The Population Myth by S.Y. Quraishi by S.Y. Quraishi

Author:S.Y. Quraishi [Quraishi, S.Y.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Islam, Family Planning and Politics in India
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers India
Published: 2021-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Considering that there are over half a million Imams in the country, in direct and close contact with millions of Muslims, they are extremely influential within the community, particularly among the poorest and the most illiterate. It was decided that the findings and resolutions from the seminar would be disseminated to them, spelling out the clear and specific role of Imams in enforcement of the rights of children and women, as granted by Islam, especially for their education and health. The seminar has far-reaching significance, since there is a Wakf board (Muslim Endowment Trust) in every state which is entrusted with the responsibilities of looking after the mosques, madrasas, schools, orphanages and several other welfare activities of the community. These boards could be involved in promotion of education, health and family welfare programmes among Muslims in the country. They could be an effective instrument for implementation of the resolutions of the seminar of Imams of the Punjab Wakf Board.

Conclusion

Given these explicit views on the subject from the religious authorities, jurists and scholars, it would be a truism to say that Islam is, in fact, the forerunner of the concept of family planning. It is important to note that 1,400 years ago, when Islam appeared on the scene, there was no population problem anywhere on the globe. Even so, Islam, directly or indirectly, encouraged family planning.

Prof. Abdel Rahim Omran (1992)49 of the most respected Islamic University, Al Azhar, observes, ‘It is a wonder to the thinkers of today that Islam should give so much (importance) to child spacing and family planning so early in human history, and in the absence of compelling population pressures.’ He explains that the term ‘family planning’ as used in his text refers to the use of contraceptive methods by husband and wife with mutual agreement, to regulate their fertility with a view to warding off ill-health and social and economic hardships, and to enable them to shoulder their responsibilities towards their children and society. Such a choice should be voluntary, with no coercion or law fixing the number of children a couple should beget.

The above analysis should cause a rethink among those who tirelessly condemn the entire Muslim community for producing large families with political motives in mind. No such motive is in evidence. Muslims are indeed the most backward in family planning practices, but the reason for this lies in their socioeconomic backwardness. Literacy, income and better delivery of health services hold the key to reverse this situation among them.

Those Muslims who think that Islam is opposed to family planning should, on their part, understand that Islam, on the contrary, is indeed the originator of the concept.

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