Rights for women in Islam are enshrined in the Divine message sent to the last Messenger of Allah. It's to be noted that these human rights are neither the fruits of struggle on the part of women nor are they the result of men's generosity.
These privileges are part and parcel of the message of Islam to humanity; a munificent declaration of peace and prosperity on earth where charity, love and fair dealing among humanity is the norm.
History has it that Muhammad's message of equality and justice for all did not go down well with the powers-that-be of that time. The privileged few felt threatened and fought hard against what they perceived as a threat to their life style. The more than 300 gods of Mecca being the center of attraction for idolatrous Arabia the custodians of the Kaba basked in self admiration. Keeping the status que meant high prestige for the chieftans of Mecca. For One God posed a direct threat to the "tourism industry" that thrived on the presence of these gods.
Historically, the message of Islam came at a time of great need. That was some 600 years after the person of Isa (Jesus) disappeared from the face of the earth, and in many quarters that had earlier received previous revelations only a shadowy version of the original remained where the priesthood manipulated the ignorant masses. Cruelty flourished and ignorance prevailed the earth. From East to West the unsavory condition of women the world over is known to historians. Divine intervention was not only awaited by those who knew the earlier scriptures it was also a necessity.
Arabia was no exception. Pre-Islamic era was a time of jahiliya (ignorance). Gods many abounded in the holy precinct of the Kaba whose foundations were once raised by none other than Ibrahim and Ismael (Abraham and Ishmael).
It's no secret that this period of jahiliya where the true worship of the One True God was almost non existent, evil filled the vacuum. Materialism, drunkardness, decadence, slavery, tribalism and sectarian violoence was the order of the day.
No true prophet of God was ever self appointed. And Muhammad was no different. History has it that this soft spoken man who by nature shunned pomp and show, was propelled into the midst of this ungodly scenario by none other than the Almighty Lord of Mecca.
Muhammad's first encounter with the Arch Angel Jibril (Gebriel) attest to this:
Read! The Angel commanded.
I can not read! Muhammad replied,
"Read!" the Angel repeated.
"I can not read!" Muhammad repeated.
"Read!" the Angel repeated for the third time to which the unlettered Muhammad replied in the same fashion.
But the author of the Quran would've none of it and Muhammad was soon forced out of his seclution by nothing less than Divine miracle. And Muhammad read after the Arch Angel, word for word:
Read! In the Name of thy Lord, Who has created (all that exists),
Has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).
Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous,
Who has taught by the pen,
Has taught man that which he knew not. (96:1-5)
These first five verses of the Quran (meaning the reading) were the beginning of a long period of Divine communication, of benevolent admonition and of good news stretching some twenty three years.
The Qur'an is described as ummul kitab (mother of the Book) a culmination of Allah's Word to humanity and Muhammad was simply the last of a long history of prophethood that began with the first man.
In this latest Divine communication, God once again speaks to humanity:
- I am your Creator Lord, I am One, has always been the One and Only,
the Eternal, Absolute, Supreme Lord of Heaven and Earth.
- I am not the father of anyone of you, nor Am I begotten.
- I am He that has given you life and I am just as capable of taking it away from you.
- Just as I created you from nothing I will bring you back to life.
- The signs are all around you, take a moment and ponder.
- Look at the stars, look at the moon, see how I have raised the heavens.
- Look at your own creation, ponder, ponder, ponder...
- Look at the your food.
- These objects of worship that you've fashioned in your own hands are nothing but
Satan's handiwork. They have no power over you. They can neither benefit you nor
cause you any harm.
- But I have your lives in My own Hands, will you not think?
- Satan is your enemy.
- Pride was the downfall of Satan, beware.
- Covet not what I have given to the others; your sustainenance is with Me alone.
- Oppress not yourselves.
- Kill not one another
- Life on earth is but a fleeting moment; work for the next.
- Killing of children is a grave sin
- Women are your mothers, sisters, daughters and wives.
- It's Allah that has caused diversity, don't hate one another on account of that.
- Trust in Me. I am the only Lord over you.
Humanity was created equal from a single father and mother, said the author of the Quran, "O mankind! We have created you all male and female and have made you nations and tribes so that you may recognize each other (not hate one another). The most honored among you in the sight of God is the most pious of you. God is All-knowing and All-aware" (49:13).
It's to be noted that social justice did not come as an after thought, for Islam came to free the spirit, not only from the shackles of man-made worship, but also from all forms of superstitions and oppression. Small wonder than that the first converts were: a man, a woman, a former slave and a child.
The first one to hear the call was a woman; the prophet's beloved wife, Khadija.
After that first daunting encounter with the Angel, the Messenger of Islam did not rush to hobnob with the lords of Mecca. He headed straight for his wife. At the news, Khadija's trust in her husband's integrity did not waver even for a second. And Khadija's personal and material sacrifice from there on did not go unnoticed. This great woman was once with her husband when Allah's greetings reached her through the Angel Jibril, "…Give her greetings of peace from her Lord and from me, and give her the good news of a palace of jewels in the Garden…"
In the Quran, a whole sura (chapter) is named after women (surat an nisaa).
