Had a highly interesting convo with perplexity.ai (AI chat bot)

(For those who don't know, perplexity.ai is a chat bot that works like ChatGPT, but always lists references even in non-Premium mode)

Anyway, I had a conversation with perplexity.ai regarding how scholars worldwide view the Taliban rule, and the results are more than just interesting. I took this decision in light of recent events in Afghanistan. I couldn't think of such a thing (the convo with the AI) last weekend (when they announced their latest step in their misogynistic laws) since I was feeling more "heated" due to the new Taliban law, though now that I'm feeling more level regarding the matter, I finally could take the step

Here's the conversation ↓ (my questions in bold)

According to Islamic scholars (other than the Taliban), is the Taliban rule Islamically legitimate?

According to various Islamic scholars and organizations, the Taliban's rule and interpretation of Islamic law are often seen as flawed, selective, and extreme. The Muslim World League, for example, criticizes the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic laws, particularly their gender restrictions, as not accurately representing true Islam. Many scholars argue that the Taliban's policies, such as the ban on girls' education, have no basis in Islamic teachings and are instead influenced by patriarchal tribal traditions. Overall, there is significant criticism from the broader Muslim community regarding the Taliban's claim to Islamic legitimacy

Sources
https://islamiclaw.blog/2023/03/31/islamic-law-the-taliban-and-the-modern-state
https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/pw_182-afghan_taliban_views_on_legitimate_islamic_governance.pdf
https://kabulnow.com/2024/04/head-of-largest-islamic-ngo-criticizes-talibans-islamic-laws-as-flawed-selective-extreme/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/23/hold-the-taliban-and-sharia-law-in-afghanistan
https://www.voanews.com/a/muslim-scholars-activists-taliban-ban-on-girls-education-not-justified-/6526830.html
https://www.dw.com/en/tacit-approval-for-the-taliban-how-islamic-scholars-see-afghanistans-new-old-rulers/a-59145237
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/afghan-religious-scholars-criticize-talibans-ban-on-education-for-girls-women
https://library.fes.de/libalt/journals/swetsfulltext/12640372.pdf

What are the main criticisms of the Taliban's governance from an Islamic perspective

From an Islamic perspective, several main criticisms of the Taliban's governance have been raised:

Education Restrictions: The Taliban's ban on girls' education is widely condemned as un-Islamic. Scholars argue there is no basis in the Quran or Hadith for such prohibitions, and it contradicts Islamic teachings that emphasize the importance of education for all.

Cultural Practices vs. Islamic Teachings: The Taliban's policies are often seen as influenced by patriarchal tribal traditions rather than Islamic principles. This includes restrictions on women's rights and roles, which are not supported by Islamic texts.

Ethnic Biases and Governance: The Taliban's governance is criticized for ethnic biases and failing to create a unifying national narrative, which undermines their claim to Islamic legitimacy.

Sources
https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/pw_182-afghan_taliban_views_on_legitimate_islamic_governance.pdf
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09592318.2023.2282817
https://www.voanews.com/a/muslim-scholars-activists-taliban-ban-on-girls-education-not-justified-/6526830.html
https://islamiclaw.blog/2023/03/31/islamic-law-the-taliban-and-the-modern-state/
https://www.interanalytics.org/jour/article/download/396/348
https://kabulnow.com/2024/04/head-of-largest-islamic-ngo-criticizes-talibans-islamic-laws-as-flawed-selective-extreme/
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/3/23/taliban-in-government-a-grim-new-reality-is-settling-in
https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/24-210-02%20ISW%20Afghanistan%20Taliban%20Paper_v4.pdf

What specific aspects of the Taliban's governance are considered most illegitimate by Islamic scholars

Islamic scholars criticize several aspects of the Taliban's governance as illegitimate:

Compulsion in Religion: The Taliban's enforcement of religious practices through coercion contradicts the Quranic principle of "no compulsion in religion" (Quran 2:256), undermining their claim to Islamic legitimacy.

Sectarian Violence: The Taliban's history of violence against Shia Muslims and other minorities is seen as contrary to Islamic teachings, which emphasize justice and protection for all Muslims.

