I don't think that sister Latifah is trying to understand why God has forbidden coitus during menses. She distinctly states "I don't believe that God has forbidden it". Reflecting on the divine wisdom behind Quranic injunctions is permissible but certainly not challenging the injunctions.

A common accusation against Quranic Muslims is that they are modernists influenced by the West. In my opinion, this view is justified as a good number of Quranists (notably the Tulu-e-Islam movement of Pakistan) are modernists. It seems to be confirmed by the view expressed by one member here who even argues that coitus is permissible during menses. For me, the Quran is very clear on this point. No coitus during the Period. Brothers and sisters, let us not exceed the limits set by God. The Sunnis are already predicting that if we challenge the Hadith, we will eventually challenge the Quran. Let us not justify that.

Reading through the mail in some of the topics, it was interesting to find the statement "The Book (i.e.the Quran) gives women and men equal rights". Does it mean that the Quran endorses feminism? It is impossible to get around certain verses in the Quran which imply that the genders do NOT have equal rights. True, they have equal rights to become pious (unlike Christianity) and even to preach, but there are other rights denied to women which are permitted to men notably polygyny and displaying beauty to public gaze. In addition is the verse in Surah Nisa which implies that women should be submissive to men or else a series of punishments are to be meted out to them. Then, there is the disparity in inheriting wealth and the ability to bear witness. I have read the arguments of the Parvezis on this issue but find them hollow.

Being a recent entrant to freeminds, I am quite perturbed that the common accusation of Sunnis/Shias that Quranism is nothing but modernism in disguise may be valid after all!

By the way, what do members think of the punishment of amputation for theft and lashes for sex outside marriage?

amir

From my understanding of Quran, it seems clear that menstruating women are only barred from coitus. They are certainly NOt banned from salaath and saum. Salaath is so iportant that it has to be performed even during fighting or even while sick. So it defies logic that menstruating women who even go out and work 8 hours a day are BANNED from salaath.

True, sick people are exempt (but not prohibited) from fasting but the choice is given to the individual whether his/her sickness is serious enough not to fast. Some women do have terrible Periods and these may excuse themselves from fasting but the others who would have fasted are BANNED from fasting by both Sunnism and Shi'ism.

Currently, I have entered into a heated argument on this issue with a Sunni from America who calls himself "Defender of The Sunnah". Unfortunately, what undermines my argument is none of the other Quranic Muslims emphasise on this point. Why?