Author: rubeel (Page 14 of 18)

Misconceptions in Islam (Continued)

April 6, 2006 / rubeel / 1 Comment

Misconception 3

In Islam, women are inferior to men because:

a man can marry up to 4 wives, a woman can marry only one man

a man’s share of inheritance is bigger than a woman’s

a man can marry a non-Muslim, a woman cannot

women must wear the veil

This widely held misconception does not remotely follow from the reasons given. The first and most important observation to make about the popular question “Are men and women equal?” is that it is a badly-formed, unanswerable question. The problem which many people conveniently ignore is that “equal” is not defined. This is a very critical point: the equality must be specified with respect to some measurable property. For example, women on average are superior to men if we ask who is shorter in height than the other (“Growth and Development”, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1992). Women are also superior on average if we ask whom do children bond to deeper, mothers or fathers. Women are also superior on average if we ask who has a tendency to socialize more. On the other hand, men are superior on average if we ask who is taller in height than the other. And so on: every question can be turned around, and more importantly these are properties which are irrelevant.

What then, is the really important property which we are worried about in terms of gender equality? Naturally, from the point of view of the Qur’an and Sunnah, the obvious important property is who is dearer to Allah, men or women? This question is emphatically answered in the Qur’an (translation),

[4:124] If any do deeds of righteousness – be they male or female – and have faith, they will enter Paradise, and not the least injustice will be done to them.

[33:35] For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for truthful men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.

The Qur’an and Sunnah repeat over and over again that Allah only favors one person over another based on that person’s awareness, consciousness, fear, love, and hope of Allah (the Arabic word is difficult to translate: Taqwa). All other criteria are excluded: gender, ethnic group, country, ancestry, etc.

Given that Allah does not favor one gender over the other in His attention to us (and it helps to remember that Allah is neither male nor female), we can now address the differences between the genders in Islam. First, men and women are not the same as we know. The Creator states in the Qur’an (translation),

[3:36]…and the male is not like the female…

Men and women are different in their composition, and in their responsibilities under Islam. However, both are bound by obligations to one another, especially the following important one which must be understood in any discussion on men and women. From the Qur’an (translation),

[24:32] And marry those among you who are single and those who are fit among your male slaves and your female slaves; if they are needy, Allah will make them free from want out of His grace; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.

In this verse, the Creator emphasizes that marriage is to be vigorously pursued by the Muslims: the state of being single is not to be maintained. With this in mind, we can begin to understand the four reasons cited above for the nonetheless erroneous conclusion.

Men and women are different in their responsibilities towards the families that they are strongly encouraged to set up. Women are not obligated to work, whereas men are obligated. The man must provide for the family, but the woman does not have to spend out of her money for it, though she gets a reward for doing so. Allah says in the Qur’an (translation),

[4:34] Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.

From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:

[2:24:545] Narrated `Amr bin Al-Harith: Zainab, the wife of `Abdullah said, “I was in the Mosque and saw the Prophet (p.b.u.h) saying, `O women ! Give alms even from your ornaments.’ ” Zainab used to provide for `Abdullah and those orphans who were under her protection. So she said to `Abdullah, “Will you ask Allah’s Apostle whether it will be sufficient for me to spend part of the Zakat on you and the orphans who are under my protection?” He replied “Will you yourself ask Allah’s Apostle ?” (Zainab added): So I went to the Prophet and I saw there an Ansari woman who was standing at the door (of the Prophet ) with a similar problem as mine. Bilal passed by us and we asked him, `Ask the Prophet whether it is permissible for me to spend (the Zakat) on my husband and the orphans under my protection.’ And we requested Bilal not to inform the Prophet about us. So Bilal went inside and asked the Prophet regarding our problem. The Prophet (p.b.u.h) asked, “Who are those two?” Bilal replied that she was Zainab. The Prophet said, “Which Zainab?” Bilal said, “The wife of `Adullah (bin Masud).” The Prophet said, “Yes, (it is sufficient for her) and she will receive a double rewards (for that): One for helping relatives, and the other for giving Zakat.”

Given that husbands are obligated to provide for wives, and that marriage is a highly recommended goal of Islam, it is easy to see why women’s inheritance share is half that of men. We note also that men are obligated to provide a suitable dowry to women on marriage. In fact, it is preferable at this point to speak in terms of husbands and wives instead of men and women. Allah says in the Qur’an (translation),

[4:4] And give women their dowries as a free gift, but if they of themselves be pleased to give up to you a portion of it, then eat it with enjoyment and with wholesome result.

