ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces current academic controversies over proper addressing of critical issues in Islamic heritage, a priority in Islamic studies that have been more or less polarized in two directions: First is the neo-Orientalist approach, which insists on viewing Islam – a religion that approximately a quarter of the world belong to – as backward, evil, or even barbaric. Second and on the other end of the spectrum lies the apologetic approach. Contrary to the first approach – which insists on viewing nothing in Islam as positive – this approach insists on turning a blind eye to acknowledging, let alone dealing with or standing up for, any of the historical or current issues in Islam. The chapter illuminates the importance of prioritizing the most controversial issues, like the issue of the permissibility of faith-based killing that the story of al-Khidr might seem as if suggesting.
