Adil Najam
(UPDATE: You can view this movie here).
Shaib Mansoor’s feature film Khuda Kay Liye: In The Name of God is to be released in Pakistan on July 20, 2007. There is great buzz about it; as there should be.
Regular readers know how much respect, even reverance, I have for Shoaib’s work. For me he is one of the single most talented Pakistanis I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Indeed, one of the single most talented Pakistanis ever.
As we have written before, he may also be the single most under-rated Pakistani artist, since his contribution to TV music, to TV drama, to TV comedy, TV stage shows and to popular music remains unknown to many; too many.
I have not seen the movie myself yet and have been hearing about it from a number of people - including some directly involved - for quite some while. The promo clips are now available on YouTube and - no surprise - the quality of cinematography, of artistic composition, of music, of attention to detail all look great. Typical Shoaib Mansoor. Of course, how the whole package comes across remains to be seen. This is, of course, his first feature film but he is already a master of each of the genres in a movie and his long plays (like Alpha, Bravo, Charlie) must have trained him well for this.
To me, of course, the story is Shoaib Mansoor. For others, however, there are other draws. The cast includes Lollywood superstar Shaan, Bollywood maestro Naseeruddin Shah, Iman Ali (who is PTV’s Abid Ali’s daughter and was in Shoaib’s Anarkali music video), and other notables. But the real story here is the story. Or, rather, the topic of the story.
The film has a wonderful and wonderfully rich website, and according to the synopsis posted there:
The film is about the difficult situation in which the Pakistanis in particular and the Muslims in general are caught up since 9/11. There is a war going on between the Fundamentalists and the Liberal Muslims. This situation is creating a drift not only between the Western world and the Muslims, but also within the Muslims. The educated and modern Muslims are in a difficult situation because of their approach towards life and their western attire. They are criticized and harassed by the fundamentalists and on the other hand the Western world sees them as potential suspects of terrorism just because of their Muslim names. This paradox is resulting in great suffering for a forward looking Muslim.
This paradox of the divided society is, of course, a constant theme of ATP too. It is always a controversial subject here and will be much much more controversial for Khuda Kay Liye. It is, despite the controversy, a topic that we as a society have to confront. Thoughtfully and seriously. Since I have not seen the movie I cannot say how he has treated the subject, but based on his track record if there is anyone who has the ability to deal with this difficult issue sensitively and without turning things into slogans, it is Shoaib Mansoor. All the more reason to watch the movie and refrain from judging it in advance.
But there is another important angle to this too. GEO is promoting the movie as a ‘revival’ of Pakistan cinema. As a long time fan of Pakistani cinema, I certainly hope it is. Again, if anyone can do this, Shoaib Mansoor can.
I saw a post today in Metroblog Lahore that made me think that he just might. It was not about this movie, but about a new very modern movie house opening in Lahore. I have long believed that the reason Pakistani cinema declined is not just because of the movies, but also because of the state of movie houses. Well, this new theatre - the DHA Cinema - is quite something.
With tickets at Rs. 250 and Rs. 500 it may be pricy, but from the pictures at the site, it is clearly something that could attract a lot of people simply for the theatre experience. Interestingly, this theater also opens on July 20, and one of the movies it is opening with is Khuda Kay Liye. Coincidence? Probably not.
I must confess that I have been planning to write this post for nearly two weeks now. I had originally thought of calling it something like ‘The Other Lal Masjid Story’ simply because Abdul Rashid Ghazi had taken an interest in this movie. According to Daily Times (July 3, 2007):
Lal Masjid has demanded a ban on a yet-to-be released movie, Khuda Kay Liye, declaring it blasphemous… “The film is against Islamic norms and traditions and is being released on a private TV channel without prior approval from a censor board. We won’t allow this,â€? said Abdul Rashid Ghazi, the Lal Masjid deputy mullah, who did not mention his source of information about the movie. He said he would not object to the movie if ulema approved it. He demanded that the government form a board to review the film. “The government will be held responsible if the film is released without being censored,â€? he said.
I had not understood then, nor understand now, whether his source of objection was the subject matter, the fact that it has an Indian actor in it, or a statement of support for the Censor Board. I guess we will never really know. I do know, however, that it is bound to be controversial for same for at least two of those reasons. As for myself, I will reserve my judgement until after I see the movie. But anything from Shoaib Mansoor, and anything on this subject, I do want to see.
spelling correction: desperately to replace disparately in above comment of mine.
@Karim
“The word ONLY is the problem… Exclusivity… If you say you are the only RIGHT then you are implying the others are WRONG…. World has got 6 billion people not all of them are Muslims.. So does that mean the only way of salvation is being Muslim.. That would be entirely illogical and against the basic notions of justice. Prophet (PBUH) himself emphasized that Taqwa (Purity of Heart) is what matters not the pedigree, caste, creed or religion…”
If one is really a believer in a religion then that person CANNOT accept that any other religion
, a parallel world is also entirely true. However, respecting other religions is something different and a healthy sign, subscribing to more than one religions is a lack of a clear belief, its an early stage when a person is confused whether his major religion is actually true or not and so finds solace in others as well.
