Women in Islam: A symbol of reverence by Ayaz Mughal Islam seen through the narrow aperture of western ideology and the goggles of modernization have restricted their domain of perception about the Islam and it’s teachings. Terrorism, Fundamentalism, women suppression etc have been associated with Islam without submerging into the depth of ocean of truth and knowledge. It is the perception of people that the woman in Islam is considered inferior to man. It is inculcated that the women in Islam is restricted within the four walls of Islamic culture hence deteriorating the status of women. Although, there are certain restrictions incorporated in Islamic law taking into account their significant values in the society as a whole. The status of women in Islam is measured by the extent of urbanization and modernization rather than intrinsic properties of Islam. Media and women societies and Organizations have raised the point of freedom several times at several stages. They point out that Islamic women is not given the equal rights and freedom as compared to men, she is considered inferior to man in the Islamic society, Pardah (Face Cover) is imposed on her, she has no rights to participate in the politics and other socio-economic issues and soon on. Virtually, it is nothing less than an erroneous apprehension and the monstrous gaffe. The restrictions are the sets of boundaries like social, economic, political, religious, which everybody is ordained not to transgress. Pertinently, it is neither the monopoly of any religion nor that of a nation. Every segment of the society curtails the freedom of its constituents in one way or the other. Not a single society has ever endorsed the absolute freedom i.e. sovereignty over its own body and soul and freedom of transgressing any limit. No nation-state would allow the foreign elements to enter its boundaries freely without obeying the respective law of the land. The Constitutions of several developed nations of the countries hold back the freedom of their citizens in certain ways. The Islamic law intercedes the freedom of humanity in general and that of women specifically. The status of women undoubtedly in the pre-Islamic society was dismal, pathetic and suppressed. It is Islam, which has restored the dignity, freedom and rights to women and upgraded her status in the society. Islam promotes the socio-economic rights of women. For instance; “He (God) it is who did create you from a single soul and therefrom did create his mate, that he might dwell with her (in love)...” (Quran 7:189) “The Creator of heavens and earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves ...” (Quran 42:1 1). “And Allah has given you mates of your own nature, and has given you from your mates, children and grandchildren, and has made provision of good things for you. Is it then in vanity that they believe and in the grace of God that they disbelieve?” (Quran 16:72) “Ibni `Abbaas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of God, Muhammad (sws), and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice [between accepting the marriage and invalidating it]. Musand Ahmad ibn Hanbal 2469 ...the girl said: Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right [to force a husband on them]. Sunan ibn Maja 1873. Islam disapproves and strongly criticizes the female infanticide and prohibited this custom and describes it a crime. As The Holy Quran says, And when the female (infant) buried alive - is questioned, for what crime she was killed. (Al Quran 81:8-9). Birth of female child was considered as bad news but it’s an evil in the sight of Almighty as the Holy Quran say, “When news is brought to one of them, of (the Birth of) a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance) and contempt, or bury her in the dust? Ah! What an evil (choice) they decide on?” (Quran 16: 58-59). Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has assured the parents entrance into the paradise who do not kill their female child and do not consider female child inferior to son. According a Hadith, “Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise”. (Ibn Hanbal, No. 1957). Best conduct and behavior to the wives is emphasized in Quran and recommended by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as “The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives”. (Ibn-Hanbal, No. 7396) The status of mother is above all the worldly relations and it is mandatory for them take care of their parents and especially mother. Quran says, “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years……” (Quran 31:14) “And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship…” (Quran 46:15) A man came to Prophet Muhammad (P) asking: O Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of my good company? The Prophet (P) said, Your mother. The man said then who else: The Prophet (P) said, Your mother. The man asked, Then who else? Only then did the Prophet (P) say, Your father. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). A famous saying of The Prophet is Paradise is at the feet of mothers. (In AlNisaI, Ibn Majah, Ahmad). It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is the wicked who insults them. Islam promoted the economic right to women irrespective of her marital status and it secures her independent ownership to the properties, real estate and money. She has the privileges to sell, buy or dispose off her property the way she likes. These rights apply to her property before and after the marriage. The Oxford Dictionary of Islam states that the general improvement of the status of Arab women included prohibition of female infanticide and recognizing womens full personhood. The dowry, previously regarded as a bride-price paid to the father, became a nuptial gift retained by the wife as part of her personal property. Under Islamic law, marriage was no longer viewed as a status but rather as a contract, in which the womans consent was imperative. Women were given inheritance rights in a patriarchal society that had previously restricted inheritance to male relatives.” The reverence, freedom and dignity, which Islam bestows upon women is beyond comparison. Islam enjoins upon men to show love, care and respect to the women, who bears the painstaking burden in her womb to give life to all the best personalities of the world. The misconception put in mind is due to lack of relevant information and knowledge about the Basic Islamic fundamentals, which are the best way of life for the entire humanity. Author is RTI activist and Chairman Awake India.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 03:17:54 +0000
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