Why Did Muslim Organizations Want to Ban 'Satanic Verses'?

The ban on Salman Rushdie's novel 'The Satanic Verses' is a complex issue that has deeply divided Muslim organizations across India and the Middle East. This article aims to provide a detailed exploration of the cultural, religious, and social implications of the controversy surrounding the book. We will examine the nature of verses in Islam and why English author Salman Rushdie's work caused such a stir.

Understanding Meccan and Medinan Verses in Islam

In Islam, the holy book of Quran includes both Meccan and Medinan verses. Essentially:

Meccan Verses: These are revealed earlier in Mecca, during a period of relative peace and were known for their peaceful attributes. Medinan Verses: These were revealed later in Medina, during a time of conflict and were more heavily focused on war and governance.

Salman Rushdie's 'Satanic Verses'

Salman Rushdie, a prominent liberal Muslim author, wrote 'The Satanic Verses' with the intention of critiquing and satirizing parts of the Quran. In particular, the book challenges the Meccan verses, suggesting that these were less violent and more peaceful than the Medinan verses. Rushdie posited that these peaceful verses were later corrupted by the Medinan verses, which were influenced by Muhammad potentially being possessed by a demon.

The audacious title and premise of the book aimed to provoke a more peaceful and compassionate interpretation of Islam. However, this literary controversy also served as a commentary on the strict adherence to certain sections of the Quran by some Muslim scholars and leaders.

Reaction of Middle Eastern Islamic Leaders

The leaders of Middle Eastern countries, particularly Ayatollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran, were irate with Rushdie's work. They issued a fatwa, a religious edict, calling for Rushdie's death, stating that the book was derogatory to the Prophet Muhammad and the Quran. This fatwa, issued on February 14, 1989, had a profound impact, leading to a global manhunt for the author and causing widespread fear and uproar in the Muslim world.

Indian Muslim Response and Ban

In India, the controversy gained momentum as local Muslim organizations and influential figures echoed Middle Eastern leaders. The violent rhetoric and the fatwa's influence led many Indian Muslims to align with the Middle Eastern perspective, causing a rift within the community. The banning of the book in India was not purely ideological but also served to placate the sentiments of influential Muslim factions who felt threatened by the book's content.

As a personal anecdote, I recall a close friend who told me he intended to kill Salman Rushdie. At the time, I did not even know who Rushdie was, so I inquired about the matter. My friend, without hesitation, said Rushdie had written 'wrong things' about the Quran. He admitted he had not read the book but still insisted on the need to 'take action.'

While Rushdie's novel was not widely embraced or supported by the moderate Indian population, it was controversial and ultimately banned. The ban demonstrated the influence of external pressures and the strength of religious and societal factions aligned with the Middle Eastern perspective. The moderation of Indian society likely would have benefited from this sensitive commentary on the Quran, but the fatwa and its repercussions ultimately overshadowed any potential positive contributions the book could have made.

Conclusion

The banning of 'The Satanic Verses' by Muslim organizations in India was a multifaceted issue involving cultural, religious, and political dimensions. It reflects the complex dynamics within the Muslim world and the global impact of religious and ideological pressures. While the book aimed to promote a more peaceful understanding of Islam, its reception underscored the significant divisions and tensions within the community.