Silent War

Most women face abuses that are so subtle that it is hard to articulate them. Some attitudes are so entrenched in Indian society that uprooting these weeds would amount to destroying the whole garden of domesticity. Laws cannot guarantee any justice in this silent war because men really have no clue as to what is going on. Even if it is thrown in his face, a man cannot wake up to it because the truth is that though we have the same kind of eyes we do not see the same world. It is easy to put the blame on the man but was not the man raised by a woman herself? Or is the stereotype of the father so powerful that no mother can instill a wider world view in her sons? Another undeniable fact is that women are most often their own worst enemies as they wage battles that are beyond the radars of men and stifle the cries of their brethren. Thus the legacy of silence will continue until a braver world can plant a better society.

Impervious

We are now dealing with a generation that has grown up on violent video games and aggressive vicarious entertainment. For them the dreadful images of war and torture have little shocking value. Compared to the heightened awareness and forceful protests during the Vietnam War, the objections raised over the Iraq war petered out quickly and even the daily body count of both Americans and Iraqis raise barely a whimper. Economic considerations far outweigh the ramifications of an unjust war in the minds of most ordinary citizens. Of course when questioned point blank about the sagacity of the war, most people would opt for a peaceful alternative but the hurried nature of today’s world ensures that noble intentions do not translate into timely action. This, needless to say is an unfortunate situation.

The blue rose

The rise of extremist ideology is inevitable within any system of belief including atheism or even secularism. The extent of its influence depends directly on whether the political, social or economic conditions of a particular time and space are receptive to these ideas. Buddhism is popularly viewed to be a peaceful religion but the recent violent protests in Tibet by Buddhist monks against Chinese imperialism are a case in point. Again, suicide bombing is a malady that was hitherto unknown in Iraq until the recent American invasion.

It requires great moral courage to counter oppression through peaceful means. Even the most benign ideology runs the risk of being perceived as evil if its followers do not heed the best of its teachings. Gandhiji’s exemplary leadership rendered maturity and credence to our own freedom struggle. The spirit of his beliefs permeated every aspect of his life, including politics but he displayed the best of its imbibed virtues. Barrack Obama’s inspiring speech on race is a contemporary example of how man can keep divisiveness at bay even in the face of personal ignominy. There is a heart of gold beneath the seeming rigidity or ritualism of any religion. People should tap into it instead of being mired in endless debates about issues that are of no consequence.

At the end of the day, when children, women and elderly are slain and able-bodied men mutilated, no ideology can stand vindicated. Even the noblest of struggles become tarnished when blood taints it.

Hunger for power, political or otherwise is as old as mankind itself. All major schools of thought have fallen prey to it as a handful of people try to wield power imposing their ideas on the rest of the followers. Islam has offered the greatest resistance to the burgeoning of such powerful people because anathema to hero worship is woven into its very fabric. Nevertheless influential people are perfectly capable of inventing new ideologies that are only a shadow of the original thus plunging the misguided, ignorant, and infinitely moldable followers into self-serving conflicts. Such ideological perversions are best dealt with by delving into the basics of the original idea and encouraging those who follow it pristinely (fortunately, a great majority). This alone can expose the hollowness of the newly-invented doctrines. Imposing other ideas that are alien to it or debasing the original theology will only lead to a rebellion that will suck more innocent people into a mindless war.

If we can appreciate the myriad colours that a flower can adorn, then we certainly can respect the various hues that human beliefs can assume. The slithering motion of a snake will not suit an eagle whose own soaring elegance will not fit a peacock. To each, his own way. The flowering of Russia under Putin as opposed to its disintegration and misery under Yeltsin is a reminder of this.

Half Truths

Growing up in Kerala, I was not even aware of my identity vis-à-vis religion until the advent of 9/11 and the subsequent attrition of Islam’s image in the West in its aftermath. I cringe at the complete misuse of noble words like Jihad by the international media and the highlighting of rogue elements within Islam as if they are the majority. People like me who practice Islam in its entirety are labeled moderates or liberals while terrorists are declared as paragons of Islam. This has led to a mushrooming of Imams and Mullahs who vie with each other to grab the limelight. In truth, the idea of one single leader who can represent all the Muslims in the world is a thought alien to Islam. Many evils prevalent in the Arab culture that predates Islam which the Prophet himself tried to uproot are unjustly and illogically attributed to Islam. With this kind of systematic misinformation that has existed for at least a decade now, it is not surprising that the average American goes ballistic at the mention of Islam. The uproar about Obama's middle name and the response to it is a case in point.

The rote-n Indian School System

So much is wrong with our school system and the attitude of some of the teachers that it is hard to even define the problems. The mantra of conversion from content-based education to competence-based has not solved anything but only managed to devalue the content itself. So if my generation at least had the good fortune to have depth of content at hand, the younger generation is left with redundant material. Intelligent kids will suffer from lack of mental stimulation and plummeting of IQ as a consequence while less-intelligent ones still will not be saved because though the content itself is simpler and repetitive, the way it is presented is neither innovative nor user-friendly. The ‘projects’ which are supposed to encourage deeper involvement of the kids have only added to the burdens of the parents as the manner in which the projects are assessed has resulted in the parents and not the kids doing all the work.

Any improvement is possible only by enhancing the quality of the content and that of the teachers. Extensive psychological evaluation of the teachers should be a must before they are appointed. If we do not do this, our kids are as good as dead.

