EQUALITY AND STATUS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM

In this belated age, when Islam is being attacked from all angles and fronts, one particularly common attack and criticism against Islam is the status of women. The enemies of Islam have a few old worn-out propaganda tactics against Islam over the centuries; which they revamp and facelift every now and again. Amongst them the issue of the status of women in Islam. They claim that Islam has given no rights to women; that women are oppressed, that women are considered inferior to men.

Islam has given the highest position to womankind on earth, while Europe and the West were wallowing in the dregs of degradation and savagery. Islam had accorded women a position of honour, respect, safety and love, that has not yet been matched to this day, let alone being superceded and excelled.

WHAT HAS WESTERN CIVILISATION GIVEN TO WOMEN?

Prostitution, Escort Agencies, Massage Parlours, Lesbianism, Illegal Mistresses, Nudity and Shamelessness. These are only some of the 'rights' that the Western World has given to women. It has made women the cheapest commodity on earth - from a car to a packet of sweets, everything sell with the picture of a nude or semi-nude woman. The body of this cheap woman is the property of one and all. Every lusty and lecherous man is at full liberty to cast his filthy and dirty gazes upon her anatomy and commit everything evil and profanity in his mind and heart. How cheap and despised is this woman on show. How cheap is this woman the West has created.

On the contrary, the woman in Islam is a "precious jewel" not to be viewed by all and sundry. She is far too precious then to be viewed and exhibited to any lecherous man. Her beauty and charms are reserved for the only person that truly appreciates and loves her - her husband. Thus, she is highly protected and covered at all times, unlike the cheap, shameless woman of the West, who is the playmate of thousands but loved by none for what she really is.

Unfortunately, the West did not give Islam a fair chance. Every opportunity is utilised to derogate and blaspheme the true Islamic point of view. Due to blindly and gullibly swallowing this filth that is fed to them day and night by the Western media, even Muslims have become adversely affected by this falsehood and have begun to doubt the true Islam standpoint.

It is a known fact that whenever and wherever woman was lured to neglect her domestic life by the glitter and glamour of the outside world and indulged in economic and other pursuits, her home was ruined. Her own as well as the lives of her children were wrecked and they lost their peace of mind. In most cases, the peace at home was torn to shreds and the children became backward and dilinquents.

In countries that have given women the so-called rights of freedom and equality and left them free to do as they wish are now shedding tears of remorse over the pathetic plight of their degeneration and disintergrating societies. Their women being economically and socially independent, are no longer faithful and dedicated daughters, wives, sisters and mothers. Marriage has become outdated and old-fashioned. Instead they prefer companionship, which is not binding upon the man or woman. Children of such parents become dilinquents and drug addicts. The whole society is decaying and disintegrating so fast that they have reached a point of no return.

Western scholars have said, 'In human history the periods which have been plagued with decay and degeneration are those in which women have stepped outside their homes.' And another scholar states, 'I have firm belief that this world will transform into Heaven if women should be content in cherishing their children and fulfilling their domestic responsibilities.'

Our Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) had warned His Ummah much earlier that, 'The worst period for the Muslims will be when they will be dominated by their women, who would be sole managers of their collective affairs.'

Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) further said, 'When your rulers and caretakers are wicked and your rich are misers, and your affairs are looked after by the women, then your death is better than life.'

He told the believing women that if they performed their natural and social duties they would dwell with him in Jannah. It obviously means that the zenith of Women's success is the proper fulfilment of their natural and social duties which are highly appreciated by Allah Ta'ala. The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'The woman who remained within her home to take care of her children will be with me in Paradise'.

What better tidings a Muslim woman would cherish more than being with the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) in Jannah.

WHAT DOES THE QUR'AN AND HADITH SAY REGARDING THE STATUS OF WOMAN?

SPIRITUAL STATUS OF WOMAN

The Qur'an categorically states that men and women who practice the principle of Islam will receive equal reward for their efforts.

