Richard Thompson on Islam

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Thursday October 19, 2006 · 1:36 AM PDT

2006/10/19 · 01:36

Richard Thompson was a pioneer of the British folk-rock style as a founding member of Fairport Convention in the 60's. He went on to release an ever-expanding catalog of brilliant records, some with his ex-wife Linda. (RT's best-known song to the NPR set would be "1952 Vincent Black Lightning", the story of a boy, a girl, and a motorcycle.)

So why am I bringing him up here? Because RT converted to the Sufi Muslim sect in the 70's, and is still a practicing Muslim. He is also quite a knowledgeable one, given his recent answer to the following question:

How can you stand to be a part of a religion that is spread by the sword, and that contains such hateful elements as the Taliban and Al-Qaeda?

I've always had the impression that RT is reticent to discuss much of his personal life in public, but over the years he has had his own web site, Beesweb, he has answered a variety of questions on everything from tunings and equipment he has used to which ~~soccer~~ football teams he follows. And, in his most recent set of Q&A,he addresses the above query about his religion.

I found his comments fascinating, and, for the first time in many, many years, became interested in learning more about a religion for its own sake (as opposed to interest in the various things members of a religion have done over the centuries.) In particular, his comments on jihad:

Jihad, which means `struggle' is divided into two parts, Greater and Lesser. Greater Jihad is the struggle with oneself, to become a better person. Lesser Jihad is struggle against one's enemies. The rules for Jihad are narrow, as described in the Qur'an, and through the example of Muhammad:
You can't fight for pride, or to prove that you are strong
Fight only those who come to fight you
Only fight someone who has taken your possessions
You cannot take the possessions of another
You can't harm women or children
You can't destroy houses, farms, crops, livestock, trees, countryside or water supply.
Don't kill those who run away in fear
Don't strike someone who falls in battle
Only if someone comes at you with sword in hand may you defend yourself.

I recommend reading the whole thing.

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