From: azhar@duke.cs.duke.edu (D. Salman [Quintessential] Azhar)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam,soc.culture.pakistan,soc.culture.arabic,soc.culture.iranian
Subject: Inter-religious marriage and the essence of Islam (was Re: Interpretations of the Quran)
Summary: The message is in the essence of Islam, not the letter of the law
Date: 23 Jan 93 02:11:32 GMT
Followup-To: soc.religion.islam,soc.culture.pakistan,soc.culture.iranian,soc.culture.arabic
Organization: Duke University; Durham, N.C.

In article <727661933@flounder.cs.duke.edu> as5h+@andrew.cmu.edu (Azleena Salleh) writes:
>ahmed@dsg.cs.tcd.ie writes:
>>Not only that but you will find also
>>that a muslim woman should not continue, in marriage relationship, with
>>a non-muslim man. 
>
>I think as it says in the commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali that this is
>so because in traditional practise the woman's cultural and religious
>status is usually lost when she marries, that is, she usually takes on
>that of her husband's.  Perhaps someone knowledgeable can comment as to
>whether that this rule is still applicable in cases where the woman can
>keep her own Islamic identity?  
>
>wassalam,
>-azleena

	I don't believe that a woman loses her identity in marriage. In
fact, in Islam, a woman retains her name (along with her parentage). A 
muslim woman named Fatimah Doe will remain Fatimah Doe, even after she
marries Mohammad Smith. On the contrary, the western influence has induced
muslim women to adopt their husband's name after marriage. Now, as we see 
the west receding from its trend of forcing wives to adopt their husband's
last name, we see muslim women forced to adopt their husband's name. 

	Having said that, let us address the topic at hand. The allowance 
for a muslim man to marry a non-muslim is made only under extenuating
circumsatances. What we must recognize here is that "law" is the last
resort of enforcing a practise. "Laws" are the last resort a society has
to control transgressors... Following a social and religiosu conduct does
not even necessitate implementing laws to correct a social disorder. A 
close examination of an islamic society would convince you that "laws" are
meant as deterrents, rather than "practise". In an ideal muslim society,
the entire population is not without limbs, but the society is without 
incidents of thefts.

	In an ideal muslim's life the decisions are based on what is deemed 
preferable by God, especially as exemplified by the prophets. The four 
characteristics to be assessed in a propective partner that Prophetic 
tradition (Hadith) recommends are as follows:

	1. Fear and obedience of Allah. 

	2. Equivalent status (so that none suffers from 
                              inferiority/superiority complex)

	3. Equivalent wealth (so that there is no major adjustment
                              required in standard of living)

	4. Atractiveness (so that one is less susceptible to 
                         extra-marital affairs)

Now, if we sit back and read the spirit of Islam, rather than letter of its
law, we can't ignore that marrying a non-muslim is neglecting one of the
key criteria for spouse selection. We, muslims, have to go beyond the law,
adn recognize the essence of our religion. We, muslims men living in the 
west... let usshould look around ourselves... we can find enough conflicts 
outside your bedroom. In fact, our bedroom may be the only place left where
we can find peace and serenity... Now, why would we like to lose the last 
peaceful corner we have left here in the west, unless you are confused about
your identity, and have intellectualized all conflicts, past, present, and
future.


	Salman [all the wonders you seek lie within yourself] Azhar




-- 
 I must, with emotional fire, burn or illume myself
 I must, with the heat of passion, melt or sublime myself
 I must, in flood of tears, drown or cleanse myself
 I must! I must! I must! For my people and myself -- D. Salman [Q] Azhar
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam