The Satanic Verses makes it clear that there are no relationships between equals. Everyone is paired opposites: dominant and submissive. God and worshipper. Angel and devil. Faithful and adulterous. This inequality creates toxic and dangerous situations where one person sacrifices a lot to save another or for religion. In return, they get nothing. Salman Rushdie uses notions of faith, faithfulness and sacrifice to criticize the idea of sacrifice in religion and personal relationships. Rushdie subverts blood sacrifice by presenting toxic relationships. Rushdie also suggests that religion can lead to toxic relationships. When a person puts aside all of their possessions in order to have a promise of a brighter future, it is a form of faith. This idea is best exemplified by “the promise of a magic lamp” and so I’ll start with that, a portion of Saladin Chacha’s backstory.
His father was an intimidating presence in Saladin’s life as a child. The father is said to have been omniscient and omnipresent to Saladin growing up, often spying on him. He is actually described as being “more godlike than any Allah” and a “profane God (49).) When Saladin discovers a wallet containing British money, his father is sure to grab it. The father is cruel and has a magic lamp on his bookshelf. It looks exactly like the one in A Thousand and One Nights. His son is forbidden from touching it, in the hopes that the genie might escape. However, he promises that Saladin will one day be able to own it. Saladin, a young man, is convinced that the “promises of the magic lamps” will bring him happiness. They are punished and suffer in the interim. They believe that they will eventually get what they want. This theme is present in many stories throughout the novel and is a criticism of Rushdie’s faith. The novel contains many other relationships, including romantic ones, that are toxic and even abusive. The novel also depicts a similar structure for religion. The “promises of the magic lamps” are similar to those of the afterlife. Characters believe that something will happen to them after their death, which can lead to a loss of life. Rushdie’s criticisms of blind faith and Islam extremism are clear even in what he calls it. Rushdie refers to it as “Islam” in the Jahilia sections, which are about Mahound’s life and the founding of the religion. This conscious choice was made by Rushdie to emphasise the fact Islam, the dominant religion in the world, means submission. The word literally means to allow oneself to be controlled, to submit to another’s will. Submission is not always bad. It can be a way to encourage humility and remind one that they are just human. Submission can prove deadly if it is taken to extremes. Ayatollah Khodah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran at Rushdie’s time, said that “What could be more in the service Islam and the noble Islamic Nation than to drink the beverage martyrdom and proudly meet God (Hatina 123).” With religious leaders so open to the idea of suicide and martyrdom, it is not surprising that suicide attacks within radical Islam are still a major concern.
Submission is when you give up something to another person. When someone has faith that they will be made martyrs by God, they may also give up their own lives. The idea of self-sacrifice as a means of defending religious faith, is an extreme variant of the magic lantern idea. This idea is reflected in The Satanic Verses at several times. Tavleen, who hijacks the plane to explode it midair, says that martyrdom is a privilege. This is a case of toxic faith. Tavleen believes that she will be able to reach heaven by murder and suicide, even though there is no evidence. Khomeini’s above words can be seen in her speech at that time. Rushdie emphasizes that Rushdie used the term “sacrifice” when she killed the first hostage. To give up something in order to gain something back, is called sacrifice. It’s not an easy trade. Someone may make a sacrifice but then waits to receive their reward. They “wait for it to happen,” just as Saladin did with the magic lamp. This word recalls ancient rituals performed on stairs in temples where blood was shed for the benefit of good harvest. However, this modern example shows that blood sacrifice does not seem outdated. The idea is still the same, even though it’s done with a gun to one’s head and not one to the heart. Later, Tavleen makes a sacrifice for her god and takes the hijackers and passengers with her.
Rushdie offers another example for a blood sacrifice involving many people. Rushdie uses this section to describe Ayesha. Rushdie, who is influenced by Tavleen, Khomeini and other religious texts, promotes martyrdom. “Everything we will have to do, and everything will be ours (232)” is her mantra. She repeats this refrain until her entire village follows her on a pilgrimage into the depths of Arabian Sea. Rushdie makes it clear that blind faith does not exist. Ayesha is a reason for the village to believe in her. She is an almost holy presence. Everywhere she goes, a multitude of butterflies follow her. They are so attracted to her body that they even cover her naked. Mishal Saeed’s Breast Cancer (240) was correctly diagnosed. Both these reasons are valid for the villagers believing she is a prophet. But, instead of being drowned, she promises that they will be parted by the sea, just as it was for the Israelites fleeing Egypt. Rushdie illustrates that faith can be justified by offering an example of faith. Ayesha being a prophet is not the issue. Mishal is first diagnosed with cancer by Mishal. This faith demands that you submit to it. Frans Ilkka Mayra states, “Rushdie’s Text… Does not Address the Total Opposite of Religious Faith, It is not Indifferent or Unsympathetic toward the Religious Tradition. It is a compromise between religion and secularism, exploring the religious elements with an active but critical attitude.” The most shocking thing about the Ayesha story is that they go so far into the ocean without any struggle.
