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Maulana Wahiduddin Khan rips through traditional views about women in Islam
Submitted by admin4 on 30 November 2009 - 12:40pm.
By Yoginder Sikand, TwoCircles.net,
Director of the New Delhi-based Centre for Peace and Spirituality, editor of the monthly Al-Risala journal and author of almost two hundred books, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is one of India’s best known Islamic scholars. In this interview with Yoginder Sikand, he talks about issues related to Islam and women.
You have written extensively on the issue of Islam and women. Contrary to many traditional ulema, you argue the case for gender equality in Islam. How does your approach differ from that of most traditionalist scholars?
The approach of the traditionalists is based largely on the corpus of medieval fiqh, while my understanding is based on a direct reading of the principal or original sources of Islam—the Quran and the authentic Hadith. The former, by and large, uphold what can be called the Muslim cultural tradition that developed in the medieval period of Muslim history. So, I would call mine a scriptural approach and theirs a cultural approach.
Take, for instance, the institution of the burqa, which many traditionalists stress as essential for Muslim women. The burqa is part of Muslim culture, but is not mentioned or advocated in the Quran. Another example is the traditionalist ulema’s insistence that women and un-related men cannot, or should not, talk to each other, on the grounds that, so they say, a woman’s voice is aurah, or something to be kept concealed from such men. This notion is absent in the original sources of Islam. In fact, there are many hadith reports that tell us that there was considerable intellectual exchange between men and women at the time of the Prophet. For instance, Ayesha, one of the wives of the Prophet, regularly spoke to or addressed many of the Prophet’s Companions, on a vast range of issues. They used to come to her for guidance and discussion. According to one report, whenever the Companions faced a problem to which they could find no answer they would approach Ayesha. So, how, then, can it be said that a woman’s voice is aurah?
I am not aware of any authentic hadith that describes a woman’s voice as aurah. If the traditionalists have any such proof of their claim, they must offer it. But even supposing, hypothetically, they are able to come up with such proof, we need to redefine or reinterpret it in the present context, and also by taking account the accepted principle, recognised by Islamic scholars, that sometimes ‘necessity makes the unlawful lawful’. We are living in a vastly different age today, where there is simply no escape from hearing the voice of women!
Many traditionalist scholars often cite a Quranic verse that describes men as the qawwam of their wives to argue that this means that men are their superiors and that women must be subordinate to them. How do you interpret the term qawwam?
It is a universal principle that everywhere—in government, in a business, in a school or whatever—there has to be a manager to handle practical affairs or else there will be chaos. This applies to the family also. This role of manager of affairs is what is actually meant by qawwam. It does not at all imply subordination or degradation, or any sort of hierarchy. Rather, it is simply a formula for overall management and administration of the family. In my own home my daughter is the qawwam. She runs the affairs of the house. She is the manager of the house. So, it does not mean that a woman cannot be the qawwam of her house.
Unfortunately, many scholars translate the term qawwam to mean that the man is the hakim or ruler of the house, as if he can be some sort of dictator. Many Quranic commentaries give a completely wrong interpretation of the term. Some go to the extent of describing husbands as the majazi khuda or ‘symbolic god’ of their wives. This is really a sign of deep-rooted patriarchy and deviation from Islamic teachings. It is a biddat or wrongful innovation
We have the model of the Prophet Muhammad to explain the correct meaning of the term qawwam. His first wife Khadjiah looked after him when he was in distress. He worked for her, in the business that she ran. He took the advice of another of his wives, Umm Salamah, on many issues, contrary to some Muslim scholars, who argue, without any convincing proof, that a Muslim man may take the advice of his wife but must do precisely the opposite of what she recommends. The Quran also approvingly mentions the case of the Queen of Sheeba, who was the ruler of Yemen.
One can cite several other examples to suggest that the Quran does not call for women’s subordination to men, unlike what some traditionalist Muslim scholars as well as critics of Islam claim, and contrary to what their rendering of the term qawwam suggests. Thus, for instance, although the Caliph Umar issued a fatwa calling upon women not to pray in mosques, his wife refused to listen to him and he could not stop her because that was her Islamic right. Barirah, the wife of Mughis, a Companion of the Prophet, once came to the Prophet in order to seek a divorce from her husband. The Prophet advised her against this, to which she responded by asking him if that was his personal opinion or the command of God. When the Prophet replied that it was his own view, she told him that she did not agree, and so the Prophet arranged for her to be separated from her husband.
Traditionalist scholars (as well as critics of Islam) contend that the Quran allows husbands to beat (dharaba) their wives if they are disobedient. How do you respond to this argument?
The dharaba that the Quran refers to is simply a token pat, not wild hitting. One hadith report suggests that this should be done with a tooth-stick (miswak), which implies that it is not meant to be any sort of serious beating. According to another hadith report, contained in the Masnad of Imam Ahmad, no prophet ever beat his wives. Sometimes, the Prophet Muhammad had problems with some of his wives but yet he never beat them.
