Actually, Veils Don't Stop Pervs

I read an interesting article on Altmuslimah the other day. It discussed attempts to document (and hopefully put an end to) rampant sexual harassment in Egypt; you can read it here.

But this was the part I found really interesting:

"... [The study] found that 72.5% of victims surveyed were wearing hijab when they were sexually harassed. This is important because it shows the invalidity of the argument too many muslims (men AND women) bandy about of hijab being a protection against rape and harassment. Logically, even without this study, we can see why it’s not a reasonable argument: women in burqas in Afghanistan are raped, 99 year old grandmas are raped. These events show the appearance of a rape victim/survivor is NOT the determining factor in an attack. The determining factor is the man.

And as long as Muslims try to make the argument that hijab is the magical protection against sexual harassment and rape, then they continue to place the blame on the victim/survivor and are buying into the “she was asking for it by dressing like that” argument, and not where it sqaurely belongs: on the man." (Emphasis mine).

I mention this not to imply that there is something wrong with wearing hijab, but I do think its wrong to tell women that hijab will somehow protect them from harrasment - or that not wearing hijab somehow invites it. Unfortunately, women must always be vigilant, regardles of how they are dressed.

Hadith, Revisited

Back on the blog I started with, I wrote a post about my view on hadith. I have decided to re-open that can of worms.

Recently this topic has cropped up in the comment section of an earlier post, so I thought I'd open the subject up again with its own post. I wrote the following comment on this blog (in reference to vol. 1, book 6, number 301 of Bukhari):

"In fairness, it may be gut instinct as well as reason that makes me question the hadiths. I will not follow a Prophet who disrespects my entire gender. Why on earth would I? What possible motivation do I have to make myself believe that God intentionally made me deficient?"

Needless to say, I remain skeptical of hadith. I am bringing this topic up again because I want to find out if I'm missing something here - if there exists some bit of knowledge I've skipped over that would instill in me some tiny seed of belief that the hadiths are, in fact, accurate records of the words and deeds of the Prophet of Islam. I feel that the hadith are especially harsh towards women, something that would seem to contradict the impression I got of gender relations in the Quran. As a woman, I feel a responsibility to understand this divergence. As a possible convert, my religious future is inextricably tied to understanding the legitimacy and power of the hadiths.

So I ask you, dear readers and fellow bloggers, for your help. How do you feel about the hadiths? What influenced you regarding those feelings? What research have you done regarding hadiths? Was it helpful, and would you recommend anything? Regardless of their accuracy, do you feel the hadiths are relevant today, or limited by their time and place?

I do ask that those who choose to comment be respectful to each other. I will be moderating all comments.

Truth and Religion: a brief look at Abdolkarim Soroush (and some other thoughts)

Before I begin, I just want to mention a great post I read recently over at Tazaqqa's blog - a favorite of mine - called "Revealed scriptures vs divine inspiration"... a must-read! I reach different conclusions than she, but I still found the post very moving.

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Now, to my post. I've just started reading some of Abdolkarim Soroush's work. He is an Iranian religious intellectual and I must admit that I enjoy reading his thoughts. If you peruse the links on this blog you'll find one leading to his website, where you can find a number of his lectures and essays in both English and Persian. Today I just wanted to share a few quotes from a book I'm reading, "Reason, Freedom, and Democracy in Islam: Essential Writings of Abdolkarim Soroush".

Religion vs Religious Thought

This is a concept I found most refreshing when it comes to Islamic thought. Basically, it means that in endeavors to understand religion, or the reform/revival of religion, one must first understand that their is a difference between the religion itself and our understanding of religion.

"The truth is that as long as one has not distinguished between religion and people's understanding of it, one will be incapable of finding an adequate answer to these intriguing questions. Yes, it is true that sacred scriptures are (in the judgment of followers) flawless; however, it is just as true that human beings' understanding of religion is flawed. Religion is sacred and heavenly, but the understanding of religion is human and earthly... Religion has not faltered in articulating its objectives and its explanations of good and evil; the defect is in human beings' understanding of religion's intents. Religion is in no need of reconstruction and completion. Religious knowledge and insight that is human and incomplete, however, is in constant need of reconstruction. Religion is free from cultures and unblemished by the artifacts of human minds, but religious knowledge is, without a shadow of a doubt, subject to such influences... It is up to God to reveal a religion, but up to us to understand and realize it. It is at this point that religious knowledge is born, entirely human and subject to all the dictates of human knowledge."

A Motto to Live By

The beginning of the book included and interview with Soroush, in which he discusses some of his personal ethics. I found the following deeply inspiring:

"... I always follow a single motto. It is rather easy to state but hard to practice. I believe that truths everywhere are compatible; no truth clashes with any other truth. They are all the inhabitants of the same mansion and stars in the same constellation. One truth in one corner of the world has to be harmonious and compatible with all truths elsewhere, or else it is not truth. That is why I have never tired of my search for truth in other arenas of intellect and opinion. This truthfulness of the world is a blessing indeed, because it instigates constant search and engenders a healthy pluralism."

This defines perfectly my (intended) method of understanding Islam. I hold certain truths in my heart that I couldn't escape if I wanted to. So far these truths seem compatible with those of Islam, but I continue to search and question in order to discover if it is so.

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And now, some other thoughts:

Its funny... I remember crying when I first began reading the Quran. It was a beautiful yet painful moment, as if my heart was breaking. And I do feel as if the Quran broke open my heart; emotions seem stronger than they did before, with moments of great comfort and great confusion coming one after the other. I feel more awake. It reminds me of falling in love.

I don't know what all this means yet, just something I've been reflecting on lately.

Nighttime Train Ride

I'm off to visit family up in Oregon! I'm taking a train overnight - which I actually find sort of romantic. I'll drift and dream and wake up someplace new.

Anyhoo, I won't be posting for a bit. Lots to do before fall quarter starts. I plan to keep up the blog during school, though there may be bigger gaps between posting I'm afraid. Hope ya'll have a great Eid!