[nukkad] Lamenting the state of women and the men ....

["DD Pappoos" <>]

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Each man carries within him the soul of a poet who died young. 
-Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve, literary critic (1804-1869)
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Mr. Farooq wrote: Disbeliever" in Quran means atheist [not just 
non-muslim] and "Allah" simply means the one and only God.

#Disbeliever" is the rough translation of an Arabic word mentined 
in the English Translation with the explanation that the arabic 
word describes idolators, people who worship others along with 
Allah and people who worship multiple Gods. Not just athiests. The 
verses on Jehad are quite specific about this. So strictly by 
Quranic definitions, Hindus are disbelievers. I welcome your 
restrictive interpretation but does the theologians and religious 
leaders share this view? As far as I know, they don't.

Farooq: While your sincerity in finding out the truth is 
commendable , I have to add that translations have their 
limitations.
# Those who don't know Arabic have to rely on translations. The 
best we can do is to rely on authentic interpretations / 
translations as you said 'by theologians'. The translation I 
referred to was certified by the Islamic University, Madina, Saudi 
Arabia.

Farooq: Also the overall context. A sentence by sentence 
evaluation frequently lead to wrong conclusions. It must be viewed 
in its totality.
# I have read the entire Quran translation and its explanatory 
notes. In my earlier mail,I had said that in spite of some 
commendable edicts in favour of women, the overall man-woman 
relationship ordained by Quran is one of master-servant. Masters 
are ordered by Allah to take good care of servants, but servants 
they remain.  This conclusion is inescapable if you read Quran 
with an open mind.

Farooq: Perhaps we should leave this to our learned  theologians 
.
# The problem with theologians and religious leaders is that they 
have vested interest in maintaining status quo. Depend on 
theologians for translations if required, but once it is set in 
the language you know, why not form your own opinion?

Farooq: From where I live  [Kerala , with almost 100% literacy ] I 
have not witnessed any atrocity committed on women  because of 
religion . Proper education makes people saner , irrespective of 
religion. Lack of it creates all sorts of problems. I do hope the 
present communal "tidal wave" would not contaminate , even the 
literates.
# Education certainly makes it difficult for obscurantists to take 
leadership. Kerala Muslims have gone beyond the Madrasa education 
to mainstream education and are better off compared to their 
co-religionists elsewhere. As you rightly said education makes 
people saner and interpretation of religious edicts becomes 
liberal and in tune with the times. If only the Mullahs allow the 
focus of education, especially for girls, to be shifted from 
Madrasa to Schools. Religious education can continue, like the 
Sunday Classes of Christians.

Farooq: As for conversion to other faiths , Islam or any other 
faith would not approve of this.  Religion aim to take followers 
closer to God.  Perhaps the "route" suggested may be different. It 
is more like different modes of transport to reach the same 
destination. Each person generally tends to boast his/her own mode 
to be better , even if it is just to feel comfortable or out of 
more familiarity with that particular mode !
# You speak my mind on this. No religion approves conversion of 
its followers to other faiths but religions other than Islam are 
tolerent if it happens. Tell me frankly, if a Muslim chooses the 
Christian or Hindu religion, will he be allowed to live?

DDPappoos



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