From: shah@cherry.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (Shahrin Abdullah)
Subject: Re: drinking and dancing
Originator: zeeshan@occs.cs.oberlin.edu (Zeeshan Hasan -Moderator)
Organization: Oberlin College Computer Science
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 15:52:58 GMT
X-Posted-From: occs.cs.oberlin.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol.ctr.columbia.edu

In article <1993Jan4.084912.29115@nuscc.nus.sg>, suresh@iss.nus.sg (Suresh Thennarangam - Research Scholar) writes:
|> ahmed@dsg.cs.tcd.ie writes:
|> : 
|> : In <1hikt9INNmks@life.ai.mit.edu> an1600@anon.penet.fi (president) writes:
|> : >Dear folks,
|> : 
|> : >At first, let me introduce my self. I am a non moslem student,
|> : >and I do know a little bit about muslem.
|> : 
|> : >A few days ago I have discussed with some friends of mine
|> : >about things as :
|> : >	-  Does a moslem allow to drink, even free alcohol
|> : >	   bir ?
|> : >	-  Does a moslem allow to go to a discotheek ?
|> : 
|> : 
|> : In facty the answer is very simple, and straight-forward from the Quran.
|> : 
>  : ~~~~~~~~~~~
|> : Dancing, I mean mixed dancing, male and female, is a step towards
|> : adultary, through sexual stimulation. The environment of dancing, in
|> : general, is a mixture of: consumption of intoxicants, sexual stimulation
|> : through music and body movement and direct contact between male and
|> : female. This environment makes the distance towards adultery very short,
|> : and thus should not be the place for a muslim to go, but a situation to
|> : avoid.
|> : 
|> : Like the case of intoxicants, it is not only adultary which is forbidden, 
|> : but also approaching adultery or comming near to adultery is forbidden.
|> : 
|> : 
|> : {The Quran: 017}
|> : 
|> :  32. And go not nigh to fornication; surely it is an 
|> :  indecency and an evil way. 
|> : 
|> : Of course when these things are forbidden to muslims by Allah, it does
|> : not mean it is allowed for others because they are not muslim. Islam was
|> : sent to all beings.
|> : 
|> : However, you will encounter people who do not care. They would committ
|> : such sins, and they would say that they are muslim, any how they don't
|> : care.
|> : 
|> : A real muslim should not go to such situations, and he should be clear
|> : so as to explain exactly why he doesn't want to be in such situations and 
|> : he shouldn't feel shy and he should not lie by giving false execuses.
|> 
|> I think your explanation about dancing is rather simplistic .. also your
|> inferences about dancing are not very valid given the verses you have
|> quoted. Also, this would not really apply to mixed male-female dancing 
|> if the people in question were legally married. Dancing is a form of
|> art and expression of music .. folk and community dancing where both
|> males and females participate don't have any sexual connotations. 
  
   Well I guess if a couple is legally married, dancing is 100% all right
   for them to do it. But pls note the author's word, if U know that U
   are going to a discotheq, which was the intended question of this discussion
   and U jolly well knew that the environment would include the consumption of
   liquor and mixed dancing in today context meaning there is going to be close
   body contact between male and female who are not legally married in which        could arouse sexual stimulation and thus encroach into or coming near 
   towards adultery, then it is advisable for a Muslim not to go.
   Satan is stronger when there liquor and a mixed group of men and women.
   The Quran (Maidah 5:91)
      
       Ye who Believe!
       Liquor and gambling ; idol and raffles
       are only a filthy work of Satan;
       Avoid them so that you may prosper
               
 

|> 
|> About discos and other such places where the atmosphere is as you describe
|> and intoxicants are served I would agree with your views but you do
|> dancing a great disservice  by your generalization.
|> 
The issue here is that Islam or the writer is not doing dancing a great disservice. Rather he is explaining some rules and regulations which
is spelt out clearly in the Quran. If folk or some traditional dancing 
led to some indecency exposure or movement or any other sorts of indecency
it is better not to practice it.

The Quran (Hujurat 49:13)
  
     Lo! The noblest of you, in the sight of God,
     Is the best in conduct.

Shahrin Abdullah