Consider the monotheistic religions vs. the polytheistic ones.
Can they both be true simultaneously? Obviously not. But respecting is something totally different from believing.
As for the notion of justice which your text inherently assumes that it lies in the eyes of the beholder, if I think or judge someone to be doing something outside the borders of my chosen religion, then it doesnot mean that i am doing any injustice. Its Allah to decide who is right who is wrong, not humans. So even if i subscribe to one faith, believe and infact cherish commonalities with others, but I dont believe in two conflicting ideas simultaneously (or religions), I aint doing any injustice to nobody, coz I aint persecuting anyone for differing in opinion or practicing other religions.
But if someone brings ‘corruption’ in religion, I can atleast point my reservations. By corruption in Islam, I mean new ideas which GO AGAINST the teachings of Quran and Sunnah. On the other hand, Ijtehad is adaptability in modern times which are in harmony with the Quran and Sunnah. Ijtehad disparately welcomed.
3.
“Taqwa (Purity of Heart) is what matters not the pedigree, caste, creed or religion…”
Can you site where u got this from, the word ‘religion’ makes little sense here.
@Karim:
“But an important point which comes up is that what do we mean by ISLAM. Does ISLAM mean abrogation of all previous Shariah or ISLAM the final link of the continuation and chain of prophets… ”
Some rules have been further enhanced, some have been reduced, some totally abolished and some remained unaltered.
Best is to consult the Quran at 5:3, translation from Yusuf Ali:
“Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah. that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”
2.
“All Muslims believe Prophet (PBUH) as the last prophet but does that mean we have got a license to demean Christian or Jewish teachings of Jesus or Mose”
What are you talking about? I never EVER said or even thought such a thing. I dont mind a person drinking alcohol saying that its allowed in the Christian faith, what really saddens me is that people (at quite an extreme) say that drinking is allowed in ISLAM! thats the point I was trying to make. We should not adjust the religion to fit our likings (Talibans and ’so-called’ enlightened moderates) but we should study what it is and if we really buy it, then adopt it ‘fundamentally’ which also indicates consistency.
Ibrahim sahib,
I don’t want to get into any arguments. Your beliefs unto you and my beliefs unto me. In the end every man has to answer for his/her own actions.
However, you do not seem to have the understanding that ordinary ulema have nothing to do with the way of the awliya. The people you quoted, “deobandi or ahl-e-hadith shaykh/mufti/mawlana, Sayyid Sulaiman Nadwi, Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi and Abul Ala Maududi” are worthy of respect, but were not the followers of any sufi tariqa. I had quoted Usman Ali Hujwiri, who is respected by all sufis.
As a punjabi sufi poet has said:
Eh masalay tay aazam, hanbal shfi das na sakay
Points of gnosis were not even known to Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi and Imam Hanbal. Don’t get me wrong, they are worthy of respect but they did not know about gnosis. Infact Imam Hanbal used to go to a sufi, Bashar Hafi to ask him about God.
So please quote from relevent sourcesm (i.e. sufis and awliya) when talking about sufism. I’d recommend quoting Usman Ali Hajwiri, or Imam Ghazzali on this topic.
Mar na mulla bolarian, sanoo’n apna yaar manawan day
Kanjri baya’n meri izzat na ghat di, mainoo’n nach kay manawan day
(Baba Bulleh Shah)
“Stop babbling O foolish mulla, let me please my Beloved
Dancing like a dancing girl does not bother me , let me dance and please my Friend”
I know your response, that this is all kufar and bida. Let the fatwas roll now.
Peace!
Salamalikum,
Who says sufis don’t believe in sama?
All outside of few, some of whom you mentioned. Go and ask any deobandi or ahl-e-hadith shaykh/mufti/mawlana. Iqbal was against it so was Sayyid Sulaiman Nadwi, Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi and Abul Ala Maududi. And, this is only somewhat contemporary people and only in sub-continent. If you go out of sub-continent and take a look at all the times, then there are literally millions of such people.
There is also a narration in books of ahadith that the Prophet SW was sitting and some girls were singing. Hazrat Umar came and admonished them. Upon this the Prophet (SW) said to Hazrat Umar that every nation has an eid, and today is there eid, so let them sing.
Yes, you are right. But, did you take time to read what I had written. Clean, pure, innocent (not today’s vulgar) singing (without music) is allowed in specific situations like Eid. There is a difference between such singing and music. Plus, and I don’t want to get into it here, the issue of sufi music is much more serious because that allows music as form of ibadat, which is a grave innovation. May Allah help us all.
Prophet (PBUH) himself emphasized that Taqwa (Purity of Heart) is what matters not the pedigree, caste, creed or religion
You should have stopped before the word ‘religion’, and I wouldn’t have disagreed. This ‘taqwa’ you talk about is what? How is it attained? Is it some vague concept that is common in all religions? No, of course not. Taqwa is Allah-fearing, and Allah-fearing is doing the good (like praying, payins zakat, fasting, learning the deen, etc.) and avoiding the bad (not taking interest, not lying, not doing zinaa (fornication), etc.). This is what taqwa is. Now, tell me how two religions who differ on these things like praying, for example, have the same definiton of taqwa?