Status of Women in Islam

Before the advent of Islam, most women were treated quite shabbily in a manner worse than animals amidst the Arabs - they were inherited against their will and baby girls were usually killed. The teachings of Islam were meant to change that appalling situation and recognise the potential of women and confer on them dignity. Islam rightly does not equate men and women. A man is not equal to a woman and viceversa because we are unique and complement each other. In accordance with the difference in our nature, men and women are given different rights and duties. In terms of Grace of God, men and women have equal chance of acquiring it and in the Koran, God Almighty calls upon both men and women to the path of salvation - there are innumerous instances of terms like 'believing men and believing women', 'righteous men and righteous women', etc. I find this exceptionally beautiful because most religious texts use the word men and assume it to include women as well but not the Koran.

Quote from the Koran - 'The believing men and women are associates and helpers of each other. They (collaborate) to promote all that is beneficial and discourage all that is evil; to establish prayers and give alms, and to obey Allah and his Messenger. Those are the people whom Allah would grant mercy. Indeed Allah is Mighty and Wise.' (Al-Taubah 9:71)

In the life and traditions of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) also, we find women being treated with respect and dignity. A few examples are listed below.

1) Women's Right of Permission: Narrated Khansa bint Khidam Al-Ansariya that her father gave her in marriage when she was a matron and she disliked that marriage. So she went to Allah's Apostle and he declared that marriage invalid. (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 69)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! How can we know her permission?" He said, "Her silence (indicates her permission)." (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 67)

2) On the Treatment of Women - Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: I went to the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) and asked him: "What do you say (command) about our wives?" He replied: "Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them." (Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 11, Number 2139) "The best of you is one who is best towards his family and I am best towards the family". (At-Tirmithy). "None but a noble man treats women in an honourable manner. And none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully". (At-Tirmithy).

3) The Prophet's Disapproval of Women Beaters - Patient behavior was the practice of the Prophet, even when his wife addressed him harshly. Once his mother-in-law- saw her daughter strike him with her fist on his noble chest. When the enraged mother -in-law began to reproach her daughter, the Prophet smilingly said, "Leave her alone; they do worse than that." And once Abu Bakr, his father-in-law, was invited to settle some misunderstanding between him and Aishah. The Prophet said to her, "Will you speak, or shall I speak?" Aisha said, "You speak, but do not say except the truth." Abu Bakr was so outraged that he immediately struck her severely, forcing her to run and seek protection behind the back of the Prophet. Abu Bakr said, "O you the enemy of herself! Does the Messenger of Allah say but the truth?" The Prophet said, "O Abu Bakr, we did not invite you for this [harsh dealing with Aishah], nor did we anticipate it." quoted in: Mutual Rights and Obligations.

All rumours of Islam being discriminative toward women are falsehoods. In truth, women are explicitly given more rights in Islam than in any other religion. If women are still mistreated in spite of these beautiful teachings, it is because of cultural, racial, social, ethnic, and political prejudices. It has no basis in Islam. This is a simple truth that the popular media has failed to acknowledge. I wish the world would put aside its misconceptions. I also wish all women would get their due.

A Cry in the Dark

It is unfortunate that a falsely-invented link between Islam and terrorism has seeped into the collective mind. No day would go by without any Muslim feeling the repercussions of that. All acts of terrorism are actually regional in nature and owe their origin to the political and cultural landscapes in particular countries. Owing to various factors, the truth has become distorted. Muslims are increasingly looking at a world where beautiful words like jihad (which means to strive especially for self-purity) and Islam (means peaceful surrender to God) are readily accepted as being embodiments of violence and hatred.

An innocent man when wrongfully accused is always the last to protest his innocence while a guilty one plans his escape from the beginning. Indeed Muslims have been late to mount an adequate response. Nevertheless, there have been several attempts to bring out the truth like the recent Deoband Declaration and the newly launched Peace TV.

Finding Common Ground

THE UNITY, SINCERITY, ONENESS OF GOD, CHAPTER NO. 112

112.001 Say: He is God, the One and Only;

112.002 God, the Eternal, Absolute;

112.003 He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;

112.004 And there is none like unto Him.

This above definition of God given in the Holy Koran is consistent with that in the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad-Gita.

Bhagavad-Gita states –

“Whosoever meditates on the Omniscient, the Ancient, the ruler (of the whole world), minuter than an atom, the supporter of all, of inconceivable form, effulgent like the sun and beyond the darkness of ignorance, at the time of death, with unshaken mind, endowed with devotion and by the power of Yoga, fixing the whole life-breath in the middle of the two eyebrows, he reaches that resplendent Supreme Person.”

It proceeds to explain that this is possible only by daily remembrance of God. Gita also stresses the importance of being righteous.

This is then contrasted with those who worship things other than Him.

Bhagavad-Gita states –

Arjuna said, O Krishna, what is the situation of one who does not follow the principles of scripture but who worships according to his own imagination? Is he in goodness, in passion or in ignorance?

“Men in the mode of goodness worship the demigods; those in the mode of passion worship the demons; and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits.

Those who undergo severe austerities and penances not recommended in the scriptures, performing them out of pride, egoism, lust and attachment, who are impelled by passion and who torture their bodily organs as well as the Supersoul dwelling within are to be known as demons.”

The message from the Koran that those who put their hope in the meeting with the lord should worship only him and live righteously (contrasted with those who worship the jinns or other creation) is also thus found in the Gita. This simple message is the essence of religion.

In the Koran it is stated that all creation is from God and to Him is the end of all things. He alone is eternal and absolute.

So also the Bhagavad-Gita states –

“From the unmanifested all the manifested (worlds) proceed at the coming of the “day”; at the coming of the “night” they dissolve verily into that alone which is called the unmanifested.”

“Yet there is another nature, which is eternal and is transcendental to this manifested and unmanifested matter. It is supreme and is never annihilated. When all in this world is annihilated, that part remains as it is.”