Dear Dr Yasir Qadhi:
I read your thoughts with great deal of interest.
I respect the depth of your knowledge in Islamic jurisprudence & your courage to shed light on some of the most sensitive issues of our time- Turkey's decision per #HagiaSophia being the latest.
You eloquently provided historical context to build your scholarly argument and you dismissed Muslims who opposed Turkey's decision as people who are simply embarrassed by how shariah supports Turkey's decision.
I am not a scholar of Islam by any stretch of imagination.
But, with all due respect, I find your argument on this issue very selective. Here is why (question form):
- Has Prophet Muhammad PBUH converted any Jewish Temple or Christian church of Medina into a mosque against the will of those communities?
- Has Umar Ibn Al-Khatab converted any Jewish temple or Christian church in alQuds (Jerusalem) into a mosque agst the will of those communities?
- Has Salahuddin (Saladin) done that after conquering Jerusalem from Crusaders whose atrocities & hate agst Muslims is documented?
- Don't you think this would provide an irresistible precedent (with Islamic backing....) for Israel to expedite its long aspired objective to reclaim Masjid Al-Aqsa (The Dome of the Rock) as the Temple Mount?
Wa Allahu aa'lam.
*Looking forward to your answers. JumuaMubarak