Islamic doctrine - spiritual or secular?

Our view (so far) of Islamic doctrine is that it's a constantly moving target interpreted by multitudes of individual imams, ayatollahs, mahdis, muftis, caliphi and convenience store operators to suit their personal preferences of the hour without benefit of critical commentary or appeal to any higher reviewing authority. Much like certain tropical disease that constantly morph to evade the adaptation of the body's immune system.

Here's an interesting take on Islamic jurisprudence on the part of an Islamic feminist:

What we are wrestling with are laws created in the name of Islam by men, specifically eight men. The Muslim world of the 21st century is largely defined by eight madhhabs, or Islamic schools of jurisprudence, with narrow rulings on everything from criminal law to family law: the Shafi, Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali schools in the majority Sunni sect; the Jafari and Zaydi schools, for the minority Shiite sect; and the Ibadi and Thahiri schools among other Muslims. But the first centuries of Islam's 1,400-year history were quite different -- characterized by scores of schools of jurisprudence, many progressive and women-friendly. It is not Islam that requires women to wear a headscarf, but rather the scholars in the contemporary schools.^[1]

The Colonel thinks the fact that this body of interpretation is viewed as "jurisprudence" reinforces the concept of Islam as a legal and political phenomenon rather than a matter of the spirit. What, in fact, is spiritual in Islam and where is the line between sacred and secular?

What, for example, is remotely spiritual in a body of doctrine that moves people to seek "spiritual" guidance with respect to the most insignificant matters of a person's existence?^[2] It's pathetic, regardless the culture in which this kind of infantilism appears.

It's true. We're a little shaky on matters of Christian doctrine, but today aren't people who get caught up in "the Law" dropping anchor rather far from the intended harbor? Isn't spritual life about trying to obtain intimate knowledge of the Divine nature and God's (Allah's) grace . . . and possibly improving our conduct (not our aim) in society?

Some of the ancient idiots in the Christian or Jewish continuum used to say that if you dragged your foot in the dust on the Sabbath you were "working," presumably ploughing. Who needs guidance of this kind except for people who are lost in a confusing world and desparate for someone else to tell them what to do?

We can hear the cry now, Oh, save us from the burden of independent thought!

Here you have a "religion" that pronounces seriously on the spiritual implications of gastric distress. Plus, it even has its own foreign policy.^[3] One hears of Allah's mercy and compassion but neither seems much in evidence. Current practice suggests that "believers" think Allah supports revanchism and vengence for all grievances, however slight, but requires no introspection on the issue of personal responsibility. Violence wipes the slate clean, not contrition.

We're persuaded that Islam is all about control: Just imagine the Johnson-softening terror of any Muslim male faced with loss of control over his women! What grief and rage any ayatollah must feel at the thought that he might not be able to have someone who leaves Islam or criticizes the Prophet murdered!^[4] Or not being able to get rid of political enemies.^[5]

Judicial murder's a cool tool to have, too, if it's you who's being criticized. After all, aren't you, Omar the Imam, the Messenger of the Messenger?

Nice work if you can get it -- Allah's Enforcer. Otherwise, people would think you're just a thug.

Notes
^[1] Asra Q. Nomani, quoted in "In Islam, there is no place for feminism." Ann Althouse, 12/17/05.
^[2] (1) " Question #34523: If he sneezes or hears a donkey braying [we are not making this up!] whilst praying, should he say the dhikr narrated in the Sunnah?" Islam Q & A;

(2) "Question #65648: He passes wind continually; does he have to do wudoo' for something else that breaks wudoo' in order to perform naafil prayers?." Islam Q & A;

(3) "Question #22757: Does touching a woman invalidate wudoo'?" Islam Q & A.

Ad infinitum . . . . . . . . . . . .
^[3] Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 2 (Volume 1, Book 2, Number 24)(emphasis added):

Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said: "I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people [i.e., infidels] until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle, and offer the prayers perfectly and give the obligatory charity, so if they perform a that [sic], then they save their lives [and] property from me except for Islamic laws and then their reckoning (accounts) will be done by Allah."

^[4] Question #12406: Why should a person who disbelieves after becoming Muslim be executed? Islam Q & A. (Imperative to state rule with straight face.)
^[5] "Practical Sharia - X: summary execution blessed by religious authority. By The Colonel, Intergalactic Source of Truth, 9/5/05.