A FATWA AGAINST FATWAS?
"Nothing they say seems to affect menfolk. It is undemocratic, beyond reforms. What we really need is a fatwa against all fatwas." ... To read the entire story Ayotallahs All by saba naqvi Bhaumik click here.
Politics of the Developing Nations POSC 311
This blog is a pedagogical tool for Dr. Khan's Politics of Developing Nations [POSC 311-010] class.
About Me
-
- Name:Muqtedar Khan
Dr. Muqtedar Khan is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware. He is a Non-resident Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He is the author of American Muslims: Bridging Faith and Freedom (Amana, 2002), Jihad for Jerusalem: Identity and Strategy in International Relations (Praeger, 2004).
- Is US Strategy Working in Afghanistan?
- Mr. Jinnah: The Making of Pakistan (2002)
- The Millennium Development Goals
- India the Emerging Management Giant
- A Review of the Movie DEV
- The Women of India
- Can She Change the World?
- US Policy in the Middle East
- Culture/Social Impact of High Connectivity
- CHINA
Links
Sunday, December 04, 2005
"Nothing they say seems to affect menfolk. It is undemocratic, beyond reforms. What we really need is a fatwa against all fatwas." ... To read the entire story Ayotallahs All by saba naqvi Bhaumik click here.
42 Comments:
I think that a "fatwa against all fatwas" would be a bad idea for Muslims. It says in the article that "In Sunni Islam, a fatwa is not a command or an edict, it's just an opinion of a maulana about a query." And thats it. Its just an opinion. I think that the media isnt correctly explaining what a fatwa is, especially to westerners who may be unfamiliar with the way that Islam works and how clerics communicate and interact with their constituents. A fatwa is just an answer to a question and when the media and the people of the west stop looking for ways to make problems and how to bash the faith of over a billion people we will start to try to understand, instead of making assumptions.
After reading the article, I don’t feel that fatwas are very democratic. They seem to be instilling a hierarchy of male dominance, where women are inferior. In addition, they seem to be an obsolete way of dealing with the law, which is hindering those societies to globalize in becoming more democratic for its people. Furthermore, the article made it seem that already many people don’t even pay attention to the fatwas. If the a large portion of the population feels that way, then why have them exist? On the other hand, if those who pay attention to them carefully, then they should do so without imposing them on others, who do not want to be a part of the fatwa model.
Noah Abrahams: 12/04/05
For a piece of advice that is only an opinion is seems that a lot of people are taking what is being said at least a little seriously. It seems as though the problem arises when something that is detrimental to a person/persons or a faction of society is said and people take it seriously. But that seems to be a gray area. There are certainly people who take certain fatwas seriously and if they call for someone’s death (Salman Rushdie) then I think everyone involved needs to make sure it doesn’t happen.
It’s obvious that at least some fatwas have serious consequences. Because of that the advice has to be taken seriously whether you personally believe it should be followed or not and dealt with accordingly within the context of the society.
This is not to say that other religions do not also give advice based on what they interpret the religion as saying and the same kind of scrutiny should be placed on that advice also.
Adria Andersen
12/04/05
The article minimizes the impact of fatwas (from what I've studied their impact varies depending on the answer and the circumstance, so the article was both right and wrong). I know of people who have had fatwas issued against them and their work (such as scholars) and I know of crimes that have been commited because of fatwas, but those were limited circumstances and particular instances. "Fatwa" has taken on a very negative connotation like "Jihad". A "jihad" is a striving, a struggle, and according to Islam a Muslim has personal jihad and an external jihad in relation to furthering their personal faith. Granted the hijackers and lots of other extremists use "jihad" as an exuse - like it's their duty - but jihad isn't necessary violent, like fatwa isn't necessarily anti-West or calling for violence. In the US media most things that are Muslim are portrayed as somehow connected to violence. It is a crazy phenomenon.
