Eloquent Incoherence

Cross-posted at Eteraz.org

Robert Spencer has made a career out of attacking Islam. The author of books with titles such as The Truth About Muhammad: Founder of the World’s Most Intolerant Religion, Spencer claims his writings are geared toward “calling attention to the roots and goals of jihad violence”. His main outlet is his blog, JihadWatch.org (to which his sidekick Hugh Fitzgerald also contributes). Spencer’s “scholarship” generally follows a pattern:

• Cite a recent incident of extremist violence or rhetoric in the Muslim World

• Quote the centuries-old writings of well-respected scholars (often selectively) or make blanket statements about Islamic law in an attempt to draw a causal connection between mainstream Islamic doctrines and modern extremism

• Bridge the gap in relevance between ceturies-old doctrines and modern-day problems by claiming that the “gates of ijtihad are closed”, that Muslims are thus completely bound by the rulings of long-dead jurists, and that reform is therefore impossible

• Dismiss (or simply neglect to discuss) the significance of archaic international norms of warfare and diplomacy in the formulation of centuries-old doctrines relating to jihad

• Dismiss (or simply neglect to discuss) Muslim scholars and leaders who criticize jihadist ideology and extremism

• Dismiss (or simply neglect to discuss) the role of socioeconomic realities or postcolonial dynamics in fostering terrorism and extremism

• Dismiss (or simply neglect to discuss) the role of American foreign policies in fostering terrorism and extremism

Needless to say, his work would not be taken seriously if he applied a similar approach to any other field of study. However, given the current political climate, a third-rate “expert” such as Spencer can find a large audience for his pseudo-scholarship, thereby lending him an aura of legitimacy. His posts on JihadWatch garner dozens of comments from back-patting cheerleaders who post under names like “DownWithIslam” and call for “sand niggers” to be shot. Spencer has appeared on numerous mainstream television and radio talk shows and been invited to lead a seminar on Islam before the Department of Homeland Security’s Joint Terrorism Taskforce.

Because of the simplistic nature of Spencer’s analysis, many Muslim leaders may not wish to dignify his work with a response or may find it distasteful to engage with him. But due to his unfortunate influence within mainstream circles, Muslim leaders active in the public relations sector must deal with his views whether they want to or not. Fortunately, JihadWatch is replete with examples of the flawed logic endemic in Spencer’s writings, and demonstrates that refuting him is a rather easy task.

For instance, in a recent post, Spencer linked to a news report about a spate of bombings in Peshawar, Pakistan targeting music and video shops. The attacks were apparently the work of hardliners who believe music, television, and movies are un-Islamic. In his commentary on the incident, Spencer writes:

Islamic law forbids music (cf. ‘Umdat al-Salik r40.1), although this law has of course often been ignored… But the law remains — it has never been reformed or rejected by any significant Islamic authority. Consequently it can always be reasserted, as here.”

The assertion that the view of music as Islamically forbidden “has never been reformed or rejected by any significant Islamic authority” is patently false, and should make anyone even mildly familiar with the intellectual history of Islam do a double-take. In fact, the annals of Islamic scholarship are replete with lively, nuanced debate on the subject of music. Though many scholars were indeed of the opinion that music and singing are impermissible, there is no shortage of dissenters from that view. Al-Ghazali, a renowned 11th century Islamic theologian and jurist, wrote an extensive treatise on the subject and concluded that music is permissible except if temptation is feared. Imam ibn Hazm and Qadi Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi, two of the leading scholars of Muslim Spain, wer of the opinion that the use of musical instruments and singing are permissible. Contemporary scholars who have approved of music and singing include Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Muzammil Siddiqi. These Islamic authorities can hardly be described as insignificant.

Spencer also fails to mention another prominent issue addressed by Islamic law relevant to the Peshawar incidents: vigilantism. Even if Spencer’s claim about the impermissibility of music is correct, he provides no clue as to what principle of Islamic law allows ordinary citizens to take it upon themselves to punish offenders. Spencer sidesteps this gap in his analysis by using the passive voice; according to Spencer, the prohibition against music “has… often been ignored”, but “can always be reasserted.” But by who? Even the most conservative jurists vehemently disapproved of civilians taking the law into their own hands, and maintenance of law and order is a prominent theme in classical Islamic political theory. Early Islamic jurist Imam Malik (founder one of the four Sunni schools of jurisprudence) wrote, “60 years of tyranny are better than one hour of civil strife.” Acts of vigilantism generally fit into a category of crimes termed hiraba, a subject that Islamic scholars both classical and contemporary have discussed extensively.

