Khuda Ke Liye
Published by Haseeb August 31st, 2007 in Movies
I dont usually watch Pakistani movies… come to think of it, this is the first Pakistani movie that I have ever seen. However, this movie got great reviews and everyone was talking about it (including my cousin from Pakistan whos currently staying with us), so I decided to watch it.
Unfortunately I was only able to find a version without subtitles online, on Google Video (PART 1 - PART 2). For those of you non-urdu speakers, I’ll try to find a version with subtitles. Also, the DVD isnt yet out in the US yet, but it is relased, i’ll try to post up a link so you can purchase it as well.
I particularly liked Khuda Ke Liye because it is a movie that most young Muslims (particularly Pakistanis) across the world can relate to. It follows three young Pakistani Muslims: Maryam, a British Pakistani-Muslim who is in love with a non-Muslim white British man, Mansoor, a Pakistani who comes to America to pursue higher studies, and Samad, a young Pakistani who gets involved with a taliban-like extremist group.
(SPOILER ALERT)
The movie is great because it touches on several controversial issues that we all face today across the world (or at least know someone who has faced it). Maryam’s father deceives her daughter and sends her to Pakistan where she is married against her will to Samad. Samad starts off the movie as an aspiring musician who meets a maulana at his local masjid who tells him to give up his career and music, and slowly encourages him to more extreme measures, all for the sake of Islam (he says). Not only does Samad give up music, but he agrees to marry Maryam (because the maulana said he should - he agued that they couldnt let Maryam marry a non-Muslim), and he moves to Afghanistan and is forced to fight for them. Meanwhile, Samad’s brother, Mansoor, also a musician, moves to the United States to pursue his studies in music. While he is there, 9/11 happens and he is captured by authorities and accused of aiding Al-Qaeda and being behind the attacks. He is kept in solitary confinement and tortured.
The movie brings up the following important issues that I believe our generation (particularly our ulema) should address:
How do we respond to Muslim girls’ relationships with non-Muslim guys? (Obviously we know its haraam, but it is a reality).
Is Music haraam? (NOTE: I know there is a legitimate difference of opinion on this issue and I by no means suggest that those who view music as impermissible are extremists!!!)
How do we help our young sincere Muslim brothers and sisters who get caught up with extremist ideologies? (The same issues holds true in Europe and America as well)
How do the real wise ulema of our times stand up and overcome the extremist preachers who so effectively target our youth?
How do we react to racial profiling and the tragedies of Guantanamo Bay and other secret prisons that even today still hold innocent Muslims?
How can we continue to explain to our outraged Muslim brethren across the world that America and the west in general isn’t inherently evil and anti-Islam?
14 Responses to “Khuda Ke Liye”
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from: United States us
Pingback on Sep 4th, 2007 at 1:29 am
Weird Stuff….. Def don’t want to put myself through watching this.
I’m so stupid I only saw the scene where she is tryin to cross the river she broke my heart ;( I need that subtitles
Bro - 2 points
1) PLEASE change your poll
2) The questions you have posed are very important, and they do need to be addressed by our respected scholars. Perhaps we can set up a forum with them to ask them straight up all those difficult questions. I’m thinking people like Imam Zaid, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Dr. Umar Farooq Abdullah, whoever else you think are genuine American Muslim scholars that have been willing to address difficult questions in the past.
Saleem
Interesting, the rising tide of anti haseeb thought. Take heed bro!
My response…:)
http://hammadin.blogspot.com/2007/09/for-gods-sake.html
Isn’t this the movie with the “enlightened” maulavi listening to a Saigal song while making his ablutions?
well, I think some of those questions the movie did address.
I personally really liked the movie. My favorite was the character of Maryam and Sarmad because they were the youth protrayed and victimized by the elders of their society.
Maryam’s double standard father and his deception.
Sarmad’s misguiding imam.
Either case, one wonders whether how much blame can be put on the youth.
Maryam for wanting to marry a non-muslim guy when it goes against her honor and status as a muslim women. Perhaps muslim women should be made to realize that. And islam is not the last or only religion that has exclusive religion marriage.
Jews do it and are damn proud of it, then why are we so ashamed to say that we marry our own?
Secondly, towards the end of the movie, the maryam character is made to realize, wait a minute, you were not even brought up in a muslim environment or among muslims, can you really call yourself muslim if you do not have muslim values or adhere to the muslim religion? The moderate imam made the argument that she is not realy muslim except by name and hence there should be no objection to her marrying a non-muslim( I think the imam meant this in a rhetorical manner and not in the literal sense). This got maryam into thinking….and hence she makes her decision in the end whether to go back to her boyfriend or to stay in Pakistan.
With Sarmad, he is made to realize that change comes from inside and akhlaq of a person is what differentiates him or her from the rest. The outward attire is not the deciding factor.
He is made to realize his mistakes and who he has wronged and is remorseful at the end.
I personally was too bored with the older bother so didnt bother watching the movie parts in which he was the main concentration.
