Correspondence
between Maryam Jameelah and al-Mawdudi exposed the class to ideas that
dramatically oppose those we previously learned about in thought in the Liberal
age and Alvec. In the previous reading we acquainted ourselves to the idea that
Islam can indeed be compatible with modernity as different thoughts such as
Al-Afghani and Alvec. Jameelah and Mawdudi had a complete different perception
on the relationship between the religion and modernity. Jameelah the new
convert was really attached to the principles of Islam and her notion of the religion
was so static, traditional and opposite to any change. Being a convert in a
different socio-religious environment, Jameelah came to have a better realization
of how modernity is incompatible with Islam; she was in a whole different environment
and that is why the differences were so obvious. Jameelah struggled a lot both mentally
and physically as a new convert and experienced hard time in America as a
convert and that is why the reader felt such a passion and enthusiasm in
exchanging letters with Mawdudi, because he seemed to be the one who understood
what she perceived. Both correspondents shared so many similar thoughts and
ideas and saw modernity weakening the Islamic principles. While Al-Afghani
argued that Islam is equal to reason and subject to reinterpretation, these two
criticizes this approach and these modern Muslim. Along their correspondence they discussed many
aspect in which modernity undermined the principle of Islam. Woman for example
in this era is enslaved through emancipation. Women’s liberation in the modern
era lost her status in which she acquired respect and therefore becomes a toy
enjoyed by men eyes. Originally, each woman in Islam has her man, she is
created for one man and that is who she is respected because her single
belonging gives her value and thus a respectful place in society. With woman’s
liberalism on the other hand woman lost this respect as she now belongs to
everyone and can be accessed to by everyone. Jameelah and Mawdudi also
criticized education and saw it as a European propaganda that help spread the European
ideas and values. Similarily, they opposed economic growth because it
undermined the indegunous people.
These are
some of the many examples that Jameelah amd Mawdudi discussed. They also critiqued
many Muslim scholards who held liberal views on Islam such as Abduh that we encountered
in our previous reading.
Overall
Jameelah and Mawdudi hold conservative minds and were very critical which
actually made them seem judjemental. Jameelah was seeking a new identity as she
converted to Islam and that is why, I think, she sought to live by the Holy
book.
As we have
discussed in class, Mawdudi was inconstant as he illustrated the use of some
modern means such as medical treatment. However, I do not find the use of modern
thechnologies as opposite to Islam. Thus, here comes again the puzzle of
defining Islam as a religion or a dictation of a life style. It is impossible
for Jameelah and Mawdudi to live exactly like the prophet lived because the
human mind has evolved and all means of living have progressed and
improved. This therefore does not imply
that adopting the new technologies and the evolved mind creations is inconsistent
with Islam as a way of living.
S.A.A
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