Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi The topic under heated discussion in a social meeting was the so-called “marriage equality.” A cousin was telling us why he would never allow his daughter to marry a lesser husband in bloodline, economic privileges, and social status. He, and another cousin, were asserting the right of a father to deny his daughter a husband of her choice, if he considered him of undesirable nationality, or from unacceptable color, family or background. Then came the bomb that blew up my listening skills, when he finally announced: This is what Islam says! “I may accept it if you said it was my way, my tribal rules, my Arab traditions, but I would not tolerate it if you call it Islamic!,” I interrupted. “What you are doing is enslaving your daughter and forcing your personal choices on her. This may turn her against you, your society and tribe, and — if she believes you — against Islam! Thousands of girls have run away and many changed their religion because of their parents denial of basic rights — in the name of society and religion. So please, keep Islam safe from your racist attitudes and traditions.” “Allah says: (O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you). “Our Prophet (peace be upon him) put only two conditions for the right husband: A good Muslim with good attitude. In such a case, he recommended we accept him and said there was no difference between Arab or non Arab, black or white, except in righteousness. “He sat an example when he married his cousin, who was from the purest bloodline in Arabia, to his ex-slave, Zaid Bin Haritha. He also proposed the marriage of a simple, poor and ugly man (Jelebeeb) to one of the finest girls from the finest families in Madinah. He turned out to be a great husband. The Prophet's companion, ex African slave, Bilal Bin Rabaha, was married into one of the best Arab families in Madinah, too. “This is Islam. This is Sunnah. Whatever else is not true Islamic faith. It is what Allah describes: (The desert Arabs say, “We believe.” Say, “Ye, have no Faith, but ye (only) say, ‘We have submitted our wills to Allah, ‘for not yet has Faith entered your hearts.)'” Now, back to our discussion, dear readers: Bloodline “How can I consider myself to be superior to any other human and be a Muslim at the same time? How can a judge ask another person to prove his or her equality to another person is beyond my understanding. “Tribalism is another form of racism and it should have no place in any society that wants to develop for the good of its people. Best way is to teach people that we are all the same, it just happens that some people are born different.” XZaky Ugliness “When are people going to understand that tribalism is just another form of racism? I guess some people claim to be Muslims but still adamant on practicing archaic traditions. Forcing a couple to divorce based on their bloodline is both unIslamic and racist. Causing a man and woman to divorce is one of the devil's most loved of evil deeds.” Donald D. Racism “I am still in denial that this is happening in our sacred land. Never heard about it until recently. The teachings of Islam is very clear on this: How dare a party outside a legal wedlock decides the destiny of two married people who live in harmony? Aren't there laws to protect the rights of families?” Abdulkader Bazara Red Blood “Inequality of bloodline causing separation and divorce is insane. All blood are red, what differentiates it is A, B, O and O+? When a tribe member needs blood for surgery, would he know or care about its source? All are the same, we are all Allah Creation. Why create such a disharmony and hatred among each other?!” Hasie Modernity “Saudi Arabia is bestowed with God's benevolence and blessings in abundance. It has a very good chance to join the ranks of the First World. Saudi inclusion in this coveted club would not only give its name a boost. but would also help boost the image of Muslims and Muslim countries at large. But alas, many strange and weird practices, medieval standards and ways of life are working to the opposite. A correction course is therefore required.” Faiz Al-Najdi Values “What in the name of Allah is Islamic values? Will someone explain it to me, please, rationally and within reason.” Dr. Hasan Moolla Religion change “We have attached two documents about young people in the Gulf region leaving Islam because of marriage inequality.” Sarah Alayban — Dr. Khaled M Batarfi can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter: @kbatarfi
