Women in IslamFew Misunderstood Areas

7th Nov.2012Shagufta Omar

Incharge Dawah Centre for Women, Dawah Academy IIUI

shaguftaomar@yahoo.com

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Contents Misconceptions about Women in Islam Status of women in earlier civilizations and under various religions

Emancipation of women in Islam and its implementation mechanism

Rights conferred on women in Islam Misunderstanding Gender Approach in Islam

Role of women, Western and our mindset Implementation of women’s rights in contemporary Pakistani society

Violations of women’s rights

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Misconceptions about Women in Islam Muslim girl child is considered inferior to male child

Muslim women are slaves to their husbands/ inferior to them

Women are forced by their husbands/male relatives to cover/adopt hijab

Muslim women are backward Women are not empowered under Islam Women are oppressed in Islam Women are completely devoid of spiritual, social, economic or political rights

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Status of Women in Earlier Civilizations Greek Civilization Roman Civilization Persian Civilization Chinese Civilization Arab Civilization Western Civilization

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Status of women under great religions Christianity Judaism Hinduism Buddhism

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Emancipation of Women by Islam Islam absolved women of the blame for the original sin (Al Baqara 2: 36, Al-Araf 7:19-27, Taha 20: 15-122)

Reinforced her womanhood by providing respect as daughter, sister, wife and mother.

Conferred to her social, economic and political rights.

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Rights of Women in Islam Right to life Right of protection of honor, love and respect

To be brought up on equal grounds Right to education/acquisition of knowledge

Right of maintenance by father/brother/uncles

To earn a livelihood (job or entrepreneur)

Ownership of property

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Rights of Women in Islam (Cont’d.)

Right of inheritance of property Facilitation in marriage To have consent in marriage Right of dower Right of maintenance by husband Right to separation Right of child custody in case of separation

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Rights of Women in Islam (Cont’d.)

Right to remarry Right to worship Freedom of expression/speech Right to vote To hold any public or political office

To participate in any social activity (imparting education, helping in crisis situations, performing charitable acts)

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Gender Approach in Islam Equality of status

(Al.Nisa 4 : 1, AL-Hujrat 49 :13) Equal social rights

(Al Baqara 2:187,228, Al.Nisa 4 : 1) Equality of legal status

(Al.Baqara 2 :178, Al Nur 24:2) Equality of morals

(Al.Nisa 4 : 124, Al-e-Imran 3:195,Al Tauba 9:71,72, An Nahal 16:97, Al Ahzab 33 :35, Al Momin 40:40)

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Gender Approach in Islam (cont’d.) As an Individual / Person

Equality of status (moral and legal)

Freedom of action Equality of basic rights Equal implication of Allah’s orders

Equal accountability Equality of reward

As a member of an institution (Family)

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Gender relations and Role Differentiation in the Family Importance and basis of family Sacred yet not indissoluble Distribution of responsibilities Rights and duties clearly stated Husband identified as head of family

Wife identified as the centre of the family, as co-equal of her husband

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Superiority of Husbandin Family as Qawwam Not personal but functional Not to curb woman’s advancement Not to affect freedom of action on the part of woman

Not absolute binding Not suggesting constant servility on the part of women

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Role Distribution Between Husband and Wife

Demarcation of responsibilities for efficient management of family institution

Husband as head of the household Men are Qawwam (protectors and maintainers) of women, because Allah has given the one more strength than the other, and because they support them from their means (Al-Nisa 4:34)

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Role Distribution Between Husband and Wife (Cont’d.) Women are guardians of their husband’s home and the children All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and the things under your care…….a man is guardian of his family and is responsible for them. A woman is guardian of her husband’s home and the children and is responsible for them. All of you are guardians and all of you are responsible for your wards. (Sahih Bukhari)

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Basis of Misunderstandings (Western and Islamic Perspective)

Absolute freedom vs. submission to God

Secularism vs. religion as identity

Maximum independence vs. dependence and interdependence

Materialism and commercialism vs. spiritualism

Gender equality vs. proper gender approach

Institutionalized problem solving approach vs. individual specific human dev. approach

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Desired Role of Women in Families under Islam

As an individual (Worshiping and obeying her creator)

Conjugal roleProviding companionship and love

Obeying husbandProtection of family’s honor

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Desired Role of Women in Families (Cont’d.)

Parental role Child bearing and care Education, character building and grooming

Providing love and affection Domestic role Kin role Withstanding the challenges posed to family unit

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Desired Role of Women in Society under Islam Strong families and well raised up generation

Facilitating men performing in their areas of work

Professional Jobs esp. in women specific areas (health care, education, counseling and protection for women and children)

Participation in agriculture production

Home based entrepreneurs Social work and philanthropy Da'wah work

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Points to Ponder Are the rights ensured by Islam enjoyed by women in contemporary Pakistani society?

Reasons for violation of women’s rights? Lack of education and ignorance about Islamic teachings

Feudal and tribal cultural traditions Male dominated patriarchal attitudes Poverty and unemployment Misinterpretation of some basic facts Secularized Western approach Lack of govt. initiatives

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Points to Ponder (Cont’d.)

Is measuring gender equality with respect to economic contribution to society’s development correct?

Does proving capabilities of working in all the fields is required for her recognition?

Should the western strategies under the global women’s right movement be blindly followed or should they be adapted to suit our religious value system?

What should be the responsibilities of family, society and government in assisting women for performing her dual role?

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Recommended Readings The Muslim Women by Dr. Hamidullah (Dawah Academy,

IIUI) Family Life in Islam by Prof Khurshid Ahmad (Dawah

Academy, IIUI) The Status of Women in Islam by Dr. Jamal A. Badavi

(Dawah Academy, IIUI) Women and family Life in Islam by Islamic Foundation

of UK, International Islamic University of Malaysia, King Saud University, Riyadh (Dawah Academy, IIUI)

Women and Social Justice by Dr. Anis Ahmad (Institute of Policy Studies)

Aurat Ehd-e-Risalat Mein by Abdul Haleem Abu Shuqqa, translated by M. Faheem Akhtar Nadwi (Nashriyat)

Role of Women in National Development edited by Fasahat H. Syed (Friends)

Family laws of Islam by Dr. Tahir Mansoori (Shariah Academy, IIUI).

Huqqoq-e-Niswan; Aik Jaiza by Munir Ahmad Khaleeli (Hasan al Bana Academy)