The Deobandi-dominated All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) projects itself as the sole authority as regards Muslim Personal Law matters (most of which impinge on Muslim women) in India. What do you feel about this organization, particularly its stance on Muslim women’s issues?
The claim that the AIMPLB is the spokesman of all the Muslims of India is completely false. In fact, it does not have any mass base. It is, to my mind, just a bunch of maulvis who have put a stamp on themselves, projecting themselves as leaders while they have little contact with the masses. They might represent just themselves, but certainly not all or most of the Indian Muslims.
Permit me to say this, but I regard the traditionalist maulvi class as, to a very large extent, responsible for the backwardness of the Muslims of this country—and not just as far as women’s issues are concerned. They have little knowledge of the complexities of the contemporary world and so cannot address modern problems or interpret Islam in a manner that would appeal to modern minds. But, I see signs of change all around now. Increasingly, Muslims are refusing to listen to those fatwas of theirs which they find outlandish, and are marching ahead in the race for modern education. Even the sons of leading maulvis are choosing not to become traditional maulvis but, instead, are entering universities. I hope that augurs well for the future and that modern-educated Muslim scholars would be in a better position to interpret Islamic teachings, including about women, in a proper manner.
PS: Several English writings of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan are available on the Internet. See http://www.alrisala.org and http://www.cpsglobal.org
[Photo by www.bbc.co.uk]
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Maulana Wahiduddin Khan comments on "Qawwam"
I am astonished to read Maulana's comments re "Qawwam". Whatever may be the meaning or right interpretation of the Word "Qawwam", Allah has made men Qawwam over women. However Maulana has the audacity to say that in his house he made his daughter "Qawwam". He or any one else has every right to make any one incharge to run the house or family affair, there is nothing wrong with it. However no one should say i have made woman Qawwam contrary to what is ordained in Quran.
Though Maulana is a great scholar, he is known to be a mouthpiece of the government and secular parties and does not represent the interest of the Muslim community nor loved by them.
AIMPLB is a great Organization of Muslims and for Maulana to denigrate is regrettable. it seems with age he has lost his marbles.
Dr Khan.UK
Women issues need fresh looks
Maulana is made some good points regarding womens issues I think we need to take it positively and give fresh look to it.
But I dont agree with Maulana that MPB is having no touch with masses. JIH, JUI and Jamiat Aheledis Amirs are on the Board as Gen. Secretary of MPB and they are very much in masses. We can say this is the only Ijtamiat remain in indian muslims. How ever there is need to take other muslim intellgisia in MPB, or till new leadership will not emerge this is authentic board, even the Govt. accept them as muslim leaders and invited them talk.
Yogindar Sikand right that Deobandi thinks they are the only sole authority to talk about islam, i think baralvis, ahlehadis also think that they are the one who have authoity. And in the process they all missed the largest silent majority who are not from anyo f them they are just simply muslim.
Nothing objectionable about Maulana's views
Dear Muslim brothers,(Muslim sisters hardly seem interested in commenting on this issue), I happened to read the 'Comments' section of this article before reading the interview itself. Going by the negative comments that I saw in this section, about Maulana Wd and his opinions or the comments on his past life, I was almost convinced that the Maulana had said something controversial/ ill-meaning in this interview.
As a devout Muslimah, striving to follow all aspects of Islam and ever ready to defend Islam against its covert and overt enemies, I read the interview with almost a biased mind. But to my surprise I did not find anything objectionable and to my disappointment I found that Maulana Tawfiq Chaudhary's observation (that "The specific heat of Muslims happens to be quite low" ) is quite evident in the negative comments/ heated reaction to such a (in my opinion) straightforward non-controversial issue.
It appears to me that the Maulana is not against modest and 'appropriate' dressing of women (in accordance with Islamic principles) and not even against the 'Burqa' but just seeking to clarify that the 'burqa' is more of a cultural symbol than a religious one. After all, nobody can deny that an 'Abaya' or the 2-piece ladies' Ihram or the loose Shalwar-tunic-dupatta combo (with the head covered) is as Islamic and modest a dress as any Muslimah can wear, isn't it.
Besides, most of his answers (e.g. beating a wife lightly) etc. are things that are similarly clarified on sites like Islamonline.net and Dr. Zakir Naik and given in Hadith of Bukhari, so I see no way that he is deviating from our authentic Islamic sources. In fact, he has rather clarified some pieces of misinformation that have been widely spread about Islam.
As for distinguishing between 'traditional' and 'modern' maulanas, it appears to be more of a scholarly classification here, rather than a divisive or discriminatory one.
