The Power within Our Language?

Is there a Power Dynamic Present within our Language?

Pierre Bordieu *1 has it that language is a commodity, with consumate value and which is both bought and sold. It is most definitely a medium of exchange for ideas and thoughts, and therefore maybe more like a currency rather than a commodity.

However the obvious diffrence is that language does not diminsh neither with it's use, nor with it's being shared. In fact the opposite be true. That as Bordieu says, its value increases with each trade, each exchange.

As it is used more, the more valuable it becomes.

However, his theory is laden by the fact that he wrote it within the beginning milleu of our times, marked by free market promotion, and the power of money. But that does not mean that we can disregard it without considering it. For at the time of our Messenger (saw) we should remember that the busiest of markets within the whole of Arabian Penninsula were the Poetry fairs, where Poets gathered to tell their tales and be paid for their wares.

So he has it that a power dynamic exists within language and it's exchange. And it might be instructive to follow this train of thought to see to where it leads?

In that case we can find resonance within scripture if and when you interpret it in that way:

That the Angels were commanded to prostrate before Adam (as) not just after Adam had been given the names of things, but after his appropriation of the power of words had been made evident- by God asking for him to name the things whilst the angels were present, and then by the angels not being able to do in a likewise manner.

When we re-examine the theory of creation, mentioned in another of my blogs, where I had argued that creation is separation. (*Life from Death*2)

Then it is clear from the conversation that angels have language, since they are conversing with God, both before and after the creation of Adam. So then how does the language of Adam differ from the language of the angels; in essence what are the words?

It appears from looking at what has been related to us of experience and thought, that the speech of angels is thought transmission and it could be argued that that is the pinnacle of what the best languages are- the elimination of doubt, controversy and ambiguity. In simple terms the transmission of meaning.

So the difference is that the language of Adam is separation, for words and names exist separate from us.

And thoughts do not exist separate from us until and if they are brought to action, either through our words or our hands. That is potentially why we will not be taken to task for our thoughts, but the words we say and the mead of our hands is a completely other matter.

The act of naming then from the story contained in our scripture is then the bringing into existence of a separate entity, a thing that is separate from yourself and from the thing itself- it is a thing inbetween.

What then are the words of God, for He says in our scripture: The words of God will never be exhausted. This implies that our words are exhaustable, will be exhausted, are limited and that there are therefore limits to what we can know. That our knowledge is deficient, and that all glory belongs to God, the Most High, Greater than all things.

Then we come to consider the Quran, the literal word of God. So many times in that speech do we find God declaring that it is Arabic Quran. 

The fact that this is mentioned so many times should be intriguing, since it was revealed to an Arab Messenger, Muhammad (saw), it would thereby necessitate it coming down in Arabic.

One intepretation of this fact that is common amongst most Muslims is that there is something special about Arabic a language. 

Most definitely the Quran is an Arabic Quran and every effort to explain its meaning is deficient, and that is within even Arabic itself. 

As many commentators have said when they translate it into another language as a medium, that their work is an attempt to translate the meaning of the Quran, and that therefore the Arabic Quran cannot be translated. It is as it is.

That much is obvious, but many also stipulate that there is something special, even Godly, about the Arabic language. 

That it warrants a deeper study.

The idea of a lingua franca, never found any resonance within the Muslim sphere. 

Indeed the Abassids adopted Persian as the administrative language of their empire, and Muslims thereafter necessarily became multi-lingual.

The idea of a lingua franca, one language sufficient for everything, only found resonance within the European sphere. And that is the kernel of the power dynamic that Bordieu hints at.

Whereas within our religion, and book, God informs us of the reason as to why He sent it down as a Arabic Quran.. "So that you may better understand". 

Whilst many might interpret this to mean that there is something hidden and special about the Arabic Language, the truth is that on the face of it it does not.

That God tells us that it is an Arabic Quran because it was sent down to the Umiyoon, the unlettered people of the Arabian Peninsula, via an unlettered Messenger and Prophet, Muhammad (saw).

