Cerebral actor
Irrfan Khan has raised clerical hackles for his stand on the ritual of `qurbani' or sacrifice saying its true meaning is renunciation and not killing. While the clergy reacted angrily on Friday saying the actor, noted for his work in British and Hollywood films, isn't qualified to comment on religious issues, Khan hit back saying 'clerics don't scare me'.
Promoting one of his films in the Pink City, Khan had said on Wednesday , 'The meaning of
Qurbani
is to sacrifice something which is close to you instead of any goat or sheep which you just buy to sacrifice. Before sacrificing we should share a bond with that thing, otherwise just killing of an animal will not serve the purpose.Nowadays we have lost the relevance behind such religious activities and perform these rituals without knowing the meaning behind them."
Irrfan Khan experiments with different looks in 'Madaari' Khan also said that 'Muslims have made a mockery of
Muharram.While it's meant for mourning, people celebrate it like a festival.'
Khan's remark drew enraged responses from cler ics with
Mufti Habibullah
, spokesperson of Jamiat Ulema-Hind, Rajasthan, saying, 'His statement is wrong in the light of Shariat. It's not necessary that a buyer develop a bond with the sacrificial animal.It's the intention which is important. He may be an expert in his field (of act ing) but not on Shariat.'
But, a section of liberal Muslims endorsed the actor's view while requesting not to be named. 'Khan is right in every word he has said,' said a Kota-based cleric. 'The core value behind sacrifice is missing as most Muslims purchase sacrificial animals a day in advance and, without any bonding, sacrifice it. Even Muharram has a become a carnival which means food and fun with friends,' the cleric added.
Ajmer dargah dewan Syed Zainual Abedin Ali said Khan's statements on fasting, sacrifice and Muharram are unwelcome. 'He made sweeping statements generalizing what he must or people around him are doing,' said Abedin, advising Khan to read the Shariat for deeper understanding of religious practices. But Khan returned with a tweet, 'Clerics don't scare me... For me religion is abt personal introspection, it's a source for compassion, wisdom and moderation n not for stereotyping n fanaticism.' He further tweeted, 'Pls Bhaiyon, who r upset with my statement, either u r not ready to introspect or u r in a hurry 2 reach 2 a conclusion.'