Pharoah's wife, Aasiya, we are told, was a good woman, Allah had answered her prayers and she was saved from the iniquity of her husband, the Pharoah. And she happened to be a woman.
Isa's (Jesus) mother, Mariam (Mary) was a virtuous woman. A whole chapter of the Quran is named after this honorable woman (sura Mariam).
Quran relates the story of Mariam's mother and how she had personally implored the Lord and how the Lord granted her request in a manner that brings one's eyes to tears. Subsequently, Allah protected Mariam and her child from the influence of Satan the accursed. (Quran:3:35-37)
The prophet of Islam said, "Satan toucheeth every son of Adam the day his mother beareth him, save only Mary and her son."
Nor is the Lord of Heaven and Earth above listenning to the pleas of a simple housewife who complains to the prophet about her husband.
"Allah has indeed heard (and accepted) the statement of the woman who pleads with thee concering her husband and carries her complaint (in prayer) to Allah. And Allah always hears the argument between both sides among you: for Allah hears and sees all things." (Quran:58:1)
At the time of giving allegiance to the prophet, women were not left behind. They too committed themselves to the cause of Islam and the role they played is no secret to Muslims.
If education is important for boys, it is equally important for girls. Even after marriage, it becomes incumbent on Muslim husbands to teach their wives their religion. Husbands must not stand in their way if their wives choose to seek knowledge.
Needless to say, the prophet's wives were themselves a necessary link through which the Muslims learned their religion; delicate issues were refered to them. Allah had Himself conferred on them the distinguishing title of 'Mothers of the believers', "The prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves and his wives are their mothers." (Quran:33:6)
The role the early women of Islam played in the field of education is well known to Muslims. Aisha, a mother of the believers, said, “In the time of the Messenger of Allah, whenever any verse was revealed, we used to memorize the lawful and the unlawful contained in it even if we did not memorize its exact words.”
Aisha was a woman of sharp intellect. She lived long after the prophet's death and taught many great scholars. She had a great memory and was an authority on solving inheritance problems among other things. People came from far and wide to learn from her. She alone narrated 2210 ahadith (sayings of the Prophet).
Dear readers never in history had the Almighty ever been unjust to women. The Almighty Lord hates oppression of any kind, for oppression "is worse than killing."
And while Muslims, men and women, are commanded to exercise great patience they are allowed to defend their rights. If there's injustice in the world today, it's owing to man's own weaknesses.
Men and women are equal in the eyes of Allah and each gets what he/she works for.
Verily, for Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for men and women who are obedient (to Allâh), for devout men and women , for truthful men and women, for men and women who are patient, for men and women who humble themselves (before their Lord Allâh), for men and the women who give in charity, for men and the women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity and for men and women who engage in Allâh's praises, for them has Allâh prepared a forgiveness and great reward (Quran: 33:35)
It is so unfortunate that the people in Afghanistan were making real progress toward reducing their 95% illiteracy rate under the Taliban, which means Qur'aan students. The Qur'aan students even managed to stop the production of opium, much to the ire of CIA who wanted it continued. Illiteracy is the main reason most Afghans practice Culture rather than Islaam.
The secular extremists and global state terrorists try to blame Islaam for not protecting women's rights, but your article shows us that God would never treat women that way. The Qur'aan echoes the Bible in its liberation of womean from evil and sin, yet so-called Muslim kings and so-called Christian Presidents make a cruel mockery of God's justice.
Uncle Sam has installed a former Soviet Commie as the Dictator of Afghanistan. His name is Hamid Karzai and he is growing opium for the CIA to sell as heroin here in America. Women are not safe with Drug Lords ruling the place with the approval of Uncle Sam. Under the Taliban, whose knowledge of Islaam was limited but growing, women were much safer there than they are today.
There is nothing in the American experience to justify oppressing women or putting in drug lords as dictators in other peoples' countries. In fact, we fought two wars against the British who were doing this sort of thing. It is unAmerican to put in dictators or to even attack countries who live differently from us. But that is what our government is trying to justify. Nothing in the Bible or version of Christianity supports Uncle Sam's position in the global dictator installation and maintenance business. And we voters should get him out.
Thank you for showing us that Islaam is one of God's ways to be free from the mischief of Satan; that is the ultimate liberation.
www.TruthAboutWar.org
www.fff.org
www.AbuSaleh.org
www.veteransforpeace.org
the key to understanding is education--which you are doing
the bridge to peace is understanding--which you have done with this write
now, if more people will take the time to read and learn
fascinating, well researched, well written article that i have saved to my library to read again and again
thank you, my friend, for educating me
(((HUGS))) and love,
karla. :)