Why Criticize Dr. Ismail Faruqi?

There has been a number of emails questioning the tone of the criticism of Dr. Ismail Faruqi (Allah have mercy on him).

The posts were not meant to be a belittling of the many contributions of Dr. Faruqi, especially in the areas of Islamization of Knowledge, presenting Islam, and his studies on Christianity.

Rather, there purpose was to clarify that his criticism of sufism and other aspects of the traditional sunni path have to be taken with a grain of salt, and that aspects of his own intellectual legacy deserve criticism, especially his admiration of Wahhabi aqida and da`wah, his support for dangerous Mu`tazilite views in some key points of belief, and his modernist leanings. Examples of these leanings may be seen in his many of works, such as his translation of Haykal’s modernist, apologetic biography of the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace), in which even the authentically transmitted miracles, and other matters some modern minds do not agree with, were denies.

So the discussion is about issues, not personalities. Dr. Faruqi died a martyr, killed by those opposed to the spread and establishment of Islam, and apposed to all those who stand up for it. May Allah grant him the highest of Paradise, and accept his good works, and overlook his mistakes. I ask Allah to the same with ours, for my good works are few and mistakes many.

Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.