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No it does not. Like the German Wikipedia, all of our pages are under "Pending-changes protection", meaning they are open for editing, but changes will only become visible to readers once they have been reviewed by a user with the appropriate access, known as a "reviewer", or by the administration. WikiIslam prides itself on being an accurate source of information on Islam. There is even a page dedicated to [[WikiIslam:Arguments Not To Use|arguments not to use]] on the website. | No it does not. Like the German Wikipedia, all of our pages are under "Pending-changes protection", meaning they are open for editing, but changes will only become visible to readers once they have been reviewed by a user with the appropriate access, known as a "reviewer", or by the administration. WikiIslam prides itself on being an accurate source of information on Islam. There is even a page dedicated to [[WikiIslam:Arguments Not To Use|arguments not to use]] on the website. | ||
=== | ===Why should I trust WikiIslam's contents?=== | ||
WikiIslam's focus on the criticism of Islam does not make it unreliable. The implementation of "Pending-changes protection" eliminates most of the common problems associated with wikis, and we also take great care in providing readers with copious references and footnotes that can be used to independently verify facts. | WikiIslam's focus on the criticism of Islam does not make it unreliable. The implementation of "Pending-changes protection" eliminates most of the common problems associated with wikis, and we also take great care in providing readers with copious references and footnotes that can be used to independently verify facts. | ||
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==Sources Used== | ==Sources Used== | ||
=== | ===What sources does WikiIslam permit the usage of?=== | ||
The wiki relies on Islamic and academic sources which are readily available, either on the net or through retailers. They are the same sources you will see being used and accepted by thousands of Muslim websites. Wherever possible, we link directly to these Muslim websites which, for example, host [{{Compendium-of-muslim-texts-base-url}}/quran/ Qur'an], [{{Compendium-of-muslim-texts-base-url}}/hadith/ Hadith], [http://www.islam-qa.com/en fatwa], [http://bewley.virtualave.net/Risalatitl.html fiqh] and [http://www.theholybook.org/content/section/1/2/ Tafsir] text. | |||
Statements of fact concerning Islamic history and theology from polemic sources such as books, articles or commentaries by individuals such as Robert Spencer, Pamela Gellar, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Mark A. Gabriel, Wafa Sultan, Ali Sina, Walid Shoebat, Brigitte Gabriel etc., are not permitted under any circumstances as [[WikiIslam:Reliable Sources|references on WikiIslam]]. Editors are advised to remove any such statements immediately if they come across them. | |||
===What Qur'an translation does WikiIslam use?=== | |||
Unless otherwise stated, we use the respected and widely accepted translations of Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pickthal or M. H. Shakir. All Qur'an quotes are taken from the widely referenced [https://quranx.com/About quranx.com] and are properly sourced and linked with the context of three preceding and subsequent verses. | |||
If a misquoted Qur'an verse is brought to the editors' attention, it will be corrected immediately. Most claims of "misquoted Qur'an verses" consist of an apologists using an obscure translation of the Qur'an and pointing out that the translation on the wiki is different from theirs (e.g. see [http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmybroadband.co.za%2Fvb%2Fshowthread.php%2F607524-I-am-islamophobic%3Fp%3D12428900%26viewfull%3D1%23post12428900&date=2014-04-07 here]). If someone fails to check the sources, they may assume that it is a misquotation on the part of the editors. However, the wiki's policy is such that it relies on the most widely accepted and established translations of the Qur'an (i.e. Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pickthal or M. H. Shakir). | |||
=== | ===What Hadith translations do WikiIslam use?=== | ||
All hadith translations are taken from [https://quranx.com/About quranx.com]. If the translation used is produced by the editor or not from quranx.com, this should be brought to the administration's attention, and it will be corrected. Editors are also instructed to make such corrections themselves. | |||
===Does WikiIslam permit the use of weak hadiths or allow partial hadiths to be quoted out of context?=== | |||
===Does WikiIslam use weak hadiths or | |||
No, it does not. The hadith collections used most often at WikiIslam form what is known as the "Authentic Six" i.e. the six canonical hadith collections of mainstream Islam, especially Bukhari and Muslim. Bukhari and Muslim are labeled as entirely authentic (sahih). The others are from Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah. Malik's Muwatta' is also used and is placed just below the two Sahihs for its reliability, but is not generally included among the six. If possible, when hadith from collections such as Nasa'i and Ibn Majah are quoted, the grading of its authenticity is also provided. | No, it does not. The hadith collections used most often at WikiIslam form what is known as the "Authentic Six" i.e. the six canonical hadith collections of mainstream Islam, especially Bukhari and Muslim. Bukhari and Muslim are labeled as entirely authentic (sahih). The others are from Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah. Malik's Muwatta' is also used and is placed just below the two Sahihs for its reliability, but is not generally included among the six. If possible, when hadith from collections such as Nasa'i and Ibn Majah are quoted, the grading of its authenticity is also provided. | ||
