Adil Najam
Back in July, ATP had posted a picture of former world squash champion Jansher Khan being hauled away in a police van on charges of trespass and violent attack on a woman. Now, Moin Khan, former cricket captain and wicketkeeper, has joined Jansher in the Hall of Disgrace for beating his wife.
Shame on you, both of you. You may once have been stars. You are stars no more. And, Moin, even if you have been freed on bail, that does not absolve you in our eyes for maltreating your wife. No Sir. This is not a private matter between man and wife. This is a matter of national disgrace. But my anger at this incident is making me run ahead of the story.
So, first the news as reported in the Daily Times (17 January, 2006):
KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan was arrested by the Darakhshan police late Monday night after his wife Tasleem alias Shama Seher made a phone call to Madadgar 15, complaining that he had beaten her.
According to Town Police Officer (TPO) ASP Azad Khan, the police received a phone call from Seher after midnight. A police team visiting the house found Seher standing outside and Moin Khan screaming at her from within. After a struggle, Moin Khan was taken in preventive detention under Section 151 of the CrPC, the TPO said. The couple was taken to the Darakhshan police station from where Moin was taken to JPMC for a medical examination. Seher was also taken to JPMC for a medical examination later on.
“If injuries are reported by the doctors examining her or a blood test confirms that he was intoxicated, the law will take its course,” said the TPO. Darakhshan SHO Inspector Zia Rizvi told Daily Times that this was a domestic matter, “but we brought it on to the court record”. Moin was produced in a local court and was granted bail. Seher told Daily Times that Moin had been disturbed for three days. “This isn’t something new, its been like this for a while,” she added. “He accused me of being involved with his friends. I asked why he was beating me and he told me that he hated the look of my face. He said, “Tum apnay gireban me jhanko, apni shakal dekho, apna character dekho” … There’s no special reason. Things were normal but I don’t know what had happened as recently he started to get harsh after drinking. I think that Moin still thinks of himself as a young star, Seher, a showbiz person herself, said. “Cricketers have the same life … (Another Karachi cricketers) wife recently separated and got custody of the children. Complaints remain as (many) cricketers treat their wives like this. Woh apnay beewiyon ke sath is tarha ka rawaiya rakhtay hain … Is tarha kay rawaiye mein kon sath reh sakta he? The problem with (some) cricketers is that they are getting better options outside the house. Unhain ghar ki murghi daal barabar lagti he.”
Both Moin Khan and the police seem to say that this is a ‘personal’ or ‘domestic’ matter. No, it really is not. It is a social matter. A national matter.
This case catches our attention because the man is a former cricket star and the wife a former TV personality. But the story here is repeated every day and goes unnoticed and unreported. His intoxication obviously made matters worse, but the malady here is deeper than alcoholism. It is the way women are treated. The Jansher case was one example, but there have been many others that we have raised here on ATP. Wife-beating is a serious social sin and the sinners here are not only those who do so, it is also those who condone it in the name of tradition or because it is a ‘personal matter’, and it is also those of see it happening and choose to remain quiet.
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Thank you Ibrahim, you sound like a good man.
Women being weak and portrayed weak are two different things. I can argue that women are not weak. I am opposed to the view of presenting women as weak, because thats like encouraging men to prey on them. Just tell me one thing that man can do and women can’t.
Well catwomen kicks ass.
Salamalikum,
[quote post=”529″]Please do not think that you know what Islam is, what it says, especially about a controversial topic such as this verse which has generated scholarship upon scholarship from people more learned than you. It is quite presumptuous of you to claim your view is the only correct view of Islam.[/quote]
Of course, Allah have mercy on me, I don’t believe I am superior than others or others ar lesser Muslims. It is sad that you think as such. Anyway, I might not know all the rules in Islam but everyone knows the basic principle and that’s complete submission to Quran and Sunnah. And, the reason I’m saying it’s not my view is that in my first comment I quoted the verse and a couple of ahadeeth, and that doesn’t make it “my view”. The evidence is clear. You’re saying scholarship upon scholarship has been produced on this issue. Then, give me a differing traditional view. Today’s modernist interpretation of Quran is not scholarship. Again, it’s not my view–pick up any traditional scholarly work, a tafseer of Quran or otherwise and you’ll see this.