The article explains a fatwa as just an opinion. I believe that as long as this is true then they should be allowed to issue any fatwa they please. Every religion gives the right to their clerics to give opinions on righteous and permissible behavior. Muslim religious leaders should also have this privilege and Muslim people should have the right to seek their guidance. However, the fatwa should be issued as strictly an opinion. As long as the Muslim people view fatwas in this way I do not see any problem. For instance, if you do not like what the fatwa says then you can simply ignore it and disregard it as just one person’s opinion, not the opinion of the religion. It does scare me, however, that not all Muslims regard fatwas in this way. It is when these fatwas lead to punishment or harassment of someone that it has gone too far. When people take them too seriously and act out, possibly violently, this cannot be accepted. I think the focus should be on adjusting the public’s views and perceptions of fatwas rather than fighting to end the issuance of fatwas all together.
"A fatwa against fatwas?" isn't that hypocritical if you are trying to end the influence of them? I hope that to be a bitter, sarcastic comment. However, I do see fatwas as being problematic. Fatwas may just simply be opinions and most men may not take them seriously, but such opinions can still have detrimental affects. Embarassing women will not help them, it will only push them into a lower status, as they begin to feel the weight of negativity. No, fatwas may not have importance on the political level, but it is my guess that it does have importance in the personal lives and identities of these women who are subject to it.
Maybe I'm the only one who thought that article was a joke posted by Prof Khan?? All I can think of is the poor Muslim souls who suffer from flatulence? Honestly, do they really need a specific body of people to judge just how holy or unholy or bona fide their prayers are if they can't stop their gas leaks? Forgive me if I fail to see the seriousness in the article.
Liz Lycett, 12/5/05
I don’t believe that this article was a joke but I thought that the questions that were posted in the front were just an example of how some fatwa’s are a little on the extreme side such as telling someone to bathe fully dressed. Reading this article it seems as though many people do not have much concern about fatwa’s but it is the media that is turning this into a problem. Sociologist Imtiaz Ahmad says in the article that any mufti is issuing fatwa’s whether they have the proper knowledge or not and this makes me believe that this is a big reason why many people see fatwa’s as something not having much significance. He says that many Muslims are theologically illiterate and are not able to understand the Quran even if they were to read it which could lead to some problems since the people who are issuing the fatwa’s may feel that they have the power to interpret the Quran in any way that they like since the person who is asking the question may not be able to argue otherwise because of a lack of ability to understand the Quran by just reading it. While the people issuing the fatwa’s do have the right to say what it is they want it should be made clear that what it is they are saying is only their opinion. The media should hold some responsibility and not seek to inspire contraversy over some of the fatwa’s that are issued.
kevin burke
12/05/05
I believe that fatwas are an archiac tradition in Islam that should really be ended. It is true that some have been silly, but some have also been serious endangering people's lives. And even though the actual definition of a fatwa maybe just an opion, that does not really matter because that is not what all people believe. As seen in the article that are some people who see the silliness in the fatwas. But others take it as law and something that they should follow to be a good Muslim and that is dangerous territory.
Liz, although some of the fatwas do seem to be a bit rediculous, I feel that you are only encouraging the Western media's mockery of Islam by making light of the issue. As the article discussed, the more absurd fatwas get lots of media attention as a means of discrediting Muslims. Particularly in America today, the conservative media does everything they can to instill the belief that Islam is a primitive religion which encourages radical ideals. This is much for the sake of gaining support for Bush's wars with the Middle East. Yes, many of the fatwas are silly and archaic, and there are several testimonials in the article from Muslims that share this opinion. However, there are others (such as Salma) that obviously take fatwas much more seriously, and I do not think that it is constructive to poke fun at a significant issue in the Muslim community.