Then why emphasize it in so many places within our Scripture?

Indeed one such verse would have been sufficent for us to know that it is an Arabic Quran, and that it cannot be taken away from it's Arabic roots as the prior Christian Nation had done with their loss of Aramaic, and their now first sources being Greek.

To emphasize it so many times, means that there is something else far deeper going on here.

And then we recall that God says that He revealed it in simple Arabic, and He says this but once, because once is sufficient.

And that God Himself has protected the Arabic language down through the centuries, through the Qur'an. So that one who knows Modern Standard Arabic can read Tabari unhindered.

So then what is the hidden meaning .. "We revealed it as an Arabic Quran, so that you might be instructed"?

That it warrants such repititon?

That it matters not the medium of the revelation, other than to explain things and to get to the meaning of things.

That there is no power dynamic here. 

That the religion is open, and the truth is clear.

That God did not want to send down any authority.

That He is al-Batin, the hidden one, who wishes for you to believe not because of authority, but because your eyes are open to the reality of things.

How phenomenal is His religion?
That it mirrors the Cosmos in every detail.

That He chooses for you Islam, but does not compel you to it.
And this non-compulsion is even present within those things that are the roots of power- language itself.

That the language is solely a medium for you to better appreciate the meaning. And the meaning is apparent and clear.

To find the truth of you, your own truth-value?

Knowledge is sought through study, contemplation and action. 

Not lectures, nor this above. 

I do not quote verbatim because I want for you to think and deliberate for yourself. 

ADDENDUM 

This idea explains why there are words within the Quranic Speech whose origin is not purely Arabic, but which had been appropriated into and within the corpus of the Arabic language at that time. 

*1 Language and Symbolic Power, Pierre Bourdieu (1991)

*2 my blog “Life from Death” (24/2/21) https://shafeesthoughts.blogspot.com/2021/02/life-from-death.html?m=1

Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil

In the immortal words of Fred Thursday above who had to contend with corruption within the places of power, if you need to tell someone the truth to bring to light abuses of power then send us an email. 

AnsaarCommunity@gmail.com

For a faster response please use my personal email and I will be in contact when I can. 

Shafi.Bachelani@gmail.com

To hold power to account is indeed a great calling. 

Consultative Resource 4/ OUR DEMOCRACY

The below is for consultation on in regards to the Al-Ansaar Association 

OUR Democracy

The Al-Ansaar Association fervently believes that the Democracy of small people is embattled, constantly in danger from the undue influence of big money, and is therefore in need of protection.

And that this protection is best afforded through the support of small businesses. 

That small bussinesses are the cornerstone of our Democracy, and indeed lifeblood of Our Communities.

THE ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE

Towards these ends, The (Al-) Ansaar Association believes that to learn business, it is enough to do business.

The Al-Ansaar Association will set up a fund open to everyone, and not just to Muslims, to build experience in and to promote and support small and new businesses.

The Al-Ansaar Association will

1- act as a facilitator for the work of management oversight teams of Muslim financiers/ accountants/ solicitors/ consultants to provide their time and expertise on a pro-bono basis to successful candidates/ applicants.

Each successful candidate/ applicant will have one point of refernce mentor from this team, and if available then one mentor from The Academy of Excellence Alumni (See below).

However, they will also be provided access to the expertise of the whole Management Oversight Team.

Candidates will present their proposals for consideration to the (Al-) Ansaar Association who will consider convening an intervew and methods session with a pre-formed pro-bono management oversight team for that purpose and with one Trustee from the Al-Ansaar Association also being present. That Trustee's decision to fund or not to fund will be on the advice of the convened pro-bono Management oversight team.

2- carry 100% of type B Shares of no value in any Company formed, split equally between existing Trustees of The IAl-) Ansaar Association, by the suucessful applicant, in order to explicity prevent the sale of the Company via buyout to any National or Multi-National or other Company directly employing over 50 people.

