Salim Khan, the legendary screenwriter-actor known for redefining Hindi cinema with films like Sholay, Deewaar, Zanjeer, Don, Dostana, Trishul and more. Also, off-screen whether its about cinema or society – he has always been vocal about his views. In this never-seen-before interview Salim Khan discusses about faith, criticism and why he stopped going to the mosque for prayers.
Years ago, the Sholay writer reveals that he wrote an article carrying the line, “Jahalat se battar hai galat talim” (Wrong education is worse than ignorance) which statement later led him to criticism from certain sections of Islamic community. In this unseen conversation, he firmly explained his side.
“Mere Aur Khuda Ke Beech Mein Hai”
When asked whether he felt he had made a mistake, he responded firmly, “If I have made a mistake, it is between me and God. Who are these people? There is no broker or agent between me and God.”
He further clarified, “In Islamic religion, everything is between a person and God. And faith is personal. How do they know what my faith is? Have they entered my heart or mind?”
He added that in Islam there is no system of confession through an intermediary, “Islam hi ek aisa mazhab hai jahan koi in between nahi hai ke ‘Saab vo padre ke paas jaakar confess kar lijiye toh vo aapko maaf kar dega.’ Mere aur khuda ke beech mein hai… Main inse kyu jaake maafi maangu? (In Islam, there is no middle person to confess to. If I feel I have made a mistake, I will ask God for forgiveness. Why should I apologise to them?)”
Why Salim Khan Stopped Going To The Mosque
When asked what if he and his family were stopped from offering Eid prayers at mosque Salim Khan replied, “Main toh waise bhi nahi jata Eid ki namaaz pe. (I don’t go for Eid prayers anyway.)” Further when questioned about his son Salman or others being stopped, he said, “Toh mana kardenge, dhakka de denge, nikal denge… usse kya farq padta hai? (They will refuse, push them out… what difference does it make?)”
In addition to this, Salim Khan revealed his personal decision on why he stopped attending Eid prayers at mosque.
Sharing an incident, the actor-writer said, “I stopped going to the mosque. Once during Friday prayers, as I was in town and it was time for the prayer so I directly joined from town and I was wearing a printed Hawaiian shirt which had some floral prints.”
He continued, “Ek saab ne farmaya, ‘aap huzoor zara mere piche aaye, aapke piche meri namaz nahi hogi.’ Main piche chala gaya… aise karte-karte jahan mere jhoote rakhe the, wahan aa gaya. Maine jhoote pehne aur ghar aa gaya. Uske baad se main masjid namaz padne nahi gaya. (Someone from behind said, ‘Please sir stand behind me, I cannot pray behind you.’ I kept moving back until I reached at where I removed my shoes. I wore them and went home. After that, I never went back for prayers there.)”
Faith Remains Personal
He then made it clear that he still offers namaz at home, “Main namaz padta hu… jis din mera dil chahega, us din main chala bhi jaunga. Agar yeh rokenge toh rokh de. (I pray. The day I feel like going, I will go. If they stop me, let them.)”
He even reacted to threats about burning his effigy: “Yeh log ne dhoj diya hai ki meri effigies jalaayenge… mere effigies ko dafnaye na. Main abhi tak toh Musalman hu na. (They say they will burn my effigy. Why burn it? Bury it. I am still a Muslim.)”
To watch the full conversation in detail, catch the complete unseen interview below:
source https://lehren.com/exclusive-why-salim-khan-stop-going-to-the-mosque-masjid/