Education and Women's Rights: The Taliban's restrictions on girls' education and women's rights lack basis in Islamic law, which values education for all and grants women specific rights.

Governance and Accountability: The Taliban's governance lacks traditional Islamic accountability mechanisms, such as the separation between religious scholars and rulers, leading to unchecked power.

Sources
https://saisreview.sais.jhu.edu/sifting-facts-from-fiction-the-underpinnings-of-the-talibans-islamic-emirate/
https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/pw_182-afghan_taliban_views_on_legitimate_islamic_governance.pdf
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09592318.2023.2282817
https://islamiclaw.blog/2023/03/31/islamic-law-the-taliban-and-the-modern-state/
https://www.voanews.com/a/muslim-scholars-activists-taliban-ban-on-girls-education-not-justified-/6526830.html
https://kabulnow.com/2024/04/head-of-largest-islamic-ngo-criticizes-talibans-islamic-laws-as-flawed-selective-extreme/

How do other Islamic scholars view the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law

Islamic scholars have expressed several criticisms of the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law:

Theological Flaws: Many scholars argue that the Taliban's interpretation of Islam is theologically untenable. They equate their understanding of God's will with their own, leaving no room for interpretation, which is seen as dangerous and blasphemous.

Education and Women's Rights: The Taliban's restrictions on female education and reduction of women to reproductive roles are criticized as contrary to Islamic teachings, which value education for all and respect for God's creation.

Cultural Influences: The Taliban's ideology is often seen as influenced more by Pashtun tribal customs than by Islamic principles, leading to a governance style that contradicts the inclusive and ethical teachings of Islam.

Lack of Inclusivity: Scholars criticize the Taliban for not forming an inclusive government representing all segments of Afghan society, which goes against the Islamic principle of justice and equality.

Sources
https://saisreview.sais.jhu.edu/sifting-facts-from-fiction-the-underpinnings-of-the-talibans-islamic-emirate/
https://www.dw.com/en/tacit-approval-for-the-taliban-how-islamic-scholars-see-afghanistans-new-old-rulers/a-59145237
https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/pw_182-afghan_taliban_views_on_legitimate_islamic_governance.pdf
https://library.fes.de/libalt/journals/swetsfulltext/13640302.pdf
https://islamiclaw.blog/2023/03/31/islamic-law-the-taliban-and-the-modern-state/
https://kabulnow.com/2024/04/head-of-largest-islamic-ngo-criticizes-talibans-islamic-laws-as-flawed-selective-extreme/

What are the theological arguments used by scholars to refute the Taliban's interpretation

Islamic scholars use several theological arguments to refute the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law:

Equating Human Will with Divine Will: Scholars criticize the Taliban for equating their interpretation of God's will with their own, leaving no room for interpretation. This is seen as dangerous and blasphemous, as it dismisses other perspectives as untruths and equates human ideas with divine judgment.

Misinterpretation of Sharia: The Taliban's view of Sharia as a fixed code of law is considered theologically untenable. Scholars argue that Sharia requires ethical behavior and is not meant to be implemented rigidly without consideration of context.

Education and Women's Rights: The Taliban's restrictions on female education and reduction of women to reproductive roles contradict Islamic teachings, which emphasize the importance of education for all and respect for God's creation.

Cultural Influences Over Islamic Principles: The Taliban's ideology is often seen as influenced by Pashtun tribal customs rather than Islamic principles, leading to governance that contradicts inclusive and ethical Islamic teachings.

Lack of Scholarly Legitimacy: The Taliban's leadership lacks traditional scholarly learning in Islamic law and history, undermining their claim to religious authority.

Sources
https://www.dw.com/en/tacit-approval-for-the-taliban-how-islamic-scholars-see-afghanistans-new-old-rulers/a-59145237
https://saisreview.sais.jhu.edu/sifting-facts-from-fiction-the-underpinnings-of-the-talibans-islamic-emirate/
https://library.fes.de/libalt/journals/swetsfulltext/13640302.pdf
https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/pw_182-afghan_taliban_views_on_legitimate_islamic_governance.pdf
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09592318.2023.2282817