3- approve Bookkeeping services to the formed Company. With a service providers giving assurances to complete and ongoing oversight of the accounts to the Al- Ansaar Association, on a daily and whenever needed basis, and appointed Management Oversight Team.

4- Initial loans made by the Al-Ansaar Association will not attract any interest repayments, and will need to be underwritten with personal assurances from the successful applicant with a stipulated deadline for repayment.

5- If the formed Company is in need of recapitalisation for further investment, then the Al-Ansaar Association will be afforded first refusal.

We will seek to provide further investment Capital in exchange for part ownership of the Company at a pro-rata market value; So for example if the Company is valued at 100k, and requires a 25k capital investment then this will be afforded at 20% ownership of the Company in shares.

If the applicant refuses, or cannot gain, recapilisation via the above means irrespective or reason and seeks recapitisation elsewhere then they will not avail themselves of variable interest loans, only being allowed to accept fixed repayment loans over a limited period of time. 

If recapitalisation can only progress as sale of part ownership of the company, then following negotiations with a third party, the Al-Ansaar Association will be given first refusal to meet the negotiated settlement before progression can occur.

6- The formed Company will neither accept nor provide finance based upon usury or interest based models which seek not to mitigate risk but to fully eliminate it. 

This ethos is in line with the Islamic vision that risks should be accepted and mitigated but not fully eliminated. 

That taking risks is the fire blood of innovation and best Muslim practice.

7- Type B Shares, of no value, will also allow for the Al-Ansaar Association to liquidate the Company in case any of the 6 points above fail, and this will be by majority vote of trustees following a meeting called to address their concerns. 

In case of liquidation of assets, after liabilities have been satisfied including to the (Al-) Ansaar Association, the (Al-) Ansaar Association will gain half of the value of the remaining assets with the applicant taking the remaining.

8- The Proposer/ Successful Applicant is free to form other businesses, become part owner in other bussinesses, work in or for other businesses, sell on his/her busniess share to another small business owner, or new applicant, only after a specified evaluantion time has elapsed, or after agreement to liquidation,. whichever is the sooner.

9- The so formed Company will carry the (Al-) Ansaar Association logo for THE ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE on its letterhead and in all email and other communications in a prominent position with pride.

ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE ALLUMNI

Former and Existing Applicants will be asked to maintain thier contact with the work of the (Al-) Ansaar Association through providing support for new and potential applicants through once yearly conferences and conventions.

And also when asked by providing a mentoring service for successful applicants.

OUR HOPE

It is hoped that the (Al-) Ansaar Association fund will be used to great effect to launch the careers of many successful businessmen and businesswomen, who will champion Democracy through the support of Small Business Enterprises and the (Al-) Ansaar Association.

The name of the fund will be "The Academy of Excellence Fund". Please donate generously to this not for profit fund.

Who be the Fascists?

In our book we are constantly told that the believers are the successful ones.

Most commentators will say that this is in reference to our eventual outcome, since many a time we are also reminded of the great reward that awaits us in Jannah.

However when we consider the revelation within the context of it's prior manifestations then it's clear that God here is willing for us to be successful, and for us not to be scared to put into action HIs will. For one reading of the Umm ul-Kitab; al-Fathihah, the Opener, the bringer of success; is that it is in response to the ask of Nabi Isa ( Jesus (as)) when he asked- "thy will be done, thy kingdom come, on Earth as it is Heaven."

That whilst in al-Maedah, Allah t'ala informs us that there are monks from amongst that Nation that love God, and when they hear the Quran then their eyes well with tears recognising something of it's truth.*1 

That they love Him so much that they have forsaken life, and dedicated themselves to Him even as Maryam (as) herself was so dedicated.