Remember, taqwa mentioned in Quran and by Rasoolillah (saw) does not equal “basic humanity”. It is basic humanity and much more, which is detailed in Islam. This is in no way demeaning other religions or basis for extreme views. One religion that says Allah has no partners and one that says He has a son can’t both the equal and correct. If you think they are, then it is possible your understanding is not clear.
Ibrahim Sb… you said “However, belief in Islam is of absolute truth of being the only right way.”….
The word ONLY is the problem… Exclusivity… If you say you are the only RIGHT then you are implying the others are WRONG…. World has got 6 billion people not all of them are Muslims.. So does that mean the only way of salvation is being Muslim.. That would be entirely illogical and against the basic notions of justice. Prophet (PBUH) himself emphasized that Taqwa (Purity of Heart) is what matters not the pedigree, caste, creed or religion…
This Exclusivity lies at the core of extreme thinking that either people start believe in what you think right or you just simply kill them… I think the real spirit of ISLAM is inclusive and I have read enough history and religion to justify the same.
As for Samaa and Music, see Kruman’s response.
Who says sufis don’t believe in sama?
Awliya like Hazrat Muinuddin Chishti, Usman Ali Hajwiri have listed to sama. Amongst the sufis there are 3 schools:
1) Those who listen to sama and also dance. Chishtis belong to this school.
2) Those just listen to sama but don’t dance. Qadris belong to this school. (reference Sakinatul Awliya)
3) Those who don’t listen to sama, Naqshabandis and Suharwardis. Hazrat Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshband Bukhari was asked about sama and said, “I don’t listen to it, but I don’t fordbid it either.” Reported in Sakinatul Awliya.
Hazrat Usman Ali Hujwiri has given his opinion in very simple terms on sama. He said that music that inspires love of the world and sensual sentiments is haram. Music that inspires love of God is halal.
There is also a narration in books of ahadith that the Prophet SW was sitting and some girls were singing. Hazrat Umar came and admonished them. Upon this the Prophet (SW) said to Hazrat Umar that every nation has an eid, and today is there eid, so let them sing.
I am least qualified to talk about this, but sufis saints have written about the permissiblity of sama in the light of sunna and hadith. Those interested can refer to their books.
It might be of interest to some that before the destruction of Baghdad by mongols, muslims were having similar arguments. Today the country is at the brink of collapse and mullas have nothing better to do than to issue fatwas against a movie. Instead of this the mullas should focus their efforts in bringing peace and order to the restive northwest.
Salamalikum,
JazakAllah for the nice sentiments, Akif.
Two things: Karim, Islam did negate any previous shariat. Yes, that is a simple truth. All laws before it are mansookh except those which Allah chose to retain. I don’t know how this principle in itself means one is demeaning another religion. Now, if people start to taunt, etc. then that would something not from Islam. However, belief in Islam is of absolute truth of being the only right way.
Also, read the post and comments on sufism on ATP and more importantly read books and other knowledgeable forums. Even those who believe in sufism, most of them don’t believe in samaa’ in their sufi practices, almost all of which are bidaat anyways.
Baber: Thanks for the link. Now, we know of another site that needs to be refuted and warned against. Did you take some time going through their site and reading what other mazmoom things they had to say? The source of this “fatwa” is from people of Quraniyyun (Quranic sect), fake, munafiq people who only take Quran to be the only source of laws in Islam while, and as is the case with such people forgetting Quran’s ayaat themselves: “O you believers! Obey God and obey the Messenger and those of you who are in charge of affairs. If you have a dispute concerning any matter, refer it to God and to the Messenger” (Surah al-Nisaa; 58-59). How could one obey “the Messenger” and refer disputed matters back to the saying/teachings of “the Messenger” if ahadeeth were fake? Was Allah subhan wa taala unable to protect the hadith/sunnah of Rasoolillah (saw) so that people could follow His command mentioned in the above ayah (na audhubillah)?
Of course, they are right there is no explicit mention of invalidity of music in Quran but these people forgot about the little matter of hadith and sunnah.
In Sahih al-Bukhari, it is narrated that Rasoolillah (saw) said:”There will be people among my ummah who regard as permissible zina, silk, alcohol and musical instruments.” And, this prophicy has come true….look around.
You are right, the young girls of Ansar did line up to welcome Rasoolilallah (saw) when he came to Madina and they clapped and chanted nice couplets praising Allah first and his rasool, but they didn’t play any music or “musical” instruments. Some think that daff (with no metal/rings) is allowed, but that is only for some occasions (like Eid) not for all the time. Please provide reference where it says the girls played musical instrument or even just daff.
Also, there is a difference between sounds and singing and music. Most of what you have mentioned above are sounds of nature. Nobody will say those are examples of music. Secondly, and I don’t have proof for this, it is a commonly held belief that birds are actually doing zikr of Allah rather than creating “music”!