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No, WikiIslam not in any way related to or endorsed by these organizations. The only commonality is WikiIslam's use of the same [http://www.mediawiki.org Mediawiki] software which is also used by many other wiki websites. | No, WikiIslam not in any way related to or endorsed by these organizations. The only commonality is WikiIslam's use of the same [http://www.mediawiki.org Mediawiki] software which is also used by many other wiki websites. | ||
===Why should I | ===Why should I use WikiIslam over Wikipedia for information on Islam?=== | ||
The [http://wikiislam.github.io/wiki/Islam_Science_and_the_Problems_at_Wikipedia.html Jagged 85 incident] is a good example of the problems faced by Wikipedia with respect to Islam-related articles. Jagged 85 was an editor who contributed to 8,115 separate articles with over 67,000 edits made over a period of 5 years until they were caught in 2010. Focusing efforts on improving the image of Islam and downplaying the achievements of the western world, for 5 years he/she was left largely unhindered, misrepresenting sources in various ways, misrepresentations which were then reproduced all over the net by other sites which use Wikipedia as a source. | The [http://wikiislam.github.io/wiki/Islam_Science_and_the_Problems_at_Wikipedia.html Jagged 85 incident] is a good example of the problems faced by Wikipedia with respect to Islam-related articles. Jagged 85 was an editor who contributed to 8,115 separate articles with over 67,000 edits made over a period of 5 years until they were caught in 2010. Focusing efforts on improving the image of Islam and downplaying the achievements of the western world, for 5 years he/she was left largely unhindered, misrepresenting sources in various ways, misrepresentations which were then reproduced all over the net by other sites which use Wikipedia as a source. | ||
Wikipedia's policies have also allowed for the use of some very suspect "reliable" secondary sources. A prime example of this would be Paul Vallely's " | Wikipedia's policies have also allowed for the use of some very suspect "reliable" secondary sources. A prime example of this would be Paul Vallely's "How Islamic inventors changed the world". And they also host a [[List_of_Fabricated_Hadith#Muhammad.27s_Farewell_Sermon|fabricated version of Muhammad's farewell sermon]] which was created by an Indian/Pakistani author in the 80's, simply because the version often features in Islamic propaganda, all while ignoring the authentic version of the sermon found in Tabari. | ||
As WikiIslam concentrates on only one subject, it hosts fewer articles than Wikipedia. This enables the community to fine-tune the wiki's articles to a much higher standard. | As WikiIslam concentrates on only one subject, it hosts fewer articles than Wikipedia. This enables the community to fine-tune the wiki's articles to a much higher standard. | ||
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Wikipedia focuses on "[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability,_not_truth|2=2012-02-10}} verifiability, not truth]". In essence, this means that anyone who falls under Wikipedia's classification of "notable/reliable" can make a statement about any subject, and regardless of its factual accuracy, it can be used in their articles. In regards to Islam, it has meant they accept what "notable/reliable" western commentators and apologists claim about Islamic scriptures and Muslims over what the religious text and Muslims actually say themselves. | Wikipedia focuses on "[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability,_not_truth|2=2012-02-10}} verifiability, not truth]". In essence, this means that anyone who falls under Wikipedia's classification of "notable/reliable" can make a statement about any subject, and regardless of its factual accuracy, it can be used in their articles. In regards to Islam, it has meant they accept what "notable/reliable" western commentators and apologists claim about Islamic scriptures and Muslims over what the religious text and Muslims actually say themselves. | ||
These commentators who speak about Islam and who fall under Wikipedia's classification of "notable/reliable" tend to be apologists, because serious scholars, for instance | These commentators who speak about Islam and who fall under Wikipedia's classification of "notable/reliable" tend to be apologists, because serious scholars, for instance Bart Ehrman, are scared of violence against themselves or of being accused of bigotry if they criticize anything Islam-related. Thus, Wikipedia often uses notable apologists like Karen Armstrong (who is not a qualified historian or Islamic scholar) whilst ignoring some giant figures from the Islamic world and Islamic history as well as world-renown academic historians and scholars of religion, such as Michael Cook. | ||