But for us, that path is forbidden to us by the words and way of our Messenger (saw). *2

Because we as a Nation were sent with a most sacred mission to put into action the will of God, to answer the ask of Nabi Isa (as). And how can we put it into action if we are weak and powerless, rather we are the successful ones when we act to surrender to His will and act to free people from the oppression that is their everyday mead.

Indeed the ways of God are simple.

For Imam Al-Ghazali (rm) when he examined the variety of Muslim thought, even then there were many schools, he developed a methodology which was both painstaking and laborious in trying to differentiate correctly between them.*3

And yet the most powerful way expulsed by God is easy- discount those with contradictions. 

Indeed the ways of God are powerful and simple.

Our mission, so many times we are told, is to remove oppression from the people and to not worry about belief, that is for God to guide whom He will.

The tiller of the soil simply cleans and turns to freshen the soil.
He does not cause the crop to grow, but simply sows.



MashaAllah look at us.
Islam has made of us an international people who see their relevance everywhere.



The defining wars of the prior century saw the rise of Fascism within Europe. And when we look to define the essential characteristics of those movements within Germany, Spain and Italy we would see them as the rise to full exposition the Nation State. *4

That Fascist Germany was the expression of the German Nation State at it fullest expression, that for their people what simply mattered was the German Nation, and they had no regard for our common human story. 

No regard for other peoples' rights and needs, and no regard for a common obligation to neither help them, others, nor even to treat them as equal.

The route to facism does not need a singular start, for it doesn't matter if it comes from a social democractic perspective, or a communist perspective or even a socially conservative perspective- it is an end in itself from whereever it began.

It is a narrowing of a view, where no one else matters.

At the defining moment of the long confict between Fascist Germany and England, Winston Churchill on the brink of failure stood before the House of Commons and gave a fighting speech at the last he said that when England laid waste and starving that beyond the seas "the new world, with all it's power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old".

That England was not fascist, then. 


That the United Kingdom was not fascist, then. 

That we, Muslims, being necesarilly Internationalists are the New World.

For when the United Kingdom supports Fascist Israel, it becomes a Fascist country in its own right.

For Israelis do not see a common bond between all people, do not see an obligation to treat with equanamity and justice. 

They take what they want of lives and land.

They are the heirs to Fascist Germany.

And when Great Britain support them, and when we allow this our Great Britain to support them- then we too become what this Nation once fought and stood against. 

The Swastika even now rises on the House of Parliament, even as Churchill warned it would- but now it is replaced by the redolent Israeli banner.

And when our Government uses all of it's legal apparatus, and judicial processes to put to trial a man who simply happened to be put at the head of a boat of refugees bound for our Isles and when some of these perished at sea.

When our Government seeks to label him as a criminal and gulity of manslaughter, then that Government is a fascist Government. *5

And our legal apparatus and our Police forces are instruments of a fascists Government.

For they do not care for our common human story.

But they care to deter others by branding one such unlucky fellow as criminal- seeking to destroy his very soul.

And yet each of our souls is precious, and all of them too.

Then needs us, the New World, to come to the resuce of the Old.


That Islam is relevant, and we will free the People from that ugly threat that they once fought tooth and nail against- only for it to now appear in their support of Israeli policy, and in the Government of the now.

Knowledge is sought through action. 

Deliberating is an action that occurs within you. So think well. 

NOTES

*1 v82 Al-Maedah. 

Which ends with “We do believe, make us one then with those who bear witness” The Shuhadah all of the Muslims recognise to be the Martyrs who bear ultimate witness to the truth with their lives.  

*2 Muhammed (saw) expressly forbade us to become Monks and Nuns. 

*3 Al-Ghazali, “Deliverance from Error”. 

*4 off course the dictionary definition paints a different picture of centralised government or one party but does no justice to the origins of such movements. Hitler was himself a socialist democrat. 

*5 the ongoing criminal case against Ibrahima Bah. The first case the jury could not bring themselves to convict, when he was as much a victim of circumstance. 

And so the Government and the CPS are currently trying him a second time.