In short, the same body of traditional scholarship on Islamic law that Spencer claims justifies such attacks also includes ample evidence to the contrary–evidence that he obscures through blanket statements and rhetorical slights of hand. It’s unclear whether Spencer is simply unaware of this information or has consciously ignored it. But it matters little as far as his competency as an authority is concerned; if the former is the case, he’s incompetent, if the latter is the case, he’s disingenious and intellectually dishonest. In any event, continuously exposing and refuting Spencer’s amateur attempts at scholarship would do much to discredit Islamophobia in the long run.

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See also:

http://www.eteraz.org/story/2007/3/1/1421/36075

http://www.eteraz.org/story/2007/3/2/123136/0820

http://www.eteraz.org/story/2007/3/2/141835/4181

http://www.eteraz.org/story/2007/3/4/65215/02266

http://www.eteraz.org/story/2007/3/4/17842/76463

http://www.eteraz.org/story/2007/4/7/162445/8892

SI’s Stewart Mandel notes that it’s been a rough spring for Lloyd Carr and the Wolverines. Disciplinary problems involving several key playmakers have resulted in dismissals (Carson Butler, Eugene Germany, Chris Richard) and an indefinite suspension (Adrian Arrington), and injuries have sidelined others through Spring practice (Mike Hart, Jake Long, Mario Manningham) and beyond (Kevin Grady).

There is some good news for the future, however. Carr has landed two huge commitments for the 2008 recruiting class: OL Dann O’Neill from Grand Haven, MI, and CB Boubakar Cissoko from Detroit, MI. Both are projected to be among the nation’s top prospects in the next recruiting season. In addition, the University Regents just approved plans for a $26.1 million state-of-the-art indoor practice facility. Upon its completion, Michigan will be one of the only programs in America with two indoor practice facilities (Oosterbaan Fieldhouse will continue to be used).

CORRECTION: This post initially listed Rondell Biggs as among the players suspended. Rondell Biggs has graduated and has not been dismissed or subject to any other disciplinary action.

This is what the weather is currently like in Southeastern Michigan. This picture was taken today, April 7th, 2007. And yes; that’s snow on the ground. May God have mercy on us all.

Tommy Amaker was fired as head coach of the Michigan basketball team. I don’t normally follow college basketball very closely, but I think the way in which the athletic department has handled Amaker’s hiring, firing, and the search for his replacement is indicative of serious problems with athletic director Bill Martin’s leadership.

In 2001, Martin fired head coach Brian Ellerbe after several disappointing seasons, chronic player discipline problems, and declining attendance. However, the decision was announced a full 5 days after the season’s final game. The delay is significant because Rick Pitino, who has long been regarded as one of college basketball’s top coaches, had recently become available. Ellerbe’s firing was a foregone conclusion (despite Martin’s claim that it was the most difficult decision he had to make as athletic director), but because Martin delayed the announcement, Michigan entered the Rick Pitino sweepstakes at a significant disadvantage vis-a-vis Louisville, Pitino’s other major suitor. When he did manage to talk to Pitino, Martin offered him a deal that was significantly less lucrative than Louisville’s offer. Pitino ultimately chose Louisville, and has since coached them to four NCAA Tournament appearances and one Final Four appearance.

Upon settling for Amaker, Martin pledged to make significant upgrades to Michigan’s basketball facilities (including the construction of a separate practice facility). Six years later, the upgrades have yet to materialize, and Michigan’s facilities are now regarded as among the worst in the Big Ten. In addition, Amaker’s compensation totaled $700,000, well below the $1.2 million that the average major conference coach makes. Although a football-dominated university like Michigan cannot pay its basketball coach more than it pays its football coach, having an elite football program shouldn’t necessarily hinder a university’s ability to attract a top basketball coach–Ohio State coach Thad Matta makes $1.75 million a year and has his team on the verge of a national championship. However, Carr’s salary is a significant limiting factor for Michigan; his annual compensation package of $1.1 million is worth less than half that of Ohio State’s Jim Tressel. Although foot-dragging on facility upgrades and lowballing coaches’ salaries might be good for the athletic department’s short term bottom line, such a strategy handicaps Michigan’s ability to attract good coaches and build a top program.

