Mulling Over A Very Famous Couplet
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
20 August
2024
Surme Ka Til Bana
Ke Rukh-e-Lajawaab Mein
Nuqta Badha
Rahe Ho Khuda Ki Kitaab Mein
Qamar
Jalalvi (1887-1968)
(A pretty
face is artificially embellished with a mole of collyrium or kohl / You're
adding a dot to the book of Allah).
Qamar Jalalvi was born on August 19.
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'NuqtaBadhana' (adding a dot) is a theological
phrase in Urdu which means committing an act of blasphemy as humans have no
right to alter even a dot in the 'holy' Book.
This
extremely famous Urdu couplet is often quoted by those obstinate and
dyed-in-the-wool Muslims who still believe that no change in the Quran is
acceptable because the Quran is Allah's unadulterated message to mankind via
Muhammad, who was unlettered (Ummi in Arabic).
Hardly
anyone is aware that it was written by the poet Qamar Jalalvi (Syed Muhammad Hussain),
who was born on August 19 at QasbaJalali, Aligarh district. He migrated to
Pakistan.
I'll write
about his poetry some other time. Now let me focus on his couplet which's still
quoted by stubborn Muslims, not knowing that towards the fag-end of his life,
Jalalvi himself started asking questions about the authenticity of many verses
in the Quran.
This
intimidating approach that no change can and should be incorporated in the Book
has made Islam the most stubborn faith which is not amenable to changes. The
apostates Ibn Warraq and Salman Rushdie are of the view that Islam's obstinacy
is a shrewd tactic. By the perceived unchangeability of the Quran, Muslims want
to prove that it's the only true faith and the Quran is the only true Book.
Since all the scriptures of other faiths have accepted errors in them and even
made changes, Islam has remained adamant on this count.
This has
created untold miseries for the whole world and also for the sane Muslims
(there're many) who want to change a lot many violent, dubious and
controversial verses in their holy book. Those are interpolations and you
cannot justify them however hard you may try. But the hardcore Muslims think
that changing even a dot in the Quran amounts to sacrilege. Ye Kufr Hai(this
is blasphemy), they'll shout. In other words, they want a flawed Book to guide
and regulate the lives of all Muslims. That this is happening in these modern
times is indeed surprising.
The problem
with the Muslim exegetes is that despite knowing that the removal of many
potentially violent verses is a must, they keep interpreting them in their own
way. That's why there're so many subjective interpretations of the Quran and
every interpreter thinks that his interpretation is the best and flawless.
Change is often resisted and resented.
History in
the making is always persecuted by the people with vested interests. Yet, there
have been radicals in all faiths who brought about significant changes. One
doesn't have to be an apostate or an ex-Muslim to effect changes. One can do
that staying in the fold of Islam. Islam needs the likes of the venerable Mr
Ghulam Mohiyuddin who can prove to be a catalyst.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul
is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He
has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several
languages including Persian.
URL:
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism