Tag Archive | "women in islam"

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Definition of Hijab

Posted on 13 February 2012 by Tea Server



It is very clear that it is mandatory for every Muslim to understand his/her faith the correct way. This means to have authentic knowledge of Islam based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah so that we can follow what Allah I and His Messenger r have commanded us to do and refrain ourselves from committing sins because of disobedience.
The best way to learn and practice Islam correctly is by knowing and understanding at least the correct meaning of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad r in Arabic, if not learning the language of the Qur’an itself. We have to understand that no matter how much efforts were put to translate the meanings of the Holy Qur’an, the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad r or the right deductions by the renown Muslim scholars of these two revealed sources of knowledge and guidance to other languages there will always be errors because of misinterpretation of the meanings of the words. 
It is in this context that I tried to give the real/explicit meaning of the word “Hijab” in Arabic. If we look at the meaning of the word “Hijab” in the dictionary we learn that the word means “veil”, “screen”, “cover(ing)” or “curtain” (see Al Mawrid: A Modern Arabic English Dictionary, 1992 p. 453). The meaning of the word “Hijab” becomes more clear to mean “covering” which also means “veil” as Allah I Himself uses the term. As stated in the Qur’an Allah I tells us Allah which meaning of is translated as:

“It is not given to any human being that Allah should speak to him unless (it be) by Revelation, or from behind a veil.” ( 42:51). From the above verse, Allah I clearly mentions the word Hijab(veil) to mean covering. He makes it very clear to us that no one has spoken to Him directly face to face while seeing His face but there was always a Hijab (covering or veil) between Him and the one who spoke to Him. In fact, even Prophet Muhammad r Allah’s Prophet and Messenger to the whole mankind did not see Allah I. After Allah I honored the Prophet r to have ascended to the highest Heaven, and given him the privilege to speak to Himself, one of his Companions asked him whether he has seen Allah I.

The following authentic Hadith tells us: Abi-dhar t narrated that he asked Allah’s Messenger r: “Did you see your Rubb (Sustainer)?” He r replied, which meaning of is translated as:”I saw light.” (Reported by Muslim). Also Aishah said: “ If anyone tells you that Muhammad r has seen his Rubb (Sustainer), he is a liar for Allah said, which meaning of is translated as:‘No vision can grasp Him’ (6:103).” (Reported by Al-Bukhari). Another verse, in chapter Al-Mutaffifin, verse 15, Allah I uses the word Hijab when He says, which meaning of is translated as:

“Nay! Surely they (evil-doers) will be veiled from seeing their Rubb(Lord) that Day.” In the above verse, Allah I explains how the Kafiroon (Disbelievers) will be veiled (covered) from seeing Allah. Note that the word used here by Allah is “Mahjoboon” which comes from the verb “Hajaba” which means “prevent from seeing”. In another verse, Allah I says, which meaning of is translated as:

“And when you (Muhammad) recite the Qur’an, We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, an invisible Hijab (veil or covering).” (17:45) The word Hijab in this verse means ‘O Muhammad you will not be seen by the Kafiroon (Disbelievers) when you recite the Qur’an.

Note that the the above verse (17:45) was revealed as the result of the following incident in the life of the Prophet r: Narrated Sa’ead bin Jubairt “When Chapter 111 was revealed, the wife of Abu Lahab came looking for the Prophet r while he was sitting with Abu Baker t. Abu Baker t said to the Prophet r: “I prefer you hide from her or leave as she is coming for you and she might harm you.” The Prophet r said which the meaning of is translated as: ‘There will be a screen set between her and I.” So, she did not see him…” (Reported by Abu Ya’ala). In brief, as stated in the Qur’an, the word Hijab means to veil or cover something from being seen by others, so when we say that the Muslim woman must wear Hijab, we mean that she must cover her face so as not to be seen by men who are not her mahram (those whom she is forbidden to marry permanently and her husband).
It does not mean, the way some Muslims understand, that Hijab means covering the woman’s hair only because if the word Hijab means covering the hair only, then when Allah stated in the Qur’an in chapter 42 verse 51 that no one will be spoken to by Allah except behind Hijab, it would mean that they will see His Face, which is absolutely incorrect. Indeed, in this world no one has seen Allah I. Even Prophet Moses and Prophet Muhammad r whom Allah I has given the privilege to speak with did not see the Almighty. However, in the eternal world, Allah I will reward the Muslim Believers to see Him, which is then the supreme success and Allah will be pleased with them and they will be pleased with Him as He said in the Qu’ran, which meaning of is translated as:

