In today’s world, speaking the truth is not easy, especially when it’s about religion and mostly about Islamic Religion. But one brave Indian Muslim woman, Shabnam Khan, is doing just that. She’s raising her voice not against her religion, but against those who are using religion the wrong way to control and misuse people, especially women.
In this episode of YTMahendra Podcast, our guest is Shabnam Khan, a strong voice for truth and justice. She is a human rights activist, social reformer, and is often seen in TV debates across India. She currently serves as the National Spokesperson and Delhi State President of the Nishad Party.
Shabnam Khan is known for speaking up on social issues, especially those affecting women and minorities. She has also taken part in big movements like a symbolic walk from Delhi to Ayodhya, and even contested for the Delhi CM elections. On social media, too, she regularly shares her views and work, inspiring thousands with her bold and clear stance.
Shabnam Khan calls herself a regular Indian Muslim woman. But what makes her different is her courage to talk about the issues many fear to discuss openly, things like triple talaq, halala, burqa, and women’s rights in Islam.
She says that Islam is a religion of peace and humanity, but some so-called religious leaders (whom she calls “Changu-Mangu Mullas”) are spreading wrong ideas in the name of religion. These people, according to her, are misguiding others by giving wrong meanings to the Quran and using religion to control women.
Shabnam Khan bravely speaks out about the restrictions placed on women in the name of religion. She highlights how, in many Muslim families, girls are still denied basic rights like education, freedom of choice in clothing, and movement outside the home — all under the excuse of religious values.
She also brings attention to how some religious leaders, or so-called mullas, misuse religious texts to promote outdated and harmful practices like triple talaq and halala, even though these concepts are not supported in the Quran.
Another concern she strongly voices is the gender inequality deeply rooted in certain interpretations of religion. While men are promised rewards like 72 hoors in paradise, women are only taught to obey, stay silent, and keep sacrificing, with little recognition or spiritual promise in return.
According to her, these are not the teachings of Islam, but the results of misinterpretation and male-dominated control over religion.
What Shabnam Khan Believes, And Why It Matters
1. Religion is Being Misused, Not Practiced
Shabnam strongly believes that Islam is not the problem; its misuse is. According to her, some so-called religious leaders have turned faith into a tool for control, especially over women. They take Quranic verses, twist their meanings, and present them in ways that serve their power and agenda, not Allah’s will.
She says, “If someone truly understands the Quran, they will never justify triple talaq, halala, or injustice to women. But these people choose only those lines that benefit them and ignore the actual context, which promotes equality and justice.”
2. Hypocrisy and Double Standards Are Rampant
Shabnam calls out the clear double standards in our society. The same mullas who stop other women from studying or wearing jeans send their own daughters to English schools, let them wear western clothes, and even allow them to live freely.
Her bold question is:
“If it’s haram for others, why is it halal for your own family?”
This hypocrisy, she says, has nothing to do with Islam; it’s about controlling weaker sections of the community, especially poor and uneducated women, in the name of religion.
3. Educated Muslims Are Silent, And That’s Dangerous
One of her most powerful concerns is this:
Why are educated, well-informed Muslims not speaking up?
She believes that those who know what’s wrong but stay quiet are just as responsible for the damage being done. According to her, silence allows ignorant voices to dominate, and real reform becomes impossible.
She says, “When an IAS officer or a professor from our community stays silent about halala or child marriage, they give space to the changu-mangu mullahs to dictate what’s right and wrong.”
4. Islam Teaches Humanity, Not Fear and Control
For Shabnam, the true Islam is about love, peace, humanity, and equality. The Prophet himself treated women with dignity, educated them, and gave them rights. But today, Islam is being shown as a religion that punishes, restricts, and controls, especially women.
She says, “If there is no humanity in your actions, then you are not following Islam, you’re following your ego.”
She believes that Islam is being hijacked by those who only focus on rules, not values, and that’s why young people are either turning extreme or turning away.
Why Her Voice is Important
Shabnam Khan isn’t against Islam, she’s fighting to protect its real face. A face that promotes fairness, dignity, and compassion for all. Her voice is a reminder that faith should never become fear, and religion should never become a reason to oppress.
She’s not just talking for Muslim women, she’s talking for every person who believes that truth should be louder than tradition when tradition becomes toxic.
Conclusion:
A Voice From Within, For a Better Future
Shabnam Khan isn’t an outsider criticizing Islam, she is a proud Muslim woman who knows both the beauty and the broken parts of her community. That’s what makes her voice powerful and honest.
She believes that the Quran has been misread and misused for generations, especially by those mullahs who pick only those verses that support their control over women, while ignoring the real spirit of Islam, which stands for equality, justice, and compassion.
She reminds us that Prophet Muhammad himself gave immense respect to women, even saying,
“A woman is the crown of the man’s head.”
Yet today, the same religion is being used to push women down, to silence them, and to deny them basic rights. This is not Islam; this is manipulation in the name of Islam by most of the people, and mostly by mullahs.
As a Muslim woman, Shabnam understands both the internal struggles and the external judgments her community faces. That’s why she speaks with clarity, courage, and care, not to create hate, but to inspire change.
Her mission is simple:
To make Muslims, especially women, realize their worth, understand their rights, and rise with pride, education, and equality. Only then can the community move forward with real progress and become an equal part of a modern, just society.
Because a religion that gave women rights 1400 years ago cannot today be used to take those rights away.
Social Media Links of Shabnam Khan
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/khanshabnamf/
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