Cultural Traditions can Distort True Islam

Cultural traditions can distort true Islam

Feb 16, 2007 04:30 AM

Pakistan proposes to outlaw forced marriage

Feb. 14.

Many Star readers will view the welcome news that Pakistan has proposed to outlaw forced marriages as a move toward secular values, rather than seeing it as a move toward becoming more Islamic.

For those unaware of Islam's primary roots, the woman's consent is actually required in order for her marriage to be valid in the Islamic faith.

This clear fact is, unfortunately, ignored by many Muslims who value their cultural traditions more than the rational instructions of the belief system to which they claim to adhere.

The equally ridiculous \"marriage with the Holy Qur'an,\" where a woman is made to swear on the Qur'an that she will never marry (so that she is deprived of the inheritance that would go to future children), is an invented practice.

It's a pathetic attempt to legitimize the subjugation of women by making something evil appear good.

In fact, marriage is highly praised and encouraged in Islam, and celibacy is prohibited as a form of extremism.

The backward practices we regularly hear tied to Muslims – such as honour killings and punishing the victim of rape instead of its instigator – stem from societies where the knowledge of Islam has been lost among the people.

And beyond knowledge, what else is there but ignorance?

Sumayyah Hussein, Toronto
Source: www.thestar.com/article/182268