'Surely for men who submit to Allah and for women who submit to Allah, for believing men and for believing women , for devout men and devout women, for truthful men and truthful women, for steadfast men and steadfast women, for humble men and humble women, for charitable men and charitable women, for fasting men and fasting women, for men who guard their chastity and women who guard their chastity, for men who remember Allah much and for women who remember Allah much, for all of them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a mighty reward.'

At another juncture, Allah says, 'Whosoever performs good deeds, whether male or female and is a believer, We shall surely grant him a peaceful and tranquil life, and We will certainly reward them for the best of what they did.'

And yet another Aayat says, 'And whosoever does deeds of righteousness, whether male or female, and is a believer, they will enter Heaven and not the least injustice will be done to them.'

Each of the five pillars of Islam is as important for women as for men, and there is no differenciation in their reward.

INTELLECTUAL STATUS

The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'The searching of knowledge is incumbent for every Muslim (male and female).'

Every boy or girl, man or woman should pursue his/her education as far as it is possible. One of the main aims of acquiring knowledge in Islam is to become Allah-conscious. In the history of Islam you will find that there were women who were narrators of Hadith, mystics, scholars, writers, poets and teachers, in their own right. They utilised their knowledge within certain precepts of Islam.

Look at Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Anha: her intellect and outstanding memory. More than two thousand Ahaadith are reported by her and she is regarded as one of the best teachers of Hadith. Shaykha Nafisa who was such a great authority on Hadith that Imaam Shaaf'ee (RA) sat in her circle. The famous mystic, Rabia al-Adawiyya (Basria) was also a woman.

There are numerous other women who are held in the highest respect by the Muslim world.

RELATION BETWEEN MAN AND WIFE

Allah Ta'ala says in the Noble Qur'an, 'And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them,and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Verily in it are signs for those who ponder.'

This is a very apt definition of the relationship between man and woman. They are not bound together only by a physical relationship but by love and mercy. This definition and description comprises mutual care, consideration, respect and affection.

The Qur'an states, 'They are garments for you and you are garments for them.'

As a garment gives protection, warmth, comfort and decency, so too a husband and wife offer each other intimacy, comfort and protection from committing adultery.

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

The Holy Qur'an states, 'Men are maintainers of women with the bounties which Allah has bestowed more abundantly on some of them than others; and with what they may spend out of their possessions.'

Man has full responsibility for the maintenance of his family. This is not only a moral but also a Shari'ah obligation. The wife is responsible for the care of her home and welfare of her family. She may express her views and make suggestions on all matters but the best role she can play in keeping the marital free intact and strong is to recognise her husband as the person responsible for the running of the affairs of the family and to obey him even if his judgment is not acceptable to her provided he does not go beyond the bounds of Shari'ah. This is the meaning of obedience in the context of marriage in Islam. It is the recognition of the role of the husband as the head of the family unit.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'The best woman is she who, when you look at her you feel pleased, and when you direct her she obeys. She protects your right and keeps her chastity when you are absent.'

Man is expected to show consideration to all women. The Islamic opinion is that a woman be spared from all struggles and worries so that she can give her full attention to the making of a home.

THE MOTHER'S RIGHTS

The Holy Qur;an states, 'Don't even utter 'oh' before your parents!'

Hadhrat Abu Hurayra (Radhiallaahu Anhu) says that a man asked the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), 'Who is worthier of my good treatment?' The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) replied, 'Your mother (which he repeated three times), then your father."

In another Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) says, 'O people! listen! Allah Most High commands you to treat your mothers well. Listen again, that Allah Most High ordered you to be good to your mother, and thereafter to your father.'

The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) also said, 'Paradise is beneath the feet of your mother.'

THE WIFE'S RIGHTS

The treatment expected from the husband, whether or not he is on good terms with his wife, is clearly laid down in the Qur'an.

