Kant, Enlightenment and the Bohras

[kalim]

Dear All: Ramadan mubarak to you and your families. I am sure that many on this board have read philosophical and ethical works by Immanuel Kant. For those that have not I urge them to do so as much of what he says is relevant to the situation of the bohras in particular and Muslims in general.

Here I want to point out an essay of his called "What is Enlightenment?" he wrote in 1784 as reply to a question posed to him. As I mentioned once before much of the intellectual plight of Muslims, and in particular the bohras is the lack of a movement analogous to the Enlightenment. I do not know if this essay is on-line but I will quote parts of the first three paragraphs as these set the tone for the rest.

"Enlightenment is man's exit from his self-incurred minority. Minority is the incapacity to uses one's intelligence without the guidance of another. Such minority is self-incurred if it is not caused by lack of intelligence, but by lack of determination and courage to use one's intelligence without being guided by another. Sapere Aude! Have the courage to use your intelligence! is therefore the motto of the enlightenment.

"Through laziness and cowardice a large part of mankind, even after nature has freed them from alien guidance, gladly remain in minority. It is because of laziness and cowardice that it is so easy for others to usurp the role of guardians. It is so comfortable to be a minor! If I have book which provides meaning for me, a pastor who has a conscience for me, a doctor who will judge my diet for me and so on, then I do not need to exert myself. I do not have any need to think; if I can pay, others will take over the tedious job for me. The guardians who have kindly undertaken the supervision will see to it that by far the largest part of mankind, including the entire 'fair sex,' should consider the step into maturity, not only as difficult but as dangerous.

"After having made their domestic animals dumb and having carefully prevented these quiet creatures from daring to take any step beyond the lead-strings to which they have fastened them, these guardians then show them the danger which threatens them, should they attempt to walk alone. ..."

I came across this essay many years ago and have found it most influential. I encourage those interested to read the rest of it.

It seems to me that bohras represent the most subservient people, even when they are living in otherwise free countries. From the time of their birth, where they are given (by the administration) a name and hence, symbolically, an identity, to their deaths, where they get a "clean chit" for entry into heaven, they have been taught to be abject slaves of the da'i. In such a situation it is hardly surprising that only few of them have the courage to break free of this minority. Most choose to take the comfortable path and remain minors for the rest of their lives. In my opinion the Progressive Movement has helped foster, in at least some individuals, the need to think for themselves. Of course, the Progressive Movement being mainly about social causes did not start with this aim, but has nonetheless achieved this. I encourage more orthodox bohras to contemplate these issues this Ramadan. In addition to cleaning our bodies and souls it may also be a good idea to clean our intellects of the heavy chains which a corrupt administration has tied us up with. This way it will be easier to see the justice in the social demands of the Progressives and ultimately achieve those demands.

[trance]

Kalim,

Who is asking for your opinion mind your own business.

It is s our choice and ve are very happy in our vays and customs , the problem is there is lack of leadership in your ortho group and each von of you rants on about the same monotonous bull.Or become abusive and vulgar to try and add emphasis to your fruitless arguments.
There has been not von single argument that has any significance or can be substantiated, that justifies your stance. It is all getting a little to weak and dilute.
Please continue squirming you have lost your battle.

[Humsafar]

Kalim,

Thank you for your thoughtful post. I've not read Kant's essay but I do intend to read it now.

The problem with Bohras is that most of them don't read - that is other than their account books and bank statements. Reading is not a part of Bohra culture. The typical attitude is that it's a waste of time and this is not surprising when their Dai actually encourages them to pursue commerce and trade rather than gain higher education. With centuries of ingrained petty-bourgeois ethos and constant material admonishments of their spiritual leader is it any wonder that not only many Bohras have read Kant but not many have even heard of him?

The response of zombie "trance" only confirms the subservient, close-minded and anti-intellectual attitude of an average bohra. See how happy, blissful and ignorant trance is (an apt choice of name, though.) He has no use for enlightenment. Bohras simply "kant" read and therefore "kant" think.

[tahir]

Apart from discouraging intellectual attitude, the dai actively encourages early marriages. The strategy is to trap them in the grind of household and dukaan before any spark of intellectual thought sets a rebellious fire on the young and fertile minds and energetic bodies. Once married, their schezophrenic wives stuff their minds with burhani shit and the poor bohri ends up becoming another firm brick in the kothari wall. He is born slave and dies a slave.

I have come across several bohris who used to have rational thinking and a rebellious spirit in their early youth but became docile and pathetic feet kissers after marriage. I havent seen such a shocking transformation of studs into meek donkeys in any other community. There is something with the bohri girls and the dai knows this perfectly well...

