Author Archives: ali

Dua Iftitah – and a note on translation

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A snippet of translation of Dua Iftitah …

The English language has been on the one hand so terribly secularized, that translating spiritual/religious works becomes difficult – because of the negative connotations for just about anything with a religious context. And on the other hand, the language being the prime language of Capitalism, expression of notions of oppression, and struggles for justice, can end up being regarded as quaint… evoking a smile, instead of indignation at the oppressor. Islamic prayers, the Qur’an itself has razor sharp focus on questions of justice and injustice, and responsibilities of M(m)uslims (i.e. those who are on the path of surrender to the Source, to God) in this arena.

Much of English translations are unfortunately either done by those whose first language is not only not English, but their use of the language is primarily in the bureaucratic/paper pushing arena. Or, they are done by technocrats, whose use of the language is primarily in technology, i.e engineers, computerists, doctors etc. The result is, on the one head, we have Islamic literature that can make Allah, and the Prophets (peace and blessings on them all) seem like bureaucrats sitting at some boring office desk giving out orders, or at best, some kind of distant social manager out of touch with the reality of the people. On the other hand the technocrats make the translated literature sound like the prayers are some kind of coding manual, or a formula, or worse an engineering textbook.

It is for these reasons, Muslims really do have to learn another language to begin to understand the beauty of Islam – Arabic, Farsi, or even Urdu… can help. If not that, at the very least consult Quranic concordance such as this online one here … and try to look at the shades of meanings to get some glimpse of what is being conveyed.

“All praise be to God Who provides safety for the frightened ones,

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي يُؤْمِنُ ٱلْخَائِفِينَ

comes to the help of the ones who perform good works (make peace, reconcile etc.) ,

وَيُنَجِّي ٱلصَّالِحِينَ

promotes the cause of the oppressed (the oppressed masses)

وَيَرْفَعُ ٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ

annihilates the ones who magnify themselves (the arrogant)

وَيَضَعُ ٱلْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ

destroys rulers, and appoints others instead.

وَيُهْلِكُ مُلُوكاً وَيَسْتَخْلِفُ آخَرِينَ

All praise be to God; the Eradicator of the tyrants (those who use force/compulsion)

وَٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ قَاصِمِ ٱلْجَبَّارِينَ”

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economy of resistance – Imam Khamenei

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The fifth point is that this economy is justice-based. The standards of the capitalist economy such as national growth and gross national production are not the only standards that it relies on. In this economy, the issue is not only about the rate of national growth and gross national production. These are things which global standards and capitalist economies pivot around. A country may have a high GNP, but some people inside this country may die of hunger. We do not believe in such an economy.

Therefore, the standard of justice – economic and social justice – is one of the important standards in the economy of resistance. But it does not mean that we should show indifference to the existing knowledge-based standards in the world. The economy of resistance does not mean that we should do this. These standards receive attention as well, but the task pivots around justice. Justice on this issue and in this paradigm does not mean the division of poverty among people. Rather, it means generating capital and increasing national wealth.

momin

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“Believers are even nobler than the mountains since we can knock down the mountains and destroy them, but nothing can diminish a believer’s faith.” (Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) – Mishkat h. #237)

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