“For those who have done good is the best (reward, i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honor of glancing at the countenance of Allah).” (10:26). In line with the above Qur’anic Verse are Ahadith that tell us that Allah I will reward the righteous Believers the highest honor and privilege to see His Face. This means He will unveil His Face (remove his Hijab or covering). One of these Ahadith is the following: ‘Abdullah ibn Umar narrated that Allah’s Messenger r said , which meaning of is translated as:

“The lowest in station among the inhabitants of Paradise will be he who looks at his gardens, his wives, his bliss, his servants, and his couches stretching a thousand years’ journey, and the one who will be most honored by Allah will be he who looks at His face morning and evening.” He then recited, “Faces on that day will be bright, looking at their Rubb (Sustainer).” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi). Proofs of the Obligation of Hijab For the enlightenment of all Muslims, let us know the concrete proofs from the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah on the obligation of Hijab for Muslim women. First let us try to understand fully what the Qur’an says about the required Hijab for women. Then, let us know the proofs from the reported Sunnah that are authentic. In other words let the words of Allah I and His Messenger r guide us as to how women in Islam must be covered. In this way, we get divine guidance that will unite our different arguments/positions on the issue of Hijab for women. Proofs from the Qur’an

First Proof:

Allah I said in the Qur’an, which meaning of is translated as:

‘And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protact their privet parts (from illegal sexaul acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.) and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks, and bosoms, etc) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers, or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam) or the (female) slaves whom their right hands posses, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. 

And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers that you may be successful’ (24:31). In the above verse, there are three proofs of the obligation of Hijab (covering the woman’s face):

A) Allah’s saying, which meaning of is translated as:

“And not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent.” Here Allah forbids the women to show off their adornment absolutely except that which is apparent, such as their outer clothes, this is the interprtation of Abdullah bin Mas’aud of this verse. Also, looking at this verse, we see that Allah stated:“Except only that which is apparent” and He did not state: “Except only that which they expose”’ because what is exposed is something you cannot hide but what appears is under your control, you can hide it if you wish to do so and you can show it off if you wish; so, woman can only show off their outer clothes because they cannot hide them even if they wish.


B) Allah’s saying, which meaning of is translated as:

“And to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their body, face, necks and bosoms).” The woman’s veil is what she puts over her head, so if she is ordered to draw her veil all over her body starting from the head ending at the toes, then her face will be the first part of her body to be covered. Also it is common sense that the beauty of the woman is her face, so how would Allah I command the woman to draw her veil over her body to prevent others from looking at her beauty and at the same time He will permit her to expose her face? This is logically senseless. ·
C) Allah’s saying, which meaning of is translated as:

“And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment.” During the pre-Islamic period, women used to wear anklets and they would stamp their feet on the ground to develop a sound with their anklets in order to attract the attention of men, so Allah I made it forbidden on Muslim women to do this act . If women are forbidden to stamp their feet on the ground to avoid infatuating men, then how about exposing their face?. So which is more attractive to men, to hear the sound of the anklets or to see the woman’s face?. Obviously the face of the woman is more attractive. Given this reality, how could it be possible to permit women to expose their faces where at the same time they are forbidden to stamp their feet?. This is a very clear proof that the woman’s face must be covered whenever strange men or non-mahram are present.

Second Proof:

Allah said in the Qur’an, which meaning of is translated as:

“O prophet! Tell your wives, and your daughters, and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”’(33:59).