[kalim]

Dear trance: That a person should give an opinion only when asked is contrary to the principle of freedom of speech. So is the adage "mind your own business". Only by having open discussions, not necessarily solicited, can we make progress. Of course, such an argument is lost on one who chooses not to be progressive but proudly wallow in ancient and outdated customs.

You are of course free to use your freedom of speech to abuse those who do not conform to your narrow and traditionalist outlook. However, it may be more productive to have a civil discussion. If you can state your case coherently and without obfuscation, we will understand your viewpoint and, if put convincingly, agree with it too. I again suggest that you read some of the Enlightenment philosophers as this will help you understand how outdated your medieval modes of thinking (permeating all bohra traditions) are.

[trance]

All pros (lanat na tukdas jahanamis muddais kinzeers),

First and foremost please dont lecture me on making an argument and having to substantiate it. There is no credible argument that you people potray or even have offered any alternate, in your stance against our beloved aqa mola and our Dawat. I feel and my impression is that many of you write on this board with your floral queens english, making oneself look rather highly astute by abusing our system & yet you follow the way of life set out by our beloved dai, even though we all know and sense that you are all part of this. You all go to masjid markaz jamaatkhanas, mazhaars etc BLOODY Hypocrites !
So i say to you if you cant stand the heat get out of the kitchen! and stop squirming and ranting wilth your tireless unfruitfull efforts, we are getting stronger and you weaker.
Turning back to our beliefs and followings, there is a system of eductaion , welfare, uplifment, dress code, and a buisiness minded protocol, offered to all ages and gender within the community, do your alternate progressives have this No.
Tahir yes majority of us are dukandaars and Im a butcher by trade, so next time your passing my shop please drop in ill do well supplying rotten meat to the local cat food manufacturer! Tahir dont even get mestarted on the women issues !
So to all you muddais like Ive said on numerous occasions, We win , always will! you have to be part of our (molas) system whether yu like it or not !
Your nalayak nalpakis offer you no alternate or anything quite so remotely credible.
So Jalo ane jalta raho till the day of Quiyamat when you will get permanent residence down there!

T (US)

[S. Insaf]

if you cant stand the heat get out of the kitchen! ... we are getting stronger and you weaker.
Dear Trance,
Dawat is a mission and it is the duty of Mazoon, Mukasir and Dai to convince a person and bring him in our fold. If he is a true Dai he just can't say "if you cant stand the heat get out of the kitchen!" and that to a person who is born as Dawoodi Bohra.
We have not gone to the Dai inspite of all the hardship imposed on us by him but since he is caught with the excommunication case in the Supreme Court it is Dai who is coming to us with folded hand requesting us to return to the fold. You decide who is becoming weaker?

[Humsafar]

I feel and my impression is that many of you write on this board with your floral queens english, making oneself look rather highly astute...

Right on, punter. At least we try to look astute (whatever that may mean). The question is when will you guys even try to stop looking stupid. With all your maula-induced stupidity you have yet to realise that you are neither capable of enlightenment nor of queen's english. Double deprivation, there.

It is only fitting that semi-literate androids like you should speak lisaan e dawat to display your akal e dawat. Now that's a winning combination.

[mumu]

InSAAP,
Once again i am here to ask you something hope you reply me this one.
In one of your post Unity in Community on dated 18/08/2005 you wrote

Dear Babu! How can reformists be against unity in the community? They have written several letters to Sayedna Saheb requesting him in most honorable way to arrange dialogue to resolve the dispute.

And now you say this,

We have not gone to the Dai inspite of all the hardship imposed on us by him but since he is caught with the excommunication case in the Supreme Court it is Dai who is coming to us with folded hand requesting us to return to the fold. You decide who is becoming weaker?

Please be sure what you want to say. Whether you were correct that time or you are correct this time.
I would like to give some advise to all you reformist who thinks that they are doing the right things by obeying InSAAP & ASGER, think over it again.
These peoples are trying to play dirty politics and nothing else, and that too at the cost of your Din.
For many of you it will be a speech given by an Orthodox Bohra. But i would suggest you to really think over it.
If i am wrong then read my each and every post and see whether my doubts are being cleared by your so called leaders. I have never got the answers since they dont have one to give me.
By the way its upto to you.
May Allah Bless You All In The Holy Month Of Ramadan.

[S. Insaf]

Dear Mumu,
InSAAP & ASGER - This is how you address us even in debate on this board?
Any way, I will reproduce here letters we wrote to Sayedna Saheb to resolve the dispute and then you decide. Even Indira Gandhi and Jai Prakash Narayan's letters were NOT acknowledged so why should Almighty Sayedna Saheb acknowledge our letter!!!