Author Archives: Asghar Ali Engineer
8th March, 2013
A harmonious marriage
UNTIL yesterday, a woman was considered a man’s property after marriage and gratification with her was considered his absolute right.
UNTIL yesterday, a woman was considered a man’s property after marriage and gratification with her was considered his absolute right.
1st February, 2013
Is Sharia immutable?
IT is believed by millions of Muslims across the world that Sharia laws are immutable and represent divine will. This is based on serious misunderstanding. Sharia is not and cannot be immutable.
IT is believed by millions of Muslims across the world that Sharia laws are immutable and represent divine will. This is based on serious misunderstanding. Sharia is not and cannot be immutable.
4th January, 2013
Vaccinators targeted
RECENTLY we read with great pain that extremists in Pakistan killed several women who were active in administering anti-polio drops to children.
RECENTLY we read with great pain that extremists in Pakistan killed several women who were active in administering anti-polio drops to children.
7th December, 2012
Women’s access to holy places
RECENTLY a women’s organisation in Mumbai, the Akhil Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Association, conducted a survey and found that in 18 Sufi mausoleums women are prohibited from entering the astana, or sanctum sanctorum, in which they were previously allowed.
RECENTLY a women’s organisation in Mumbai, the Akhil Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Association, conducted a survey and found that in 18 Sufi mausoleums women are prohibited from entering the astana, or sanctum sanctorum, in which they were previously allowed.
2nd November, 2012
Malala and TTP logic
THE recent attack on Malala Yousufzai has shocked not only Pakistan but the whole world. There was near unanimity among the people of Pakistan that the attack was unjustified.
THE recent attack on Malala Yousufzai has shocked not only Pakistan but the whole world. There was near unanimity among the people of Pakistan that the attack was unjustified.
5th October, 2012
Freedom of expression
RECENTLY, disturbances erupted throughout the Muslim world against the film Innocence of Muslims which was deliberately made to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims.
RECENTLY, disturbances erupted throughout the Muslim world against the film Innocence of Muslims which was deliberately made to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims.
7th September, 2012
The allure of Sufism
SOME friends often ask why I so strongly support Sufi Islam when many Muslims not only disapprove of it but even call it deviation from Islam.
SOME friends often ask why I so strongly support Sufi Islam when many Muslims not only disapprove of it but even call it deviation from Islam.
3rd August, 2012
Child marriage and Islam
RECENTLY, the Legal Affairs Committee of the Majles (the Iranian parliament) has told the press that they regard the law that prohibits girls below the age of 10 from being married off as ‘un-Islamic and illegal.’
RECENTLY, the Legal Affairs Committee of the Majles (the Iranian parliament) has told the press that they regard the law that prohibits girls below the age of 10 from being married off as ‘un-Islamic and illegal.’
6th July, 2012
Rigidity of ulema
A FEW days ago we had organised a discussion on codification of Muslim personal law in a way that could be acceptable to all the sects of Islam in India. We did so in consultation with the ulema, Muslim
A FEW days ago we had organised a discussion on codification of Muslim personal law in a way that could be acceptable to all the sects of Islam in India. We did so in consultation with the ulema, Muslim
1st June, 2012
Women and faith
LAST year, I had gone to Afghanistan for a series of lectures on women’s rights. I also spoke on this subject in a gathering of distinguished ulema and one of the issues which came up for discussion was
LAST year, I had gone to Afghanistan for a series of lectures on women’s rights. I also spoke on this subject in a gathering of distinguished ulema and one of the issues which came up for discussion was
4th May, 2012
Fatwas can be changed
RECENTLY a conference of the Muslim Personal Law Board in India saw a huge crowd of 200,000 Muslims from all over Maharashtra.
RECENTLY a conference of the Muslim Personal Law Board in India saw a huge crowd of 200,000 Muslims from all over Maharashtra.
6th April, 2012
The concept of justice
LAST month in Vienna there was a seminar on multiculturalism and religious pluralism. Among other issues a discussion was held on the concept of justice. What is justice, it was asked, and participants gave their
LAST month in Vienna there was a seminar on multiculturalism and religious pluralism. Among other issues a discussion was held on the concept of justice. What is justice, it was asked, and participants gave their
2nd March, 2012
On interfaith dialogue
THE world is highly diverse. There is not a country which is without diversity. Though in the past too diversity existed but colonisation, scientific progress and communications have increased diversity in the
THE world is highly diverse. There is not a country which is without diversity. Though in the past too diversity existed but colonisation, scientific progress and communications have increased diversity in the
10th February, 2012
Understanding the Quran
HOW to understand the Quran is an important question. Generally we pick and choose a verse to prove our point. Thus, many Muslims have different positions in understanding the verses of the Quran.
HOW to understand the Quran is an important question. Generally we pick and choose a verse to prove our point. Thus, many Muslims have different positions in understanding the verses of the Quran.
6th January, 2012
Of economic justice
JUSTICE is one of the central values in Islam, and any economic system not based on justice is unacceptable.
JUSTICE is one of the central values in Islam, and any economic system not based on justice is unacceptable.
2nd December, 2011
The women of Karbala
TRADITIONAL Muslim set-ups place many restrictions on women. They cannot even venture out of their homes; most are required to restrict
TRADITIONAL Muslim set-ups place many restrictions on women. They cannot even venture out of their homes; most are required to restrict
4th November, 2011
Arab spring & women
THE Arab world has seen great political turmoil since the beginning of 2011. The Tunisian dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown before January…
THE Arab world has seen great political turmoil since the beginning of 2011. The Tunisian dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown before January…