The purpose of the revelation of this verse is that the women at the Prophet’s time used to walk outside Al-Madinah when they had to answer the call of nature because they did not have restrooms in their homes and there were some wrong-doers who used to follow the women slaves when they walk outside the town to answer the call of nature and harass them. There were cases, however, when they would harass the free women thinking they were slaves, so Allah I revealed this verse to command the Prophet’s wives, daughters, and the believing women to cover themselves in order to be distinguished from the slaves women. Ibn Katheir said regarding this verse: “Allah I commanded His Messenger r to order the believing women especially His wives and daughters for their honour, to draw cloaks on themselves to be distinguished from the non-Muslim women and women slave.” The word “Jilbab” (cloak) means the cover over the veil (yashmak), according to the following interpreter of Qur’an: Ibn Mas’aud, Obidah, Qatadah, Al-Hasan Al-Basrey, Sa’eid bin Jubair, Ibrahim Anna’kahy, and Atta Al-Kahrasany. Narrated Alli bin Aby Talhah, that Ibn abbas said “ Allah I has commanded the believing women when they leave their houses for a necessity to cover their faces”. Mohammad bin Seareen (a great scholar) said, I asked Obidah As-Slmany about the meaning of Allah’s saying : (Draw their cloaks all over their bodies), so he covered his face and head while exposing his left eye. Also many Muslim scholars such as Abu Baker Arrazy (died on 370H), Emmad Ad-Deen At-Tabri (died on 516H) Imam Al-Bagawi (died on 516H), Ibn Al-Jawzy in his Tafseer (explanation) of Qur’an (died on 597H), Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiah (died on 728H) and many other scholars said the meaning of this verse is for the woman to cover her face when non-mahram men are present. With all of these proofs, we see that this verse, with no doubt, means that the Muslim woman must wear a Hijab (covering or veil) so as to cover her whole body from head to toes.

Third Proof:

Allah I said in the Qur’an, which meaning of is translated as:

“And when you ask them (the Prophet’s wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen. That is pure for your hearts and for their hearts.” (33:53) This verse, which was revealed in the fifth year after Hijrah, tells us that Hijab means covering all parts of the body including the face and there is no dispute between the scholars that this verse means covering the face with the rest of the body. But the dispute is about one issue whether this verse is restricted only to the wives of the Prophet r?. Or is it for all Muslim women?. Imam At-Tabri, the greatest Scholar of the Qur’an Tafseer (explanation), stated in his Book of Tafser regarding this verse “When you ask the Prophet’s wives and the believing women whom are not your wives, ask them from behind a Hijab (veil) and do not enter their homes (while they are inside the house alone), this is purer for your hearts and their hearts”. So this verse is a rule, which is not for the Prophet’s wives only but for all Muslim women. This verse (33:53) and verse (33:59) have one relation, that is, in verse 33:53 Allah I stated , which meaning of is translated as:

“And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen”, the scholars agreed that this verse means that the Prophet’s wives must cover their bodies including the faces and in verse 33:59 Allah I stated, which meaning of is translated as:” O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks(veils) all over their bodies” commanding the Prophet r to tell his wives, daughters, and the believing women to cover themselves. The point here is, how could we say that in verse 33:53 it means that the Prophet’s wives must cover their faces and in verse 33:59 it means they have to cover their bodies except their faces and the hands? If we say this, then we mean that the Qur’an means one thing in one verse and means another thing in other verse where both verses concern the same rule. To confine our interpretation of the said verses in this kind of thinking is absolutely wrong because the verses in the Qur’an confirm each other and not to contradict each other.

Fourth Proof:

Allah I said in the Qur’an, which meaning of is translated as: “And as for women past child bearing who do not expect wed-lock, it is no sin on them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment. But to refrain (i.e not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them. And Allah is All Hearer, All Knower.” (24:60). The proof in this verse, is that Allah I had negated the sin on the old women (those who had past childbearing age and have no attraction to men) if they discard their outer clothes under the condition that they do not show their adornment. It is obvious that the meaning of this verse is to discard the outer clothing but not all the clothing because she will be nude. So the elderly women can expose their faces and hands (in the presence of men who are stranger or non-mahram) if they wish but if they refrain on showing their faces it is better for them. Imam At-Tabri stated, when Allah I said, which meaning of is translated as:

‘It is no sin on them if they discard their outer clothing’, it means there is no sin on them if they discard their veils and their gowns (abaya). Also Imam Abu Ya’ala said “In this verse there is a proof that it is permissible for the elderly women to expose their faces and hands in the presence of men but not their hair because it is forbidden on them as it is forbidden on young women.” Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz said regarding this verse “Allah informs that the elderly women who are not in the interest of marriage (because of their old age) are not to be counted for misdemeanor for removing their clothes (coverings or veils) off their faces and hands as long as they are not exposing their adornments” .

