Professor opened the door and welcomed Noori and Shoaib. Professor offered them coffee and they sat down in the Hall.
Prof:- Welcome Noori and I believe this is Mr Shoaib from Pakistan you were talking about in college!
Noori: Yes Profeesor, Shoaib Mia have come from Pakistan around a month ago and he seems very upset.
Prof: Upset of what?
Noori: He thinks that Muslims in America have lost their routes and are not religious any more.
Prof: (Smiling) Ohh, that is not a big issue. This happens with most of the Asians. Hindu, Muslim all think in the same pattern.
Shoaib: I do not know how a Hindu feels but I know about my religion and I want to live by the principles of Islam.
Prof: What do you think are the principles of Islam?
Shoaib: "Hijab" is the first rule. All women should do a parda from outsiders.
Prof: Shoaib Mia, Who told you this that in Islam, Parda is necessary?
Shoaib: I have learnt it in my Madarsa. Moullavi sahib told it. It's written in Quraan!
Prof: Shoaib Mia, Quraan says nothing about parda. I have read it all my life. There is no mentioning of Parda.
Shoaib: How can you say that Mr Hassan? You mean to say that whatever I have learnt is wrong.
Noori: Professor if you don't mind then I shall have to go to Library to get some books. If you don't mind then you guys talk. I shall be back in a couple of hours.
Prof: Yeah, you carry on Noori. We both can have a discussion. If Mr Shoaib does not mind getting bored!
Shoaib: No, I am fine Noori. I will wait for you here.
Noori: Okay then, see you guys in a couple of hours.
Prof: Do you mind some more coffee, Shoaib?
Shoaib: Not at all Professor.
Prof: Okay come with me. I will share my special coffee recipe with you.
Shoaib: Sure Professor. (following Hassan)
Prof: Shoaib Mia, the problem is that everyone uses Quraan as an armour. They start swinging where they feel the benefit. People are spreading their own versions of Quran. Half of them are not educated even.
Shoaib: Are you atheist Mr Hassan?
Prof: No, I am a Muslim as anyone else is. Shoaib Mia, Islam does not stop us from accepting the rights, development and changes. Quraan is way more than what Moullavi's teach us. They try to bind us to what they think is right. Whereas in reality, Quraan gives direction to life. It gives us the sense to identify wrongs.
Shoaib: Even for an instance if I believe what you are saying but then what do you think of "JIHAD"
Prof: What word can be more sacred than "JIHAD"?
Shoaib: So you believe and agree with this ideology?
Prof: What ideology are you talking about, Shoaib? "JIHAD" is Islam and Islam is "JIHAD".
Shoaib: I am talking about the sacred ideology of Islam. Which not only guides me to kill evil but expects me to avenge those who got killed in sight of Islam. Am I not bound to avenge those who got killed in Iraq? Am I not bound to avenge those who got killed in Kashmir? What about those who died in Palestine? Professor, it is very easy for us to talk about all this while enjoying the comfort in your house but I believe that one should start raising the voice and Avenge those who are responsible.
Prof: Here, our coffee is ready. Try it and tell me if you like it.
Shoaib: Thanks, Professor. I don't know about the taste yet but surely it smells very good!
Prof: It will taste good too. You know Shoaib! An English lady taught my grandmother to make coffee and I inherited the recipe from her. Well, coming back to what you said. There are different and better ways to take a revenge. "Jihad" had been misinterpreted by different people. They took out their own meaning and definition of Jihad. We Muslims have a very big problem that we follow Mullahs and extremists blindly. This is because of illiteracy. Every Muslim should read QURAAN SHARIF himself. I am sure that these Mullah's business will be shut down forever. They advocate their own version of Quraan according to their own benefits.
What about those who are dying of hunger? What about those who are dying because of lack of health facilities? What about the Women empowerment in our Muslim countries? What about the illiteracy? Who will fight for all this Shoaib? God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just.” (Surat al-Mumtahana, 8)
I understand that you are right in certain ay but killing or fighting is not the solution for any of the problems. It is now when we should adopt the modernisation in our lives. Islam is not just a book but it is also an advanced way of living. Changes are required in this modern age. We cannot implement the laws of middle ages in the modern age. If we do then we will be left behind.
Shoaib: So you are against "Jihad". You, yourself said that "Jihad" is Islam and Islam is "Jihad".
Prof: Yes I still standby to what I said but which Jihad? Mullah's Jihad or Allah's Jihad! You are advocating the Jihad where one avenges by killing. My Jihad is the Jihad to improve life. What kind of a man would I be if I do not do good for my people and always remember that killing innocent and helpless can never be forgiven by Allah?
Shoaib: I do not understand professor, what you are saying! Those who are attacking our people, those who have intruded in our countries should be left alone! Should we let them crush our people, poison our society? Look, what Russia did to Afghanistan! Killed innocent people. If our Pakistan would not have supported then they would have butchered all Afghani's.
Prof: Islam, according to the Quran, teaches love and compassion for every human being, no matter their religion is. The word “Islam” is derived from the word meaning “peace” in Arabic. Islam is a religion revealed to mankind with the intention of presenting a peaceful life for everyone. What is Afghanistan now after adopting Sharia? Have killings stopped? Is there total peace? Now Talibs are in control and they are acting as directed by Sharia. Is Afghanistan heaven now? No! it is not.
We need to understand this Shoaib that today everyone needs Education, Freedom, Entertainment. If we talk about medieval ages then our society did not have all this. Resources and quality of life were very low. Sharia could have been practical during that time but not know. Today is the era of Science, Technology and innovation. All Muslim community should take a step forward in that direction. Stop oppressing women, educate them. Provide better health system.
Shoaib: I am not sure Professor. If I believe what you say then I would be denying to whatever I have learnt till now. It contradicts to all my understanding towards Islam. I do not know what is right. Even if I believe what you are saying is true, What to do with the "Qafir"?
Professor: I have a very simple solution to this confusion. Do one thing, start noticing our people around and compare them with what u have witnessed till now. You will have your answers, I am sure. If you have anything to discuss with me then you know my address.
While returning, Shoaib had a rush of thoughts in his mind. Noori kept talking about her day but Shoaib kept quiet and was thinking about his conversation with the Professor. Though at first, he did not like Professors' Philosophy, it all sounds good to him. It forced him to think differently. It felt like he had heard all this before as well.
To be continued...
