Thank you Mubasher for using Muhammad Asad's translation of the Qur'an which is perhaps one of the best, if not the best, translation and interpretations of Islam's Holy Book in the English language. Strangely enough, and sadly enough, not too many Pakistanis are aware of the fact that the late Muhammad Asad (who was born leopold Weis on July 2, 1900, was the son of a Jewish Rabbi, and converted/reverted to Islam in 1923, and passed away in Spain in 1992) was not only one the greatest Islamic scholar in the 20th Century, but also one of the authors of Pakistan's Constitution (right after Independence), and worked for the Pakistani UN Mission in New York, during which time he wrote his magnificent book THE ROAD TO MICCA, recognized as one of the most enchanting spiritual autobiographies ever written. (I have yet to see a single Ph.D. thesis written about this giant Islamic scholar and his enormous contributions to Pakistan in Particular and to modern Islamic thought in general by a Pakistani student of higher education, let alone other Muslim women/men of learning).

Be that as it may, Muslims and non-Muslims alike may be interested to know that recently, and probably for the first time ever, a new English translation of the Qur'an is published that reflects a Feminist perspective. It is the remarkable achievement of Laleh Bakhtiar, a Chicago Islamic scholar, whose translation of the Qur'an is entitled THE SUBLIME QURAN. To her credit, she gently and modestly states: "I dedicate this translation with the hope that this humble effort will in some measure - through a fresh view of Quranic discernment - improve understanding between Muslim men and women."

She rightly points out that "This translation differs from previous English translation in that there has been a conscious attempt to present a translation of the sacred text that has internal consistency and reliability. It is the first English translation by an American woman who includes the view of women in the Signs (verses) wherever relevant. The translation is consciously a universal, inclusive one, widening the relevance of the sacred text to a larger community."  In this respect, and more to the point, verses 31/32 of chapter 24 (al-Noor/The Light), referred in Mubasher's posting, is translated as follows:

"Say to ones who are female believers to lower their (f) sight, and keep their (f) private parts safe, and not show their (f) adornment, except what is manifest of it; and let them (f) draw their head covering over their (f) bosoms, and not show their (f) adornments except to their (f) husbands, or their (f) fathers, or the fathers of their (f) husbands, or their sons or the sons of their (F) husbands, or their (f) brothers, or the sons of their (f) brothers, or the sons of their (f) sisters, or their (f) women that their (f) right hands possess, or males, the ones who have no sexual desire, or children to whom nakedness of women has not been manifest; and let them (f) not stomp their feet so as to make known what they (f) conceal of their adornment. Turn to God altogether for forgiveness, O ones who believe, so that perhaps you would prosper."

Instead of leading to "confusion," as Mubasher asserted, the verse actually highlights one of the major principles embodied in the Qur'an, namely, the deliberate presence of "unspecificity" in order to allow for the all important need for modifications and adaptations pertaining to changing times and places, including social , geographic, environmental, and socio-economic conditions. Within this context, Farzan Hassan was correct when she asserted that  the Qur'an neither requires the wearing of the so-called Hijab nor calls for punishing those who chose not to wear it. Freedom of choice is fundamental in Islam, and any form of "forced piety" is nothing more than a farce.

On the other hand, I tend to agree with Dr. Qazi's assertion to the effect that as living realities, religions, including Islam, have to be assessed on the basis of the actions they inspire among the believers. Within this context, Islam has inspired its believers to produce some of the most outstanding and enduring noble deeds/achievements, including the building of its rich, vibrant, and highly sophisticated civilization, as well as to engage in countless disgraceful deeds, including the oppression, even the killing of women in the name of "honour" and/or "purity."

I happen to believe that one of the most important reasons responsible for the abuse of Islam by so-called Muslims (e.g., the father of the innocent Aqsa Parvez) is, strange as it may seem, IGNORANCE of the basic tenets that constitute what can be described as Islam's world view. These tenets include the principles of Tawheed (Unity of God, and extension, the Unity of Creation, including males and females of course), Ilm (Knowledge), Adl (Justice), Khilafa (Trusteeship, which by definition, embodies person responsibility and accountability, and Tasamoh (Tolerance, which is the logical requirement/implication of the divinely willed human diversity). In this respect, I strongly recommend the following highly relevant readings:

1) "Believing Women" in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an. By Prof. Asma Barlas;
2) Qur'an and Woman. By Prof. Amina Wadud;
3) Major Themes of the Qur'an. By the late prof. Fazlur Rahman;
4) Islam and the Destiny of Man. By Charles Le Gai Eaton;
5) The Vision of Islam. By Sachiko Murata and William Chittick; and
6) The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity. By prof. Seyyed Hossein Nasr.

With the best of wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year for all.

Ibrahim Hayani