SUENU OLAWALE HUJJATULLAH said, & i quote...... A certain issue that people pass by easily is what I’m bringing up. This issue has been dealt with, with so much lack of understanding by lots of Muslim folks out there which unfortunately has been taken to represent the teachings of Islam. IT’S THE POSITION OF OUR FEMALE GENDER We should start off by knowing that we’ve all got the same spirit (both men and women).No superiority when it comes to the spiritual sense. Check (SuratulNisavs 1,,SuratulShuravs 11) Allah makes it clear that all human beings( this phrase doesnt apply to men alonebut to both genders) have what you might call a human: He breathed some of My spirit into divine touch.When God created him(or her in this sense).(Suratul-Hijrvs 29, and also Suratul-Sajdahvs 9). In no place in the Quran do we find any trace of any notion of blaming Hawah (Eve) for the first mistake or for eating from the forbidden tree. There is nowhere even though the Quran speaks about Adam and Hawah with the forbidden tree, but in a totally different spirit. The story is narrated in Suratul-A’rafvs19-27 as it speaks about both of them on the act, both of them are told that they both disobeyed, they both discovered the consequences of their disobedience, and they both seek repentance of which they were both forgiven. It wasn’t said anywhere that woman is to be blamed for the fall of man. Furthermore, when Allah speaks about the suffering of women during the period of pregnancy and childbirth, the suffering is presented not as a reason to remind woman of the fall of man, but as a reason to adore and love woman or the mother.Allah makes it quite clear that he has commanded upon mankind to be kind to parents and mentions,His mother bore him in difficulty or suffering upon suffering. (Suratul- Luqmanvs 14 and Suratul-Ahqafvs 15) In terms of moral, spiritual duties, acts of worship, the requirements of men and women are the same, except in some cases when women have certain concessions because of their feminine nature, their health or the health of their kids as we can see in the Quran in more than one verse (Suratul-Imran vs195 andSuratul-Nisavs124), specified that whoever does good deeds, and is a believer and then specifies male or female God will give them an abundant reward (equal rewards). Islam has always been fair with women in all angles, all aspect of life we may think of. History has it that in Europe until the 19th century, women did not have the right to possess their own property. Whenever they get married, it’s either they transfer their properties to the husband or she won’t be able to dispense of it without permission of her husband… Britain happens to be the first country to give women some property rights when laws were passed in 1882 known as “Married Women Property Act”…When more than 13 centuriesearlier, that right has already being clearly established in the Islamic law. Whatever men earn, they have a share of that and whatever women earn, they have a share in that. [Suratul-Nisavs32] There is also no restriction in Islamic law that says a woman cannot work or have a profession, that her only place is in the home.In a true Islamic society, there should be women physicians, women nurses, women teachers, and so on... If she chooses to work, or if shes married and chooses to work with the consent of her husband, shes entitled to equal pay, not for equal work but for work of equal worth. When it comes to financial security, Islamic law is more tilted in many respects towards women. Here are some examples: • During the period of engagement, a woman should be on the receiving side of gifts. • At the time of marriage, it is the duty of the husband and not the brides family. He is supposed to pay for a marital gift. Allah called it gift which is exclusively the right of the woman. She doesnt have to spend it on the household and she doesnt have to give it to her father or anyone else. • If the woman happened to own any property before marriage, she retains that property after marriage. It remains under her control. • She’s allowed to keep her identity, although in most Muslim countries, many women keeps their last name and own their identity. • If the woman has any earnings during her marital life by way of investments of her property or as a result of work, she doesnt have to spend a penny of that income on the household, it’s entirely hers. • The full maintenance and support of a married woman is the entire responsibility of her husband, even though she might be richer than he is. She doesnt have to spend a penny. • At the time of divorce, there are certain guarantees during the waiting period and even beyond for a womans support. • If a widow or divorcee has children, shes entitled to child support. Taking a look at the above listed, it should be obvious why the Islamic law when it comes to inheritance give men a higher share. It’s not because Allah treats them as inferior when it comes to inheritance but he the all wise is only trying to make a balance on both sides. We also find the credit goes to Islam for stopping the barbaric act of pre-Islamic Arabs of female infanticide. These ignorant Arabs used to bury female daughters alive and the terrible practice was condemned. As far as treatment of daughters is concerned, Prophet (S.A.W) said, Anyone who has two daughters and did not bury them (alive), did not insult them and brought them up properly, he and I will be like this( holding his two fingers close together). Another version adds, “And also did not favor his sons over daughters”. There was a time the Prophet (S.A.W) was seated, and a companion was sitting with him. The companions son came. He kissed his son and put him on his lap. Then his daughter came afterwards, and he just sat her by his side. The Prophet told the man, You did not do Justice meaning he should have treated the daughter equally by kissing her and put her in his lap also. Indeed, whenever the Prophets daughter Fatimah came to him in front of everyone, he stood up to kiss her and let her sit in his favorite place where hed been sitting. From the marital point of view, the Quran clearly indicates in these Surahs Quran(Suratul-Rum vs20 and Suratul-Shuravs11) that marriage is not just an inevitable evil, marriage is not somebody getting married to his master or slave, but rather to his partner.Among His Signs is this, that he created for you mates from among yourselves, that they may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.( Suratul-Rum vs 21) Secondly, the approval and consent of the girl to marriage is compulsory for the validity of marriage in Islam (that is to say she has the full right to say YES or NO to any proposal). Husbands and wives duties should be mutual responsibilities.Not necessarilyfor it be identical duties but the totality of rights and responsibilities should be balanced. We should also note that ultimate respect and appreciation from both parties are required. Allah says:Women have the same rights (in relation to their husbands) as are expected in all decency from them, while men stand a step above them.[SuratulBaqarahvs228].This only specifies the degree of responsibility and“not privilege” in mans role as the provider, protector, maintainer, and leader of the family. The same Surah speaks about divorce, about consultation between husband and wife which even in the case of divorce when there are family disputes, the Quran first appeals to reason and the consideration of positive aspects of ones spouse as Allah says: Dwell with your wives in kindness for even if you hate them, you might be hating someone in whom God has placed so much good. [Suratul-Nisavs19] If that appeal does not succeed and problems between the husband and wife continue, there are measures that can be applied. Some of these measures are done privately between husband and wife. Some of them might appear harsh, but there are qualifications to restrict excessive or abusive use of these measures. These measures are considered an attempt to save a marriage rather than break a family apart. If the situation does not improve, even with the limitation and prevention of excesses, the next step is a family council. One arbiter from his family and one from her family should sit together with the couple and try to resolve the problems. Any which way, with all the facts and references I have managed to bring, for me not to go totally deep and get people confused, my mission here is just tomake the position of Muslim women known contrary to what some Muslims who lack much understanding display or what the so-called Westerners has planted into people’s mind and painted Islam as with their media power. I hope this can be well digested and useful to all of us.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:17:51 +0000
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