Bouquets and Brickbats

Your editorial “Absurd Fatwa And Tendentious Campaign” (Islamic Voice, August 2005) was excellent and timely. In fact, Islamic Voice should be commended in taking up such issues and putting its views across in a fearless and forthright manner. The tackling of the Imrana episode deserves praise. It is unfortunate that an unseemly spectacle has been made out of the Imrana episode and the fatwa that culminated in its aftermath. The cleric undoubtedly exceeded his brief by giving the fatwa thus exposing his inadequate learning about Islamic theology. Such acts are not only reprehensible but also create all round confusion in the minds of the believers, illiterate or otherwise.


I find Islamic Voice to be the most appropriate journal for Indian Muslims, which can genuinely work towards this. Islamic Voice should not only be published on a fortnight basis, but it should be published in regional languages such as Hindi and Urdu so that its message can reach far and wide, particularly north Indian Muslims, amongst whom lies endemic poverty and illiteracy.


danish_a_khan@rediffmail.com

Some people who regard themselves as intellectual giants engage in absurd speculations about the origin of life. They consider that life with all its complexities originated by chance. Chance, seems to be the key that would open up any enigmatic lock- a proposition that is difficult to believe. When subjected to scientific examination, these claims miserably break down, for what science reveals is quite contrary to such beliefs. Evolutionists fail to account for how life originated, like Charles Darwin simply glossed over the problem and treated it as it required no explanation. Another impasse faced by the evolutionists is their inability to explain the increase in genetic material of higher forms of life. A bacterium for instance has a single chromosome while a human being or a whale has a complex set of chromosomes. There is a tremendous increase in the quantity and diversity of the genetic material. All this enigma is simplified when we reflect on what Allah says in the Quran: “Or who originates creation, then repeats it and who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth?” So it is better for these evolutionists to realise that it is the Creator alone who can unfold life and events of life.


Mubashir_07@rediffmail.com

Dress code is essential in certain professions like doctors, advocates, police, nurses and school children. But Muslims tend to complicate Islam by imposing dress code even for namaz for men. So you have someone telling you that tie, belt or formal wear like a three-piece suit is not a proper dress during prayers. This is ridiculous. Some go to the extent of prescribing a certain type of cap too for men. A particular type of dress and other outward rituals do not comprise righteousness. Allah watches our intentions in our heart. So its time Muslims come out of this trap of ‘right and wrong’ dress for men for namaz.

As a regular reader of your superb Islamic Voice. I got attracted to Workshop Diary- ‘Feeling Light Like a Feather’ (August 2005). Many have benefited and are benefiting from your workshop including some non- Muslims. You can conduct this workshop in the Gulf countries too.

I am preserving copies of Islamic Voice since 1998. I sincerely appreciate your work and love reading this publication as the articles are very informative. The August 2005 issue had very good articles on Islamic banking and Islamic insurance. In my view, the August issue was best divided in the form of columns and pages. Make this as the standard format adding articles on Islam and Science.