The Principles of Liberal Islam

Recently, there is a group of Muslims who support the liberal ideology and try to
apply these beliefs to the teachings of Islam. There are many differences between Islamic
traditionalists and Islamic liberals. First and foremost, according to liberal Islam the language
of the Al- Quran is the basic for absolute knowledge of the world. They believe that the
words of Al- Quran are from Prophet Muhammad SAW and not directly from Allah SWT. In
contrast, the language of Al- Quran is coordinate with the essence of revelation. The content
and meaning of revelation is the word from Allah reveal to Prophet Muhammad in order to
spread the message for all the Muslim in over the world.
Secondly, liberal Islam allowing an individual to get married with different religion
likes there is one case involving one personality from Indonesia which is Ira Wibowo. She is
a Muslim and she had been married to a non- Muslim guy. They live together and practice
their own religion. On the other hand, Islam is not allowed their follower to married with
different religion because Islam is different with other religion. In addition, in Al- Quran
there is an ayah which is Surah Al- Baqarah verse 221 that we cannot marry someone who is
different religion with us.

And do not marry unbelieving women until they believe. And a believing slave woman is
better than an unbelieving woman, even though she might please you. And do not marry
unbelieving men [to your women] until they believe. And a believing slave is better than an
unbelieving, even though he might please you. Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allah
invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission. And He makes clear His verses to
the people that perhaps they may remember.

Next, the third is liberal Islam allowing a person to married with same gender in order
for woman to have the human right same with the man but in Islam is not allowed their
follower to get married with same gender because the basic purpose of marriage according to
Islam is to continue the generation. Surah Al- Araf verse 80-81

We also send Lut: he said to his people do you commit lewdness such as no people in
creation ever committed before you? For your practice your lusts on men in preference to
women: you are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds.
Liberalism group also reject any interpretation in Al- Quran that is considered old and
stodgy. So, they debate the contents of Al- Quran. Besides that, they also examine the
contents of Al- Quran to be in line with the modern today. As an illustration, they fight for
polygamy because they did not believe on it. They believe a husband must only a wife.
Another principle of liberal Islam is denies the validity of Mushaf Uthmani and offers
a critical edition of the Al- Quran. They also deny Sunnah and Hadith as a secondary source
after Al- Quran.
Furthermore, they negate the authority of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, his
companions and the scholar. Moreover, they also are denying interpretation Al- Quran written
by scholars.
Last but not least, liberal group believe some of the contents of Al- Quran and reject
the rest part of the Al- Quran by create a new interpretation according to their requirements.
They also believe that Al- Quran is same with other scriptures of other religion.