The
Quran tells us to nurture the up coming young roots, if we want to reclaim or revive a
downtrodden nation. If the rationale of our younger generations is properly guided and
their desires and motives are channeled in the right direction, then a nation can
certainly rejuvenate itself. Keeping this reality in mind, my foremost attention has been
on the young generation of the nation. Whatever I have written is primarily for them. In
this regard the "Letters to Saleem" are of special importance. Saleem represents
our educated youth who are eager to learn but who, through the wrong education which they
get in our schools and colleges, in their minds have doubts and suspicions regarding Deen.
The letters tried to dispel these doubts in the light of scientific analysis, Quranic
truth and rational wisdom. As such, these letters prove to be quite effective and useful.
A while ago, a dear friend of mine suggested that like the "Letters to Saleem",
I start a separate series called ''Letters to Tahira'', which should especially deal with
problems facing women. This suggestion proved so useful that after publishing the first
letter, I received hundreds of letters from daughters and sisters all over the country
appreciating and praising this new series. One of the advantages was that the questions
asked covered a wide range of topics, and the rest of the letters published were then
based mostly on these queries.
There
had been a demand for some time that a collection of ''Letters to Tahira'' be published,
like its predecessor book "Letters to Saleem". This book is thus a response to
that demand. First I considered including all these letters in one volume, but later I
felt that there are other vital matters that should necessarily form a part of such of
collection. When thinking of other material for inclusion in the book, the need of
collating all such Quranic directive that particularly concern women, was highlighted.
These are now presented in this book, under different headings, so that whenever needed
one could easily look up the required reference. I have arranged all these laws for easy
reference, but while this has enhanced the usefulness of this collection, it has resulted
in a thick volume. I, therefore, have had to divide it into two volumes.
These
letters bring forth the trials, tribulations and those vexing problems that the
unfortunate and helpless girls of our society have to face today. The solutions to such
problems have been presented in the light of the Quran. The solutions to these are
obviously applicable to the society does not correct itself, one cannot get satisfactory
solutions to these difficulties. In fact, there are two effective ways of making a just
society. Firstly, the education in our schools and colleges should be based on the correct
lines and secondly, the laws of the land should be formulated in the light of the Quran.
For this purpose it is necessary to awaken public opinion to such an extent that the
changes can be effected in a constitutional manner.
Through a study of
these letters it will be evident that the laws about marriage and divorce, as formulated
by the so called Sharia, are often quite
contrary to Quranic teachings. Quite often the prevalent Sharia directives, which are sometimes used in
legal judgement, contain violations of the Quranic concepts.
We
are Muslims and our conviction about the Quran is that it is a complete code of life given
to us by Allah. Therefore, anything that goes against the Quran cannot be correct. What we
need is to bring our Sharia to completely conform to the Quran, and this can be
done by applying the approach mentioned above.
Some
letters highlight those maladies that are currently rampant amongst our modern educated
class. These are the results of following the 'West' blindly. The nation is gradually
being pushed towards destruction, and if the orthodox section of the society needs to
change, the modernists, too, are not to be exempted. If the former is a patient of
paralysis, the latter has had a stroke. It is imperative that both extremes be brought to
the middle path, in the light of the Quran.
Sex
is a very important subject because it is deeply linked with civilization and the culture
of a nation. Precious little has been written about this subject, and so I want to talk
about this in a manner which explains its importance. With this aim in mind, a research
paper on this subject has been included in the second part, which explains why the Quran
emphasizes chastity and the purity of thought and deed.
It is
a fact that women can 'train' a society more easily and effectively than men. Society
consists of an aggregate of different families, and it is a woman who can effectively and
beautifully set her home right. The publishing of these letters will hopefully initiate
the reformation process at home. If this effort of mine can light a few Quranic candles in
some homes, I believe my endeavours will have borne fruit.
To
those sisters who want to start elementary Quranic education in their homes, I would
suggest to them my book "Islami Muaashrat" which is available in English from
Tolu-e-Islam Trust, under the title 'Islamic Way of Living'. Children should be
made to study it, lesson by lesson, and then be encouraged to practice it accordingly.
This book, in an easy and attractive style, portrays Quranic guidance on aspects that
concern our everyday life. Thereafter, girls can go on to study "Tahira Kay Naam"
and both male and female college students can read "Saleem Kay Naam". These will
give their thinking an Islamic foundation.
Finally, I should
emphasize that I would love to satisfy any doubt or answer any question regarding any
subject discussed in these letters. For me, every girl of our nation is my daughter
"Tahira."
Parwez
January 1957, Karachi
(Second Edition)