The times they are a-changin’ and established norms and beliefs are now being challenged...
When people strongly believe in something, then sometimes, their minds become less receptive to factors that threaten to alter what they hold close to their hearts. This subconscious mind-play subjects people, and religious heads especially, to contend with the difficult tight-rope walk between religious diktats and changing mind-sets. Battling a similar situation, the Darululoom Deoband group, was recently in the news, allegedly for issuing a fatwa against women working alongside men without veiling themselves. The Darululoom Deoband is an Islamic school located in a town called Deoband in Uttar Pradesh. Founded in 1886 by renowned Muslim scholars, this school propagates Sunni Islam in the Indian sub-continent.
This injunction was vehemently condemned by liberal Muslim women around the country. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Darululoom Deoband, Maulana Abdul Khaliq Madrasi, however clarified, “We did issue a fatwa, which was based on the religious ruling, but it was an opinion meant to be personal and not to be issued for public interest. This fatwa was not for all women. It was for one person only.” The meaning of fatwa is also misunderstood by many. It’s said to be a legal pronouncement in Islam issued by religious specialists, but it is to be noted that the opinion of the religious specialist may or may not be followed by the advice seeker. Talking about the fatwa, Maulana Abdul further elaborated, “We keep getting a lot of letters where several problems of people have to be addressed. The fatwa department sends back the instruction issued by the clerics in a sealed envelope. Similarly, we had received a letter where a woman needed advice on what she should do to support her family. So, we issued a fatwa to her advising her to work in a place where there are women only and if not, then definitely do purdah (wear a burka).” On questioning him about a different statement issued in the media, Maulana Abdul shot back saying, “I don’t understand how this fatwa was leaked to the media. We have explained our stand that according to Islam, Muslim women cannot be together with men without purdah. Those who do not follow this are not true Muslims. But this is just a religious order. We can definitely not punish anyone who chooses not to follow the religious rules. We have issued several fatwas in the past. Our job is to give advice based on what Islam says. To follow it or not is up to the individual.”
Centuries-old rules pitted against evolving times are probably at the heart of this imbroglio. The Belgium government’s ban on the burka had created an uproar among Islamic groups. Says Maulana Abdul, “People should be allowed to do what they wish to, if it’s not causing any harm. How can you impose a ban on anything? This rule might be unacceptable to many Muslim women. This is also injustice. It’s unfair.” Well, true. But why should there always be resentment with acts of liberation? For instance, the controversies created around Sania Mirza’s skirt, Salman Khan attending Ganesh Puja, MF Hussain’s paintings, Shiv Sena bashing youngsters who celebrated Valentine’s Day. Then again when a lot of support came streaming in for the Muslim, Lebanese-born Miss USA, Rima Fakih, who paraded in a bikini on the ramp, there’s hope enough to believe all is not lost yet!
Every religion believes in peace and harmony and eventually it’s up to both, us and the custodians of every religion to let it not be misjudged and misunderstood.
For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.When people strongly believe in something, then sometimes, their minds become less receptive to factors that threaten to alter what they hold close to their hearts. This subconscious mind-play subjects people, and religious heads especially, to contend with the difficult tight-rope walk between religious diktats and changing mind-sets. Battling a similar situation, the Darululoom Deoband group, was recently in the news, allegedly for issuing a fatwa against women working alongside men without veiling themselves. The Darululoom Deoband is an Islamic school located in a town called Deoband in Uttar Pradesh. Founded in 1886 by renowned Muslim scholars, this school propagates Sunni Islam in the Indian sub-continent.
This injunction was vehemently condemned by liberal Muslim women around the country. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Darululoom Deoband, Maulana Abdul Khaliq Madrasi, however clarified, “We did issue a fatwa, which was based on the religious ruling, but it was an opinion meant to be personal and not to be issued for public interest. This fatwa was not for all women. It was for one person only.” The meaning of fatwa is also misunderstood by many. It’s said to be a legal pronouncement in Islam issued by religious specialists, but it is to be noted that the opinion of the religious specialist may or may not be followed by the advice seeker. Talking about the fatwa, Maulana Abdul further elaborated, “We keep getting a lot of letters where several problems of people have to be addressed. The fatwa department sends back the instruction issued by the clerics in a sealed envelope. Similarly, we had received a letter where a woman needed advice on what she should do to support her family. So, we issued a fatwa to her advising her to work in a place where there are women only and if not, then definitely do purdah (wear a burka).” On questioning him about a different statement issued in the media, Maulana Abdul shot back saying, “I don’t understand how this fatwa was leaked to the media. We have explained our stand that according to Islam, Muslim women cannot be together with men without purdah. Those who do not follow this are not true Muslims. But this is just a religious order. We can definitely not punish anyone who chooses not to follow the religious rules. We have issued several fatwas in the past. Our job is to give advice based on what Islam says. To follow it or not is up to the individual.”
Centuries-old rules pitted against evolving times are probably at the heart of this imbroglio. The Belgium government’s ban on the burka had created an uproar among Islamic groups. Says Maulana Abdul, “People should be allowed to do what they wish to, if it’s not causing any harm. How can you impose a ban on anything? This rule might be unacceptable to many Muslim women. This is also injustice. It’s unfair.” Well, true. But why should there always be resentment with acts of liberation? For instance, the controversies created around Sania Mirza’s skirt, Salman Khan attending Ganesh Puja, MF Hussain’s paintings, Shiv Sena bashing youngsters who celebrated Valentine’s Day. Then again when a lot of support came streaming in for the Muslim, Lebanese-born Miss USA, Rima Fakih, who paraded in a bikini on the ramp, there’s hope enough to believe all is not lost yet!
Every religion believes in peace and harmony and eventually it’s up to both, us and the custodians of every religion to let it not be misjudged and misunderstood.
Spriha Srivasatava
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2010.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
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