The House on Sand:

Against Reformative Islam

In recent decades, social movements have emerged from within the Muslim world, advocating for a reinterpretation and modernization of traditional Islamic teachings. These movements seek to align Islam more closely with contemporary liberal values and thus often emphasize notions such as inclusivity, individualism, and freedom of expression. Proponents of this approach usually contend that such adaptations are necessary for Islam to remain relevant and accepted in the world today.

However, far from revitalizing the faith, these efforts undermine its spiritual essence. Indeed, by arguing in favour of transient social norms, these efforts directly oppose the ethos of Islam—a tradition rooted not in conformity to shifting cultural trends but in unwavering submission to the divine will—"And when it is said to them, 'Do not cause corruption on the earth,' they say, 'We are only reformers.'" (Qur'an 2:11)

The Arabic term Muslim means “one who submits,” signifying complete devotion to the will of God, which, in the context of Islam, manifests itself in the chapters and verses of the Holy Qur'an. According to Islam, submission is neither partial nor selective; rather, it encompasses every facet of life since the Qur'an itself provides guidance not only in matters of worship but also in areas such as personal conduct, family relations, morality, and law. Moreover, its injunctions are neither time-bound nor subject to human revision, as it is regarded as the eternal word of God.

Hence, to reject or dilute its teachings, whether by outright dismissal or subtle reinterpretation, is not an act of faith but an assertion of one’s own will over divine authority. True submission, by contrast, entails acknowledging that God’s wisdom surpasses human understanding and that adherence to His commandments is an obligation, not a choice dictated by personal preferences or societal trends—"And when it is said to them, ‘Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger,’ you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion." (Qur'an 4:61)

Although some liberal-minded Muslims may not outright reject explicit Qur'anic rulings, many, nonetheless, still exhibit a deep discomfort with their plain meaning, restoring, in turn, to symbolic or metaphorical reinterpretations. This tendency extends even to verses whose meanings have been consistently understood throughout Islamic history. For instance, the Qur'an's condemnation of sodomy is often reframed as a vague admonition against dishonesty, inhospitality, and injustice. In other cases, figurative explanations are imposed in ways that fundamentally contradict the verse’s intended message, such as equating man's creation and subsequent fall with his supposed biological evolution.

Far from being genuine intellectual inquiries, such revisions only serve to obscure divine guidance beneath layers of abstraction, effectively eroding the clarity and authority of revelation. By reducing explicit proclamations to allegory, they strip Islam of its definitive moral and legal framework, leaving it vulnerable to endless subjective reinterpretations.

At the root of these distortions lies a fundamental misunderstanding of reason’s role in Islam. While reason is essential for deepening one’s comprehension of divine guidance, it is not meant to serve as a criterion for judging or overriding God’s decrees. If submission to God were contingent upon human rationalization, Islam would cease to be a religion (based on the proposition of objective truth) and would instead devolve into yet another ideology shaped by subjective reasoning.

Thus, when progressive Muslims argue that particular Qur'anic rulings are “outdated” or incompatible with modern sensibilities, they are, in effect, passing judgment on God Himself—implying that their limited intellect surpasses His infinite wisdom. This is not merely reform but a form of idolatry, wherein human reason and desire are elevated above the will of God—"Have you seen (O Prophet) the one who has taken their own desires as their god? Will you then be a keeper over them?" (Qur’an 25:43)

That being said, more concerning than even the actions of such individuals is the disposition and intent they reveal. It would only seem natural that a sincere believer, motivated by love and reverence for God, would strive to follow His commandments with the utmost care, fearing the consequences of misinterpretation and disobedience. In contrast, the behaviour of liberal-minded Muslims suggests a greater concern for attaining societal validation than for seeking God’s favour.

Indeed, by persistently abstracting and relativizing Islam’s teachings, they intentionally risk reducing a divinely ordained religion to a mere reflection of secular ideals. In doing so, they tread the path of past nations who sought to mould revelation according to their desires, only to find themselves lost in misguidance—

"Torn between belief and disbelief—belonging neither to these nor those. And whomever Allah leaves to stray, you will never find for them a way." (Qur'an 4:143)