~tasha~
Age: 124
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One of the least understood aspects of Islam is the status of Muslim women and their role in society. It is widely believed in the West that Muslim women are oppressed, repressed, suppressed and depressed. It is assumed that they have no rights and are treated as second-class citizens in Islam. This is further fuelled by sensational stories appearing in the media about honor killings, genital mutilation, merciless flogging and the alleged treatment of women by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The Islamic law (Shariah) is based on the divine revealed source, the Qur'an and Hadith, the traditions of Prophet Muhammad. It is in the light of Shariah that we will examine the status of women and not dwell on the non-Islamic practices in some Muslim countries. At the outset however let us set the record straight. Female genital mutilation is not recommended, condoned or encouraged by Islam. It is a practice that predates Islam and is found in some African tribes, both Muslim and Christian.
The so-called honor killings (merely a fancy name for murder) have been found in Jordan and Pakistan. It is interesting to note that regimes of both countries are secular and they refuse to treat this as a capital crime. This is in direct violation of Shariah. Furthermore the Qur’an states:
(Qur’an - 17:31)
“Do not kill your children.. Surely killing them is a great sin.”
Islam accepts both men and women as equal in their creation and in their relationship to Allah.
(Qur’an - 4:1)
“O humankind, be careful of your duty to your Lord, Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate. Be careful of your duty to Allah in Whom you claim your mutual rights.”
This verse clearly defines the origin of men and women as coming from a single soul, thereby rejecting any claims that men are greater or better than women or vice versa. In the history of Islam the question of whether a woman has a soul or not was never entertained as she was always considered a person under Shariah with the same human rights as men.
(Qur’an - 2:228)
“And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women.”
In the spiritual realm, men and women have equal access to the Creator. They are both responsible and accountable for their beliefs and deeds. Every ritual of worship, either the five daily prayers or fasting, is incumbent on both men and women. They are both promised the same reward for good deeds and same punishment for bad.
(Qur’an - 16:97)
“Whosoever does right whether male or female and is a believer, Allah shall quicken with good life and Allah shall pay recompense in proportion to the best of what they do.”
Furthermore the Quran holds both Adam and Eve (Hawa) responsible for their disobedience to Allah for partaking of the fruit from the forbidden tree. Islam does not portray Eve as temptress or all women as instrument of Satan; on the contrary Islam calls women ’Muhsana’ (fortress against Satan).
In the economic realm Shariah treats a woman as a completely independent entity. She can make any contract, bequest in her own name and is entitled to inherit as a mother, wife, daughter and sister. She can carry out trade or business independently and is not liable for her husband’s debt. She is not obliged to spend a penny on the family, and her husband has no rights on her money whether earned or inherited. If she chooses, out of her free will, to contribute towards the family or help her husband, this is considered charity on her part. The husband on the other hand is obliged to provide for her and the family. Muslim women also maintain their maiden name after marriage, further stressing their independent personality.
Muslim women are obliged to fulfill their public duty.
(Qur’an - 9:71)
“And as for the believers, both men and women they are helping friends of each other, they enjoin the doing of what is good and just and forbid what is evil and unjust.”
There is a misconception that Islam bars women from civic and community service. This is clearly refuted by the above verse. From the time of Prophet Muhammad, that is fourteen hundred years ago. Muslim women have, when need be, fought as soldiers, provided nursing and medical help to Muslim armies, held public offices and taught in all fields of sciences, arts and theology. Prophet Muhammad has stated that it is the duty of every male and female to acquire knowledge and Shariah stipulates that both men and women should have equal access to education. It is however important to note that in the Islamic frame of reference rights go hand in hand with duties. Therefore women have certain obligations that they must fulfill in order to bring peace and harmony to the domestic and social scene.
Muslim women and men must observe modesty in their interactions and avoid any situation that will compromise their morals and mar their reputation. It is therefore forbidden for Muslim men and women who are not related to each other to be alone together. Islam does not allow dating but makes provisions for intentions of marriage to socialize with the presence of a chaperon.
(Qur’an - 24:30, 24:31)
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and keep themselves from immodest actions and that is pure for them.”
Premarital and extramarital sexual relations are forbidden and are a grave sin. Punishments are harsh, but subject to conditions of proof, that are almost impossible to satisfy. For example for fornication and adultery there must be four reliable eyewitnesses who can testify that they witnessed the actual act of intercourse. This is one condition that has never been satisfied in the history of Islamic civilization when Shariah was formally applied. The rare occasions, when punishment for adultery and fornication have been carried out, has been as result of confessions, made at four to six different occasions by sane people.
Islam treats adultery as a crime and wants the punishment to serve as a deterrent. The punishment applies equally to both men and women. When it comes to punitive measures of Shariah there is no discrimination in their application. Islam considers fornication and adultery as an act that destroys the very basis of family, which leads to quarrels and murders, ruins reputations and spreads numerous diseases, physical and spiritual.
(Qur’an - 17:32)
“Do not come near adultery for it is a shameful deed and an evil, opening the road to other evils.”
Family life in Shariah is based on equity and shared responsibility between husband and wife. Islam sets the husband as the leader of the family. This leadership cannot be dictatorial or oppressive because Islam defines leader as one who serves and is responsible for those under his care thereby making the position of the head of the family one of awesome responsibility and accountability. At the same time Shariah also demands that the husband consult with his wife on affairs affecting them and their family and to come to a consensus or a compromise. Islam considers the roles of husband and wife as complimenting each other thereby bringing peace to the family. Qur’an has secured the rights of both:
(Qur’an - 2:228)
“In accordance with justice, the rights of wife with regards to her husband are similar to the rights of her husband with regards to her.”
Muslim women are free to choose their partners and cannot be forced into marriage against their will.
(Qur’an - 2:232)
“Do not prevent them from marrying their husbands when they agree between themselves, in a lawful manner.”
Shariah does not recognize marriage of a Muslim wom