You are partially right
@ Nehan,
You are partially right that the Maolana is not wrong. I found your observation amazing because there are hardly any negative comments on the interview while there has been no personal attack. If someone talks about his past political affiliation or preferences, a public figure like the Maolana should be known to all. Why to cover up the past as his has not been any henious crime as far as political thoughts are concerned? The maolana is free to do anything but the moot point is he need not blame others when it comes to understanding of Islam and the number of their followers. Now, if you call anybody names, their followers get bounced off. This is no way one communicates. If you think criticism is sufficient without putting forth the ways to correct the object of criticism, it is a silly preposition. There are many maolana supporters who are seeking proof for their criticism of him while the maolana himself is ignored for his fault of blaming the ulema who he dismisses just by the whipping word 'traditional'. To many he simply want to trade his words by loathing them with things which are saleable in this Islamophobic' environment. I assume that you are educated, but it that means you accept any criticism without bothering about its merit, an uneducated person would have been better. Hope you understand my contentions.
Another source to divide Islam (Traditional and Modern Molvis)
Nice the find the terms Traditional and Modern Molvis, this is another source to divide Islam.
Any thing authenticate the source of Islam is Quran and Hadeeth not the Traditional or Modern Molvis.
Any one who are referring to the authentic source that is the word of Islam regardless to Traditional or Modern !
'True Islam' Beware!
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan has been described by Mr. Sikand as 'one of India's best known Islamic scholar' is not correct and misleading. He is no way different to other 'professional' Muslim clerics, issuing unnecessary comments on various religious issues to media in order to remain in highlight. He is well known for his affiliation with anti Muslim and anti Islamic forces. It is better to ignore him. I am surprise to see some of self made/self style Wahhabi/Ahle-hadeed hypocrites are using this media to propagate their so called 'True Islam'. please beware!
Brother Abdul Qadir
Please stop calling names to people. What is the right way will be adjudged on the day of Judgement. We need to treat people for their merit and leave it on Allah to deal with them. However, you have rightly said that we need to be vigilant agains the "True Islam" tag given to divergent thoughts.
Thanks, Brother Naqqaad.
Thank you brother Naqqaad for your kind advice. I shall be more careful in future. Truly speaking I am very much frustrated with the 'branded' hypocritical Islam, and can not stop myself to protest. May Allah protect all of us .Ameen.
This is in reference to
This is in reference to first two comments posted by my brothers. Here both of them have distanced themselves from the issue Maulana Waheed khan has talked about, and have vehemently criticized which is totally unjustified. In place of validating their arguments, they are talking about his personal life. Isn’t it absurd?
Their arguments confirm the general stereotyped thoughts of Indian Muslims. We are born in a patriarchal society and any idea going against our established thought is bounced back. Anything that sounds new or goes against our established thought is not acceptable. This is one of the reasons of our backwardness and several malpractices in our society.
If any idea emerges from either Maulana Wahiduddin or anybody else, let’s give it a second thought and see its validity. Let’s have a fact finding mind and must go deep into realities. Let’s be analytical and not just critical. This is the right approach to reach to the end of anything, simply criticizing wont do any good.
Be courageous Anon!
@ Anon,
While you started politely, I am not in agreement with your contention that we are critical of maolana Waheed personally. While most of us Muslims are in for dialogue but to talk ill of others thought publicly is not sensible. If I feel my brethren in faith are not doing their bit properly, there are fora to do that. Even personal contact are a possible remedy. I have once heard the maolana talking about pardah though there was no time and place for the same. How much the non-Muslims know about Islam except that they carry the discarded cheeze showing as evidence, the mice way! If the maolana thinks that people are on wrong path, what has he been doing? He should have carried out the task because for being Muslims, we are bound by the command to show right path and keep people away from the wrong one. This is not the way which the maolana adopts. On this forum, there are fools who insist writing my name the way their slavish mentality feels. I care a damn. They should remember that no English or Hindu would discriminate as to how much he substituted the 'Qs' in his name with 'C' and 'K'. So shameful, naive behaviour!!
Narrow vision
Maulana himself has a narrow vision - he says that AIMPLB has a narrow base but his base is even narrower - beyond iftar parties and political functions, what is his connect with the Muslim masses?
Such apologists do a disservice to the community - he has a good command over the pen and should use the same for constructive purposes. What is the point in raking up issues like face veil, in any case Indian Muslim women are free to wear whatever they wish.
Maulana tries to paint a picture of Indian Muslims as if they are shying away from hearing women's voices as aurah. This is really far from the truth. His comments on the qawwam verse are equally confusing. The Qur'an is crystal-clear on this aspect; but Maulana tries his best to give outlandish examples.
Unless he desists from such activities, instead of his scholarship people will brand him as one who hankers after worldly glamour (sorry for speaking so plainly but my hope is that Maulana uses his position to promote Islam rather than affirm stereotypes in the media).
Maolana Wahiduddin!
The maolana has one problem which is, he thinks that all Muslims are equally involved in religion. If one insists that all the Muslims should be so, its is like not preaching anyone till the time one is fully professional. This negates a Hadees which tells Muslims to carry even a single point to others without bothering about what is your standing. If all of us do this, we all would be fully learned.
