Posted by A lot of controversies have been surrounded around the term feminism. A child, a boy or a girl, is usually more attached or fond of the mother compared to the father. A child’s attachment towards the mother is a paragon of love on earth. But a girl child is presumed a curse even today in some parts of the world. People say that this mentality is the result of ignorance and lack of education, but what I have seen that women are respected more in tribal India than in rural India. Citizens adhere more to culture and tradition in rural provinces of the nation.
The harassment a woman is facing in the metropolitan cities remains unknown. The search to establish herself forces the woman to raise her voice. Women also have the right to touch the sky, to blossom their quest, to inhale independence as a man does.
So what is actually feminism?
Is it giving a woman an equal salary compared to a man?
Is it allowing a woman to achieve a coveted title like CEO and other big stature?
Is it giving a special quota in government jobs and other big and eminent organizations?
Is it allowing a woman to wear what a man wears (which is named as broad thinking and open-mindedness)?
Is it giving a dedicated bogie or seat to a woman while commuting by train or bus?
Is a woman driving a bus or a taxi, feminism?
The list to count the points can accumulate several things but let’s end here and try to understand what empowers a woman. If a woman’s dignity and nobility are not preserved even by giving all the positions mentioned above then it is not true respect for the woman.
Islam has given a special stature to a woman. Also, each and every religion has a unique status for a woman. Those who don’t know about the doctrines of Islam, criticise a religion because of ignorance or by observing those who don’t properly follow the doctrines of Islam.
The salient features which are topic of this discussion if we shortlist them, are basically, Triple Talaaq, adorning Islamic woman with a proper veil and not allowing a woman to pursue education or the desired field. Although the list is very long let’s stick to only a few of them.
Triple Talaaq philosophy is not understood properly even by the profound scholars of Islam and each sect has its own interpretation and explanation regarding this topic. Hence, finding a valid point to this controversy from al Quran al Kareem is the best rescue from this maze.
According to me, this Ayat is the befitting reply to those who think talaaq restrains the right of a woman. Allah Taala states:
الطَّلَاقُ مَرَّتَانِ ۖ فَإِمْسَاكٌ بِمَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ تَسْرِيحٌ بِإِحْسَانٍ ۗ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ أَن تَأْخُذُوا مِمَّا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ شَيْئًا إِلَّا أَن يَخَافَا أَلَّا يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ اللَّـهِ ۖ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ اللَّـهِ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَا فِيمَا افْتَدَتْ بِهِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّـهِ فَلَا تَعْتَدُوهَا ۚ وَمَن يَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ اللَّـهِ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ(سورة البقرة – رقم الاية 229)
Divorce may be (pronounced) twice, then keep them (women) in good fellowship or let (them) go with kindness, and it is not lawful for you to take any part of what you have given them unless both fear that they cannot keep within the limits of Allah; then if you fear that they cannot keep within the limits of Allah, there is no blame on them for what she gives up to become free thereby. These are the limits of Allah, so do not exceed them and those who exceed the limits of Allah these it is that are the unjust. (229)
There are different types and conditions for divorces I don’t want to indulge in them now, but what I want to highlight is the direction of al Quran al Kareem to keep (them) in good fellowship or let (them) go with kindness. The above verse clearly mentions to keep them in marriage under a good companionship when Husband and Wife want to live together, or if there is no compatibility between both of them they can go apart with kindness. Here the word Ehsaan (kindness) showcases utmost respect towards a woman.
The term kindness while setting apart (Divorce) is very important to understand. Kindness is not shown in the current situation from the masculine side. The problem is not in Islamic divorce (Talaaq) but the problem is the meanness and unkindness of the Husband towards a woman.
Let’s move towards the next point parda(veil).
A Man is conjectured above a woman. But Islam has given a special stature to women. Each beautiful creature requires special preservation. Let’s take an example; gems are preserved and safeguarded separately while regular stones don’t require any special protection and security. Likewise, owing to the elegance of women she requires extra protection. The veil is a protection for a woman. A Man remembers that a woman should adorn herself in a proper way, but he forgot his duty to avoid staring a woman unethically.
Islam prohibited a woman to showcase her body, this matter is discussed on and off and also always remains a hot debate citing the reason that Islam doesn’t have flexibility towards the feminine gender. I want to say here that what about the constraints which Islam has made obligatory towards masculine gender as well. It’s their duty to safeguard the woman.
