ISLAMIC DOCTRINES ON WOMEN’S ISSUES

Engr Fatima Binta Writes a paper for presentation at the International conference on Muslim women and the contemporary issues held in Tehran ,June 2004. Here we publish first part of the Paper….

Women’s issues have been rightfully placed and well treated over 1400 years ago in Islam. Islam has given women right and privileges which no other religious and or constitutional system, civilization, culture or society has ever done in the past and none has been able to do to date.

Islam has called for women to be honoured, affectionately treated and cared for in an unprecedented way. Their status is unique, unprecedented and realistically suitable to their nature. Their rights match beautifully with their duties in a way that has no similarity in any other system.

The fact that Islam gives women equal – but not identical – rights, with those of men shows that Islam takes women into consideration, acknowledges them and recognizes their independent personality. Islam has established for women, what suits their nature, gives them full security, and protects them against disgraceful circumstances and uncertain channels of life. Islam is most concern with the integrity of women, with the safe guarding of their morals and morale and with the protection of their character and personality.

In the Islamic society women enjoy special respect, love affection and gentle feelings which they deserve most. The Qur’an says; “…  and treat them (women) kindly…” (4:19). When a tradition of the prophet (S.A.W.A) speaks of women and their social position, it surrounds them with a frame of love, endearment and affection especially when it speaks of the mother, the wife and the daughter.

Imam Abu Al-Hasan Al-Rida (A.S.) is quoted to have said; “the Prophet (S.A.W.A) said ‘Allah the exalted is more kind to females than males. Whoever brings pleasure to a woman of his close relatives, Allah will please him on the judgement day’.

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) also said “sons are a favour and daughters are good deeds, Allah questions about the favours but rewards the good deeds.”

Also when asked about who a child should be most obedient, the prophet (S.A.W.A) said your mother, when asked again he repeated your mother and again he still repeated your mother – three times before saying your father when asked for the fourth time. This shows that the high regards given to the woman as a mother is by far greater than what she enjoys today.

Based on these principles Islam grants women equal rights with men except where there are natural differences connected to the physical, psychological and sexual constitution. Otherwise they (men and women) are made of and from the same thing. Allah says “Oh mankind! Verily we have created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other”(Qur’an 49:13). They are equal to men in bearing personal and common responsibilities and receiving rewards for their deeds. Allah say “and their Lord has accepted (their prayers) and answered them (saying): ‘never will I cause to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female; you are members, one of another” (3:195).  It was never said that any woman (or women in general) is responsible for anyone’s sins (or a source of evil) just as no one will be responsible for any bad deeds she might have committed.

They are equal to men in pursuit of education and knowledge. Fourteen centuries ago, prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.A.) declared that the pursuit knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim male and female. There was no indication of any restriction on the level or depth and or nature or type of knowledge exclusively for men and not allowed for women.

They are entitled to freedom of expression as much as men.  It is reported in Islamic history that women not only expressed their opinion freely but also argued and participated in serious discussions with the prophets of Islam as well as other Muslim leaders. There is an excellent example of Zainab (A.S.) daughter of the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.A.) who confronted the caliph (the ‘king’ or ‘supreme leader’) of her time and told him how wrong he was about a certain issue. Likewise women have legal and civil rights as men, such that they have a right to vote and be voted for and there is no difference in legal issues between them and men.

Historical records show that women participated in public life with early Muslims especially in times of emergencies and in the battle fields. Although women are economically secured and financially provided for, they are also allowed to be engaged in any job they wish to do and be paid for. Islam grants them equal rights to contract; to enterprise, to earn and posses any property independently.  They are only restricted by the nature of the jobs or other things attached to it. For example they may not be allowed to do a job that could harm their health or one that insults their dignity like those involving the exposure of their nakedness.