Islamization of unislamic elements in islamic literary work

Advice to governors by Nizm Al-Mulk


            In one of the advice proposed by Nizam Al-Mulk in his work "Advice to governors", he mentioned about the roles of boon-companions. Boon-companions here refer to the companies of the king. There are many criteria needed to become a boon-companion. A boon-companion needs to be someone who is familiar, he must always be in a position of a body guard to the king, must have cheerful face, pure faith, able to keep secrets and wear good clothes. He must also be a good talker and pleasant partner to the king. Apart from those criteria, there is another criterion that we personally feel a little bit unislamic about it which is agreeing on whatever the king says or does. If the boon-companions practice this kind of behavior in giving their service for the king it will somehow portray injustice which is absolutely unacceptable in Islam. The issue of injustice in this situation happens when the king does or says something that is not right in accordance to Islam then it is approved and supported by the boon-companions. As what is stated in the Holy Qur'an,


“…When you speak, speak with justice, even if it is against someone close to you…” 
                                                                                                          (Surah Al-An'am:152). 

            So, what can we do in a way to islamize the implementation of unislamic behavior practiced years ago in an Islamic country is that even if you are selected to become the company of the king you must always practice the Islamic teaching fully as how it is sent down from Allah S.W.T through His messengers. Islam is a comprehensive religion and you will not become a perfect believer of Islam if you only practice a part of it and at the same time abandoning what is it actually promoting to its believers. And from the part of the king, he should know that whatever he does or says, it must always be in line with the Islamic jurisprudence. 

            Therefore, the moral lesson that can be taken from this idea about justice in governing a country in Nizam Al-Mulk's piece of work is that everyone from the king,the boon-companions and to the citizens, they must always speak the truth and practice justice in their deeds so that Islam will be seen as a just religion. 

Sultana's Dream by Rokheya Shekhawat Hossein

Sultana's Dream by Rokheya Shekhawat Hossein (1880 - 1932) is fundamentally dealing with 'Islamic' feminist movement which was initiated by Rokheya herself. 

The injustice in Sultana's Dream:

           In Ladyland, men were kept indoor while women work outside. Men are part of society but shorn of power. They live in seclusion and look after the house and children. Women the dominant group do not consider men fit for any skilled work. This reverse role of men and women is unjust in Islam. 

           It is understood that men should not be kept indoor and taking over all domestic works. While women, it is not their absolute responsibility to be bread winner in the family since it is the duty of the husband. Moreover, Though women should do domestic works, that does not mean a total seclusion to them from the society. In short, this utopian reverse role of two gender is unjust from Islamic point of view. 

          The story of Sultana's Dream was based on the real context of how women were treated in those days, particularly in India, women were totally secluded from the society and placed in zenana. Men neglected the rights of women to socialize with their own community. In respond to inequality in patriarchal society towards women, Rokheya came out with the idea of Ladyland as a paradox of the real societal treatment towards women. Unfortunately, her utopian idea on Ladyland is contradicting with the teaching of Islam since in Islam, man is regarded as a leader, protector and sustainer of the family.  

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