So it is clear to understand from this point that the elderly women who are allowed to expose their faces and hands must still observe modesty by not exposing their adornments. It must be noted that Allah I has encouraged them to observe Hijab (full covering of their bodies which includes covering of their faces) when He I says, which meaning of is translated as:

“But to refrain (not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them.”. If Allah I has encouraged elderly women (who by nature do not appear attractive to men) not to remove their veils (covering) from their faces, so how about young and pretty women 

**********

Comments (0)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why Hijab is Necessary in Islam

Posted on 13 February 2012 by Tea Server



Until the Imperialists invaded Muslim Countries and the Muslims started mixing with non-believers, all our Muslim women walked in this world with great respect and dignity. The non-believers were finding it very difficult to come anywhere near the border of our Muslim sisters purity. The Hijab (Islamic dress for women) did not only protect them from those evil eyes of non-believers but also gave them freedom and independence from being misused by them.

The non-believers planned to destroy their barrier through removal of Hijab (Hejab, Hijaab) and unfortunately, many of our sisters, without realizing what shame and destruction they were bringing to themselves, removed the Hijab (Muslim Veil) and exposed themselves.

When imperialists invaded China, they were not faced with Hijab but were confronted with other obstacles and the Chinese refused to co-operate with them. In order to crush this resistance, the imperialists flooded China with opium and made it available to the Chinese free of charge. Once the Chinese were addicted, free distribution of opium ceased and it was given only to those who fulfilled their demands.

Hijab StoriesRemoval of the Hijab had exactly the same effect. At one time, you were independent and lived with dignity, but now you are nothing but a slave of your evil desire and behave worse than a Kafir (infidel). By removing your Hijab (An Act of Faith), you have destroyed your faith. Islam means submission to Allah (SWT) in all our action. Those who refused submission cannot be called Muslims. 
Allah (SWT) states in Holy Qur’an: “And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known; and turn to Allah all of you, O believers! So that you may be successful.” Holy Qur’an (24:31)

Also, Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) says: Modesty is the symbol of faith and whoever has no modesty (Hijab), has no religion.

There are many sisters who have failed to understand the actual meaning of Hijab.

To observe proper Hijab is to dress up oneself modestly and appropriately covering all parts of body except face and forearms, without showing one’s figure or curves and without using any sort of make-up.

Allah (SWT) has given equal rights to both men and women; He forbids either sex claiming supremacy over the other.

Allah (SWT) states in Holy Qur’an: “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” Holy Qur’an (49:13)

Hijab is one of the righteous deeds and it is a sign of honor and equality with men and stands as a shield of protection against evil man.

The woman in Islam is bestowed with respect and honour and a Muslim gives great importance to his wife. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) Hadith says the best of you are those who are best in resting their wives.

The status of wife is so respectable that she is not bound to do any house-hold work unless she does it willingly and with affection; but if her husband forces her to do any work; he will have to answer to Allah (SWT) for his conduct. Also, she is not bound to earn and maintain the house of her husband. Her work shall always conform to the laws of Islam (Shariat). Unlike the Western world, the Muslim wife is a queen in her husband’s house. The first thing a husband does for his wife is to provide a servant and a cook according to his ability and when she becomes a mother, she receives greatest respect from her husband. Contrary to this, is considered a sin by Allah (SWT).

One of the most common phrases in Islam is the ‘Paradise lies at the feet of the mother’. And Allah (SWT) states in Holy Qur’an: “And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) “Ugh” nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word.” Holy Qur’an (17:23)

Allah (SWT) has given great impedance to women and for that reason He orders their children to address them in terms of honor.

What kind of dignity a non-believer has by the way; they conduct their life and expose themselves. They have removed the shield of protection, that modesty of Hijab and left themselves unprotected and that is the cause for the assault, which takes place once every ten seconds in rape and murder around the world. But those true Muslims who observe proper Hijab are protected from such assaults and not one ease or this type is ever heard of.

Moreover Hijab also gives the women an air of authority, dignity and respect, which a non-believer can never claim to possess. Only those who are well behaved can expect admiration and high esteem from others and definitely, those who try to attract men can never be called a well-behaved person.

Those who reject Hijab and wish to attract men are suffering from inferiority complex. They believe men are superior and in order to overcome this feeling, they use their feminine charms. But why should a Muslim woman have such a feeling when she is fully aware of her equality with men?

Hijab, therefore, has such benefits as a guard against any assault, equality with men, air of respect and honor and most important of all, obedience to Allah (SWT) which is equivalent to blood of martyr. Hijab requires women to avoid any sort of attraction to men.

We have many Muslims sisters who are more concerned to please themselves and their non-believer friends than Allah (SWT). Let us not forget the purpose of our existence, which is to cultivate love and affection for Allah in our heart and not for anything else. How can we create that love when we disobey Him? Adoration and affection come from the heart and those who truly love Allah (SWT) will not do anything contrary to this.