Martin seems to have approached the search for Amaker’s replacement with the same lack of commitment and urgency that characterized his search for Ellerbe’s replacement six years ago. In the aftermath of Amaker’s firing, other schools with coaching vacancies pulled off major coups, with Minnesota snagging Kentucky coach Tubby Smith and New Mexico hiring Iowa coach Steve Alford. Smith will reportedly earn $1.7 million a year at Minnesota while Alford’s deal at New Mexico will total almost $1 million a year (an impressive figure for a university of New Mexico’s size and stature). Michigan was not even mentioned in connection with either of these high-profile coaches in the lead-up to their hiring.

In short, though Amaker may not have been the best coach, the basketball program’s performance has been largely commensurate with Martin’s management of it. Yet in Martin’s reality, three 20-win seasons and an NIT championship was not good enough for a program whose mediocre facilities and underpaid coach have relegated it to second-tier status.

This stands in stark contrast to Martin’s attitude toward the football program. Michigan’s football program is the winningest of all time, both in terms of percentage and total wins. The tradition and reputation of the program spans 125 years and is second-to-none. Its facilities are top-notch, boasting the largest on-campus college football stadium in the United States. Michigan consistently attracts some of the nation’s top recruiting classes and routinely produces top NFL prospects. In light of these impressive attributes, there is no reason why Michigan shouldn’t contend for the National Championship every year. And yet, in light of our record in big games the past six years, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that the program’s performance of late has fallen short of its potential. Repeated losses to Ohio State and USC have been characterized by predictable playcalling and a failure to adapt to innovative offensive schemes. It has become apparent to all but the most obtuse that the program is sorely in need of a change in philosophy, and that Carr’s replacement (when he retires) should come from outside the program. But not in Martin’s reality. When asked about finding Carr’s eventual successor, Martin said that he would like to “clone Lloyd or Bo [Schembechler].”

Martin’s questionable management and expectations of the basketball program coupled with his complacent attitude toward the football program leads one to wonder what world he lives in. Lloyd Carr’s impending retirement will soon confront the athletic department with its most important decision in almost 40 years. But with Martin at the helm, I’m not even sure they realize it.

UPDATE 4/4 7:40 PM: West Virginia coach John Beilein has been hired to replace Amaker. When I first heard about Beilein’s hiring, I took it as a positive sign that Martin’s cavalier attitude toward the basketball program might be changing, given that Beilein’s contract with West Virginia included a $2.5 million buyout clause. But it appears that Michigan won’t be paying the buyout; when asked about the issue, Martin responded, “It never came up because there was no way Michigan was going to pay it. To John Beilein’s credit, he said, ‘The buyout is my responsibility.’” It’s great that Martin was able to snag Beilein without paying his buyout (if the deal holds up, which isn’t a certainty), but Martin’s assertion that there was “no way” he would have paid a $2.5 million buyout is an indication that his level of commitment to the basketball program hasn’t changed. I hope Beilein knows what he’s getting into. Don’t expect a practice facility any time soon, Coach.

Football Updates: It’s been a moderately eventful offseason. Coach Carr recently dismissed tight end Carson Butler, cornerback Chris Richards, and defensive end Eugene Germany from the team. According to reports, the players allegedly assaulted a student on St. Patrick’s Day and are currently facing criminal charges stemming from the incident. Carr also suspended wide receiver Adrian Arrington for the duration of spring practice for unspecified reasons. Though Arrington has not been officially dismissed from the team, when asked whether he would be back in the fall, Carr responded that it was “possible, but maybe not probable.” The potential loss of Arrington is significant, since he’s a key member of a receiving corps that would likely be among the best in the nation. Running back Mike Hart is missing spring practice after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee; according to Carr, “he’ll be fine”.