It is an internationally known fact that Manji is a Muslim and she is not talking about reforming Islam but reforming how we actually understand and interpret the faith, more so in changed circumstances.

She talks about ijtihad , the return of enlightenment, the very glory of Islam and the rich diversities that actually unite the people of the Muslim faith. We also know dogmas and ideologies can never be static.

They adopt and assume current manifestations. Isn't that why God gave humans brains and Allah says think and scrutinise, not just accept what is thrown at you? (Note: Which explains why the beginning of the Qur'an starts with the verse, Iqra' [read]).

What's wrong with how we interpret our faith? Look at how Muslim societies have broken down, how women are treated and how pagan teachings that Prophet Mohamed spent his live to repel, later after his death crept back in the name of ‘sunnahs' riding on the back of fake hadiths .

We find very many beliefs and practices, believed to be from the religion, are actually recycled traditions of the local tribals and pagan rituals that were picked up along the path that the Islamic faith passed - the very practices that Prophet Mohamed himself (as were many other messengers of Allah) was sent to correct.

It is certainly a tragedy today - and not uncommon - to find one Islamic cleric calling another cleric ‘infidel' on the basis of the slightest difference in opinion or interpretation. Questioning or disobedience can invite death.

Honour killings in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and in the Arab and African states that have sizeable Muslim populations prove this point. Here, Muslims are guided purely by mullahs not by reading and understanding the Qur'an themselves.

Root of glorious pe riod

Differences in the early Islamic period were tolerated. Otherwise, how could we have so many sects called ‘mazahabs' ?

This renaissance period of glory was the catalyst that led Muslims to invent so many theories in the arts and sciences.

When the difference of opinion stopped being tolerated, when the concept of ijtihad was thrown out of the window, Islam stopped growing in quality and its glory has been tumbling ever since.

Today, we may have a bigger Muslim population but it is hollow in substance. We lost our excellence in science , astronomy, medicine, mathematics etc to those who took over and further worked on them to produce countless discoveries and inventions.

Muslim minds froze because indulgence in critical thinking as encouraged by the Qur'an was prohibited all together.

In an immediate response, Manji said she was very disappointed and added "censorship treats citizens like children and denies human beings to think for themselves". The Qur'an actually, she claims rightly, advocates the use of the heart and mind in forming opinions.

Does Islam really prohibit differences in opinions? Does Islam really prohibit engaging in intellectual discourses?

al marwa tower part of the abraj al bait towers complex mekah mecca 250209 03 The pagan followers in seventh century Mecca ordered that nobody should talk to Prophet Mohamed, saying he was a dangerous man, that he brought strange teachings that insulted their gods and called for him to be pelted with stones. Those in authority are now quite fond of repeating these same words.

Taking a leaf from history, when Prophet Mohamed first decided to lead an entourage to go to Mecca for Haj from Medina, he was stopped at a place called Hudaibiyah.

He was not allowed to enter Mecca because he was propagating a teaching that would deviate and confuse them.

In subsequent negotiations, Prophet Mohamed pleaded that it was all right to have a difference in faith, that there was no compulsion and that they should not prevent him from engaging and communicating with the Meccans.

Being able to communicate and engage with the people was a victory for Prophet Mohamed which changed the Islamic landscape for good.

No vacancy up there

Isn't it better to teach, train and empower Malaysians to think right? For example we can make all the laws to punish theft, but isn't it better to help people think and feel that stealing is sinful and wrong? If we cannot make them feel the guilt, you punish the thief today, tomorrow he will steal again.

Similarly if Jakim really does its work effectively, more Muslims will know better what is right and what is wrong in understanding the finer intricacies of Islam.

But in a world where it is increasingly ‘open skies' and borderless, how can people's thinking be restricted? People instead should be taught how to make better judgements for themselves, both for the sake of themselves and for upholding the sanctity of their faith.

We can stop Manji from coming to Malaysia but we cannot stop people from going to Manji. We should talk about what we can agree and move forward. If indeed she is a lesbian, it was God that created her as such and let's leave it to Allah to do his job. She even says, you don't have to follow her.

Finally, as Manji rightly says, God's post is already filled and there is no vacancy. So let's stop playing God. Nobody is asking us to believe her, but think for ourselves and thank you, we do not need others to think for us.

If there are books by Manji, how could they have been published if it wasn't God's will? The wisdom lies in reading them and all other similar books that challenge out convictions; then we decide. Not decide first and shun.

After all, if we are sure about our faith, why do we worry that others will deviate us. Allah hates people who do not scrutinise.

Yesterday: Irshad Manji's books: Is our faith so fragile?

SARAJUN HODA ABDUL HASSAN is a committee member of Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran or National Consciousness Movement). Established in 1977, Aliran is Malaysia's first multi-ethnic reform movement dedicated to justice, freedom and solidarity.