Some of our sisters come up with the excuse that the non-believers laugh at them if they observe Hijab and they feel degraded. They may laugh for a little while but after some time, they will have no choice but to respect the Muslim women observing Hijab for their discipline and principles which could not be shaken by their little laugh.

Let us not forget the famous phrase: He who laughs last laughs the longest.

A Muslim sister lives for the future and not for the day; we can all look forward to be in Heaven for believing and obeying Allah (SWT).

Hijab is one of the commandments of Allah (SWT). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that those women who do not observe proper Hijab are blatantly defying the commandment of Allah (SWT). Ahlul Bayt (as) suffered hardships and offered unparalleled sacrifices to bring original Islam to us. Discarding Hijab puts their sacrifices in vain. And the pleasure of Allah (SWT) is the greatest bliss. But for those who disobeyed, what punishment is awaiting them but Hell-Fire!

*************

Comments (0)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This is not Prophet Muhammad’s Islam

Posted on 23 November 2011 by Tea Server

By Manzer Munir for Pakistanis for Peace

The steady stream of negative news about the twisted way Islam is being practiced around the world seems to never end. In my view, it is not how the Prophet would have wanted his followers to behave.

Just when I thought I was beginning to get used to the ridiculousness of the news coming out of Saudi Arabia, where a religious edict is trying to force women there with beautiful eyes to  completely cover up their face in order to stop the temptation of the men, along comes the grim news of Gulnaz  from Afghanistan. If you are not familiar with Gulnaz’s story, let me give you the facts.

Two years ago, in 2009, Gulnaz, a 19 year old single girl who lived with her elderly mother in Afghanistan, was brutally raped by her cousin’s husband. To describe the events, she recalls that on this day, the rapist came into her house when her mother left for a brief visit to the hospital. ”He had filthy clothes on as he does metal and construction work. When my mother went out, he came into my house and he closed doors and windows. I started screaming, but he shut me up by putting his hands on my mouth,” she said.

Afterwards, she hid what had happened out of shame and fear, as shockingly there is no difference seen between women who are raped and women who commit actual adultery.  In Afghanistan and in many conservative Muslim countries, any sex outside marriage, whether the guilty party is single or married is considered adultery by the society and the justice system.

A few weeks after her rape, she began to vomit and started showing signs of pregnancy with her attacker’s child. Instead of sympathy and proof of her ordeal, she was charged and found guilty of adultery by the courts and for having sex outside marriage and was sentenced to twelve years in prison. She has already served two years and even gave birth to her rapist’s child, a little girl, in Kabul’s Badam Bagh jail where sadly, her innocent daughter is being raised in captivity alongside the unfortunate mother.

Rather than being freed from jail and given justice for her painful ordeal, the only way out of the dishonor of rape or adultery for her is incredibly only by marrying her attacker. In Afghan culture, and indeed in most Muslim communities, this is believed to be the only way to restore a woman’s honor, by marrying the man who she had sex with, damned be the fact whether it was willingly or unwillingly!

Sadly in many Muslim countries, rape remains a common form of violence against women. In addition, women are often blamed for being the victim of rape. Islam however, views rape as a violent crime against the victim, against society, and against God. The perpetrator who commits a crime is morally and legally responsible for that crime and should be held accountable. The victim, who is an unwilling partner in the sex act and so should bear neither blame nor stigma associated with the unfortunate act. To either ostracize or condemn the victim because she was compelled to engage in sexual intercourse is against the laws of Islam since the victim was an unwilling, and therefore a blameless, participant.

As common as her story and circumstances are for a woman in Afghanistan, the world has only learned of it due to a chance foreign documentary.  Gulnaz’s ordeal came to light because of a dispute between filmmakers and the European Union who hired the crew to film a documentary on the improving situation of women’s rights in Afghanistan and the assistance that the EU has been providing in the better treatment of women in the country. It was only when the documentarians came across her story and the grave injustice being done to Gulnaz and indeed by some accounts, hundreds of women across Afghanistan in similar circumstances, that the EU decided to cancel the project out of fear of harming their relations with Afghan government and institutions. Officially the EU states that it fears for the safety of the women in the film as they could be identified and face reprisals but many human rights organizations believe it is due to the fact that the film shows Afghan justice system in a poor light and the EU is concerned about the Afghan government’s sensitivities to the situation. It is despicable that the EU is more concerned with the sensitivities of the Afghan government rather than fighting for justice for Gulnaz.