There is a difference in beliefs between Islamic sects regarding the number of pillars in Islam but there is no inequality in following these doctrines for a man and a woman. When we talk about the day of resurrection the Allah Taala doesn’t differentiate between man and woman, He states in al Quran al Kareem in Surat al Nisa:
وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِنَ الصَّالِحَاتِ مِن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ نَقِيرًا
” And whoever does good deeds whether male or female and he (or she) is a believer— these shall enter the garden, and they shall not be dealt with a jot unjustly”. (124)
Allah doesn’t differentiate between male and female when He measures the actions and endeavours of his creation.
Let’s move towards the importance of education for the woman.
No religion in the world denies education for a woman, Prophet Muhammad Rasulullah SA states.
Rasulullah SA has made acquiring knowledge mandatory to everybody irrespective of gender. It’s quite evident from the above saying that ignorance for any gender is not entertained in Islam or I can say in any religion. A woman becomes more independent and confident if she is well educated. Balancing work and family is the key to achieve the objective of proper education. If a woman is civilized by conventional education then she will engrave true ethical values in her children.
Islam doesn’t constrain anything for a woman unless when a woman tries to mingle with a man. Here I will try to firmly make my point clear that men are not allowed to amalgamate with the opposite sex unless for a reason maintaining proper distance between them. If I talk about the real command of Islam then Islam says that a man is not allowed to talk with the opposite sex without any reason or kinship. And the same command applies to women, but in general perception, it’s presumed that men are allowed but the women are not, which is not true at all. Now talking about pursuing the career or accomplishing the desire; if it can be achieved by guarding and preserving the dignity of a woman then Islam doesn’t scrap or abundance for that.
To maintain and preserve a pertinent and healthy relationship between husband and wife it’s necessary for both to observe the proper distance from the opposite sex which is not under his kinship.
Adultery after marriage is a big immoral offense in Islam. The attribute of lust is avoided if the proper distance between male and female is maintained. In today’s era establishing a relationship of any kind between the opposite sexes is regarded as open-mindedness. Whereas it’s totally prohibited in Islam.
Eminent Islamic woman scholars and princesses are epitomai and exclusive examples for those who accuse Islam of any constraints for a woman. If a woman can maintain and preserve her dignity then the sky is the limit. A woman can be an entrepreneur a doctor, an engineer, etc.
Let’s end the article by citing the verse from Quran again Allah Taala states in surat al Hojoraat :
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّـهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١٣﴾
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. (13)
A child can’t arrive on earth without both genders. Male and female gender each has its importance. And yes, few instances show that man has the upper hand over a woman that doesn’t infer that a man is a superior creature. Man is superior between men when follows the revered religious path and woman is superior between women when follows the righteous path.
If an army of 1000 soldiers invade a nation; can an army of 1001 women physically fight or withstand them? This shows few endeavours and acts can be performed by men and few can be accomplished by women only.
If Allah Taala the supreme creator has by his boundless wisdom created both the genders differently, has given both of them a similar and separate role as well, then every time forcibly making both similar in all aspects can estrange from understanding prudence in His creation.
The remarkable initiative taken by the Honourable Prime Minister of India Mr Narendra Modi under the slogan of “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” is empowering women. To change the mentality of cumulative years require collective efforts from all areas of society. Society will not thrive and flourish unless a proper education is given to women. Also, the ratio of male is to female should remain the same, and constant in each step of education. The epitome of undertaking in this regard is to open dedicated faculties for female education especially in higher education. One such endeavour is taken by a prominent university of India the Aligarh Muslim University. A substantial amount of females are benefitting from the college dedicated to women only.
Many congratulations to the Aligarh Muslim University for completing 100 years in the service of education which is the best service for mankind.🎇
The legacy of education in Dawoodi Bohra community is continued in every epoch by spiritual leaders of the community. For this sacred reason, the educational movement was institutionalized by 43rd Dai al Mutlaq Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin RA in Surat. This movement achieved lofty heights during the era of al Dai al Ajal Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA. Furthermore, its branches spread in three more cities of the world by the continuous attempts of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA and Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS. All three spiritual leaders accepted the chancellorship of Aligarh Muslim University.
I take this opportunity to mention the ideal endeavour in this regard for empowering women of the Dawoodi Bohra community. It was launched in 2016 named “Happy threads” which is a non-profit organization where community women get an opportunity to empower themselves, and by this platform, they get the opportunity to groom and improve herself in their desired fields.
Kindly visit the website for more details https://www.happythreads4u.com/
Thank you