Al-Nadhari: Proponent of Sufism and Democracy [Archives:2007/1080/Reportage]
Interviewed by Emad Al-Saqqaf & Mohammad Al-Lutaifi
Mohammed Al-Nadhari was born in Bani Ghazi in Al-Hujariah district of Taiz governorate. He received his primary education in Aden and transferred to Zabeed for his preparatory and secondary schooling. He obtained a bachelor's degree from the Islamic University of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah and a master's degree from Umm Al-Qura University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1986. He also obtained his Ph.D in Um Darman University in 1990. Al-Nadhari is married and the father of three boys and two girls. His studies and travels ultimately landed him in the United Arab Eremites, where he currently serves as senior mufti of the Supreme Committee of Ifta.
He defended Sufism, considering it the soul of existence; an attribute he claimed protects it from corruption that pervades political parties. He made courageous statements on casual marriage – known as “tourist marriage” commonly done by rich tourists – and divorcing via SMS. He also deplored the current situation of Yemeni women in villages. He considered the issue of Hijab, and female circumcision.
Disputes often take place in the Islamic world when deciding the first day of Ramadan. How can this be solved?
The disputes take place because in many Muslim countries the scholars refer to texts of Hadieth – prophet's teachings – where two respectable adults must concur to have seen the moon and hence declare the beginning of the month. There is no point these days is maintaining this method because more accurate ways of detecting the moon have been invented. Scholars must make use of modern technology such as telescopes to solve such disputes. The moon may disappear in some places of the earth and appear in other places.
A religious scholar in one of the Gulf countries issued a fatwa allowing divorce via SMS. What do you think?
First of all, in Islam, the intention of divorce has to be spoken orally to be applicable. There are certain requirements that must be fulfilled in order for a divorce to take place, one of which is to be spoken clearly unless any of the people in question are dumb or deaf. In the latter case it could be written but through a formal method of communication and in front of eye witnesses, in order to prove the situation and the person who has written the words is the one who has the capacity to divorce. So divorce by SMS is not acceptable.
In Saudi Arabia there is a fatwa, which allowed tourist marriage, do you agree with this?
When we talk about marriage, we know that it is a concept created to sustain human kind in an organized fashion. If you marry someone, the presumption is that you would want to continue with that person. Tourist marriages, are another form of casual sex but given a legal frame. Arabs, Yemenis and others go to Russia to study. They marry and by the end of the academic year, they divorce. It is a marriage for the sake of thesis or residence permit. If the marriage was created in order to create a family atmosphere for the bachelor where he feels settled in the foreign country, then it is welcomed so long as the intention is not to end it by the end of the academic year or so on, but to have a life lasting commitment. Of course, there is the option of divorce if the two don't get along, but divorce should not have been the intention from the very beginning.
Talking about different conceptions and interpretations in Islam, don't you think that many different sects, such as Sufism have emerged?
Let me correct your understanding, Sufism is not a sect but it a level of practicing religion. It is a spiritual attainment that comes with sacrifice and to abstain from many of the earthly attractions. Sufism actually protects the essence of religion and the purity of Islam as a concept and belief. It cannot be compared to the other sects and religious divisions you are mentioning.
What do you say of the state's attempts to limit the influence of Sufism?
I would like to say to anyone who wants to demean Sufism that they can't because it comes from within the soul and not from the outside. And if they feel that they can oppress Sufis and their rituals the Sufis will only get stronger and more popular.
What do you say about democracy?
Democracy is a moral practice for people, which is turned into a concept to fight about. Let me give you an example: In Yemen, during the rule of Judge Al-Eryani, the common belief was that political parties ruin democracy. Now we say political parties are a manifestation of democracy.
The point is that democracy has not exceeded being a term in politics and not truly practiced and taught through the educational system in the schools, home, and local community.
What are your views on mixed gender education? This has been an important issue in Yemen, and for example, in Al-Silow district in Taiz, more than 100 female students were deprived from education because of the unavailability of all girls' schools?
Adultery is forbidden along with things that lead to it. For instance, the manager and the female secretary stay in a closed place. So, she may be subjected to exploitation by the manager. Therefore it is very circumstantial. Majority of the Muslim people live in rural areas where the women work side by side with men without a problem. It is only a problem when there is a chance of exploitation or indecency.
Parents must teach their children right from wrong and prepare them for life. They must provide them with continuous guidance and support in order to be good and productive citizens in the community. If circumstances oblige women to go to work, they must not be prevented or harassed. In fact, I believe if there is a choice that must be made, education should be prioritized for females because they are the ones to raise families and educate the coming generations through nurturing the children.
Currently, some women resort to enlarge their breasts for cosmetic purposes. What is the Islamic view about this?
This is a change of what Allah created because they do so in view of deceiving. Deception is prohibited. However, if there is a married woman and her husband requests that, she is allowed to do so.
Recently a lot of dispute and controversy was raised over the issue of female circumcision. Some medical studies showed that female circumcision deprives women of sexual pleasure. It also weakens the husband-wife relationship. It may also lead to family collapse. What is your point-of-view regarding this issue?
First of all, we must know that jurisprudence did not make it [circumcision] an obligation for women. It is an obligation for men to be circumcised as a matter of hygiene. When Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) came to Al-Madinah, he found that people circumcised their daughters. He prohibited that.
What is your advice to Yemeni men and women?
I advise them to always turn to Allah. If we all do not turn to Allah and pray to Him we will then have no good.
Al, being kind to people aiming at having an integrated and unified society. I want to make hearts submissive and supplicating to Allah, because if the hearts do so, the everything will be fine.
——
[archive-e:1080-v:15-y:2007-d:2007-08-27-p:report]