Customs such as these in Afghanistan or the recent religious ruling in Saudi Arabia warning women to cover their attractive eyes, or the continued religious persecution of Christians and other minorities in Pakistan through the egregious blasphemy laws as seen in the case of Aasia Bibi, only serve to illustrate to many within and outside Islam the tremendous challenges that exist in what is right and what is logically very wrong and goes against all sense of justice and common sense, not to mention the very essence of Islam.

I am certainly not arguing for making any changes in the Quran or interpretations of religious text or any wholesale revisions whatsoever. That would not only be blasphemous but also counterproductive and unnecessary. Furthermore,  a big part of the beauty of our religion stems from the fact that it has remained unchanged as we Muslims believe that mutations and changes in both the Bible and the Torah necessitated the need for a third Abrahamic religion, Islam,  to arrive some 1400+ years ago to “set the record straight” after all the changes over the years in the two earlier Holy Books. Instead, I believe the only thing that needs to occur is the realization amongst the leaders and countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) that in this day and age, there are certain rights and freedoms that should be guaranteed to citizens of all countries of the world and this does not require any changes in the great religion but rather some simple changes in the current laws.

Aristotle once said that “You can judge a nation by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens”. You could be a Hindu or a Christian in Pakistan, a woman in Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia or a homosexual or transgendered person in Iran, you do not deserve to lose your life or liberty under the guise of religious laws. Allah almighty is a just and fair God in Islam, just as he is in the Christian and Jewish faiths. He most certainly would never condone the treatment of Gulnaz, Aasia Bibi and countless other poor souls who are being mistreated under the banner of Islam.

I am not a religious scholar and nor do I profess to know everything I need to know about Islam, Christianity and many other religions. Some may even question my faith and belief in calling myself Muslim simply because I am asking these tough questions, and in their version of Islam, you never question, you simply obey. Lest they forget, Islam also clearly states to seek knowledge and to be just and fair and respectful of other religions.  “Surely those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabians and the Christians whoever believes in Allah and the last day and does good — they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.” (Quran 5:69)

I am however certain that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would indeed be very upset with the current state of affairs of most Muslim countries when it comes to morality, religious freedoms,  respect for other religions and the treatment of women. Sadly, I do not see the changes necessary coming into being voluntarily by these nations, I believe it is incumbent of the benefactors of these nations, such as the United Nations, United States, the European Union, China and other trading partners, to push for better treatment of women and religious minorities in many Muslim countries of the world.  It is high time that they pressure these nations into enacting basic rights and freedoms for all people, regardless of their race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. It must become a precursor to being a part of the civilized nations of the world and in being a member of the world community of nations. Freedom after all is what the Arab Spring is all about!

-Manzer Munir, a proud American of Pakistani descent, is a practicing Sufi Muslim and member of Muslims for Progressive Values, he is also the founder of Pakistanis for Peace and blogs at www.PakistanisforPeace.com as well at other websites as a freelance journalist and writer.

Filed under: Afghanistan, All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, American Muslims, Arab, blasphemy laws, Freedoms, Islam, Manzer Munir, Muslims, Pakistan, Pakistani Christians, Pakistanis, Pakistanis for Peace, Saudi Arabia, US Commission on International Religious Freedom, Veil Tagged: Aasia Bibi, Abrahamic Faith, adultery, Afghan Women, Afghanistan, Allah, Asia Noreen, blasphemy laws, Christianity, EU, Gulnaz, Hinduism, Iran, Islam, Jesus Christ, Judaism, Manzer Munir, Muslim World, Muslims, OIC, Organization of Islamic Conference, Pakistan, Pakistanis for Peace, Prophet Muhammad, rape, Religious Tolerance, Saudi Arabia, Sharia Laws, Sufi, United States, Veils, Women in Islam, Women’s rights

Syndicated from: Pakistanis for Peace

Comments (0)

Register your blog:

Enter your blog address below to become a part of the TeaBreak network.

About TeaBreak:

TeaBreak.pk is a blog aggregator that syndicates pakistani blogs and categorizes them appropriately. Our mission is to give our readers a break from work and let them enjoy their blog time. And we are doing this by bringing all the popular blogs of Pakistan on one platform.