Reading the Koran all day, especially during Ramzan, is something all maulvis do. But the pocket-size holy book, which many of them carry around, is gradually being replaced by the digital version, an indication that technology is finding acceptance among Islamic scholars, who feel it is helping them gain a wider reach.
‘Matter of convenience’
For Hafiz Abdul Rauf, having an online version of the Koran was a matter of convenience, as he felt that it enabled people to read it as and when they wanted, without having to do Wuzu, the ablutions that Muslims must perform before touching the holy book. “In fact, I read it on my smart phone till just before I have to get up to offer prayers or lead it. It is easier than having to get up and keep the physical copy back in its place,” he said.
Hafiz Rauf, who is the Khateeb at the Siratum Mustaqim mosque at Amberpet, also uploads his Bayans (sermons) on Hike messenger to reach more people. “Many maulvis have begun using their smartphones these days. Some years ago, a fatwa was issued against taking pictures, but now you will find many maulvis having their pictures on their phones,” he pointed out.
Hafiz Mohammed Adil, who runs the Masjid-e-Tipu at Secunderabad, agrees. He says one can find many Muslims reciting the Koran from their smartphones at mosques. “One can even choose the kind of digital Koran he or she wants to read from. I prefer the one which has 13 lines in each page,” he adds. Hafiz Adil even uses his smartphone to teach Arabic to a student in the U.S. through Skype. For that, he has been waking up at 4 a.m. everyday for the past one month to teach the seven-year-old girl through Internet. “Someone I had taught the Koran shifted to the U.S. There, one of his neighbours wanted to learn Arabic, so he called me up for it and I agreed,” he explained.
While most Islamic scholars are okay with the idea of utilising technology to read the Koran and reach out to more people, a few feel they may end up disrespecting the holy book if they are not careful.
‘Need clean phones’
“We have photos and videos and what not on our phones. How can you keep the Koran with such things,” asked Mufti Mohammed Ali Qasimi of Jubilee Hills Masjid and Islamic Centre. Maulana Qasimi, however, said reading the Koran digitally was fine as long as one’s smart phone was ‘clean’. He added that people were going digital mainly because of convenience. However, Hafiz Rauf said that there was nothing wrong in adopting technology, and that most people were careful not to disrespect the Koran.
