Proposing to Sara Khatun
An inter-faith proposing
Lieutenant Rajab and Sara Khatun used to enjoy classy conversations that included informative and sometimes enlightening history.
They fell in love, and they didn’t need to prove it by saying, I love you.
They continued their pure relationship until his military progress training became close, then it was time to take it up to the next natural step.
He proposed.
“That would be impossible,” Sara responded.
“I heard this word from you before; why it is impossible?” Rajab asked.
“You know why, the religion,” she said, “my family would disapprove.
“I thought that your family is secular,” he said.
“True, but they are unhappy about our relationship,” Sara responded. “Anyway, your family may not like it too,” she added.
“Don’t worry about that. Islamic laws allow me to have a wife from the “People of the Book”, that is, Christians and Jews. And, it is more practical to marry a Jewish woman than a Christian one”, he said
“Are you saying you have a Christian woman candidate?” she roared with laughter.
“I am certainly not. I am saying Judaism and Islam share the statement of the absolute unity of God, which both observe in their daily prayers. The two faiths also share the central practices of fasting, dietary laws and other aspects of ritual purity.
“Oh yes, I know both religions prohibit pork consumption, “ Sara reflected.
“When it comes to relationships, both faiths forbid sexual contact outside of marriage and ban homosexuality. Equally, Islam and Judaism practice the circumcision of boys,” Rajab added.
“You are right, and I am with you in this, but just to let you know that interfaith marriage in Judaism was historically viewed with disfavour by Jewish leaders, and it remains controversial. Whereas they claim that Talmud prohibits non-Jews from marrying Jews, prohibition may not come from the Torah; it may be from rabbinical sources”. Sara explained.
“My dear, do you think I didn’t do my homework? The 1844 Rabbinical Conference conditionally permitted Jews to marry “any adherent of a monotheistic religion.”, he replied.
Sara Khatun didn’t need such a convincing debate. She encouraged him to make the issue clear in his mind. She concluded the mutual revelation by saying, “let me give it a try”.
“Good, we can draw on in any trying situation,” Rajab responded.
The proposal chance was close to nil at that particular time since she had already discussed it with her family. She didn’t want to shoot down his hopeful spirit while he was preparing to go to the First World War.