Allah says in the Qur’an (translation),

[2:228]…And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them…

This one degree in no way affects the position of the Creator in which He has stated that He does not hold women dearer to him than men, or vice versa. Rather it is simply a way of partitioning responsibilities in a household of two adults: someone must make the final decision on daily matters. As will be shown below in a section on a different misconception, though the final decision rests with the husband, it is through mutual consultation that decisions are best reached at.

While men are allowed to marry up to four wives, they are also commanded to meet the preconditions of being able to financially support them. They must also deal with each wife justly and fairly with respect to marital and economic obligations. Allah says in the Qur’an (translation),

[4:3] If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.

Moreover, women are allowed to reject any marriage proposal made to her by prospective suitors, thus if she does not feel she can abide by the rules of the Qur’an and Sunnah if she marries a certain person, she can reject his proposal. While it is irrelevant to Islam
, it is worthwhile to note that both Judaism and Christianity allow polygamy. The idea is not as foreign to the non-Muslims as is often claimed.

Finally, the wearing of the veil by women is also an illogical premise to claim that women are inferior to men. It is more appropriate to indict a society of female exploitation if it tolerates pornography rather than if it enforces the veil. Given that Allah is neither male nor female, given that He does not endear people to Himself based on their gender, given that the Creator cares about all of us male or female, given that the sexual and violent drive of men is stronger than that of women…given all this, it is illogical to cast a negative light on the following injunctions contained in the Qur’an (translation),

[33:59] O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not be annoyed…

[24:30-31] Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands…

On this misconception, there is a great deal more to write, most of it showing how current practices in many Muslim lands go against what the Qur’an and Sunnah have ordained, lands in which women are treated as property (unIslamic), are not educated (unIslamic), are forbidden their economic rights (unIslamic), and more. On this point in particular, we encourage everyone to consult the Qur’an and Sunnah before incriminating Islam. Always remember that Islam is a complete way of life from the Creator, and that Muslims are people who claim to follow that way of life. A Muslim may claim to follow Islam, but be wrong.

All of these came from the following Link

Only can Happen in a Democracy

April 6, 2006 / rubeel / 0 Comments

While reading BBC Urdu I came across the news article about Indian CBI(Indian FBI) arrested High ranking Army officials over misusing state secrets.

While reading this I just couldn’t stop thinking about if this could ever happen in Pakistan. I guess NOT.

We have to realize that the Army owns Pakistan, unless and until there is true democracy. Do you remember the time when once Police man tried to stop an Army Captain in Multan and he ended up being beaten severely or the case when some poor Police Man tried to stop an Army Colonel’s car for passing a Red Light (Although he was beaten by the driver as the colonel was not even there). So do we think that the Civil Administration or any Civil Department can ever investigate army personnel in Pakistan, I don’t think so.

It will be a great day if we ever can put the Military Brass in their right place. I am not against them, infect I did apply for commission in the Air force but never got into it. It seems that the system is so corrupted that it will need a big mandate and a decision on the part of the Pakistani, if they want this change.

Inshallah as Allah swt has said that he is the best planner so everything that is coming to pass for Pakistanis will eventually end up in betterment for the whole society. Inshallah

The News Article is here

Misconceptions about Islam

April 2, 2006 / rubeel / 0 Comments

Misconception 2

In Islam, denial of human rights is OK because:

Islam is against pure democracy
Islam tolerates slavery

The misconception does not follow from the reasons given, and the reasons ignore a great deal of information.

As stated earlier, Islam is a complete way of life. Given this, it is not surprising that the Creator is concerned with the method which we choose to govern ourselves. The preeminent rule which the Islamic state must observe is stated in the Qur’an (translation follows):

[4:59] O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day; That is best, and most suitable for final determination.

From this verse, it is clear that the state’s obligation of obedience to the Creator is as important as the obedience of the individual. Hence, the Islamic state must derive its law from the Qur’an and Sunnah. This principle excludes certain choices from the Islamic state’s options for political and economic systems, such as a pure democracy, unrestricted capitalism, communism, socialism, etc. For example, a pure democracy places the people above the Qur’an and Sunnah, and this is disobedience to the Creator. However, the best alternative to a pure democracy is a democracy that implements and enforces the Shari’ah (Islamic Law).