===What can I find at WikiIslam that I cannot find at Wikipedia?=== | ===What can I find at WikiIslam that I cannot find at Wikipedia?=== | ||
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==About Us== | ==About Us== | ||
=== | ===Does WikiIslam permit Islamophobic, racist, or hateful content?=== | ||
No, WikiIslam | No, WikiIslam does not permit Islamophobic, racist or a hateful content. | ||
WikiIslam is not European or "Western", it is an international site with administrators, editors and contributors from all over the world, and the content and policies reflect this. The site does not have a left or right-wing political agenda, thus articles concerning immigration and other related issues are strictly prohibited, along with political topics in general. Consequently, readership is vast and not monopolized by European or "Western" viewers. | WikiIslam is not European or "Western", it is an international site with administrators, editors and contributors from all over the world, and the content and policies reflect this. The site does not have a left or right-wing political agenda, thus articles concerning immigration and other related issues are strictly prohibited, along with political topics in general. Consequently, readership is vast and not monopolized by European or "Western" viewers. | ||
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Many if not most of the site's administrators and editors are from a Muslim background or are skeptics from Muslim majority nations and no infrequently have some level of formal Islamic religious training. The information on WikiIslam reflect what the religious sources say, so any negative or unflattering information concerning Islam or Prophet Muhammad cannot be described as the fault of editors. The information is very simply what the religious texts relate. | Many if not most of the site's administrators and editors are from a Muslim background or are skeptics from Muslim majority nations and no infrequently have some level of formal Islamic religious training. The information on WikiIslam reflect what the religious sources say, so any negative or unflattering information concerning Islam or Prophet Muhammad cannot be described as the fault of editors. The information is very simply what the religious texts relate. | ||
There are also many individuals and websites that critique all forms of beliefs, but this does not make them phobic, racist or hatemongers. For instance, Christians are the most widely persecuted religious group on earth, the majority of worldwide Christians are non-white, and Christianity is even sub-Saharan Africa's largest religion. This does not make criticism of Christianity or the actions and claims of its adherents, racist and phobic, as is often made to be the case with Islam (even as it is Christians and not Muslims who comprise the most widely persecuted religious group on earth | There are also many individuals and websites that critique all forms of beliefs, but this does not make them phobic, racist or hatemongers. For instance, Christians are the most widely persecuted religious group on earth, the majority of worldwide Christians are non-white, and Christianity is even sub-Saharan Africa's largest religion. This does not make criticism of Christianity or the actions and claims of its adherents, racist and phobic, as is often made to be the case with Islam (even as it is Christians and not Muslims who comprise the most widely persecuted religious group on earth, it is worth noting that while left-leaning political parties in Western countries often go out of their way to make Muslim diasporas feel included, the same is hardly - if ever - the case in Muslim-majority countries with respect to their Christian and other religious minorities). | ||
===Does WikiIslam permit politically-charged content?=== | |||
No, WikiIslam does not permit content of a political nature. WikiIslam does not endorse any particular political ideology. | |||
=== | ===Does WikiIslam permit content on the "positive" aspects of Islam?=== | ||
WikiIslam is naturally comprised of the contributions made to it by its editors, the great majority of whom are interested in critical perspectives on Islam. As a result, often-important "good" and "neutral" matters concerning Islam sometimes receive a less intensive treatment on the wiki. Constructing this base of more general and even positive knowledge about Islam is, like the rest of the wiki, an ongoing project, and it is important to understand, as per WikiIslam's mission statement, that articles on such "polemically-benign" topics are absolutely and incontrovertibly allowed and encouraged on the wiki. | WikiIslam is naturally comprised of the contributions made to it by its editors, the great majority of whom are interested in critical perspectives on Islam. As a result, often-important "good" and "neutral" matters concerning Islam sometimes receive a less intensive treatment on the wiki. Constructing this base of more general and even positive knowledge about Islam is, like the rest of the wiki, an ongoing project, and it is important to understand, as per WikiIslam's mission statement, that articles on such "polemically-benign" topics are absolutely and incontrovertibly allowed and encouraged on the wiki. | ||
Editors interested in spreading information on the aspects of Islam they perceive to be positive are encouraged to contribute to the wiki, along with anyone else aiming to contribute accurate and objective content, no matter whether it is perceived as being positive or negative. | |||
