From: ka@wan.inf.rl.ac.uk (Khalid)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Subject: Re: Respect for women in India/Pakistan/An
Date: 16 Oct 92 12:03:45 GMT
Reply-To: ka@wan.inf.rl.ac.uk
Organization: SERC Rutherford Appleton Laboratories

In article 9128@paul.rutgers.edu, partha@paul.rutgers.edu (the_tramp) writes:
>>I am very willing to believe what khalid has said.
>>And I readily admit that my understanding (if i may say so)
>>of Islam comes NOT  from reading Quran, rather reading other books and
>>from experience with people.
>>
>>I would like to take this opportunity to ask Khalid a few questions
>>for my personal clarification:
>>(P-L-E-A-S-E.. i am not saying this religion is bad or that is better,
>>hope my muslim brothers and sisters wont think my queries derogetory,
>>i do not know much and that is why i am asking.)

Bhai, you queries are not at all derogetory. Let me try to answer them.
I should point out that I am not a scholar of Islam, so if any learned
brother/sister wants to correct me then please do; I would be thankful
to have any mistakes clarified.
>>
>>1.Does the concept of 'kafir'  have any basis in Islam?
>>  (I am willing to believe that in the days of Crusade it might have
>>had some justification)

Kafir simply means, "one who covers up". Non-believers are generally refered
to as Kafir, those who cover up, because they indulge in beliefs and
activities that prevent them from understanding/contemplating their
creator. It is a classification rather than a derogetory name.

>>
>>2. Aurangzeb (believed to be a 'religious' person) used to force 
>>   'jijia' tax on non muslims, do this kind of acts  have any
>>basis/support  in true Islam? (i am asking becuase the badshah is
>>belived to take credit as a Muslim for doing this!!!) 
>>(Again this might have had a justification when Islam was fighting its
>>battle for survival in the deserts)

Yes, the 'jizia' tax does exist. When an Islamic state is established, in
order for the state to provide full rights to the non-muslims a tax is
levied. However, because of the way that the Islamic state is run, taxes
are very minimal anyway, and the said tax will not be a burden. Islam wants
to bring people towards Islam not push then away, so heavy taxes would be
the wrong thing. These taxes would be used to look after the needs of the
non-muslim community. EG build a hindu temple, and then look after it. Yes,
a Hindu community (any non-muslim community) have the right to freely 
practice their religion in the Islamic state, it is the duty of the state
to provide for the minorities.

>>3.Talaq: there is a myth about it.Do Islam really give the husband
>>to leave his wife by just saying talaq three times??(I earnestly
>>believe that it is not so simple and before a talaq many things have
>>to be and IS  considered, but in todays world dont you agree that it
>>is certain kind of bias in favor of men?)
>>

Your earnest belief is quite correct!! Divorce was abhorred by the prophet
(pbuh), and he frequently warned men to exercise it carefully. It was one
of the things hated most by him (pbuh); to be used only in extreme
circumstances (eg adultery, cruelty). There has to be a one month space
between each "talaq". Thus, it takes a minimum of two months, anything less
then the Talaq is not valid. Also there must be separation during this
period -> the point of this is that both parties can think about it carefully
and hopefully try to resolve things with a cool head. The emphasis is to make
Talaq the last resort. The Talaq becomes valid when the third one is said, the
couple are not divorced if they decide to remain togetehr after two "Talaqs".
I believe the prophet (pbuh) has said that one of the things most hated by
Allah is divorce. So if Allah hates it, a man should hate it too. Muslim
women also have the right to divorce their husbands. I'm not too sure what
the law is for that, I shall look it up or perhaps someone can enlighten me.

>>4. Polygamy:there may be a very good reason for that in the past.But
>>now I dont see any basis of it to exist. In oil rich countries they
>>can afford it (no matter how derogatory and exploiting it is towards
>>women) but in Indian subcontinent(bangladesh?, India(not sure)) this
>>may have a link to the population problem.

Muslim men are allowed to take a second, third, fourth wife on the condition
that all are treated equally in terms of looking after, money, time. If these
conditions are not met then the man should not take another wife. If he does
and treats one unfairly then he will be caught on this on the day of judgement
and will be punished, so it is in his own interests not to abuse the system.
I regret to say that some muslim men *do* abuse this system, may Allah guide
them. There is a maximum limit of four wives. Possible reasons to take a second
wife: first wife bears no children (adoption is also encouraged), there
has been a war and many women with many children are without husbands, they
cannot fend for themselves, it is encouraged for someone to marry them and provide
for them and their children. Generally no longer practiced, eg in Pakistan I'd
hazard a guess at around 1% of men possibly take a second wife.

>>
>>5. I am willing to believe that Islam does not have anything to say
>>against non-abortive birth control. But dont know for sure and doesn't
>>look likely and i have heard people using Islam as and argument for
>>not doing birth control.

Don't know man, sorry!! Anybody out there please tell me!! KA.

>>
>>6. The 'Purdah': i do not know if muslim women feel bad about it or
>>not. But do we need it today? (Again in the past there may be some
>>justification to this). Does Islam force women to hide her face /even
>>her hair in the 'Burkha'???? I dont really know the place of women in
>>Islam, i heard contradictory ideas.

Women are encouraged to wear purdah, covering their heads, but not
necessarily their face, and more importantly to wear non-sexy clothing.
I.e no tight clinging trousers, jeans, skirts -> wear loose clothing that
does not show the bodies shape -> prevent men from lusting after them.
Men are also encouraged not to lust.

The points you mention are part of Islam and are thus still practised.

Hope this was of help.

Khalid
ka@uk.ac.rl.inf
Xref: sparky soc.culture.indian:33614 soc.culture.bangladesh:5131