A Blind Imam in a Kabul Madrasa

A Blind Imam in a Kabul Madrasa
by Le Anne Clausen

The imam sees it as his responsibility to serve the people of Afghanistan. He does a lot towards this goal, with 760 students attending classes. Female students come in the afternoons; boys in the morning. Students may or may not attend another school. “There is no discrimination here,” he says, “Children and adults can both attend at no cost.” The madrasa teaches Qur’an, tenets of the Muslim faith, and writing. “We also teach them to know themselves,” he says. “The mosque is essential, the education of youth begins there. It is a place of education and prayer.”

We were in for a long and later tense conversation, after the imam chided us for not asking more than polite questions. His answers about the tough controversial issues of our day gave me much to think about, especially in understanding how Islam might frame the root issues. It was a hot and dusty afternoon, and we sat on the floor in a simple receiving room. This imam was known for being enthusiastic about talking with foreigners, and I was quite grateful afterwards for the time. I have grouped his thoughts throughout the afternoon by the variety of topics covered.

On Violence:
“The first principal in Islam is to have character, so we cannot push people to be violent,” he said. “Violence is always used by people to do wrong. The justice of God is like the sun. Anyone who is aware of it will believe in it.

“Violent crime must be abolished, human rights must be respected. In Afghanistan, it is because of ignorance that we have seen so much war. One example is how the story of the desecration of the Qur’an at Guantanamo Bay. The manner in which the story was disseminated led to many deaths; they should have focused on bringing the perpetrators to justice in the U.S., not on destroying Afghans.

“We need prominent teachers, to teach wisdom and nonviolence, and the students will succeed in rejecting violence.

“If we give too much money to an ignorant person, he will do wrong and hurt others. But if we give it to the wise, they will use it for scholarship, to buy books, and so forth.

“Moderation is needed in Afghanistan. The violence is very bad. We need moderation in all things, especially conflict. If I use violence to punch a wall, I hurt myself also. The Qur’an advises using negotiation to resolve disputes.”

On Interfaith Relations:
“Islam and Christianity are the same, if anyone tries to divide them, that is neither Christian or Muslim. The prophets are the same, though people try to make them seem separate. The Qur’an came into the society which existed at the time, it mentions the Torah and the Bible, Christians and Jews. The Qur’an was sent to everybody, all groups. I challenge anybody to differentiate between Jesus, Moses, and Mohammed. Islam doesn’t accept differences. If prophets sent by the same God, how can they be different? I wonder myself, how can these teachings be brought together in a universal, unifying way?”

On Jihad:
“I am trying to improve myself first. When you struggle for something, you have to start with yourself. Anyone who wants to engage in jihad needs to start with self. The goal is to orient the self to God first, then others; to help others is neccesary to being closer to God.”

Of the Future Role of Women in Afghanistan:
“God can see every person oriented to equality. Women will have a future. Without this, both men and women will be without a future. Everyone must participate in building this future, not just one group.”

“If wisdom is pursued, then women’s rights will be respected. We will not be destroyed by Islam but by ignorance.

“God created man and woman and each person and we must decide our own lives for ourselves. Women have the right to assert their desire to work. Men still have the responsibility to provide for the family, he can’t shirk this. Kids do need a lot of attention, though, with breastfeeding in particular, but women still have the right to work outside the home. Women of course do work hard in the home already.

“Islam gives women three personal rights men do not have: property rights, a right to one third of the brother’s inheritance, which she can even bring into and keep if she marries; and half of her future husband’s property should be the right of the wife.

“Women’s rights are not respected in advertising, women should be sacred, not exploited.

“I am against the practice of rejecting women. Islam states that men and women should before marrying come to a good understanding of one another, with witnesses of the community surrounding and supporting them. If a man rejects his wife, there are tough consequences.

“Women’s rights are not that of bed to bed, that is, sexual freedoms, but of marriage, to enter into it with respect and understanding. Beyond the property women bring into a marriage, the man must provide for her well-being. She deserves respect; Islam doesn’t promote disrespect. This is the command of Jesus and Moses and Mohammed and Abraham and all prophets, that God commands all to do so.”

On Marriage and Divorce:
“In Islam, a man may have only one wife except in necessitating circumstances. Marriage is for life. Both parents benefit from children, it is mutual. Without family structure, we are doomed to fail. Divorce is difficult. A man has no right to deceive his wife, and vice versa; it is sinful for either to commit adultery. In this world we need love which is strong and clean, with people divorcing here and there, life is without purpose. Kids need education, and to be cared for. Love parents, because when they are old and powerless, love benefits them. Life is to be spent for one another. If there is lots of love in this world, it will abound in goodness.”
On Homosexuality:
“Islam is strongly opposed to homosexuality and believes it should be punished, because women’s rights are not respected in this way. If homosexuality is natural, why were women created? Islam has punishments for those who disrepect rights. Women are good; men’s and women’s characters complement one another. A man should not deprive a woman of sexual relations. The traditional punishment is to put them underneath a wall for this.”

On Domestic Violence:
“Neither men nor women should be violent towards each other. This world is created for love. Women shouldn’t leave without their rights, her property, and so forth. She is entitled, accounts must be settled.”

On Abortion:
“If intentional, abortion is a crime, and an example needs to be made of the perpetrator. All children have the right to live as well. This is democratic. Freedom to exist is democratic. It is not democratic to kill children or the elderly. The reason for such abortion is to cover up adultery, this isn’t an excuse. You should not be unfaithful without consequences. In other matters, the husband and wife should agree, as the child is the fruit of both. You can’t live without kids. The elderly don’t become young again.”

Should religious leaders (not) be involved in politics? What are their responsibilities?
“This is a Western concept; answer depends on the leaders themselves, so far I have not seen positive acts or examples here. Leaders seem to be after material goods and pacification of the masses. In scholarship, nothing should be falsified away from the truth, instead of making political alliances, should be pursuing wisdom in leadership.”

Who are the wise leaders in the world?
“I’m not that wise.”