The status of women in Islam

Umari Stambuli Holy Qur’an Speaks
THE present time of widespread rethinking of the role and rights of women is perhaps the appropriate time to look with fresh eyes at the Islamic point of view, which has contributed to the formation of stable societies in both sophisticated and underdeveloped peoples in vast areas of the world over, during the past fourteen centuries.

Elevation
If you take a look at many societies today, a woman is only valued and considered important if she performs the functions of a man, (while at the same time displaying her feminine attractions to the public).

While these women may carry the immense responsibility of bearing and rearing children, you have to admit that they may still only be at par with men in nearly every area of life. The result is the present-day confusion concerning gender-role differentiation, resulting in very large numbers of divorces and emotionally distraught children.

In Islam, however, the value and importance of women in society and the true measure of their success as human beings, is measured with completely different criteria, their consciousness of duty to The Almighty and obedience to Him, and fulfilment of the duties He has entrusted them with, particularly that of bearing, rearing and teaching children.

Nevertheless, Islam is a practical religion, and responds to human needs and real life situations.

Many women need, or wish, to work for various reasons. For example, they may possess a needed skill, such as a teacher or a doctor, et cetera.

While Islam does not prohibit women working outside the home, it does stipulate that some basic restrictions be followed to safeguard the dignity and honour of women as well as the purity and stability of the society.

The conduct of women, after all, is the “backbone” of any society. In any case, outside employment should not come before, nor seriously interfere with, her responsibilities as wife and mother and definitely her work should not be the source of friction within the family.

 

Mothers

A woman as a mother commands great respect in Islam. The Holy Qur’aan speaks of the rights of the mother in a number of verses. It enjoins the believers to show respect to their mothers and serve them well even if they are of a different faith or belief.

The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), states emphatically that the rights of the mother are paramount. A man once came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked, “O Messenger of God, who is the person who has the greatest right on me with regards to kindness and attention?” He replied, “Your mother.”

He asked, “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” He again asked, “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” On the fourth occasion when he asked, “Then who?” the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “Your father.”

In another narration, the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), said, “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother.” Meaning to say that by observing kindness, compassion and service to one’s mother, a person will be able to achieve entry into Paradise.

Treatment of wives
Women have a very important place in the Islamic society. Unlike a number of other religions, Islam holds a woman in high esteem. Her importance as a mother and a wife has been clearly stated by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

In his farewell sermon, Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said, “O people, your wives’ have certain rights over you and you have certain rights over them. Treat them well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers.”

He is also reported to have said, “The best among you is the one who is best to his wife.”

Both the Holy Qur’aan and the Noble Prophetic teachings emphasise the need to treat women with respect, justice and kindness. For example, The Holy Qur’aan declares, “And live with them (womenfolk) on a footing of goodness and kindness.” (Ch 4:19)

The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) has said, “Fear God and respect the womenfolk.” In fact, both these sources of Islamic guidance and teaching, admonish those men who oppress or ill-treat women.

 

Cause of the widows

The worst calamity for a woman is when her husband passes away and, as a widow, the responsibility of maintaining the children falls upon her. In those communities where a woman does not always go out to earn her living, the problems of widowhood are indescribable.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) upheld the cause of widows. In an age when widows were rarely permitted to re-marry, the Prophet (PBUH) encouraged his followers to marry them so as to maintain their dignity, honour and chastity; ease the difficulties of life for them; provide a stable family environment to their children.

He was always ready to assist widows in the community – both morally and materially – and exhorted his followers to do the same. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “One who makes an effort to help the widow or a poor person is like one who stands up in prayers throughout the night and fasts all day long.”

 

Conclusion

It would appear therefore that the Islamic system has achieved the right mixture of freedom and security that women seek and that is in the interest of the society as a whole.

If at different times and in different places these principles and laws have sometimes been distorted, ignored or flouted, it is not the principles and laws which are at fault, but man’s selfishness which sometimes leads them to distort, ignore and flout what they do not like, and turn aside from the truth.

But there are still people who have misgivings about the status of women in Islam. To these people, the Muslim women is almost as a ‘prisoner’ in the four walls of the house’, a ‘non-person’, and someone who has no rights and is living always under the domination of a man.

These notions are totally wrong, and are based on ignorance rather than knowledge of Islam and at times based on the misunderstandings which are created by negative reporting in the media.

Fortunately no one has changed or can change the words of the Holy Qur’aan, and the regulations for the protection of women which were revealed in the 7th century CE and can be easily verified by anyone even in this 21st century – as we have just been doing.

These laws and social regulations regarding women contain fundamental truths which will benefit whoever applies them.

In contrast to these enlightened teachings of Islam in respect of women, modern day talk of women’s liberation or emancipation is actually increasingly looking like a disguised form of exploitation of her body, deprivation of her honour, and degradation of her soul!

For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:

Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars

Publications Department

PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare

Tel: 04-614078/614004, Fax: 04-614003

e-mail: [email protected]