Kabir stresses that "Islam forbids offensive fighting", "Islam only allows Muslims to fight a defensive war", and goes on to quote the Koran in support of his view: "Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits" (II:190-193). It is easy to find in the Koran verses that do not fit Kabir's quotes on defensive fighting: "Fight those who believe not in God nor in the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by God and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jyzia with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued". ( IX: 29). It is impossible to see this verse as Kabir suggests. It bears emphasis that the latter verse is as authentic as the one Kabir quotes, and a Muslim has to accept them as such. Those who make use of verses like II: 190-193 have also the responsibility of reconciling it with a verse like IX:29.

Similarly, Kabir makes much of sura Kafirun ( CIX ) " Say: O ye that reject Faith! I worship not that which ye worship. Nor will ye worship that which I worship" To you be your Way, and to me mine.” This early Meccan sura is a reflection of the natural defensiveness, hesitance and tentativeness that marked the early years of the propagation of Islam. The ambience changed dramatically in Medina, and hence in verses revealed in Medina. It would be illogical to suggest that this early Meccan sura overrode a verse of the late Medina sura like IX:29 quoted above.

Neither is it helpful to suggest, as Kabir does, that "Sharias should be modified to address our present problems, following the guidelines given in Koran, Hadith, and Sunnah" I look forward to his coming up with 'modification' in concrete areas of the sharia that does not conflict with some basic tenets of the Koran and, crucially, with the individual interpretations of these tenets and 'guidelines' all tenaciously held by their proponents to be the only acceptable interpretation. That any effort at modification of the sharia is also likely to run into a wall of insuperable resistance, is clearly brought out by a letter on the subject by Ali Ahmed (letters, July 14) who contends that since the sharia is based on sources like the Koran, the Hadith and Sunnah, "we should treat them as divine rules and so there is no scope for amending them."

Given the polarity between the 'reformists' such as Kabir and those, like Ahmed, to whom any reform of the sharia is unthinkable, chances of significant changes in Muslim religious thinking may appear remote. The only other possibility is that the modern Muslim would personally interpret the sharia in light of present day reality and seek to regulate secular life and try to find their place in a pluralist world. An increasing number of Muslims may in fact be doing just that. And to my mind rightly so.