I don’t understand how marrying a non-Muslim is haram, as permission is given in the opposite situation, a Muslim man marrying a non-Muslim woman. At the very least, this would dismiss any arguments about equality in the Qu’ran. The other argument I have heard, or prefer to believe is that the Qu’ran was a moral breakthrough for its time, and it should be treated as such. I know many people believe this interpretation is blasphemous, but I’m just dealing with the inconsistencies. At the very most, marrying a non-Muslim should be mukru. Please keep an open mind if anyone decides to respond to this.
How do we respond to Muslim girls’ relationships with non-Muslim guys? (Obviously we know its haraam, but it is a reality).
—> When one know this as Haraam, theres no need for that person to get any response or enquiry. It is Haraam and nothing else.
Is Music haraam?
—> What is the spirit of todays music. What is it orientation? What ideaology does derives it? Do todays ideaologies match with
islamic ideology?, If they contradict what should be our course of action?
How do we help our young sincere Muslim brothers and sisters who get caught up with extremist ideologies? (The same issues holds true in Europe and America as well)
How do the real wise ulema of our times stand up and overcome the extremist preachers who so effectively target our youth?
—> In the above questions are we justified using the words extremists.? Do we really understand the meaning and spirit of these
words before applying in respect of any islam related issue.?
How do we react to racial profiling and the tragedies of Guantanamo Bay and other secret prisons that even today still hold innocent Muslims?
—> The responsibility of all such chaos should be investigated by every so self boasting muslim?
How can we continue to explain to our outraged Muslim brethren across the world that America and the west in general isn’t inherently evil and anti-Islam?
—> Have we come to such a conclusion with complete research and knowledge. Or are we moved by the media propagandas?
There seems to be only way out. And that is Islam. As Iqbal said
Manfiad sab ki ek,
bhi, Quran bhi ek,
Nuqsaan bhi ek,
Ek hi Sab ka nabi, Deen bhi Allah
Kuch badi baat hoti gar hote musalmaan bhi ek.
Theres only one Islam, Either Accept it or Reject. The Qur’an says “Theres no Compulsion in religion”, If the so called muslims
(swt) themselves.
who are not able to accept the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. They are free to reject Islam and face Allah
Remeber Islam doesn’t need any body, Rather people needs Islam.
doesnt needs any body, Rather people needs Allah 
Allah
I don’t understand how marrying a non-Muslim is haram, as permission is given in the opposite situation, a Muslim man marrying a non-Muslim woman. At the very least, this would dismiss any arguments about equality in the Qu’ran. The other argument I have heard, or prefer to believe is that the Qu’ran was a moral breakthrough for its time, and it should be treated as such. I know many people believe this interpretation is blasphemous, but I’m just dealing with the inconsistencies. At the very most, marrying a non-Muslim should be mukru. Please keep an open mind if anyone decides to respond to this.?
–> Obviously for a thing to be understood, one need to make every effort understand it, That can be come done by going to the sources. From the information the respected Mr AHC is having one is convinced that Mr AHC has not gone through the Qur’an/ Or has misinterpreted it. “Marriage of not only a Muslim Female but also of a Muslim Male is prohibited with opposite sexed Non Muslim”. No one on this planet earth is able or allowed to decide what is Halaal, Haraam or Makru. All such injunction are there in the Quran and the Sunnah and they are binding. If one is a not able to accept it, They are free to reject Islam rather than simply boasting himself or herself as Muslim. The Law is binding. And Islam is nothing but obedience to the will/law of Allah
I don’t understand how marrying a non-Muslim is haram, as permission is given in the opposite situation, a Muslim man marrying a non-Muslim woman. At the very least, this would dismiss any arguments about equality in the Qu’ran. The other argument I have heard, or prefer to believe is that the Qu’ran was a moral breakthrough for its time, and it should be treated as such. I know many people believe this interpretation is blasphemous, but I’m just dealing with the inconsistencies. At the very most, marrying a non-Muslim should be mukru. Please keep an open mind if anyone decides to respond to this.?
–> Obviously for a thing to be understood, one need to make every effort understand it, That can be come done by going to the sources. From the information the respected Mr AHC is having one is convinced that Mr AHC has not gone through the Qur’an/ Or has misinterpreted it. “Marriage of not only a Muslim Female but also of a Muslim Male is prohibited with opposite sexed Non Muslim”. No one on this planet earth is able or allowed to decide what is Halaal, Haraam or Makru. All such injunction are there in the Quran and the Sunnah and they are binding. If one is a not able to accept it, They are free to reject Islam rather than simply boasting himself or herself as Muslim. The Law is binding. And Islam is nothing but obedience to the will/law of Allah
(SWT)
[Note: There are exceptions in the Muslim mens marriage to Non Muslim women. And those exceptions are being said with a lot of wisdom, the comprehending of which is necessary for people having real interest]
I need proper subtitles for this movie, Can anyone help me with that?
Thanks,
Honestly, I am a muslim, but you people should get a life. Following what is haraam because some bearded f*cker (and yes they are the same everywhere) says so? Live and let live, that is the only credo I follow. If a muslim sister/brother wants to marry outside the religion for all the good reason than by all means do! I listen to music and watch movies I like, I dont need a seal of approval.
This backward thinking is what is going to keep muslim in the trenched of society - followin advice of nutters without using your mind.