The Creator also states in the Qur’an (translated):

[42:36-38] So whatever thing you are given, that is only a provision of this world’s life, and what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and rely on their Lord, and those who shun the great sins and indecencies, and whenever they are angry they forgive, and those who respond to their Lord and keep up prayer, and their rule is to take counsel among themselves, and who spend out of what We have given them.

Allah orders us in this verse to conduct our matters by taking counsel among ourselves, or by consulting each other. This is the methodology of the Islamic state, to consult one another, but to always keep the Qur’an and Sunnah paramount. Any law which contradicts the Qur’an or Sunnah is unlawful. This broad principle of consultation is certainly wide enough to encompass a form of government where all are heard – in fact, encouraged to be heard. The early Islamic states were of this form. The petty governments of many `Muslim countries’ today do not apply this principle and in fact commit many crimes against the people.

As for slavery, Islam is unique among the `religions’ in its close attention to the peaceful removal of this practice. Before the advent of Islam, slavery was widespread all over the world. The Messenger of Islam taught us that freeing slaves was a great deed in the sight of Allah. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:

[3:46:693] Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever frees a Muslim slave, Allah will save all the parts of his body from the (Hell) Fire as he has freed the body-parts of the slave.” Said bin Marjana said that he narrated that Hadith to `Ali bin Al-Husain and he freed his slave for whom `Abdullah bin Ja’far had offered him ten thousand Dirhams or one-thousand Dinars.

Also from the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Malik’s Muwatta, we find:

[38:9:15] Narrated Aisha Ummul Mu’minin: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked what was the most excellent kind of slave to free. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, answered, “The most expensive and the most valuable to his master.”

The Creator has also made it easy for slaves to gain their freedom. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:

[3:46:704] Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever frees his portion of a common slave should free the slave completely by paying the rest of his price from his money if he has enough money; otherwise the price of the slave is to be estimated and the slave is to be helped to work without hardship till he pays the rest of his price.”

The condition of slavery is very different in Islam than the harsh conditions imposed by non-Muslims or disobedient Muslims. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sunan Abu-Dawud, we find:

[41:4957] Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (saw) said: None of you must say: “My slave” (abdi) and “My slave-woman” (amati), and a slave must not say: “My lord” (rabbi or rabbati). The master (of a slave) should say: “My young man” (fataya) and “My young woman” (fatati), and a slave should say “My master” (sayyidi) and “My mistress” (sayyidati), for you are all (Allah’s) slave and the Lord is Allah, Most High.

Also from the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:

[3:46:721] Narrated Al-Ma’rur bin Suwaid: I saw Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari wearing a cloak, and his slave, too, was wearing a cloak. We asked him about that (i.e. how both were wearing similar cloaks). He replied, “Once I abused a man and he complained of me to the Prophet. The Prophet asked me, `Did you abuse him by slighting his mother?’ He added, `Your slaves are your brethren upon whom Allah has given you authority. So, if one has one’s brethren under one’s control, one should feed them with the like of what one eats and clothe them with the like of what one wears. You should not overburden them with what they cannot bear, and if you do so, help them (in their hard job).”

As a result of the teachings of Islam, slavery was almost completely eradicated from many areas of the Muslim world, peacefully and without bloodshed.

All of these came from the following Link

Women of Pakistan

April 2, 2006 / rubeel / 0 Comments

Induction of Female fighter Pilots, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Well we couldn’t come up with anything else to empower women in Pakistan but to make 4 of them fighter pilots. I don’t disagree with this action but common this doesn’t do crap for Pakistani women. Islam has always given rights to women, so why don’t we start from allowing them have basic human rights. What do I mean by that you ask?

Well stuff like the following

1. Right to live a decent life.
2. Right to marry and ask for a divorce at will.
3. Right to work.
4. Right to question the society.
5. Right to live as a human being.

Ok I am sure you are thinking that what the heck are you saying, you have always written conservative religious crap but lemme assure the people here that I think the same till now.

The problem is that in Pakistan we have fused religion with Culture. If we look at the status of women during the time of the Prophet Pbuh. That society was much liberal than a lot of conservative societies nowadays and very conservative as compared to the liberal ones right now.
This means the golden middle path that Islam has always taught us and asks us to follow. Women have had rights from day one when Islam came and women were empowered to do all that is allowed in Islam. They did business, they had a say in their marriage, there were no honor killings, and they fought in wars but what has changed now in these times. What has changed is the corruption of religion in certain societies by the hand of culture. Some cultural aspects are very good but some are really bad and we see the bad one prevalent in Pakistani Culture.

