"The Forbidden Rumi" and I Rumi is a great Muslim mystic and poet. His faith in God does not deter him from riding the winds of dangerous thinking and free expression. His most audacious poems were published in a collection called "The Forbidden Rumi". I have chosen one of them and interspersed its verses between the chapters of my book. I wanted to let some fresh air in my dry discussion of the Quranic text. You see, the fifth chapter of the Quran was the last one to have been composed. It discusses theological questions and lacks the poetic rhythm of the much shorter chapters of the early days. I am neither a poet nor a mystic. I am not even a Muslim. And yet I feel I have something in common with a Rumi. I do not let the requirements of Islamic tradition, the strict rules of modern scholarship and the taboos of our time constrict my freedom to say what I think and to explain my forbidden views. I do so however in a friendly manner and without any animosity. My study of the Quran is based on knowledge not on faith. My purpose is not to provide spiritual ammunition to the faith. It is much more prosaic. I propose a new way of reading the Quranic text. Instead of seeing in it a divine revelation, I see in it the work of a man called Muhammad. I do what is forbidden for a believer. But I recognize the believer's right to see in the Book the very words of God.
About the Author: About myself I was born in the very old Christian neighborhood of Damascus, which has defied to this day the poundings of modernity. When we moved to the neighboring town of Beirut, I discovered to my great surprise that I spoke Arabic with an accent, and that my French was rather provincial. I was seventeen when the Pope declared 1950 a holy year. I made the pilgrimage to Rome as did many of my relatives. We were at that time devout papists. This explains my foolish decision to join the Jesuit Order and study for the priesthood. The long years I spent in the Order were the most challenging and enriching experience of my life. I was given a chance to explore the four corners of the world both physically and intellectually. I discovered at the same time how dangerous knowledge can be, especially when it is coupled with critical thinking. I finally left the Order and got married. But I had a hard time adjusting to real life. In spite of my good intentions, I was an unreliable husband and poor provider. My marriage to a sweet Connecticut girl lasted for little more than ten years. But we are still on friendly terms. Our son Mike and daughter Renée kept us in touch. I am now retired and free to do what interests me most. What I did not have a chance to do when I was in the Jesuit Order has become now possible. I am putting in writing my forbidden thoughts about Islam as well as Christianity. I am doing so from the height of my eighth-floor apartment in a quiet Seattle neighborhood. J.C.