Changanua
- 1 separate what is
mixed up; simplify what is compound. 2 analyse, make a critique (of some
writings).
Msemo
(saying/aphorism)
Kenge
aliuma sababu ya pumzi.
Translation:
The monitor lizard bit because it was out of breath.
One of the logical tricks of aphorisms is the utilization of causal determinism mischievously by stopping the conclusion at a compelling causal factor that is not the root cause. This saying doesn’t get to the root cause of why the monitor lizard bit somebody. Merely citing one of the causal factors down the chain of cascading events (suffocation), doesn’t get to the root cause which is the act of the person who drowned or gassed the monitor lizard in its burrow. The usefulness of causal determinism lies in uncovering the root cause of the phenomenon. If that is not addressed, the phenomenon will be repeated again.
Monitor
lizards are an endangered species in some areas of the world like India and
Bangladesh due to incessant brutalization and killings by people for sport. A common
method of hunting them is suffocating them in their burrows by gushing water
inside or gassing with carbon monoxide. Often, the monitor lizards that manage
to escape, bite the perpetrators.
Aphorisms
often gain support in the ambiguity and fluidity of religious thought. Let’s
look at a question submitted by someone to his/her imam regarding the
righteousness of torturing monitor lizards which is a controversial topic in Islamic
world especially Bengal. It was posted on Firqatunnajia.com.
Utesaji
wa kenge
Swali:
Kuwinda kenge kwa kumwaga maji au kutoa moshi wa gari kwenye mashimo yao…
Jibu:
Haijuzu. Wengi wa watu wanawinda kenge sio kwa ajili ya kumla, kwa ajili ya
burudani. Matokeo yake wanamuadhibu mnyama huyu. Haijuzu kufanya hivo. Ni kweli
kwamba inafaa kula nyama ya kenge, lakini yule anayewatesa kwa ajili ya
burudani au kwa ajili ya kucheza anapaswa kutambua kuwa wanyama wa heshima yao,
wanaliwa na kunyiwa na mfano wa hayo. Inafaa kwake kuwakamata tu kwa ajili ya
kuwala, na sio kwa ajili ya burudani au kupoteza muda. Baadhi wanayajaza magari
yamejaa kenge, sio kwa ajli ya kuwala, bali kwa ajili tu ya kujipa faraja. Ni
haramu kufanya hivo. Aidha haijuzu kuwaua kenge kwa njia hii, kukiwemo kwa
kutumia gesi ya gari. Haijuzu kufanya hivo. Ni wanyama walio na roho, na kwa
ajili hiyo haifai kuwaadhibu.
Mhusika:
Imaam Swaalih bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan
Mfasiri:
Firqatunnajia.com
Marejeo:
Sharh ´Umdat-il-Fiqh (42)
Imechapishwa:
01/12/2023
https://firqatunnajia.com/utesaji-wa-kenge/
Translation:
Torture
of monitor lizards
Question:
Hunting monitor lizards by pouring water or blowing car exhaust into their
holes...
Answer:
It is not allowed. Most of the people hunt monitor lizards not for eating, but
for entertainment. As a result, they punish this animal. It is not allowed to
do that. It is true that it is appropriate to eat the meat of monitor lizards,
but the one who tortures them for entertainment or for playing should realize
that animals of their honor, are eaten and drunk with consideration of that. It
is appropriate for him to catch them only for eating them, and not for
entertainment or wasting time. Some people fill cars full of monitor lizards,
not to eat them, but just to comfort themselves. It is illegal to do that. In
addition, it is not allowed to kill monitor lizards in this way, including
using car gas. It is not allowed to do that. They are animals with souls, and
for that reason it is not appropriate to punish them.
Written
by: Imaam Swaalih bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan
Translator:
Firqatunnajia.com
Reference:
Sharh ´Umdat-il-Fiqh (42)
Published:
01/12/2023
https://firqatunnajia.com/utesaji-wa-kenge/
The
answer from the imam condemns the keeping of monitor lizards in the manner of
suffocation as well as keeping them for entertainment but still cites the appropriateness
of killing these wild animals with “honor” and eating their flesh. This is the rhetorical ambiguity and fluidity that defuses the enforcement of law whenever it is found
convenient to the subject concerned; or if coded into law, would only address a
causal factor instead of the root cause. In such a case, a mere bylaw masquerading as law would be like “it is prohibited to enter forests with more than one litre
of water, with a combustion engine, or a gas cartridge.” The main problem is
not in the existence of water, combustion engine, or gas cartridge in any particular
location, but in the wrong intentions of men and women.
This
is another explanation why aphorisms are only appropriate in matters of
personal concern to aid in heuristics and not those of general public concern
which require general consensus. When used in general politics, they are often
tools of deception and justification of wrongs.
References
https://firqatunnajia.com/utesaji-wa-kenge/.
Retrieved 23rd dec 2023.
TUKI (2001), Kamusi Ya
Kiswahili-Kiingereza; Swahili-English Dictionary. Published by Taasisi ya
Uchunguzi wa Kiswahili (TUKI), Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
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