The tradition of Karo Kari, honor killings, forced marriages, unable to divorce from a bad relationship, treatment of divorced or widows and so on. These have had no space in our culture but have come from the Hindu culture which was and still prevalent in sub continent. We try to compete with India in all acts of life, from being very progressive to TV vulgarism to Military might and so on.

Why do we do this because we tend to turn away from the core teachings of Islam? Islam teaches us all sort of good things but punishment for the bad things is also severe. The laws in Islam are very strict just to make sure those forbidden acts don’t happen. It has been made so easy to commit a sin rather than live a good pious life because the culture doesn’t let people so.

So I guess we await the day when we can decide that what do we actually want, The Islamic Republic of Pakistan or The Republic of Pakistan.

Let’s not cheat our selves.

Mortgaging Children to barely survive in Indian Kashmir

March 29, 2006 / rubeel / 0 Comments

BBC Link

Also this times of india link

Saw this report on BBC Urdu. Very depressing. India has become one of the biggest economies and leaders in Asia but after i read this article about how people in kashmir cannot afford to live and the govt doesnt help them, they have resorted to selling their childern. It is a very depressing story and reading that made me realise that life is not that sweet all the time.
I can sit here enjoy life when dilip singh from one of the villages had to get 12000 rupees against 2 of his kids. It is amazing to see when we always tend to see the sweet side of india all the time. we have the Lakme Fashion shows, India’s Booming IT industry and the strong 300 Million strong workforce and the economy that makes you wonder, but then we see tragic stories like this.
This not a one person selling their kids but it is a whole market setup. Not one two or three but quite a few families selling their kids for prices ranging from 2000 rupees to 15000 rupees.

This is utter disgusting and depressing.

Abdul Rahman and Islam

March 24, 2006 / rubeel / 0 Comments

Well let me clarify something. I am not in favor of killing anyone but If Afghanistan says the law is based on Shariah then what the Shariah says should be done.

One thing a lot of people don’t realize is that why interfere in some countries internal Affairs, Ohh well Afghanistan is already an American run country then they sure can. But if they preach Democracy and claim that Afghanistan is a democratic state then I guess they need to let the course of the law take its shape. I read quite a few blogs online about how savage is Islam and all that crap.

The God fearing Christians forget that it was them only who were part of the killing of thousands of people in the name of religion during the Crusades and Inquisitions. I never question the law of God as it has been in Islam. I would never do that and any respecting Muslim would also not question it. It is the law. If Abdur Rahman apostated and is proclaiming his faith just to incite people then he should be returned to Europe where he came from.

We need to realize that the case has been brought by his own family in the first place. It is not the government who arrested him just for that but he is the one who told repeatedly that he was a Christian and brought it on his own. It is like the case in USA right now. The law states if Zacarias Mossavi is responsible for the deaths of people then he should be put to death. No one will question that because the law states that. So in an Islamic country the law states that if a Muslim apostates then he is dealt according to the process.

It is funny we forget that US’s close allies like Saudi Arabia and quite a few of the rich oil states don’t allow preaching of any religion. Anyone caught preaching any other religion other than Islam is put in jail. So why be surprised about this afghan case. Hey if worse comes to worse, US can always use its covert ops teams to extract the dude. 🙂

Abdul Rahman

Modernism in Islam

March 24, 2006 / rubeel / 0 Comments

Came across this article about Modernism. Actual link is here

WHAT IS MODERNISM AND WHERE DID IT COME FROM?