Live with them in kindness, even if you dislike them, perhaps you dislike something in which Allah has placed much good.'

Even if divorce is decided upon, the good treatment referred to before is still required - The Qur'an says, 'Then keep them in all decency or part them decently. It is not lawful to take anything you have given them.'

The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'O Muslims! I command you to behave well with your wives because woman has been created from the left rib of man. If you try to make it straight it will break, and if you allow to let it remain in its original condition, it will remain crooked. Obey my order and live a good life by treating your wives well.'

In another Hadith, it is mentioned, 'The best amongst you are those who are kindest to their wives.'

In another Hadith, 'The best charity is that, a man spends his money on his wife and children.'

INHERITANCE

Over fourteen hundred years ago, Islam made woman a share-holder in the wealth of her husband, father, brother, sons and daughters. When she is young, her father is responsible for her maintenance and after marriage her husband has to maintain her.

On the other hand the man has to bear the responsibility for himself, his wife and children and parents. This is why the man gets double the share of a woman in inheritance. He has much more responsibilities. Besides, in a way, the woman gets double advantage: as a daughter she gets a share in her father's wealth and as a wife in her husband's wealth also. It is therefore, worth pondering how minutely has Islam considered the differences between man and woman.

CONCLUSION

Fourteen hundred years ago the Noble Qur'an and the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) raised women to the plane of humanness by elevating her from the lowest strata of society to the rank of man. These modernists and academics (who have a western thought) who spend their days and nights in the pursuit of profane education have no right whatsoever to speak against or to find fault with the Divine law of Islam. Their relation with Islam is only due to accident of birth, only because they happened to be born in Muslim families. They are neither true students of Islam nor are they true Muslims.

The criteria of equality is not between male and female but the crietria of equality is in piety and Taqwa. The Noble Qur'an states, 'The most honoured and respected of you in the eyes of Allah is the one who is most righteous and God-fearing.' Allah hasn't given equality to man and woman as the west perceive it to be, but has given equality according to the difference in the creation of man and woman. if a bat cannot see during the day, one cannot blame the brightness of the sun. so if one cannot understand the Hikmat and Wisdom of allah, blame yourselves, not Allah or the Qur'an.

Allah has created man different from woman. Attraction to each other, inclination for each other and for marriage purposes. He created their bodies different so that they may find comfort in each other - the Almighty created them this way for the sole reason that they may leave their successors to make the Ibaadat of Allah.

If this was not the purpose for the Almighty creating man, then why the creation of man and woman be different from each other? Are men to deprive women of their rights which was ordained by Allah the Almighty?

The Holy Qur'an states, 'Obey not those who over-step the limits (set by Allah), those who create trouble on earth and have no tendency to reform.'

The Muslim woman is accorded full spiritual and intellectual equality with man. In their relationship both are to observe modesty of behaviour and dress and a strict code of morality which discourages unnecessary mixing of the sexes. Her relation with her husband should be based on mutual love and compassion. He is responsible for the maintenance of the wife and children, and she is to give him the respect due to the head of the family. She is responsible for the care of the home and the children's early training. The Qur'anic regulations for the protection of women which were revealed in the 7th century can easily be verified by anyone in the 20th century.

The present time of widespread re-thinking and re-interpreting the Qur'an on the role and rights of women is perhaps the appropriate time to look with fresh eyes at the Islamic point of view and not from the MODERNISTS OR SO CALLED WESTERNISTS point of view.

The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Whoever speaks about the Qur'an with his own opinion should prepare his abode in Jahannum.'

The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) also said, 'Whosoever acquired knowledge with the object of entering into controversy with the Ulama, create doubts among the ignorant and to attract people's attention with a glib tongue (not sincere), Allah will throw him into Hell.'

MAY THE ALMIGHTY ALLAH GUIDE US ALL, AAMEEN

Ml. Muhammad Iqbal Subrathi

Source:  Jamiatul Ulama (Kwazulu-Natal)