who had spent a big part of her life studying Judaism from a feminist point of view. She opened a way for Jewish fellows to contribute to religious matters in the development of the modern world. Mostly her life history and works for women‘s rights become the topics of discussion among the scholars. Less consideration is given to her understanding of Jewish scripture from the Muslim perspective. So, still, there is no study available which critically deal with her understanding of scripture. This research focused on certain questions regarding her understanding of Jewish scripture. It is analyzed that being a Jew, how she studies and understands the Torah, Jewish law, and the religious teaching of Judaism. Why she was not satisfied with the orthodox understanding of Jewish tradition. It is found out that she tries to give a new structure to understand Jewish writings and provoked new discussions around gender‘s impact on Judaism. Her involvement in feminist study and community was not all excitement and delight; however, it also had its problematic side. As, the only Jew in numerous feminist religious contexts, she frequently countered both Christian ignorance of Judaism and unexamined Christian triumphalism. Therefore, the present study tries to explore the approach to the study of Jewish scripture on the one hand and critically analyzes her views on the other. As far as my topic is concerned, it is an analytical study. By presenting her understanding, the current thesis first determines her methodology and then explores her motive behind towards interpretation of Jewish scripture. It is also argued that the aim of her writing was to criticize the marginalized role of women. It argues that she showed respect for Judaic principles. She wants to bring changes in Judaism but the maintenance of the Jewish principle. In actuality, she wants to improve the position of women, by suggesting rewriting history and reshaping and adjusting the Jewish law.