=== | ===Who owns, operates and finances WikiIslam?=== | ||
WikiIslam is currently managed by the [https://exmuslims.org/ Ex-Muslims of North America], which a registered non-profit. The organization accepts [https://exmuslims.org/donate/ donations here]. | |||
===Who founded WikiIslam?=== | |||
WikiIslam was created on October 27, 2005 by various online activists led by [[User:Axius|Axius]] and was hosted on server space provided by Faith Freedom International. Starting in August 2008, the site separated from FFI and operated as an independent site. In 2015, following excessive amounts of vandalism, the site came under the management of the Ex-Muslims of North America. | |||
===What is the religious persuasion of the contributors to WikiIslam?=== | ===What is the religious persuasion of the contributors to WikiIslam?=== | ||
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Help is always appreciated and can come in various forms, including: new ideas, content-writing, data scanning and collection, translations, copy-editing, marketing and donations (see [[WikiIslam:Join_the_Team#Ways_To_Help|Ways To Help]] for more details). | Help is always appreciated and can come in various forms, including: new ideas, content-writing, data scanning and collection, translations, copy-editing, marketing and donations (see [[WikiIslam:Join_the_Team#Ways_To_Help|Ways To Help]] for more details). | ||
===Can anyone create a login | ===Can anyone create a login ID and contribute to this website?=== | ||
Anyone without destructive and malicious intent is fully welcome to contact administrators and request an editor account | Anyone without destructive and malicious intent is fully welcome to contact administrators and request an editor account (these accounts will be readily provided). Anyone seeking to make genuine, constructive contributions - even if just grammar and formatting edits - is allowed to possess a fully-functional editors account. | ||
===I | ===Can I create an article about another religion?=== | ||
No. WikiIslam focuses solely on Islam. Any irrelevant articles will be updated, deleted or removed from the wiki. | No. WikiIslam focuses solely on Islam. WikiIslam do not endorse any religion, worldview, or hierarchy thereof. Any such irrelevant and biased articles will be updated, deleted or removed from the wiki. | ||
Topics regarding other religious traditions are only allowed insofar as they are discussed in a comparative context with Islam, and even in such cases it is necessary that the article focus on comparisons with Islam and not focus on other topics with no relation to Islam. | |||
===Can I contribute politically-charged content?=== | |||
No. This is not a political wiki. WikiIslam's aim is to remain neutral towards issues of a political rather than religious nature. Any such articles will be updated, [http://www.wikiislam.net/w/index.php?title=Left-Islamist_alliance&action=edit&redlink=1 deleted] or removed from the wiki. | |||
No | |||
===I want to become an admin and open up my own language's sub-domain. Can I start one?=== | ===I want to become an admin and open up my own language's sub-domain. Can I start one?=== | ||
Roughly a front page's worth of translations (about 25-35 full-length articles, excluding links or media pages) before considering to launch a new sub-domain. More information about translations can be found at [[WikiIslam:Translations]]. WikiIslam's core principles must be maintained on all sub-domains, and may be deactivated if they fail to do so. | Roughly a front page's worth of translations (about 25-35 full-length articles, excluding links or media pages) are required before considering to launch a new sub-domain. More information about translations can be found at [[WikiIslam:Translations]]. WikiIslam's core principles must be maintained on all sub-domains, and may be deactivated if they fail to do so. | ||
One of the key rules to follow when translating these pre-sub-domain articles is that they should always remain absolutely faithful to the original English work, retaining a scholarly tone and information. The reason for accurate translations to begin with is that it allows new editors in that particular language to understand the style, tone, and quality that is expected in all languages. | One of the key rules to follow when translating these pre-sub-domain articles is that they should always remain absolutely faithful to the original English work, retaining a scholarly tone and information. The reason for accurate translations to begin with is that it allows new editors in that particular language to understand the style, tone, and quality that is expected in all languages. | ||
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Those who would like to see a WikiIslam sub-domain in their language are advised to join the [[WikiIslam:Discussions/Translation_Project|WikiIslam Translation Project]] and start translating articles. | Those who would like to see a WikiIslam sub-domain in their language are advised to join the [[WikiIslam:Discussions/Translation_Project|WikiIslam Translation Project]] and start translating articles. | ||
=== | ===Can you give me your postal address?=== | ||
No, for obvious reasons we cannot. If you would honestly like to help, | No, for obvious reasons we cannot. If you would honestly like to help, consider an alternative way to [[WikiIslam:Join the Team|support the site]]. | ||