We can relate, ideologically, the modernist movement spreading these days to one sect in the past. This sect is called the Muta’zila, which is dated back to the third Islamic century. Although those people accepted the Qur’an and Sunna they made ta’weel (their own interpretation of the Qur’an) and said ‘aql (intelligence) takes precedence over naql (guidance of the Prophet). However, this school died out. The modernist movement did not evolve from them, but they are very similar to them. The modernist movement actually originated in Europe (middle-ages). At the time when the scientific method came about in Spain, it was seen that what the church was teaching was not true. This led to a slow revolt. The basic view of modernism (in all religions)is that: the religion should change according to the circumstances, and that it is not fixed. There is no such thing as absolute truth. The Jewish and Christian modernist responce in Europe tried to explain how the religion was still relevant for the people. They made innovations to keep people interested in the religion (such as singing in church, introduced only in the 1900’s). They tried to say the divine and the human is mixed in the Bible and that the parts that are true must be the ones that are not out of date. Also, the religion is improving over time and there is no absolute truth in the Bible. This is the time in history when many Muslims were looking to Europe. This led to three choices for those Muslims: accept the West; reject the West; or mix the two (reform Islam). Those who followed the third (the modernist) developed in, and focused on: Turkey – because it was under British influence; and Egypt – because Al-Azhar was the seat of Islamic knowledge. The people of this modernist movement judge Islam according to their ‘aql. Some of their faults in regards to it are:

1) use it for things which it can’t comprehend;

2) refer everything to it: accept what agrees with it, reject what does not;

3) judge the revelation by it. However, Ahl As-Sunna Wal Jamaa’ believes that using the sound ‘aql should lead one to the conclusion that the Qur’an and the Prophet are true and that their teachings should take precedence over pure ‘aql.

Rest of the Article here

the undeclared wars in muslim asia

March 12, 2006 / rubeel / 0 Comments

Well I thought I will document the undeclared, below radar wars going on in the world. These are mostly IT wars and take place constantly online, in forums, sometimes spills out in real life also.

1. Shia Sunni:
Very evident it is happening in Iraq, Pakistan and quite a few places. Shias hate Sunnis and vice versa. It is also happening online, just visit any community related to shias on Orkut or sunnis, you will find evidence of such battles.

2. West and Muslim World
This one is also very clear with Iraq, Muslims fighting West’s presence in Iraq, also in Pakistan, Iran resisting US Pressure on Nuclear ambitions and so on. This was is not about religion but clash between values and societies, Their civilizations and cultures.

3. Islam and Christianity
This war has been on for quite a while. The influx of missionaries who try to convert people to Christianity and Muslims following suit. sometimes it erupts in bloody conflict like Lebanon or Nigeria.

4. India Pakistan
This is a proxy war which has been going on for a long time. With the Afghan conflict out of hand Pakistani still wage this undeclared war until God knows Who.

5. Saudi/Pakistan and Iran
To counter shia Islam the sunnis countries try to fight the shia Islam in Iran and now maybe Iraq. Iran has been sponsoring shia militancy in Pakistan for quite a while. Saudi Arabia has supported Sunni militant groups in Pakistan for a long time.

6. China and India
These two powers have had clashed once and now fight unconventional wars between each other. China supports Pakistan in its efforts to match India’s might and china also achieves its hidden agenda also against India at the same time.

7. America and China
The war of economy and communism vs. capitalism goes on. China is being fought now by helping India.

8. Israel and Muslim World
The centuries old conflict with Jerusalem in the middle and Israeli occupancy also happening at the same time. Israel has USA on its side and non one can beat them economically or militarily.

So He is dead

March 11, 2006 / rubeel / 0 Comments

I was reading about the death of Slobodan Milosevic today as I opened up BBC. Was I sorry that he died in the manner he did, in a prison cell. I don’t think so; I think it was a mercy for him to die like that without going thru the trial or the punishment. This will provide a closure for the families of the dead but not accountability for butchering thousands of innocents during his time.

He got a not well deserved Death today in his prison cell but I pray he Rots in Hell.

from MSNBC
Though the witness testimony is on public record, history will be denied the judgment of a panel of legal experts weighing the evidence of his personal guilt and the story of his regime.

“It is a pity he didn’t live to the end of the trial to get the sentence he deserved,” Croatian President Stipe Mesic said.

Indian Blasts in Banaras

March 8, 2006 / rubeel / 0 Comments

well the easiest way to implicate pakistan in anything is to have some kind of religious related terrorist act in india and blame it on LET. Well who knows who did that but all eyes are already on pakistan and LET. It is interesting to see that a Leading politician yesterday after the bombing said that it had traits of LET.

Lets investigate and then point fingers, rather than instigating the population and start a religious riot (ofcourse india is famous for that) but hey who is looking. All care about Islamist terrorism. I think they should look at Hinduists also :). well i can see this going the other way around that is to start another gujrat type riots to make the muslims realise that “Hey we are watching you. We can screw you anytime.”