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Islam is, what it is. Muslim Scholars who reinterpret it, or choose to reinterpret it according to the sensibilities and requirements of modern times ( Muslims have long decided that such Scholars) have no place in it (Islam and Muslim Societies). Dr. Nasr Abu Zaid, An Egyptian Scholar of Islamic Studies, made the fatal mistake of doing exactly that.

In 1992 Dr. Nasr Abu Zaid applied for the promotion in Cairo University. As a requirement he submitted his published works. Following in the foosteps of Muhammad Abduh and Taha Hussain, Nasr tried to develop new ways of understanding Islam. He proposed a hermeneutic Paradigm for the reinterpretation of the Islam in general and Quran in particular. According to this approach, The Quran should be understood in the social and linguistic context of its time- A sophisticated restatement of the Old Mu'tazili position of the created Quran. Only by doing this , Islam would remain relevent and workable in modern times.

The committee rejected Nasr’s application for promotion on the grounds of incorporating heretical views in the Islamic research. Furthermore, One committee member “Shaheen� - Also a preacher and a Televengelist- declared him an Apostate in next Friday's Sermon. Furthermore, Shaheen not only declared him an Apostate ,but had also filed a legal case for the annulment of his Marriage. Situation got worse when Ayman-Al- Zawahiri issued a fatwa for his execution. Nasr had to flee to the Netherlands to save his life.

Ironically, Few years later, this preacher Shaheen was also charged with Apostasy for expressing unorthodox views about Prophet Adam.

Later, Nasr wrote this memoir in effort to provide his side of the story. In it we encounter an honest and humble person. The one deeply in love with his religion and culture. Who believes , core principle of Islam- Equality and Justice, are eternally relevent to the humanity. As a scholar, he knows his limitations in knowing and truth. He openly admits the influence of personalities, ideas, events and experiences in shaping his thought process. At no point, we find him playing the victim card to gain sympathy. He longs to return to his country, to contribute to the creation of knowledge there , and to educate and train young minds. But accepts his exile stoically.

In Nasr’s story, we hear the echoes of those countless Scholars and normal people who have left the Muslim societies to avoid Persecution. Their sole unpardonable crime was to question the social and intellectual stagnation of their societies. It seems the situation is not going to change in a foreseeable future .