While Abu Mubarak is at his full liberty to close his mind to questions that unsettle him, the rest of us must be allowed this exposure.

Unfortunately, Malaysian Muslims today do not live in a society where we are afforded such liberties as a particular understanding of Islam is imposed upon all Malaysian Muslims with syariah laws that punish the act of publicly questioning a fatwa (religious edict) with fines and/or a jail term.

Such laws and the attitude espoused by Abu Mubarak are attempts to ensure the continued sacrifice of critical thinking and progress in exchange for an unthinking reliance on dogma and past customs. Is it any wonder that the Muslim world is in such a sorry state today?

Among the terms Abu Mubarak raised was muhkamat which by my understanding refers to Quranic verses which are clear in their meaning, resulting in an interpretation which is also clear and, by implication, beyond reproach.

Such a term however does not extend to the schools of Fiqh and the Hadith collections. Thus, logically the Hadith collections and the derivative schools of Fiqh should be subject to scrutiny.

Since Abu Mubarak has raised the subject of liberty and Quranic injunctions I would like to add some thoughts. Verse 2:256 of the Quran commands that there be "no compulsion in religion", thus people should be free to leave Islam without fear of retribution.

There are in fact many reputable scholars that have taken the position that apostasy is not punishable by death including the late Sheikh of al-Azhar, Mahmud Shaltut, as well as the current Sheikh of Al-Azhar and former Grand Mufti of Egypt, Dr Mohammed Sayed Tantawi.

Abu Mubarak claims to take "ultimate guidance from Allah" and thus by extension, the Quran. Should Abu Mubarak disagree with the position of the above scholars could he then provide a verse from the Quran that advocates an earthly punishment for apostates?

If he can provide no basis for his position from the Quran then can he kindly substantiate why he has contradicted himself by accepting teachings that are not derived from any verses ( muhkamat or otherwise) of the Quran and as pointed out by Haris Ibrahim directly contradict the Quran?