Tuesday 8 March 2016

Status of Women in Islam-The Myth & Reality

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
It is often projected as if Islam does not give respect, honor, dignity and equality to women. Media controlled by Western powers always make scathing attack on Islam and try to project it as an anti-female religion. As such allegations are not true; I decided to post an article on the status of women in Islam on the occasion of International Women’s Day(IWD). Prior to advent of Islam, women were illiterate, treated as commodities and were given literally no value. After arrival of Islam, women were given rights, fairness, equity and justice. People also started looking at them with high esteem in compliance of Allah’s orders about proper treatment and deference to women in the Quran in Surat An-Nisa (4:1):
"Fear Allah through whom you demand your mutual (rights) and (revere) the wombs (That bore you): for Allah Ever watches over you."
During the time of the Prophet, social change with respect to gender relations was implemented. He prevented the wider Arabian socio-cultural society from ill treating women and brought about radical change to the lives of women who were now seen as individuals with hope and aspirations. In the new environ, many women took leaps and strides .The history of Islam is replete with examples of women who achieved excellence. They were empowered to excel by the teachings of Islam. These women demonstrated flair to achieve and make a contribution to their own well being and others, thus feeling empowered. Three such women namely Hazrat Khadija, Nusayba and Khawla were discussed in the article posted on the eve of IWD. In the second phase, names of Hazrat Fatima Zahra, His daughters Hazrat Zainab and Bibi Umme Kulsum can be taken. While Bibi Fatima’s exalted status is well known, her daughters are also remembered till today for their role after the battle of Karbala. Hazrat Zainab shook the foundation of Yazidi Empire through her fiery speeches and sermons in most trying circumstances. Bibi Kulsum also did likewise. While these ladies showed exemplary courage against forces wanting to destroy the true Islam, some women also excelled as able administrators and enjoyed high positions in the early Islamic period.
 For example, Shaff’a Bint Abdullah was appointed to supervise the markets by second Islamic Caliph. Another woman Arwa bint Ahmad  headed an Islamic province and served as governor of Yemen under the Fatimid Caliphs in the late fifth and early sixth century. 
Today we face a challenging situation where we have the teachings as our guidance yet not all women have the circumstance and opportunity to rise up and flourish as individuals. Central to Islam is justice and the right for human beings to have freedom of choice, opportunity and rights.
Sadly, today the reality for over 1.4 billion people is that they are living in poverty. This comprises largely of women and children. This prevents women from experiencing augmentation, high self esteem, self confidence, and liberating themselves from the shackles of poverty. Many women do not experience empowerment because of the lack of financial independence. Microfinance is just one way empowering women; it offers those skills, training and opportunity to use their talents. Social justice is at the core of Islamic teachings and every woman and every human being deserves this chance in life. But the most pertinent question is as to who will ensure gender equality –Rulers, Preachers or Muslim Women themselves. Women in Muslim nations have achieved remarkable successes in different spheres and now they are surely in a position to uplift their less empowered counterpart. They should treat such efforts as Sunnat-E-Rasul as the Holy Prophet always showed to the world the exalted status of women by respecting her own daughter and calling her as his own mother.(More  prominent Muslim women will be covered in days to come).    




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