There seems to be a new phenomenan floating around, this phenomenan of 'moderate' Muslims, and 'moderate' Islam. Indeed these terms have very little to do with Islam. These are simple titles they have given themselves similar to the pagans of old Arabia who would make their own names up for their false gods. To put it simply, this term 'moderate' Muslim simply means a sell out Muslim, a fake Muslim, a person who is simply Muslim by name and not by heart, and these terms are nothing but a corrupt version made by sell outs to please their own desires, and to please the desires of some Christians, Jews, Atheist, Secularists and Westerners. These so called Muslims who call themselves moderate are diluting their faith and beliefs to cater for the society, culture and beliefs of Non-Muslims. Moderation is a good thing on things such as eating, drinking, sleeping, but when it comes to your religion, then the more pious and devout you are to it, then the better. Why moderate and hold yourself back from being as good of a Muslim as you can be, these perhaps westernised Muslims are truly confused and need to get back to the pure form of Islam. Muslims who call themselves moderate Muslims, or ascribe themselves to what is called modern Islam are somewhat becoming a new group or sect of Islam. They are far from Muslims, they are becoming posers and even apostates (similer to how Jews and Christians went astray from the true religion they once had), and are going away from the the true Muslim nation. For starters, there is no such Islamic term called moderate Muslim, this is an invented word which they have made up with no authority or permission from Allah, as mentioned similar to the pagans of 1400 years ago: "These are nothing but names which ye have devised,- ye and your fathers,- for which Allah has sent down no authority (whatever). They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire!- Even though there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord!" (Qur'an 53:23 ) The pagans during the time of the prophet Muhammad pbuh, had invented names for their gods, and had ascribed certain powers to these deities. This is similar to these moderates, they have named themselves with such a term of which they were given no authority, and they simply follow their own flimsy desires. Other than calling themselves moderate Muslims, which is an innovation, they ascribe themselves to what is called modern Islam, another act of innovation, which supposedly reforms Islam to suit modern times and needs (very much like the pagans who invented up these false gods and tried to justify it, claimed that it was okay, that it was the true path and there was nothing wrong with it. ). This is totally contrary to Islamic teachings which are for all times. These moderates are essentially forming a religion which has gone away from Islam, and has less to do with Allah and true Islam. These moderate Muslims have several kufr (disbelieving) beliefs in their aqeedah (principles of faith/fundamentals). For one, they are against sharia law, and ca;; for religion and polotics to be seperated, although this is something called and legislated for in the Noble Quran and therefore they think that the law God has given us is not correct and should not be to used: "It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path." (Qur'an 33:36) So note when Allah and the holy prophet pbuh make a decision it is not for a believer to have an option that contradicts that decision, and if one does so then he is on the wrong path. Now the Quran is full of laws concerning several aspects of life, such as marriage, divorce, how to deal with criminals, and the perfect life-style a Muslim should live. The Sunnah of the prophet also does the same, it goes into more specific details on how to conduct yourself on everyday matters. Moderate Muslims call for the exact opposite of this, they say the Shariah has no place in society today and that secularism should rule the society, or the Shariah needs reform. This contradicts the Quran and the Sunnah, and as the Quran says such people are on the wrong path. By denying Sharia law moderates essentially deny the authentic teachings of Islam, because Sharia calls for women to wear hijab, that an adulterer gets punished and so on. Moderates don't believe in Sharia hence they don't believe women should wear hijab, nor do they believe in the same punishment for those who commit adultery/fornication as the Holy Qur'an states, therefore essentially moderate Muslims say its okay to go out and fornicate and not so bad to commit adultery! Indeed these beliefs have nothing to do with Islam! "He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: In it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:" and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding." (Qur'an 3:7) Thankfully, I don't believe the majority of Muslims will ever succumb to such deviant apostate beliefs, these moderate Muslims are a minority, a minority who simply compromise their faith in order to please their Non-Muslim friends more than their Lord. And Allah Knows Best!