To Maolana Waheed, he in fact unaware that he as an individual is not liked by any common Muslim who might not claim to stand for anything. Agreed that the many fatawaah are in fact in reply to individual queries, what would a common do in absence of a darul Ifta, validated by man like Maolana Waheed. Many time we find him to be talking unwanted things which are more damaging than the acts of people he has referred to. He seems to be jealous of others who get people to listen to themselves.
His arrogance is in contrast with Maolana Abdul Kareem Parekh, the timber merchant of Nagpur who never criticises anybody while carrying the Message to people who are common. We have Dr Israr Ahmad, so away from any controversy. Both these men have been professional in their fields while serving Islam and humanity at large. Nobody can find fault with them.
Dr Yogi has been bringing dormant matters to fore in recent times. He is doing disservice to this country by his acts. In fact I assume that Maolana Waheed is not more after I las saw him sitting in his two chadars with Rajdeep Sardesai in IBN studios.
There is lack of leaders for common Indian, be it political or religious field. We have politicians who are a class in themselves so unable to feel common man's life, so are the Revi Shenkars, Seai Baba and this Maolana Waheed. They seem to be preaching to others as if they are Gods without bothering to the intellectual moorings of common man. What the Maolana had done for women than just criticising the 'traditiona' ulema is anybody's guess. Easy publicity by mainstream bashing is so prevalent. The person in question is the best example. Are his suggestions, practical Dr Yogi?
Dear Nukkad!
Dear Nukkad,
I know you don’t like your name or for that matter any Arabic/Urdu name to be misspelled. You have been a perfectionist who kept on preaching the contributors of this forum to use English letters at proper places for Arabic names. I understand and appreciate your concern in this matter however at the same time I do not think that you are unaware of the proper usage of letters for “Revi Shenkars, Seai Baba”. Of course Malayalis have the habit of using these spellings, but I can not expect the same from a perfectionist like you unless you have lots of hate and ill feelings against these two gentlemen. Dear Nukkad these gentlemen are doing far better service to the humanity than you, who perhaps only contribute the ritual Zakat (that too only to the Muslim brotheren) and enlightening the people about the ‘Hellfire' on forums, so give them ample respect if your conscious permit you or atleast restrain from calling them (bad)names even if your conscious and sanskar do not permit you to do so.
Shame on you...
You call yourself Indian. I deny you that right. Had you been Indian, you could not have preached the same which you tried to point out. How you dared to point out what I do with Zakat. You seem to jelous about this practice of Muslims. You are in no position to do similar thing because money to you is god. How can one respect a person who claims that he had the holy Geeta by heart at the age of 4? Illogical things will not cut any ice with me.
As far as writing my name is concerned I suggest you write Nuccar, Nuccard etc, I dont mind. The only thing worry is a cowad like you have assumed the name of 'Indian' which I cant abuse as I am a true Indian. I do not show my pseudo patriotism by calling Pakistanis "Pakis" or insisting on shameless hateful words. Here is a lesson for Muslims. The criminal minded person who wrote "Vend "Metarem" (you should be delighted because atlease I coin the things to the taste of your ideological masters, the Zionists) was actually a madarsah funded student. But, the back stabber he was, he ended up writing hateful things because the lower caste of Bengal continued coming back to Islam due to the upper caste Bengals exploits. The upper caste Bengalis though mental slaves of the British, thought they are masters of the lower caste. And the story continues.
Remember, when we pontify, we practice and this not only religion but our way for life. I hate the thought and action, not the person. So I'll continue calling them the way I do, keep on boiling.
Who is Boiling Dear Nukkad Sahab?
Dear Nukkad Sahab,
It is up to anybody’s guess of who is actually boiling. Who ever read the conversation that took place between we too can conclude who is balanced and who had actually gone off track. Coming to me calling myself Indian this I haven't done either to conceal my identity or to show my pseudo patriotism, I just felt that it is not indeed needed to reveal my name for the sake of getting it twisted by people like you, at the most what will happen if I reveal it you may say either I am not a true Muslim or may jumble that name to draw some sadistic pleasure out of it. See you have already committed an error by identifying me as a Non Muslim, now you will call me as a non real Muslim, which really doesn’t matter me much simply because I know it pretty well that Allah the almighty is after all watching my deeds and he would not ask any Nukkads before deciding on me at the time of Qiyama.
Coming to that particular sentence which had contributed in increasing your blood pressure a bit, I would still like to explain you that you are just nothing but an ordinary God fearing man (of course for your satisfaction a Dutiful Muslim) for whom just to adhere to the 5 pillars of Islam is sufficient to ensure your seat in Heaven; had you been anything above that you could surely be a famous personality in India / or in your state / or in your district / or at least in your village. Going through your reaction it doesn’t seems that you are anything extra ordinary you are rather as simple as me of course with a difference that you are a scholar of Islam which I am definitely not. Where as those two gentlemen with whose names you were trying to play at your will, are both well known figures across the globe and are doing a lot of service to the humanity in their own way. Why should you go into their personal details? Whether Sri Sri recited The Holy Geeta at the age of 4 or not should not bother you much. In fact 80% of his followers do not even know this notion and he is certainly not popular in the world today for this act either. Dear Sir, I need not to feel shame either because I have not talked ill of any one but you certainly need to verify your own conduct because I have hardly seen any of your contributions on this portal that do not criticize others. And Holy Quran clearly advised:
(a) "You who believe, do not let one (set of) people make fun of another set.