[quote post=”529″]Well then under what circumstances is she weak and when can we (Men) beat her. I know you mean we man have the permission to do that. I am not biased or sarcastic, I’m just trying to get what you mean. when you say she is week , please enlighten me. I will appreciate it. [/quote]
Aren’t women generally weaker than men physically? East or West, what’s more common: that people think men are more emotional or women? It’s women. I mean I’m sure in Hollywood movies as well men are the big, strong, shinning heroes saving their women in distress. So, how did that concept develop? Only because it is generally seen that women are physically and emotionally weak and nazuk. Now, you get it when I say weak, what I mean? Read the verse and pick up some tafseer to understand the permission.
I can’t say more on this. I said all I could. If I’m wrong, then Allah have mercy on me and forgive me and give hidayat to me, and same for others. But, don’t forget the underlying point though: as a Muslim we should completely follow Quran and Sunnah without picking and choosing, which obviously includes believing in what is written in Quran. But, what most of us do? We take what we like and make excuses for things we don’t such as using illogical logic, unwarranted interpretations, using the concept of “it’s your view”, etc. Allah knows best.
[quote comment=”29478″]
How sad that people keep implying something I didn’t mention. Didn’t I say at the outset there are exceptions? Where did I mention their spirituality? Again, grow up and don’t put words in my mouth. “if she cheats you can whip her”: If wife or husband cheats/commit zina, the hadd punishment is stated in Quran.
[quote post=”529″]right?[/quote]
No, wrong. Very wrong!! May be if you could put your bias and sarcasm aside for a minute, then you might be able to discuss more intelligently.[/quote]
Well then under what circumstances is she weak and when can we (Men) beat her. I know you mean we man have the permission to do that. I am not biased or sarcastic, I’m just trying to get what you mean. when you say she is week , please enlighten me. I will appreciate it.
Ibrahim, what you’ve stated in your comments are your “views,” influenced by whatever you’ve read or heard from others in your life. Therefore, by ignoring them or disagreeing with them, I do not become a lesser Muslim. And yes, I vehemently disagree with you and quite frankly am glad I do not know someone with such views personally.
Please do not think that you know what Islam is, what it says, especially about a controversial topic such as this verse which has generated scholarship upon scholarship from people more learned than you. It is quite presumptuous of you to claim your view is the only correct view of Islam.
Anyway, I wish you peace and choose not to further argue. Salam.
Salamalikum,
[quote post=”529″]I think i get Ibhrahims point all he is saying is that Allah is saying All women are weak. Weak mentality, physically and spiritually? Man and women are created differently and GOD has made her weaker then men so hence if she cheats you can whip her. [/quote]
How sad that people keep implying something I didn’t mention. Didn’t I say at the outset there are exceptions? Where did I mention their spirituality? Again, grow up and don’t put words in my mouth. “if she cheats you can whip her”: If wife or husband cheats/commit zina, the hadd punishment is stated in Quran.
[quote post=”529″]right?[/quote]
No, wrong. Very wrong!! May be if you could put your bias and sarcasm aside for a minute, then you might be able to discuss more intelligently.
I think i get Ibhrahims point all he is saying is that Allah is saying All women are weak. Weak mentality, physically and spiritually? Man and women are created differently and GOD has made her weaker then men so hence if she cheats you can whip her. right?
Salamalikum,
Let’s try this again. I ran into some errors.
[quote post=”529″]Yet, you believe in an Islam that believes women are inherently weaker, stupider, not fit for leadership.[/quote]
It’s not my opinion. This is Islam and if you want I can provide you with authentic ahadeeth as well. And, I’m not ashamed of this deen. I didn’t say women are “stupider” compared to men. It’s best if you not put words in my mouth.
[quote post=”529″]Did you know that the word “darabaâ€Â? in that verse is also interpreted to mean “separateâ€Â? rather than “beatâ€Â?? Allah’s word is perfect, but man’s interpretation is not[/quote]
Ah, I knew this would come up. This playing with the word has only come up recently. All throughout the history nobody thought daraba meant something else. This includes the sahabah, the ta’been and ta’ba ta’been (the first and best generations according to Rasoolullah (saw)). Now, I am not advocating beating wives or dominating women. I am talking about what Islam says–it’s not an interpretation. Secondly, as I have said above already, this matter is a last resort and you should have done other things as mentioned in the ayah. And, most of the Muslims today don’t follow the shariah correctly that they will be entitled to using the last resort. I agree many men beat women and use Islam as an excuse when they can’t because they didn’t follow the rules properly. But, and this is my main point here, Allah allows this. I’m just highlighting what’s in Quran. And Allah knows best.
