Gender Equality (Wo
Opening Duaa and quick translation
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When dealing with the Islamic perspective of any
topic, there should be a clear distinction between the normative teachings
of Islam and the diverse cultural practices among Muslims, which may or
may not be consistent with them.
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ALLAH (SWT) says in the holy Quran:
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O people! be careful of (your duty to) your Lord,
Who created you from a single being and created its mate of the same (kind) and
spread from these two, many men and women; and be careful of (your duty to)
Allah, by Whom you demand one of another (your rights), and (to) the ties of
relationship; surely Allah ever watches over you.
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The topic is divided into spiritual, economic, and
social aspects.
1.
The Spiritual Aspect
a.
Men and women have the same spiritual human nature
as shown in the verse before.
b.
Both genders are dignified and are trustees
of Allah on earth.
i.
We have honored the children of Adam, provided them
with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance
things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors above a great
part of Our Creation. (Qur'an 17:70)
c.
According to the Qur'an,
woman is not blamed for the "fall of man." Pregnancy and childbirth
are not seen as punishments for "eating from the forbidden tree." On
the contrary, the Qur'an considers them to be grounds
for love and respect due to mothers. In narrating the story of Adam and Eve,
the Qur'an frequently refers to both of them, never
singling out Eve for the blame:
i.
Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the garden and
enjoy (its good things) as you [both] wish: but approach not this tree or you
[both] run into harm and transgression. Then began Satan to whisper suggestions
to them bringing openly
before their minds all their shame that was hidden from
them (before): he said
"Your Lord only forbade you this tree lest you [both] should become angels
or such beings as live forever." And he swore to them both that he was their sincere adviser.
d.
Men and women have the same religious and moral duties
and responsibilities. They both face the consequences of their deeds.
i.
And their Lord has accepted of them and answered
them: "Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of
you be it male or female: you are members of one another ..." (Qur'an 3:195)
2.
The Economic Aspect
a.
The Islamic Shariiah
recognizes the full property rights of women before and after marriage.
A married woman may keep her maiden name.
b.
Greater financial security is assured
for women. They are entitled to receive marital gifts, to keep present and
future properties and income for their own security. No married woman is
required to spend a penny from her property and income on the household. She is
entitled to full financial support during marriage and during the
waiting period ('iddah) in case of
divorce. She is also entitled to child support. Generally, a Muslim woman is
guaranteed support in all stages of her life, as a daughter, wife,
mother, or sister. These additional advantages of women over men are somewhat
balanced by the provisions of the inheritance which allow the male, in most
cases, to inherit twice as much as the female. This means that the male
inherits more but is responsible financially for other females: daughters,
wives, mother, and sister, while the female (i.e., a wife) inherits less but
can keep it all for investment and financial security without any legal
obligation so spend any part of it even for her own sustenance (food, clothing,
housing, medication, etc.).
3.
The Social Aspect (as daughter)
a.
Parents are duty bound to support and show kindness
and justice to their daughters. Prophet Muhammad said:
i.
"Whosoever supports two daughters til they mature, he and I will come in the day of judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers
held together)." [Ahmad
b.
Education is not only a right but also a
responsibility of all males and females. Prophet Muhammad said:
i.
"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every
Muslim ("Muslim" is used here in the generic meaning which includes
both males and females).
As a Wife
The
female has the right to accept or reject marriage proposals. Her consent is
prerequisite to the validity of the marital contract according to the Prophet's
teaching. It follows that if by "arranged marriage" is meant marrying
the girl without her consent, then such a marriage is nullifiable
is she so wished.
"Ibn Abbas reported that a girl
came to the Messenger of God, Muhammad, 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 or
invalidating it)." (Ahmad, Hadeeth no. 2469). In
another version, 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." [Ibn Majah]
The
Qur'an urges husbands to be kind and considerate to
heir wives even if they do not like them.
O
you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor
should you treat them with harshness that you may take away part of the marital
gift you have given them except where they have been guilty of open lewdness;
on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take
a dislike to them it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings about
though it a great deal of good. (Qur'an 4:19)
As a Mother
Kindness
to parents (especially mothers) is next to worship of Allah:
Your
Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents.
Whether one or both of them attain old age in you life say
not to them a word of contempt nor repel them but address them in terms of
honor. (Qur'an 17:23)
Mothers
are accorded a special place of honor in Hadeeth too:
A
man came to the Prophet Muhammad asking: O Messenger of Allah, who among the
people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said, your
mother. The man said then who is next: the Prophet said, Your
mother. The man further asked, Then who is next? Only
then did the Prophet say, Your father. (al Bukhari)
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I end with this: brothers respect your fellow
sisters and sisters respect your fellow brothers. I know I should be the first
to get a lesson in this but it must be said.
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In this regard, have more modesty (not trying to
get around the bush but …)
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Book from Jamal Badawai
Closing duaa