As I was reading this article I felt that the whole idea of a fatwas is ridiculous. The issue of breaking wind and prayer seems unbelievable. Really, I can not even believe someone took the time to even consider such an unusual situation. I really thought the fatwa about women wearing lipstick to work was interesting. The article states that women should only show their hands, feet and face and wearing makeup outside the home is provocative. Women should be able to wear whatever they want and makeup should not even be an issue. I wonder if all the women stood up and began wearing makeup and making small changes to their wardrobes, could change occur gradually? I just hate that so much of a person’s personal life is under scrutiny. Fatwas are absurd.
December 5, 2005
Liz, I found this article quite weird at first, and thought that Prof. Khan was just posting a funny article. In the first page, I thought that the questions were funny. However, reading further I think that you can tell what the purpose of these fatwas are. These fatwas are just opinions or answers to questions. I do not believe that the fatwas are democratic, nor fair to women. I thought it was a silly question for the women to ask if she can apply lipstick on at work. But the response was completely sexist. I think that these fatwas restrict women. A women can only put on lipstick in the privacy of her home!
Later in the article, it comes across as if fatwas are not paid that much attention. However, if that was me. I would definitely pay attention. As a female, fatwas are allowing males to dominate society and control my actions both privately and public. Then again, a fatwa is not a solid command, its just an opinion. If so, then why do women follow them? I don’t think that people should take them so seriously.
12/05
This post has been removed by the author.
This post has been removed by the author.
After reading everyone's postings, I decided to search for the topic of fatwas elsewhere on the web. I went to CNN and typed fatwa into the search engine, and after reading 10 or so articles with everyone of them about some declared fatwa or another, I have to say fatwas seem rediculous. I read one article about Spainish clerics issuing a fatwa against Osama Bin Laden, then read of another imploring muslim men to fight FOR Bin Laden. Another article was about an Iraqi Cleric placed under house arrest by American forces- he specifically issues a fatwa requesting the no violence take place by his followers, then a day later 5 other clerics issue another fatwa ignoring the first and ordering that everyone resist the occupation and free the Iraqi Cleric. What is the point then of the first? These fatwas simply lead many muslims around like sheep. To top it off was another CNN article about a fatwas issued in Saudi Arabia that outlawed Pokemon. I see.
Kathryn, maybe you don'y refer to religion to make decisions, but is it that absurd that people would like to know how their clerics interpret holy texts. Yes it is a bit much to talk about when and when not to pass gas, but I really think that saying that one should not ask the opinion of their religious leaders is what is absurd. A fatwa, from what I understand it to be, is just an opinion of a cleric. You could ask about anything. It could have to do with when and how to pray more effectively, how to keep your wife and family happy or even when to pass gas. Your thought that asking for a fatwa is absurd just shows your ignorance and complete indifference to another's culture.
This post has been removed by the author.
This post has been removed by the author.
A fatwa is a simple way of a person educated in Islam, a mufti, giving an answer to another person who has a question about their faith; the only ones who are obliged to obey any specific fatwa are the mufti who issued it and his followers.
Although in the past it has been abused to create violence and injustice by leaders who have gained mufti status. But placing a moratorium on the use of fatwas, just like any recent addition to a religion that has been around since the seventh century, could easily be disregarded or ignored by those that would abuse it on the grounds that the faith is weakening. Disregarding changes to an institution with the interest of protecting it from weakening is not an uncommon basis for extremist behavior. So I believe that putting an end to Fatwas would really be an unnecessary agitation of a religious community, because in the end those that would abuse it will simply disregard the change.
I do not see any problems with fatwas as long as it is only taken as an opinion. In the article it says that the Fatwa is suppose to just be an opinion and not taken as a command. Fatwa is part of some Muslim’s tradition and people should not try to change other people’s tradition. As long as the fatwa is taken just as an opinion nothing bad should occur. For example if a women is issued a fatwa then she should be able to choose to ignore it or she can take it into consideration. The problem is when fatwas are taken seriously. For example when a fatwa calls for someone’s death (Salmon Rushdie), that is going too far and it is not an opinion anymore. Also the US media needs to become more educated on Muslim tradition and customs because it seems like everything in the media that is related to Muslims is portrayed in a bad light.