[quote post=”529″]Ibrahim, I don’t know if I should laugh or cry at your comments. I guess first I should stop being so “audaciousâ€Â? before the almighty strikes me with his wrath.[/quote]
You should cry!
[quote post=”529″]LOL. I don’t know how else to respond to that because I don’t even know what you mean but it sounds ridiculous and funny.[/quote]
I think you don’t know what to say! Any person who acts like her, man or woman, is not intelligent or is stupid.
[quote post=”529″]This is an idiotic point that cannot be proven. It is sad and scary to see that people in the world still think like that.[/quote]
So, please disprove me. I already said there are exceptions but in general, my statement is true. And history proves it. As I said earlier, this doesn’t mean disrespect at all. It means recognizing that men and women are created differently. [quote post=”529″]I don’t know how someone can still truly respect a woman if they actually believe that she is weaker and needs to be beaten every now and then. Even if men “show respect to them and have compassionâ€Â? it doesn’t give them the right to hit them. Finally, even this mentality of “have compassionâ€Â? stinks of sexism. Urghh….I could go on but what’s the point.[/quote]
You need to read my comments again. There is no mention of beating wives “every now and then”. What you are saying is way different than what I mentioned. Don’t mince my words. “Having compassion” is a fundamental rule in Islam. I’m sure you know the famous hadeeth that the one who doesn’t show compassion in this world, Allah won’t show compassion to that person in the hereafter. And, compassion is not to be shown only to women, but to all. So, there is no sexism here. May be your brainwashed mind reads things differently than what’s written.[quote post=”529″]Now that I have been enlightened by visiting Adnan Siddiqi’s blog, What does this have to do with beating a woman and why should I care if some “Westernâ€Â? woman decided to wear a hijab and convert to Islam? She had her reasons and I didn’t see her mention that getting beaten was one of them. By the way, I personally know “Westernâ€Â? women who have converted to Islam so this wasn’t some sort of a surprise. How is a “Westernâ€Â? woman converting to Islam some sort of a decisive factor for its legitimacy anyways?[/quote]
I wanted you to read an article off of Siddiqi’s blog. And of course, you didn’t pay close attention to the article. The point wasn’t that she reverted to Islam or wears niqaab. She says and I quote here:
Today I am still a feminist, but a Muslim feminist, who calls on Muslim women to assume their responsibilities in providing ALL THE SUPPORT they can for their HUSBANDS to be good Muslims. To raise their children as upright Muslims so they may be beacons of light for all humanity once again. To enjoin good–any good–and to forbid evil–any evil.
I’m sure people like you would say this woman has gone crazy that she thinks it’s her religious obligation to provide all the support for her husband. Also, in other places she talks about how she dealt with her husband. So, my point in telling you in reading this article is that to realize how she deals with her husband. And, inshaAllah, this is the correct way.[quote post=”529″]Excuse me for being audacious once again. Since according to you, I don’t even know if when I die, Allah will even bother to answer my question about his logic, I choose to use my own rationality and question his logic.[/quote]
Again, I never said what you are implying. The only reason I said “if you get an opportunity” is that I don’t exactly know what will happen to you or me. May Allah have mercy on me and you. I don’t feel like discussing this any further with you because I don’t want to be the reason for you to make comments like “I choose to use my own rationality and question his logic”. Allahu Musta’aan.[quote post=”529″]I am not going to bother with this debate anymore. There are better things to do than debate against blind faith. [/quote]
Yes, this is good for you because you’re on shaky grounds.[quote post=”529″]Ibrahim’s views, alhumdullilah, so I know all Muslim men dont all hold these beliefs. Language is a slippery thing, and I must be more careful next time. [/quote]
These are not my views. It’s up to you to ignore parts of this religion but don’t paint it as my “views”. Again, I’m not urging people to go ahead and start beating wives. If you read what I’ve to say with open mind, you can see I’m not telling people that they should look out for opportunities to somehow do something to their wives. Islam is what it’s, and nobody should try to conform it to his/her own desires.