(b) Do not defame one another.
(c) Do not insult by using nicknames.
(d) And do not backbite or speak ill of one another" (49:11-12).
By the way sir, why did you unnecessarily waste your energy in explaining me "Vend "Metarem” is puzzling me you perhaps either have a habit of going off track (which is of course not a serious issue) or have a weak habit of thinking that your presumptions are 100% correct (which is certainly very dangerous). Any way sir nice talking to you however I am sorry to inform you that the constitution of India has not provided you any extra powers to either award or deny his/her rights to call himself/herself an Indian, if it is again one of your wrong presumption (that you have the right) I can only pray the Almighty for your better health.
You are not anything...
Your disdain for zakaath in earlier comments with shameful twisting of my name showed who you are! your long writing and selective invocations of the Book re-inforces my thought line. I never intended to tell you that I am such qualified by the will of Allah that I am able to read the personality of an individual by virtue of few things, which for you, unfortunately includes 'writing'. My long rejoinder was to bring you to sense. By telling me that I am a 'self styled' self is really hilarious. Even if one wishes, one would not be able to purge himself of the 'existance' one has. Even Allah created this universe with some 'principles'. How many time you write Almighty etc, you are not in line to receive His 'hidayat'. Despite your twisting of my name while knowing well what is my standing, you willfully did it, I pray to Allah that you get the 'hidayat'. Ameen
Certainly no ill feelings Dear Naqqaad Sahab
Dear Naqqaad Sahab,
I have not twisted your name out of any personal grudge, I always rated you as a perfectionist knowing your concern for proper spellings. So I expected you to stick to the habit of using proper spellings for all the names. If you feel that you can misspel willfully others names and twist them at your will (like you did several times by now) it only contradicts your own stand. I just wanted to highlight this point to you and I am sure that you started realizing it whether you follow it or not is your own choice. Thanks for your offer of praying to Allah for me (Hidayat), I promise I too will do the same for you. I however would like to clear you Naqqaad Sahab I haven't shown any disdain for zakaath, how can I look down at a system which is so dear to me. If you understood my comment like that I just can not help for it.
Dear Indian,
Your earlier comment on Zakaat which talked about being restricted to only Muslim 'brotheren', if read by any person would convey that you hate the system. Many times, we tend to write which was never intended. I have been in a education system which made me acquire writing correctly. I do it purposefully in Urdu as well as in English. Thanks for the return dua. I am in need of dua.
Mualana Wahiduddin khan is
Mualana Wahiduddin khan is well known for his close association with BJP.Whenever BJP needs him they call him to their election campaign.Maulana at their meetings calls all to "Islam"(Sufi Islam)(Sufi islam meaning Jihad is not reqd).BJP donot have any problem with "peace" loving sufis and (grave worshipper)barelvis.
(According to him)Maulana although is educated at madrasa but later on left islam,then again became muslim.He spent some time with Jamaateislami,then tableeghjamat and now instead of becoming a full fledged salafi, is hijacking some of the salafi arguements against Taqleedi (TRADITIONAL)ulemas,and coveneintly ignoring Quran And Hadith when dealing with Sufism.
Regarding women & islam he has written extensively and was instrumental in convincing BJP(reluctantly) about muslims opposition to common civil code.About Burqa every knowledgable muslim knows that during Prophet (saas) lifetime,muslim women used to wear Extra Peice Of Cloth(chader)over their garments.The type& details of dress reqd are clearly mentioned in Quran And Authentic hadiths.Ulema are not focussing to criticise on pious muslims women who safeguard there modesty,for eg the dress worn by maulanas daughter farida khanam saheba (photo shown on TCN recently).Ulema are criticising those muslims who are adopting bollywood actresses lifestyle and defunct western attire.But Maulana is deliberately giving a loose end to secular media to play around the whole concept of Hijab by summarily rejectig Burqa.
Maulana should come back to salafi Islam wholeheartedly without any reservations for salavatio,although this may hurt his ego,but still as a muslim brother its our duty to correct each other.
salam
Salafi saab,salam
I ve read some of the books by Khan and must say that he always quoted from basic resources of Islam to prove his viewpoint.
It seems from your post that you consider yourself as an authority,and don't need to give any reference from any book to support your arguments.You dont find it necessary even to give any single example when Khan has campaigned for BJP in election. don't you?
