Winking forbidden in Islam, says Intervention Application in Priya Prakash Varrier case

An application has been filed in the Supreme Court by two persons, seeking to intervene in the petition filed by actress Priya Prakash Varrier concerning the viral hit song “Manikya Malaraaya Poovi” in the upcoming malayalam movie “Oru Adaar Love”..The two Hyderabad-based aggrieved parties have prayed that they be allowed to intervene in the matter and present their case against the song..One of the applicants in the intervention application had previously lodged an FIR (subsequently stayed by the Supreme Court) against the song in Hyderabad. The other applicant has been quoted as being a person deeply engaged in preserving the rich Muslim culture and values..In their application, the applicants have raised the issue of certain objectionable picturization, which when superimposed with the sacred lyrics of the song can very well be categorized as an act of blasphemy. The applicants have summarized the objectionable visuals depicted in the song as follows..“The 30 second clip shows a young schoolgirl and schoolboy exchanging smiles, eyebrows wiggles and winks from across the way. It has completely captivated audiences but with a wrinkle on the face of religious Muslims.”.As per the applicants, the act of winking itself is forbidden in Islam. In this regard, reference has been made to verses in the Holy Quran Sharif touching upon the treachery of the eyes. In particular, the following verse has been quoted,.“It is said (He knows that treachery of the eyes), in other words, eyes that betray the trust. It means the action of a person who would, secretly and surreptitiously, cast a glance over something haram and impermissible for him or her, for example, casts a glance at non-mahram person with sexual desire, and takes it away in the event someone was around, or casts a glance in a manner that is not noticed by others. All these things are open before Allah Ta’ala.“.In addition, the applicants also contend that the teachings of Sahih Muslim also forbid the act of winking. Referring to same, the applicants have quoted,.“Abu Hararia reported Allah’s Apostle is saying: very near law has since the very portion of adultery, which a man will indulge in, and when she of necessity must commit. The identity of the eyes is the lustful look, and the identity of the tongue is a licentious speech, the heart desires and years, which the parts may or may not put into effect.”.Therefore. the case sought to be presented before the Court is that,.“…the pictuarisation of the present song is a deliberate attempt to malign the image of Islam. The present song is intended to outrage the religious feelings and beliefs of the Muslim Community. The present act of the petitioners [makers of the film] and other members involved in casting of the song amount to an offence under section 295-A IPC [i.e. deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings]”.The song in question features a stylized version of a mappilla paattu (traditional muslim song genre), written by PMA Jabbar in 1978, to describe the qualities of Prophet Muhammad’s first wife Beevi Khadeeja..However, along with instant popularity, the restyled version also ended up attracting multiple criminal complaints lodged across States, primarily on grounds that the song hurt religious sentiments..In February this year, the Supreme Court had stayed all pending FIRs against the song and the movie. The stay was granted in response to a petition filed by its director, producer and the actress featured in the song, Priya Prakash Varrier.