Rushdie does not view Islam as a dangerous faith. His critique is open to all extreme sacrifices to any religion. Meir Hatik and Meir Litvak explain in Martyrdom and Sacrifice: Islam’s Idea and Ideal of Martyrdom. They say that martyrdom is a concept that has evolved from the Abrahamic religions. Each of these religions has a history of being too extreme. Rushdie also illustrates that martyrdom does NOT have to be associated with religious faith. In the novel, a variety of martyrs are shown in their personal relationships. The Satanic Verses is full of toxic relationships, with inequalities that are godlike. The relationships that Gibreel has with women are a prime example. It’s not surprising that Gibreel never had any luck with women before he began playing the role of deity. “Failed to kiss any woman on his lips” was his only accomplishment until he became an elephant-headed god. A lot of these women request that he wear an elephant mask while they have sex (25). This is problematic in a patriarchal religious culture because it suggests that women want to be godlike figures. Gibreel is their religion. They love Gibreel despite his abusive behavior, unfaithfulness, and lack of care. Gibreel drops from the aircraft and has a vision. Rekha is his lover. Rekha died after suffering heartbreak. Rekha’s vision says that Gibreel was punished for using it as an excuse to leave. It was also your cloud to hide from. Now that I am gone, I cannot forgive. You, Gibreel! May your hellish life never come to pass. You sent me to Hell, so I need to examine this quote. First, Gibreel being described as “punishing”, hiding in a cloud and concealing from her makes it clear that she considers him a god. She is also his worshipper. His faith was hers for as long he was alive. She had always hoped that he would return to her. But then, he falls for Alleluia Cone. Alleluia is Gibreel’s version deity-like love interest. This is when she starts to doubt her love and believe that he will return, even though she continues to give of herself for his good. Rushdie reminds us that doubt is the contrary of faith (94). Only when she is dead and there is no future for her with him, can she confront him and forgive him. It is notable that she is not in Heaven but in Hell. She chose Hell rather than Gibreel life. This was an unusual act of self-destruction. She committed suicide because of the faith she placed in Gibreel. He is accused of “Everybody forgave” her.
Gibreel is a Godlike Figure to Women because he holds the belief that he’s God’s gift. This attitude is why women are so willing to give him their money. The Satanic Verses teaches that a person can become godlike if they give something to him. His relationships are a reflection of his faith and faithfulness. He will not abandon someone if he loses faith. To return to his father’s relationship, he pays all his bills in London when he decides to become an actor. His father tells Saladin that he can’t become an actor because he is against his father’s wishes. This is what ends their relationship, until his death. Saladin appears to be replacing this toxic relationship with one with Pamela Lovelace, which is quite unequal. He is not attracted to her but he continues to pursue her. Infidelity is the result of this lack of faith. Zeeny falls in love immediately. Saladin eventually inherits the lamp. Zeeny appears to him when he rubs its surface. The lamp holds more. After going on a rampage, Gibreel arrives to Saladin’s place and rubs the lamp. There he discovers a gun and shoots himself. Saladin was so fond of the lamp, but it ends up causing him much trouble.
Rushdie’s narrative blends religious extremism alongside romantic extremism. Rushdie shows the difficulties that can arise from submitting to a faith that is not in God or another person. Rushdie suggests that there is a healthy balance between faith and life. This balance isn’t found anywhere in the novel. Rushdie, instead, depicts people willing to give up everything in order to have a happy life.
Works cited
Beers, William. Women and Sacrifice. Male Narcissism. Wayne State University Press published the book in 1992. .Hatina and Meir Litvak. Martyrdom in Islam: Theological and Political Contexts. I.B. Tauris, 2017. Mayra, Frans Ilkka. “The Satanic Versses and the Demonic Text.” 2005.Rushdie. The Satanic Versses. Henry Holt published the original version of the book in 1988.
