whereby man is enabled to investigate reality. God has not intended man to
imitate blindly his fathers and ancestors. He has endowed him with mind, or
the faculty of reasoning, by the exercise of which he is to investigate and
discover the truth, and that which he finds real and true he must accept.”
–`Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 291.
Photograph Reproduced with permission of the Bahá’í International Community
In this photo: Mangolian women studying together
A while ago I was browsing the BBC Persian website when I came across an opinion page called ‘Your Voice’. Questions on daily topics are posted on this page and visitors are invited to share their views on the subject matter. On that particular day the question was related to an international outcry against Afghanistan’s anti-women laws . I don’t recall the exact question but I remember some of the postings. In fact I remember how horrified I was to read some of the views. A few people had referred to a verse in the Quran, saying that according to the Quran a woman is like a man’s land or property and the man can enter from whichever way or direction he wishes.
As a Baha’i, I believe in the sanctity of all the religions and therefore could not believe that prophet Muhammad’s revelation would be anything other than promotion of love, respect and nobility of mankind. After all Muhammad’s mission was to educate the barbaric Arab tribes, and for this he suffered immensely at their hands throughout his life.
I went searching for the exact verse. Of course the verse is revealed in Arabic. The actual quote is no more than one line so I also found several translations of the verse on a website belonging to the University of Southern California. No doubt any translation reflects the translator’s understanding of the subject. Here are three translations of this verse:
AL-BAQARA (THE COW) 002.223
YUSUFALI translation: Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will; but do some good act for your souls beforehand; and fear Allah. And know that ye are to meet Him (in the Hereafter), and give (these) good tidings to those who believe.
PICKTHAL translation: Your women are a tilth for you (to cultivate) so go to your tilth as ye will, and send (good deeds) before you for your souls, and fear Allah, and know that ye will (one day) meet Him. Give glad tidings to believers, (O Muhammad).
SHAKIR translation: Your wives are a tilth for you, so go into your tilth when you like, and do good beforehand for yourselves, and be careful (of your duty) to Allah, and know that you will meet Him, and give good news to the believers.
I wonder how this verse is understood by different readers. What would a man who at all times is highly charged with sexual energy and concerned with bodily matters (lower part) make of this verse? Would this give him the green light to do as he pleases? How about a property developer, a land lord or one who is engaged in human trafficking? Imagine any of these people going into politics and becoming involved in policy making using these verses. It is a terrifying thought. On the other hand my farmer friends would have a totally different understanding. They have utmost love and respect for their land as they believe that God created mother earth so that all good things could grow by her and from her. Their beautiful organic farm with colourful flowers and vegetables and plants of the highest quality is a great testimony to their immense love and respect for their farm.
Historians tell us that at the time of Muhammad, women had no worth and the baby girls often were buried alive as daughters were not fighters and would only hold the tribes back. They also tell us that farming was a way of life and a man’s farm was his livelihood, his worth, his identity and indeed everything to him.
The pure in heart read such verses in conjunction with many other verses. They give consideration to the time, the language and the circumstances of the revelation. In a state of prayer with their hearts and souls turned to God they search for the inner realities of these revealed verses. They believe that Muhammad elevated the station of women and his followers also should continue do the same. So they have a different understanding which promotes respect, love, understanding of changing times and the inner meanings of the revealed verse.
AL-E-IMRAN (THE FAMILY OF ‘IMRAN, THE HOUSE OF ‘IMRAN)003.014
YUSUFALI translation: : Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: Women and sons; Heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world’s life; but in nearness to Allah is the best of the goals (To return to).
A follower questions science, politics and knowledge but he or she may not question matters pertaining to religion . This creates a perfect opportunity for those who wish to rule and control masses, as ruling in the name of religion almost guarantees obedient subjects. The rulers impose their own interpretations as they wish and anyone who questions or thinks differently is branded as infidel, antichrist or evil, and is condemned to persecution and death.
So when a nation or a group is ruled by a person’s understanding or misunderstanding of a religion, a small matter of interpretation causes a colossal impact on the life of all concerned, putting them at the mercy of the interpreter. One of these affected groups is the Baha’i community of Iran whose leaders and some of its followers are still in prison and the community continues to suffer persecution. Let us pray for the day that humanity becomes so mature and strong that it will not allow anyone to fall under such control, that no one will need or wish to exert power over anyone else and ‘Control’ will find its true meaning in Self Control.
The seven imprisoned Iranian Baha'i Leaders
tajasom
