Sometimes when I (an American non-Muslim) read him, I think of Shaykh Abdalqadir as-Sufi as, among other things, a sort of Muslim version of Norman Podhoretz, but lacking either the latter’s political influence or his strategic skill.  For instance, in terms of content, when read closely, and when stripped of their tabloid tendencies, I don’t think the Sheikh’s missives are any more or less pointed than this one, from Norman Podhoretz, printed in the influential Commentary Magazine in September, 2004.  Here, as I understand (and it has been awhile since I read it in its entirety), Podhoretz basically acts as panegyrist for what sounds like his anointed “sacred warrior,” George W. Bush, and rallies the (especially) neo-conservative troops for a fight to the finish of World War IV –the war against “militant Islam,” one is to understand- and, in effect, calls for “reformation” within Islam (World War III is understood to be the now concluded “Cold War” between the US and USSR).  I suppose it goes without saying, but I shall say it nevertheless, that it seems the type of reformation Podhoretz would have for Islam is not that one offered by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and later taken up by Sayyid Qutb, for example, but is rather of the (forced?) “democratization” and “modernist” variety -the type to which both Christianity and Judaism were made to accede.

At any rate, these are the writings and ravings of politicos, not always known for their war-time pacifism.  That is understood.  As I see it, there is the occasional pearl to be found, but not usually before kicking plenty of swine out of the way in the process. 

Serv

Ref: http://www.commentarymagazine.com/podhoretz.htm

Edited by Servetus

“As in pearls before swine?”

 

I used the metaphor, but with a modification.  I said, or at least meant to convey, that, in the writings of the war-time politicos such as the two cited above, there are sometimes pearls (of wisdom) to be found, but one often has to kick swine (nonsense) out of the way in the process.

“Obfuscation is something we must eschew if we are to be clearly understood.”

 

Agreed. 

“What? Snobbery? Arrogance? Elitism?”

 

I don’t understand the questions, Daniel.  Please repeat them but with some elaboration.

 

Serv

I'm sorry. I'm just not mature enough for this chat. I'm gonna back away
slow,,,

Thanks. No one is sleeping in this neck of the woods.

Today I managed to book three meetings for the same hour...
Rewire a working 24 channel 8 bus mixer into a non working 24 channel 7
bus mixer...restring half a guitar misplacing three strings. Answer hate mail
as if I were a guest on Jerry Springer...   Considered stress management...