In the absence of any evidence i must think that whatever you have written are just 'bohtaan''and a pure guesswork of your wishful thoughts.
read the below ;may you find some guidance:
49:12 (Asad) O you who have attained to faith! Avoid most guesswork [about one another] [14] for, behold, some of [such] guesswork is [in itself] a sin; and do not spy upon one another, and neither allow yourselves to speak ill of one another behind your backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would loathe it! And be conscious of God. Verily, God is an accep tor of repentance, a dispenser of grace!
6:116 (Asad) Now if thou pay heed unto the majority of those [who live] on earth, they will but lead thee astray from the path of God: they follow but [other people's] conjectures, and they themselves do nothing but guess. [103]
and by the way what is this salafi Islam,has prophet or any sahaba used this adjective for himself?
Walaikumussalam
Walaikumussalam rehmatullah,
Dear Muslim,
Whatever I have written about maulana is not guess work.You may meet him or research about him through his own writings.Maulana himself is not denying whatever I have "GUESSED".
This interview is a case in itself.In this interview maulana is being questioned by Yoginder about Hijab.Maulana instead of explaining criteria for Hijab is categorically denying any need for Burqa as there is no mention of Burqa in Quran and Hadith.If you ask maulana directly he may or maynot blame yoginder,but he will ask you proof(his own signed articles)!.If he really cares for the wellbeing of muslim women he must issue a denial,otherwise one would think that he agrees with Yoginder.If there is any denial I am sure TCN will publish it.
Maulana was a madrasa student.
After that he was influenced by western writers and
he read many books and left Islam.
After he rediscovered Islam and became a muslim once again.
He joined Jamaateislami and worked as a Editor of sehroza dawat for many years.Due to differences with Maulana maududi he left the party.
He was with Tableeghi jamaaat.
Then he decided to go alone and started Alrisala magazine.
All this informatio is given by him,you may search in his magazines available on his site.
Salaf means the first three generations of muslims of the lifetime of Prophet Muhammed(saas).These people(ra) were the best of muslim Ummah.
Salafi means any muslim who is following the way of Prophet(saas) and his companions(ra) and first three generations.
Maulanas writings are apealing to unsuspecting muslims,he uses beautiful words and has convincing ability,he often quotes Quran and Hadith to support his viewpoint.But if you possess critical analysis skills you can easily pierce through the coating and come to know the reality.
dont you think about Albani?
salam brother,
thanks for your response.
Dont you consider the great salafi scholar of our times Naseeruddin Albani(a.r)views on the veil?
http://www.scribd.com/doc/7202542/The-Face-Veil
I am eagerly waiting for a reference from yourside on your claim''campaigning for bjp in election''?plz provide it asap.
Also it would be better to quote from any of his books to point out any mistake if he has made?
wassalam
Interesting
Dear Muslim,
By virtue of the same verses you have quoted, Maulana Waheeduddin should have desisted from criticizing the ulama who are working in their respective fields. Once Maulana has opened the Pandora's box, criticism is bound to follow. By the way, public memory is not so short that we forget Maulana's attending LK Advani's book launch recently. Why share forum with a known demagogue and give him legitimacy?
However, I agree with you that we should use the preferred adjective given to us by Allah - that is, to be recognized as 'Muslims' in name and deed.
criticism
dear shaheen,
Criticism with proof is a healthy indicator of any soceity to progress.But hope you agree that there is a big difference in between criticism and character assasscination.That is what we call 'tanqees' which is not allowed.
everyone has a right to criticise anything supported with his own facts.
Offcourse he participated the book launch but it is more important to know what he said and did during his presence there.I come to know that he distributed Quran and talked on Islam in general for dawah.
wassalam
what is criticism
Dear Anon,
I am all for healthy criticism, but it should lead to some positive results. What the Maulana is doing is akin to nitpicking. Do you consider face veil as the most important issue facing all Muslims or even Muslim women in the present times?
There has always been a difference of opinion among scholars as to whether face veil is mandatory or only the headscarf will do. However, Maulana sahab instead of even giving his opinion on this issue, tends to confuse the debate by saying burqa is a tradition. It may very well be so, but what does he intend to achieve? Does he want the illiterate Muslimas wearing burqa as tradition to start wearing jeans and make fools of themselves?
There are x number of better issues to talk about like education, unemployment, witch-hunt of youth under pretext of terror, and even Dawah. Zakir Naik (one may or may not agree with his method) also does Dawah without attending Advani's book launch. A wise man like Maulana should foresee the repercussions of his actions.
Like Maulana, Abul Fazl and Faizi were also Mufassereen e Qur'an, yet they supported Akbar's new religion of Deen-e-Ilahi (you can see Maulana Azad's interview on TCN). What is the healthy criticism in being apologetic about the Quranic verse on men being qawwam of women? I will go even further and question that does Maulana think nauzubillah that Allah Swt is incapable of clear expression in His Book?