So if I pass gas while writing this blog do I need to start over? The silly fatwas make good news stories. They do not represent the opinion of the majority of Muslims, but these fatwas make nice headlines. It reminds me of how Christianity is portrayed in this country. Right now there are thousands of Christians serving in the areas ravaged by hurrican Katrina, but little is written about that. Pat Robertson says that the people of Dover Pa. have "rejected God", or that Hugo Chavez should be "taken out" and it makes news. Come to think of it Pat Robertson is the American version of a fatwa. He supplies headlines but his vies are not neccesarily held by most Christians.
I agree with Jon, who said that Christianity and Islam can be compared in that, often, there are people who claim to speak for everyone of their religion as a whole. But, in reality, people within their sect or religion consider them, or their point, obsolete. The article stated that often, because something "comes with the words fatwa tagged on, it can be hyped to sound sensational." It always amazes me how often people will take it upon themself to speak for an entire group, sometimes groups of millions, and without their consideration whatsoever. As the article said, there are some downright crazy and stupid things being said, and if we take them all literally, either coming out of Islam or from somewhere else, we should reconsider who we listen to, or accept that we're naieve.
jacque dimattia 12/6/05
"[TheMuslim Board] manipulate the system to impose their will on us through a faulty interpretation of Muslim personal law...they should stop as they use these fatwas to embarrass Muslim women." Legal sanctions against women is not limited to the Muslim culture, but a global phenomenon perpetuated by the constraints of patriachal society. The very terminology within the fatwas perpetuates sexism and reinforces secohdary status discrimination. All laws need to be evaluated from a jurisprudence stance in which validity comes from law itself, meaning the only reason to obey a law is because the law itself has reason. In my opinion, there is no true reason within the fatwas, except to discriminate. I agree that there should be a "fatwa against all fatwas," unless the factor of inherent inequality can be removed.
An important point made in the article is that if there were to be a "fatwa against fatwas", this would be considered an encroachment on the freedom of expression in India. Yes, some fatwas encourage undemocratic and sexist views and standards, but as the article said, these are only opinions and not binding. To put some sort of ban on fatwas could possibly be considered a violation of freedom of religion. Infringing upon freedom of speech and religion is a stronger violation of democracy than the fatwas themselves.
Katie Ruiz 12.6.05
These fatwas mentioned in the article are only opinions. The media attention surrounding them tries to make them controversial. I think that is important to remember.
As far as fatwas that are issued about certain people, for example, Salman Rushdie I feel is taking the freedom of expressing an opinion too far. Sometime last year Rushdie visited and spoke at the University of Michigan. My cousin had the opportunity to meet him because he was selected to show him around the campus. When Rushdie was asked about the fatwa, he declined to respond. He told my cousin that those were the "dark years" in his life. Issuing a fatwa for the death of someone is too extreme.
Sexism seems to be an underlying issue with some of these fatwas and I think that should be looked at. I feel that it is a difficult question, whether or not to end all fatwas. The responses are opinions, and I guess the actions that follow would determine whether or not a fatwas against all fatwas needs to happen. The people the article interviewed all seem to be very frustrated with fatwas, and I would be interested to know about more people's views of them.
-Laura Coogan 12/7 8:40am
This post has been removed by the author.
If the fatwa is just meant to be an opinion, how someone views it is all up to the individual. With the media getting involved, certain things can be exaggerated, creating a situation that does not necessarily need that much attention. While some of the fatwas may be sexist as the novelist and poet Salma believes, but because it is an opinion, she just shouldn't listen to it. She's a respectable woman who should be able to get along without paying attention to what the people issuing fatwas have to say. I do believe though that it is important not to have a "fatwa against all fatwas" because some of the opinions that are stated could be influential and have a positive effect on everyone.
