I’m doing a research project and so I’ve selected four books from a specific genre/region of the world to base my thesis off of. One of these books is called “Midnight’s Children” by Salman Rushdie.
So today I go to Amazon.com and find the book and I ask my Dad for his card so I can buy it. He asks me what book it is and who it’s by and when I tell him he goes completely ballistic, saying that he’d strangle Salman Rushdie with his bare hands if he had the chance. And then he refused to pay for the book.
It’s really not like my Dad to do something like this - he’s usually very supportive when it comes to academics. I understand Salman Rushdie has written some really terrible things about Islam/the Quran/Prophet Muhammad (sws), but I don’t see why it’s wrong to read one of his books. The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie is (I think) the main book that really flames up Muslims (and is the reason he’s got death sentences issued against him in Iran and wherever else).
This book, Midnight’s Children, only has to do with India and it’s Independence. It’s an allegory/satire that parallels the story of a boy to the government of India. I’m not reading the book to agree with him, but I am very curious to see what his books are like.
Anyways, so my question is:
Is my dad being unecessarily irrational by not letting me read anything by Salman Rushdie, or is it okay to read it? (When I say “is it okay?” I mean is it okay according to the standards of Islam).
How about if I buy a used copy, that way the money will be going to the person I bought it from.
I’m not exactly sure, but I think my Dad didn’t want me to even read it, let alone pay for it. He said something about how it can poison a kid’s mind. =\
^ I agree with your dad...and I would go one step further rushdie is worse than a kaffir ...he has apostasized after accepting the faith ...you should not contribute in anyway to his cause.
if you have good knowledge about your faith then go ahead and read it ...there are no persuasive arguments even in satanic verses ....but these authors prey on those young muslim who cannot distinguish between real islam and muslim culture portrayed as islam
btw why in heaven's name have you selected a rushdie's book
If your father is so much against the author, you need to respect his view. You should not bring the books into his house, even electronically.
If you need to go against your fathers wishes (who feels he must protect you), you will have to read the books and compile the "thesis" away from home, e.g. a library.
I suggest that you respect your father's wish and refrain from the author's books while under his roof and protection. Choose another "thesis" or project.
It is not a good idea to go full throttle when the sign clearly tells you DEAD END !
Just like the reaction here, the emotions of your father are justified and understandable.
I you want to read the book, borrow it from friend or Library. Also there is another book with a similar storyline ( story of a girl, independence of india +++ ) its called Ice-candy man by Bipsi Sidwa. It might be of some interest to you.
If you are to fight ignorance against Islam, then you need to be well equiped with knowledge yourself. How would you even make people understand why Rushdie was wrong, when you haven't even read Rushdie?
Its no different than reading the Bible, which we believe to have been altered, to get an understanding of what Christians believe so that if we are to debate with them, we would have an intelligent debate. But isn't that the biggest slap in the face to God? To re-write and change His revelations? And so scholars who read the bible for understanding of the Christian faith have done wrong? Well guess what? I guess most of the knowledgeable aalims have done sin then? Doubtful.
Its also akin to watching people say insulting things and inaccurate things about Islam on the news. Do you turn off the TV and say toba toba and go about your ways, or do you keep listening, so that if the topic were to come up, you'd have something intelligent to say about it. Or perhaps do something about it?
I can understand that it would upset people if you were to buy the book, because Rushdie then makes money off you. But don't you pay a cable bill and doesn't CNN and other channels and anti-Islamic journalists get paid from your money? But, as someone suggested, you can always get a free copy to borrow from the library if you want to avoid buying it.
By the way, I dont get why people buy books. Its not like you'll read it again and again. Just borrow it and save yourself money.
Exactly my question. Why would you want to do research on this idiot’s books. Why can’t you pick something that will benefit you as well? Such as do some research on other Islamic books and write your thesis on Islam.
Really can’t understand why even bother even after knowing what the person has done to Islam and what he called our beloved Prophet :saw: and you are still interested in doing research on his books.
If you have a problem buying Rushdie's book because he is anti-islam and what not then you should have a problem living in America too, a country that has unconditionally supported Israel's mass murder of muslims in Palestine and Lebanon.All Rushdie did was insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad,he did not kill any muslim by his actions,how are his actions more damaging to Muslims and Islam than America's support for Israel.?
Its not in everyone’s hand to simply pack up and move to where ever he/she wants. Allah :swt: has provided every one with an opportunity. As the famous saying “danay danay pe likha hai khanay walay ka naam”. Plus its not like living in America we are supporting what ever America is doing is right. There is a huge deiffrence you can’t simply relate the two.
If I could I would move to Saudi Arabia the very next minute. But can you guarnty me a visa in Saudi Arabia?
every non muslim is anti islam because they dont accept the message of islam,just to pick on one means he is just a escape goat if peoples r so faith full to their religion then why dont they make every book written by a non muslim harraam
ofcourse you are,you are paying taxes there,contributing to Americas’ economy,respecting their country and culture knowing that their support for Israel is unconditional and is resulting in the murder of countless innocent muslims.
If you have American Passport Saudi Arabia,UAE,Qatar and other middle eastern countries will welcome you with open arms,lol so don’t say you are there because you can’t go anywhere else, most of us land there for economic interests which we won’t compromise for anything.
I chose Rusdhie as one of the authors because my thesis has something to do with the impact of the government on society, particularly in South Asia.
As PCG and USResident said, I want to read this book (aside from the fact that I need to for my paper) because I want to see what Rushdie has to say and be able to defend against it.
Danial, I know you probably think that I'm being narrow-minded, but I'm not going to completely change my views just by reading a book by some anti-Islam extremist.
I'd also like to point out the Midnight's Children is nothing compared to Satanic Verses (which directly bashes Islam).
desidudecool - I really don't see your statement of Muslims living in America to be relevant to the topic-at-hand.
Why u hve choose salman Rushdie u can choose any Ullama books u will find the same thing as well.U know guys its not salman Rushdie fault salman rushdi ka bhi koi qasoor nahin, usne apni badnaam e zamana kitab mein jo kuch likha wo “islami” literature se hi likha apni taraf se kuch nahin likha, uski likhi koi baat aisi na thi jo kisi tareekhi ya doosri rawayat mein na majood ho…Rushdi case mein humne kya kiya?? wo aaj tak kyun azad hai main app ko bata hoo os nay case main yea hi kaha tha ke mainne kuch bhi apni tarf se nahi likha jo bhi likha woh humhari books main pahlay se moojood tha but mainne is ko aisay jaisay islamic literature main tha wase hi baqair change kiye likh dia aur os nay refrence bhi diye aur humhare ullama aur jude ke pass is ka koi jawaab nahi tha wajah saaf thi ke woh yea kah kar bari zima hoo gaya ke mainne tu apni taraf se kuch kaha hi nahi yea to pahlay se books main moojood hai.Hum beechare sadhay sidhay musalman in ko aur in ke books ko sanaat maan kar islam per chalnay lagaye salman rushdi par ungliyaan uthatay hain…(yaad rahay ke salman rushdi ne apni badnaam e zamana kitab mein apni taraf se kuch nahin likha tha balkeh “hamari” hi kitabon se material ikatha ker ke usko kitabi shakal di thi.)Such sun-ne aur bardasht kerne ka maada hum logon mein bouhat kam hai…iss liye mein tafseelan to nahin bata sakta ke Rasool(PBUH) ki ismat par kaise kaise hamlay “hamari” hi kitabon mein majood hain
