Christian subversion and missionary activities

[Guest]

Just some late thoughts from the earlier discussion of cross-faith marriages of Hindus, and the resulting faith (or erosion of it) in their children.

<b>[A] </b>While I largely agree to the sentiment expressed here, but there are some exception examples we must mention and consider. (and analyze how this happens, so that it can be learnt and promoted)

<b>Sunita Williams</b>, the famous NASA astronaut who came to the lime-light recently due to her being a part of Discovery mission. Her father Dr. Deepak Pandya is a famous neuroanatomist, a Hindu, married to a slovanian lady Bonnie (not sure if she is christian but guess so). Sunita is married to another westerner Michael J. Williams, but (I guess) she has strong Hindu roots and certainly not ashamed of it, as she carried with her a copy of Bhagvad Gita and Ganesh Murti on space shuttle.

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Washington: A copy of the Bhagavad Gita, a small statue of Lord Ganesh and a letter written in Hindi by her father Deepak Pandya and some samosas in a special container will be among other things that Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams carried as she soared into space on board space shuttle Discovery toward the International Space Station that would be her new home in the stars for the next six months.
http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/34251
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her NASA bio: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/williams-s.html

<b>[B] </b>I think Hindu groom and muslim/christian bride marriages are on the rise in the "modern" sections of Indian soceity. (Hritik Roshan marrying Sanjay Khan's daughter, likewise Nafisa Ali and Ismat Chugtai's daugher marrying Hindus, and recently Sanjay Dutt (re)marrying a muslim actress who by the way had taken a Hindu-sounding name)

So while earlier the inter-faith marriages were one way traffic, now it is largely the otherway round (?). Therefore important to analyze the impact.

During Shahajahan's time, this type of intermarriage was seen as eroding the Islamic faith. Was especially happening in Kashmir. So the Islamic law was strictly reinforced by Mughals in Kashmir that "a muslim woman can not marry a non-Muslim man, while the otherway round is possible (and welcome, rather sought after!)"

<b>[C] </b>Hindu-sounding names have started being adopted by Indian muslims also! Seen several examples. Did you know about Mukesh Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt?

<b>[D] Stand of Islamic Law on this situation.</b>
I saw one interesting discussion on a Pakistani website.

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->I have some questions that needs some answer.  Any reply that clearly states the stance of Islam on the query is welcomed.

Scnerio 1 (Both parties are Muslim)

Girl falls in love with a boy.  They r both 21 years old.  Girls parents reject the love.  What are the girl's choices?  Can she reject her parents and marry the boy?  Is it premissible under Islamic law?


Scnerio 2 (girl is muslim Boy is not)

Girl falls in love with a boy.  They r both 21 years old.  Girls parents reject the love.  What are the girl's choices?  Can she reject her parents and marry the boy?  Is it premissible under Islamic law?

Scnerio 3 (Boy is muslim girl is not)

Boy  falls in love with a girl.  They r both 21 years old.  Boy's parents reject the love.  What are the boy's choices?  Can he reject his parents and marry the girl?  Is it premissible under Islamic law?
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answer:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Islam was probably the first to introduce "cotractual nature" of marriage in this subcontinent. In many ways it is part of an excellent civil law system even if it appears to be loaded heavily in favour of Muslims, as it is supposed to be since it IS meant for Muslims!

Many therefore consider a Muslim marraige to be not a sacrament but just a civil contract. (Bit "Secularish", isn't it?) That is a rather shallow view even if not incorrect. More appropriate would be to say that it is BOTH in the nature of "Ibadat" ( devotional act) and "Muamlat"(non-religious dealings among men). Neither has precedence over the other nor are they exclusive of either. Therefore both considerations,religious and mundane come into consideration. It follows, marrying an Idolator or a Fireworshipper is just not on unless the other party converts with full faith before the marraige since both parties should be "equal", the minimum denominator being commanality of Faith.

If requirement of such a minimum equality is not met, such a marriage can not be legal under Islamic laws. But then the dice does get loaded in favour of a man on selective basis as in "temporary marriages" or "Muta" among certain Shias..

However, <b>as per Hanafi School of jurisprudence (started by Imam Abu Hanifa) practiced in India,in EXCEPTIONAL cases,a Muslim man may marry a "Kitabiya" (Christian or Jew) woman but a Muslim woman can not marry anyone other than a Muslim.</b>
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