Reading the first half of this article, my thoughts immediately jumped to all the ridiculous people on TV and the radio here who seem to just wake up one morning, put a Dr. in front of their name and deem themselves able to dole out life changing advice. Those extremes are not a representation of our country, or of these individuals particular religions as a whole, so it is unreasonable for people to assume that these fatwas are any sort of representation of Islam as a whole. I do agree that the media spotlight probably does aggravate the situation and we all know that many people aren’t educated or intelligent enough to separate facts from the exaggerations.
A fatwa was explained in the article as merely an opinion given by a cleric and at that a true fatwa must be given by a respected cleric. However the basis of the fatwa as only an opinion resides in the notion that the person seeking the fatwa believes this as well. It seems that their is much room for misinterpretation of a fatwa and how much weight it actually carries. A fatwa may as well be a command if the individual asking for it believes that the advice is absolute.
Although these fatwas seem ridiculous, I highly doubt most fatwas are this absurd. The main point of the article is to demonstrate the lack of seriousness approached to these certain situations. Being there is no centralized hierarchy in Islam, these (and other Fatwas) are mere opinions. They are no different then evangelical Christian opinions on contemporary issues. Those that follow the certain priest or church may agree, but others may choose not to participate. Not every Christian is going to be pro-life, anti-stem cell and ect on the basis of their priest's opinion. The same goes with Islam, most Muslims are not going to bathe when emitting gas pre prayer.
A Fatwa against all fatwas does not hit the point of what a fatwa is. Afatwa is issued as an expression of opinon by a Sunni leader. These opinions can then be observed however the follower wishes. Some may take them more literally while others may find the fatwa dumb.
As stated in the article Fatwas are issued in response to a question by any Indian Muslim. This means that that person had a question which baised on their faith feels that an answer is needed. Just because we think one person's question is dumb, they may not feel so. They have every right just as the next person to ask a personal concern and to recieve a response.
People must remember and know that this is an opinion. If one cannot even be held accountable for what he says and how it affects the community, than it is as if he never made the comment.
Like the comment states in the article, "if you ask a stupid question expect a stupid answer."
I think the main issue here is people looking at the negatives of it. I mean, when have you seen media say, "the muslim scholars today issue this "GOOD" fatwa." The answer is NEVER. Fatwas are interpreted differently according to mazhab, clerics, countries, etc. For example, Iranians are mostly SHIA muslims and alot of their ideas conflict with Sunni Muslims. NOt just sunni, but even within Shia community, there are disagreements. So to take out of context couple of fatwas that look ridiculous and portrayal of that as the "islamic Teaching" is absurd. I was watching Pat Robertson the other night (he is my favorite comedian) and he was taling about fatwas. The way he was talking about it even made me realize, that if I was not familiar with it, I would have probably gottena wrong interpretation of it as well. He made it seem like it was directly related to QUrAN/Hadith, but in fact it is actually just an opinion of a cleric or scholar on a certain issue.
I disagree with previous comments that Fatwas are ridiculous just because I can’t see calling someone else’s beliefs ridiculous. Because they are opinions of clerics, people are free to believe them or not, it is the same as people being free to chose their own religious beliefs. If they chose not to than I cannot see issuing a Fatwa against Fatwas because it is redundant, if people want to believe it they will if not they will go on with the fatwas as usual. It would make absolutely no difference.
~Sarah COchran
Fatwas seem to be something that conservative Christians would give in America to pronounce something that needs to be changed in the nation. Much like the word “jihad,” people tend to look at it in a bad light it seems. I remember Osama bin Ladin delivering a fatwa in 1998 to the Muslim people, but how many normal, everyday Muslims were actually accepting this? Like most people said, it’s not a rule or an edict—it’s really just an opinion. I think many people that aren’t used to culture think fatwas are the preferred nomenclature that Muslims abide by.
