In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious,
the Most Merciful
The Status of A Woman Within Islam
Author: Souladvisor
All
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Great Throne, The Lord of the Worlds, The
Lord who Lives and Never Dies. We
are his humble servants and claim no righteousness unto ourselves. We try our best to submit to Allah Sw
for he is the One Who Created us, and We are in need of Him SW. We accept the Prophet hood of the Prophet
SAW to be the last and final Prophet sent to mankind to re-guide the
Humanity. We chose the religion
due to its wisdom and purity and satisfaction, which occurs, in our lives if
fully practiced.
The
Women in Islam enjoy fully a status, which is often envied, by European as well
as Western Women when the reality of the women’s status is presented to them
correctly. Proof of which is the
thousands of women who have already embraced Islam, and the hundreds who come
in search of it daily. I wish that
I could say that all Muslim women enjoy the rights that have been established
in the Quran and by the Holy Prophet SAW, but sadly it seems that like
everything else in this world, it is much affected by human weakness, culture,
and pressures made by the majority in a Society. The truth of the matter is often hidden or twisted to make
women fear the conditions they will be submitted to upon conversion, but
the realities if faced with a true religious environment voice the realities of
peace and wholeness in accordance to ones nature. Yes, this is one important factor which has to be acknowledged
is that although upon equality, the physical nature, psychological structure of
men and women are different.
Allah
Sw created us differently and upon this equality, Allah Sw ordered and
designated responsibilities, which are complimentary and fulfilling to both men
and women alike. An Example of
which are the women bears and delivers the children. Allah created her in this way. We do not question that. We see that Society target these differences between men and
women daily, and our response to that is silence due to our acceptance of these
differences and our expectance of these difference to be taken in account to
satisfy fully and equally enjoy our nature. For example: both men and women enjoy wearing perfumes, but
the scent and style of the bottle targets the differences between man and
women. Men and women alike equally
enjoy clothing, but the clothing targets the differences in the nature between
men and women. Have you ever
walked into a ladies bathroom and found a urinal? No, that would be foolish. Men and women are targeted differently on a daily basis with
no offence taken by neither the men nor the women. This is in accordance to our nature. The hormones, the physical parts, the
brain structure, …etc are different between man and women. We accept this. Now follow me with this thought in
mind.
The
reason for the woman’s existence is to serve and obey Allah unconditional and
unreservedly. One of the
differences between men and women in the Holy Quran is the Allah Sw made man
the maintainers of women due to their physical ability over them. This superior physical ability is
accepted both by men and women and is one the aspects of manly-hood, which if
lacking in respect of the man is the target of criticism with rare
exception. It is amazing that
within society the buildup of a leadership is accepted, but in the family
structure is challenged unreasonably.
There is only one head supervisor in a group; one mayor in a city; one
head of the surgery dept. in a hospital…etc…etc, and one head of a country, be
it President or King. We as humans
see the necessity of this; yet challenge this when it comes to Islam. So are we oppressed due to this system? Of course not! A Muslim woman accepts her husband as
head of the household due to the fact he is the maintainer and supporter of
her. She enjoys fully in
accordance to the example of our Prophet SAW an active role in the family and
community, and consideration for her feelings and opinions in regards to
decision making, although he has the final say as long as it is in accordance
with Islamic jurisprudence.
A
Muslim woman is ordered by Allah to cover her beauty. This is the part of Islam that people try to challenge; yet
in reality it is what elevates her over and above the status of other
women. She remains unmolested,
dignified, and a valued contributor in the society for her intellect not her
looks. This is freedom and this is
respect. Although men wish to
maintain voice that a beautiful appearance and revealing clothing is what gives
her status, and some women are eager to reveal them selves to gather attention,
we see the opposite effect. Women
in this condition rise to the top, only to be used and enslaved by men. What is the relationship between the
sale, purchase of a car and women in a bathing suit for example? There is no relationship, but women are
used to sell products by degrading them to a mere shell (Their bodies). If you look realistically at any
professional women who have risen to the top due to their intellect, you will
find them always with very short hair, modest makeup, and classically modest
business style suits. Did you ever
wonder why? What does taking your
clothes off have to do with freedom?
It is our slavery to satisfy man’s desires, which have led us to
believing this absurdity.
In
correlation to that, anything of value is always protected: not to be used and
used again and again by anyone: the example of which we could see in a Rolls
Royce. The owner is the only one
who enjoys driving it, and when he is not using it, it is covered for
protection so it will not be damaged or scratched. This is not to reduce the status of a women to a possession
such as a car: she is a million times more valuable then that, but to merely
illustrate that human nature covers that which is valuable. A Muslim woman has no shame for
herself. It is respect for herself
and her husband, which in accordance to knowing the nature of men participates
and is an active member and voice within the society for her intellect while
she remain covered. This is also
the very thing with strengthens her relationship with Allah, and with her
husband. He is secure and
unchallenged, and with appreciation and admiration for his wife, that is not
enjoyed physically or used by anyone else, likewise does his best to remain
modest and treat her in the manner, which is deserved for someone so
precious. Ahhhhh if you
could feel the ecstasy of a relationship, raised on mutual love, respect, and
security. This is what is missing
in society. Ever ask yourself, why
all the divorce? Men want to keep
their women used as a possession instead of her maintaining her intellect and
using her capabilities among them.
It is of no devalue that a women’s testimony is equal to the testimony of a man. This is an order of Allah and for sure there are reasons for this as there is always wisdom behind the command of Allah. I can only begin to venture in assessment of this, but I find no need to try to confirm with proof that which has been laid out by our Creator. And this does not deter one from the many aspects of the religion which successfully if fully implemented elevates a women to the status of which has not been enjoyed by other societies.
In
conclusion to this I would like to reestablish that there is nothing within
Islamic structure, which devalues or oppresses women. If anything could be successfully challenged it would be the
status of the man within Islam, not the women. What do I mean?
I mean that these examples of the oppressed women because she is
obedient to her husband can go both ways.
Allah SW ordered the maintenance of women on the man. Therefore making the man A SLAVE to
provide for her and his family along with any female relatives that have lost
or not enjoyed support. Any wealth
she possesses remains hers and he may not order nor ask about the disposal of
which. If she is financially
secure she is of no obligation to him, or his children to spend upon them. He has to provide for her financially,
protect her physically, satisfy her physically and mentally, and treat her
kindly, while she enjoys all these benefits and securities and even then if he
is financially capable of providing her with servants she enjoys that too, for
Islamically house chores are done only out of kindness and not obligation and
the raising of the children is shared by both.