===I know a great book/blog/website you could use to improve the wiki. What should I do?=== | ===I know a great book/blog/website you could use to improve the wiki. What should I do?=== | ||
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Modern reinterpretations of classical Islamic doctrine are always welcome on the site, being a part of the intellectual history and development of Islam, but must always be described as such. Attempts to present modern reinterpretations as somehow historically mainstream will (whether to recast the historical tradition in a more positive or negative light) result in content deletion and account deactivation. This applies equally to, for instance, attempts to present modern Salafi perspectives as historically mainstream as it does to attempts to present Islamic modernist or Islamic feminist perspectives as historically mainstream. | Modern reinterpretations of classical Islamic doctrine are always welcome on the site, being a part of the intellectual history and development of Islam, but must always be described as such. Attempts to present modern reinterpretations as somehow historically mainstream will (whether to recast the historical tradition in a more positive or negative light) result in content deletion and account deactivation. This applies equally to, for instance, attempts to present modern Salafi perspectives as historically mainstream as it does to attempts to present Islamic modernist or Islamic feminist perspectives as historically mainstream. | ||
=== | ===Why should I be blocked for including my opinions in an article?=== | ||
WikiIslam does not advocate ''any'' political or religious positions. WikiIslam consists of an online community whose rules you agree to abide by when ''voluntarily'' joining it. If those rules are broken (e.g. through vandalism and other forms of disruption) then you will be sanctioned (given a warning or blocked, depending on the situation). Outside of our policies maintain that every individual, no matter their gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationality, religious beliefs or political views are equals and should be treated as such. This does not exempt any of the aforementioned groups from being required to adhere to the site's policies and guidelines. | WikiIslam does not advocate ''any'' political or religious positions. WikiIslam consists of an online community whose rules you agree to abide by when ''voluntarily'' joining it. If those rules are broken (e.g. through vandalism and other forms of disruption) then you will be sanctioned (given a warning or blocked, depending on the situation). Outside of our policies maintain that every individual, no matter their gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationality, religious beliefs or political views are equals and should be treated as such. This does not exempt any of the aforementioned groups from being required to adhere to the site's policies and guidelines. | ||
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Simply put, removing content that violates this website's policies is not censorship. If errors, incomprehensible English or bad formatting is inserted into articles, those edits are subject to reversion. If insults, threats and other forms of vandalism are inserted into articles, they will be wiped from the pages' history. The same principle applies to talk pages. If people violate the talk page guidelines, post insults, off-topic rants or questions on talk pages, they will be deleted or wiped from the talk page's history (depending on the nature of the comment itself). These are straightforward and commonsense policies, and in no way can they be construed as "censorship". | Simply put, removing content that violates this website's policies is not censorship. If errors, incomprehensible English or bad formatting is inserted into articles, those edits are subject to reversion. If insults, threats and other forms of vandalism are inserted into articles, they will be wiped from the pages' history. The same principle applies to talk pages. If people violate the talk page guidelines, post insults, off-topic rants or questions on talk pages, they will be deleted or wiped from the talk page's history (depending on the nature of the comment itself). These are straightforward and commonsense policies, and in no way can they be construed as "censorship". | ||
People are entirely free to voice their complaints or concerns about WikiIslam (this is why an [[WikiIslam:Contact Us|email address]] is provided for anyone who would like to reach out). However, WikiIslam will not pander to time-wasters who disrupt editors with inane questions in the name of "dialogue" or | People are entirely free to voice their complaints or concerns about WikiIslam (this is why an [[WikiIslam:Contact Us|email address]] is provided for anyone who would like to reach out). However, WikiIslam will not pander to time-wasters who disrupt editors with inane questions in the name of "dialogue" or vandals who seek to ''delete'' valid material while adding their own. | ||
==Miscellaneous== | ==Miscellaneous== | ||
===Islam has many sects and interpretations, so what definition of "Islam" does this site use?=== | ===Islam has many sects and interpretations, so what definition of "Islam" does this site use?=== | ||