Question

In some of your responses to questions you use the term “superstition”. I want to ask you what does this term exactly implicate? How do you define “superstitions” or superstitious belief” and what is your philosophical understanding of it?

May Peace be with you.

Answer

Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines “superstition” as:

Any belief, based on fear or ignorance, that is inconsistent with the known laws of science or with what is generally considered in the particular society as true and rational; esp., such a belief in charms, omens, the supernatural, etc.

Our understanding of the word is almost the same. The only difference is that we do not take as superstitious those matters that relate to the supernatural or the unknown but have been endorsed by the Almighty. For instance, belief that a species like Jinn exists though is something beyond the range of our senses, we however maintain strong adherence to it.

Jhangeer Hanif

May 2, 2003