The Western-backed media has always portrayed Islam as being patriarchal. Maulana now says that all the preceding Ulama have wrongly interpreted Islam and he alone has the intelligentsia to read from the direct sources of Qur'an and Hadith. I hope you see my point now.
Shaheen is true to his/her name
Dear Shaheen,
Sorry to write his/her in the subject field. Accept my sincere appreciation of the great piece of yours. As per Islamic traditions set by great Muslims like the Khulfah'e Rashideen, Ummul Mo'mineen Hazrat Aishah (ra),Hazrat Hasan (ra) and Hazrat Husain (ra) and many many more after them, the acts and deeds of individual are meaningless and should be left to Allah. Our deeds as per the way shown by the Qur'an and Sunnah and History of conduct of great Muslims is more than enough. Any person, who claims that he only is qualified without doing anything except criticism of people who are carrying out something is in fact only preaching without practice. Fortunately, the Information Age and act of many people who show by example is making things bright. We should develop an eye to detect people who publicise and praise devaint elements just because they think they would be able to sink Islam using them. Allah for sure is with Truth but Muslims need to do something while hoping for His help.
Thanks
We need more people like Maulana Waheed. May Allah bless him for eternity.
Why not follow maulanas call
Why not follow maulanas call to Islam and become a believer than just superficially admiring him and bowing your head everyday to false gods who dont even know that someone is worshipping them??
Maulana good for Muslims and Non-Muslims.
Dear Anon,
Maulana is good for only muslims like you who will bring you towards right path and follow peaceful and progressive islam, rather than follow wahabi and irresponsible leaders and who will only make your descent to perdition too fast. That's why i support Maulana. So that peace prevails and non-Muslims like me can pray to our God peacefully.
By the way, i don't have any problem bowing to false God, they are all attributes of the One Almighty which our Vedas also say they are not real gods but ONE Brahman.
Giri, I'll guard you
@ Giri,
You don't need a maolana preaching divergent thinking to pray your gods. I'll gurad you against any harms, yes, I am a Muslim and it is my duty to do so. You need not be a 'zimmi' because I am not the ruler here in India. But, will you stop calling names to any Muslim group which does not adhere to your likings. I invite you to Bareilly, a city in UP where your supposedly liberal Muslim live. The condition of ladies and the No 2 downwards is not more than cattles. Here, you'd come to know what patriarchy means. That is the very reason I suspect a sinister design from people who denigrate any informed Muslim group. The try to nurture ignorants as liberal because they know if Muslim come out of their ignorance, their lot improves within one generation. I simply cant understand why a group of people which restricts entry of people who are not doing more than namaaz, could be marketed as liberal. Till now, I found only Barelvi people having this discrimination. A wahhabi maolana like Abdul Kareem Parekh visits temples and I heard him telling that he offered namaaz in those temple complex. He also talked about the Hindus religious priests of those temples facilitating his namaaz. Now, would you call names to this maolana or the people who restrict the entry of people who they assume are divergent. Remember that the converse in not true and this is the reason that many former Barelvi people join the wahhabis, the Tableeghi Jamaat or become Ahle Hadees. Simultaneously, nobody invites or allows you to enter a Masjid if one is not Muslim, while the Wahhabis, Tableeghis and Ahle Hadees allow non-Muslims to enter mosques. In fact non-Muslims have less restrictions than a Muslim, as far as the rituals are concerned. Any non-Muslim can enter a mosque even if he is not clean while a Muslim need to be clean.
Brahma is not allowed to worship since he was guilty of incest.
As per your scriptures Brahma should not be worshipped since he was guilty of incest.Then how come you worship his attributes,when Vedas strictly prohibit you to worship sambhuti.
Start praying to only true god Allah(swt),all else is satans worship.
Brahman is not Brahma
Your puny brain is so confused between Brahma and a Brahman. Brahman is formless, eternal. Where as Brahma has life of his own and has to die at sometime. As far as i know, no one worships Brahma.
So your Allah equivalent is Brahman and so thank but no thanks for the invitation.
Concept of God
Is Brahman lifeless?Can you please elaborate about Brahman?When Brahma will die?How is Allah(swt)equivivalent to Brahman?Which scriptures you follow?Please dont get me wrong,I am serious.
Brahman and Brahma in hinduism
Below is from Wiki about brahaman. This is the concept of GOD in hinduism. There are various dieties, but vedas themselves say they are not gods but dieties, so praying to them one will reach the abode of the diety, but never get final emancipation from continuous birth and death, which should be the ultimate goal of any human being. There emerged different school of thoughts like Advaita, Vishishta-adaita, Dwaita where there is not much difference in the way they describe the atman (soul) and its relationship to Paramatman (Supreme Soul).
The Advaita (non-duality) where there is no difference from our soul and Supreme soul, and when a saint has reached this self-realization, he would be in such a absolute bliss that he will find himself as not different from GOD. Because he longer considers himself as a mere body, but only his soul. This state was reached by many saints, including Sufi saint Mansur Al-Hallaj, when he declared this but there are always ignorant who considered this as blasphemy and executed him.