First of all, i think "Fatwa against all Fatwas" is a terribly contradictory title, which may be why it was picked. I feel like the statement nullifies itself. But from the article, i get the sense that the power of these fatwas may be getting a little out of hand. The maulanas remind me of viglantes abusing this religious act. Although not all fatwas are considered "law" becasue in Shia, they must be issued by an imam, if the certification of being an imam is anyhting like being a minister, then people will be able to get certified online. The globalization of gimicks. I dont think fatwas have to be eliminated, maybe just kept on a more official level and viewed more as a stong suggestion than a binding contract.
12/6/05 Matt Linder
The Ulema remind me a little of Christian fundamentalists both “whose worldview is so limited that they can so easily become objects of ridicule”. However, the majority of Muslims do not agree with the opinions of the ulema just as many Christians do not completely agree with the views of fundamentalists. Nonetheless, both the ulema and Christian fundamentalists are entitled to their beliefs but they should not force their beliefs on others. Every Muslim and Christian should attempt to interpret their respective holy book for themselves, form their own opinions, and voice their own beliefs.
Steph Scholl 12/7/05
Fatwa in the Muslim religion is the same as 'Freedom of Speech' in the American culture. There are many people who say crazy off the wall things, but that doesnt mean that it is true or even that we have to believe them. If that is what people want to say about something, well what can you do. There are sexist, racist and sterotypical comments made in the US everyday, but it is not on the headline news.
above comment made 12/8/05
When I started reading this article, my first thoughts were that this article was one of the funnier things I had read in a long time. The fatwa examples are just so ridiculous. But then I realized, as I continued reading, that this was not only a serious article but a serious problem.
Though a fatwa may only be an opinion or a piece of advice, the fact that it comes from a respected individual gives it a certain credibility that it otherwise would not have. Instead of being perceived as "just an opinion," the fatwa becomes a (sometimes dangerous and misguided) truth.
Because of the high regard there is for a fatwa, there is a responsibility for the issuer to act responsibly, and this article shows what can happen when that does not happen. There are consequences on every level. It is not uncommon for religious entities to offer advice, it is, however, important that they consider the advice, and potential negative impact, very carefully first.
Matthew Shalk
12/08/2005
"In Sunni Islam, a fatwa is not a command or an edict, it's just an opinion of a maulana about a query." I think that the real issue in this case is not whether or not fatwas should be abolished or not. I think the real issue is how seriously they are taken by the people who follow them. On one hand, the article explains that they are merely opinions and that no one take them very serious in the Muslim faith. If this is the case and most Muslims agree that they are merely harmless, opinions that they can disregard if they choose, than I do not see the real harm in them. In this instance, If there are people who choose to inquire after fatwas and these responses do not cause harm, than I do not see the need in trying to abolish them. On the other hand, it can be dangerous and counterproductive to law and order when something that is a mere opinion and not bakced or enforced by law is taken seriously or as if it is law. This can cause unnecessary oppression and violence. In this instance, I would leave it to the law or religious leaders to control the use of the fatwa. Whatever the resolution of this matter, it should come from the people that it effects, not from the watchful of of the western world which tends to scrutinize what it doesnt understand or agree with.
Tarilyn Little
Fatwa is indeed an opinion, but I feel that the Muslim community doesn't necessarily realize that. They take it very seriously and see it as, "The mullah said it was okay to do so its okay.." not realizing that it's an opinion not the word of God. I know from past experiences that many Muslims have the most ridiculous curiousities and want to ask someone they FEEL would know everything about Islam. On a personal level I know my family and many others watch this show on Pakistani Televison caleld "Aalim Online". It's basically where people from aroundthe world call in or email their questions based upon Islam to a scholar who they feel would know the answer. It's amazing as to the questions that will be asked, as ridiculous as they may be but Aalim answers it to the BEST OF HIS KNOWLEDGE. Muslims tend to complicate the religion of Islam. They want answers to situations that are so complicated and fail to realize that it's the intention that matters.
Post a Comment
<< Home