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Brahman is the Absolute God of Hinduism and the Absolute Reality or universal substrate (not to be confused with the Creator god Brahmā.) It is said to be eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and ultimately indescribable in human language. The sage-seers of the Upanishads had fully realized Brahman as the reality behind their own being and of everything else in this universe. They were thus Brahmins in the true sense of the word. These rishis described Brahman as infinite Being, infinite Consciousness, and infinite Bliss (saccidananda). Brahman is regarded as the source and essence of the material universe. The Rig Veda says that by the desire of the Supreme Being (RV 10.12.94), the initial manifestation of the material universe came into being from Hiranyagarbha (literally "golden womb"), out of which all worlds, organisms and divine beings (devas) arise:
"Great indeed are the devas who have sprung out of Brahman." — Atharva Veda
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There is more about it in the wiki..This is about Brahma..
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Brahmā (ब्रह्मा) (nominative singlular), Brahman (ब्रह्मन्) (stem) (masculine gender), means the deity or deva Prajāpati Brahmā. He is one of the members of the Hindu trinity and associated with creation, but does not have a cult in present day India. This is because Brahmā, the creator-god, is long-lived but not eternal i.e. Brahmā gets absorbed back into Purusha at the end of an aeon, and is born again at the beginning of a new kalpa.
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Thanks Salafi for additional Info
@ Salafi,
Thanks for bringing forth many facets of the Maolana Waheed. I always wondered how a maolana could talked with disdain things many of us do not object to, I mean the hijaab etc.
The maolana accusing the so called 'traditionalists' for damaging Islam's image conveniently forgot that he is at it himself. It is clear hypocracy. The self styled have done quite damage to Islam than its proper enemies. The Tatars revived Islam as did many nomads of Mangolia like the Mughals. If this man want to do something, let him and followers do without finger pointing. If you are not capable of getting things done despite selling yourself out, do not preach. It is shameful as your utility is not more than tissue paper. Better keep mum lest you commit the ultimate sin. May be age is getting the better of him.
Now the self called
Now the self called intellectuals who identify Islam with muslims should read Maulana Articles and atleast do some factfinding from it before degrading the religion itself .
Hamid Hasan.....
@ Hamid Hasan,
Please explain as to what do you mean by "Now the self called intellectuals who identify Islam with muslims should read Maulana Articles and atleast do some factfinding from it before degrading the religion itself."
If you mean that Maolana Waheed should be read, then how come your second part states that those who are critical of him are against Islam. Here, nobody is questioning the veracity of Islam, but trying to point an act of trying to wash the non-existing dirty linen in hostile public (environment). I or for that matter any Muslim is not worried about Islam but the self style of this Maolana who painted all the ulema with the taint brush of 'traditionalists'. I concede that he knows what could be sold but is this proper of him? In the confrontation of 'me only right' I find that I am yet to see or hear any so called wahhabi or tableeghi et al calling the others names while the very outset of barelvis or this maolana is to call the others name. It is so naive of the so called maolana who does not understand what context most of the people would read his interview with. To them it would be pure 'riddles in Islam' which are non-existing. People associated the action of Muslims or claimants to be, with Islam while it should be converse. The maolana did fall in the trap as a common ignorant man and he calls names to others. What could be worse? While the decision is with Allah, those who claim or try to follow His prescribed system should carry out their bids and leave it on Him instead of being critical. I have talked about two examples in my earlier contention and it is being felt by many that this is the ideal way. One is free but if you assume so responsibility, one should be above personal prejudices. Readers, please remember that I am a freelancer in Islam and do not subscribe to any current aalim but the scriptures. Any other pointing fingers shall not be left 'unattended'.
I am saddened
Dr Yoginder,
I am saddened with you as well as TCN writing the name of our revered mother Hazrat Aishah using the now derogatory spelling of Ayesha. Hope you know how we write Aishah in Arabic or Urdu as عائشہ and not آییشا which has been used by many people who are related to professions not very adorable by women.
The unfortunate part to this is the shamelessness, lethargy and world loving attitude of majority of Muslims who are very casual. I have been writing on these point as comment which fortunately is very liberal on TCN, but a lady insisted that she would write her name the way she writes. She was wrong as far as standing is concerned because the way Muslims write and non-Muslims insist in writing Muslims names is very dangerous. I am yet to see a Krishna as Crishana while I have seen numerous Muhammads and Ahmads, Rizvi being Rizwi, on our own very TCN under list of Rahmani 30. The extent is so deep that even writing Nikah namahs, Muslims think that the mis-pronounced name which has been there on their certificates as if any deviation would make their nikaah, faasiq.
Atleast here, please correct our beloved mother Hazrat Aishah's name on TCN.
Islamic spelling bee
You should setup an islamic spelling bee competition and train youth for correct spelling.
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