RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM
Nature & Needs
PROGRESS and evolution of society depends upon two basic factors: proper human relationship and the inter-connection of rights and duties. Oppression, exploitation and injustice are detrimental to a progressive society which then begins to degenerate and tumble headlong towards destruction. In a just and balanced society, it is necessary that both men and women work together for the betterment and upliftment of society; that they work in coherence, completing and complementing each other. It is as much necessary that all members of the society are granted their due share of rights, that their duties too are well defined. In a just society, the weaker sections are looked after properly and compassionately while full care is taken to ensure that they are not deprived of their rights or oppressed in any way.
Women have all along belonged to the category of the weaker section of humanity. As such, a society that tries to uplift the status of women and installs them on the pedestal of dignity, looking after their welfare and making provisions for their protection can be considered a just society. Let us examine, in short, whether we have tried to grant women the rights that may lead them to a better future and to a more peaceful, just and dignified coexistence.
In a just and balanced society, it is necessary that both men and women work together for the betterment and upliftment of society; that they work in coherence, completing and complementing each other.
The modern world may apparently be much concerned about women and make very fair promises to them. It promises them freedom from slavery, from male-domination, even from the established institution of marriage, from the boredom of being a housewife to a much more glamorous world. It promises them freedom from the burden of birth pangs, and the pains of rearing a family. But instead, what does it actually have in store? Nothing but exploitation, injustice, oppression, aggression, harassment and indignity. In the name of emancipation, women today have to bear with rape, mutilation, abuse, inequality, discrimination and harassment.
Coming nearer home, we find that the apparent glamour of the feminist movement has overawed us. We have our own roots in the culture and religion embedded in our soil, but we try to blindly imitate the ‘developed’ countries in as much of our activities as possible. On the one hand, our women with their demure and bashful nature seem to us symbols of virtue, on the other hand we try to instigate our women to reveal as much of their bodies as possible. Then, when our women are waylaid and their modesty torn, we shed crocodile tears. The present scenario, with events of female harassment ever on the increase, is a most pathetic sight. Even our workplaces (not to talk about our homes) are not safe. Even those women holding higher bureaucratic posts are not spared. Laws against sexual harassment and rape are being moulded and remoulded but the escalation in gender related crimes keeps rising unabated. Female foeticide is on the increase. Most dowry deaths go unreported. In fact, with the present day status, who would refuse to accept that women are poised on the brink of disaster? The facts and figures showing deliberate women’s subjugation under the cover of pleasure and entertainment cannot put them to sleep. There is a wave of restlessness to be found everywhere.
Islam considers each gender unique in its own sphere of activity and allots roles to each gender, best suited to them and according to their nature and needs.
Many suggestions have been made to improve the situation. For instance, it is being felt at certain quarters that women need rights, not power. At other places, education is being recommended for women’s overall development. Some recommend political empowerment. Yet some say that women can only be truly emancipated by becoming economically independent. Whatever be the case, we cannot isolate the various aspects of women’s development into different channels and work for any one or the other.
We have to devise a comprehensive system which, while recognizing women as respectable human beings, may at the same time lend them confidence, dignity, poise, self-respect and freedom from exploitation of all kind. Only then could the human race become stronger and of a superior breed, capable of taking up the responsibility of spreading welfare, love, friendship and goodwill to make this beautiful earth a better place to live in.
Till now, a dispassionate study of the position of women in Islam has rarely been made. Orientatalists are in the habit of quoting and misquoting, even misinterpreting the Quranic injunctions and the Sunnah, which form the source of the Islamic system. The Muslim society is also by and large responsible for stultifying the dynamism of Islam and creating misconceptions, because they have lost their capacity to represent Islam in its true spirit. The Muslim culture that we see around us is not truly the Islamic culture that the Prophet had evolved, but a sad mixture of many cultures, where un-Islamic infiltrations have altered the very essence of what should have been the Islamic society. So while presenting these points regarding the rights of women in Islam, one thing should be clear in our minds that these are purely what should have been in Muslim society and not what is existing today.
One significant point that we have to understand about Islam is that it does nowhere raise the question of superiority or inferiority of any gender, while talking about men and women. Islam considers each gender unique in its own sphere of activity and allots roles to each gender, best suited to them and according to their nature and needs. Men and women in Islam are not antagonists, but separate entities created to complement and complete each other. Each gender is given a definite set of goals, to be achieved by their own individual efforts. The unit of society is the family. As such, the well-being of the family would mean the well-being of the whole society.
During the era of the Prophet and the Caliphate, Muslim women played an indispensable role in the construction of society.
Islam makes the family the key social unit. All the members of this unit play specific roles for its welfare and upkeep. The position of women derives from the very premise that the family is the cornerstone of the Muslim society. The Islamic system is very sensitive about protecting and safeguarding the foundation of the family. Hence there is strict prohibition of extramarital relations or intimacy outside of marriage, as this weakens the base of the family.
Under the Islamic system, discrimination on grounds of gender, power or wealth is not allowed. Indeed the Quran states very simply the origin of mankind by rejecting any distinction or discrimination on account of birth. The Holy Quran explicitly states:
O Mankind! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul. He created its mate from it and from the two of them spread countless men and women [throughout the earth]. (4: 1)
While conceding equality of the genders, the Quran categorizes men and women according to their deeds in this world. It states that all men and women are answerable equally to God:
To whoever does good deeds, man or woman, and is a believer, We shall assuredly give a good life; and We will bestow upon them their reward according to the best of their works. (16: 97)
Even while seeking the blessings of God, both men and women are promised full returns of their labour, apart from the excessive bounties showered by Him: “Men shall be rewarded according to their deeds, and women shall be rewarded according to their deeds. You should rather ask God for His bounty. God has knowledge of all things.” (4: 32)
Islam does not have any concept of dowry or dehej. On the contrary, the woman receives the Mehr (Dower) in marriage, which is the bridemoney, an exclusive right of the bride.
The wisdom of the principles and laws of nature have been employed in regulating mutual relationship. The Quran states:
“All things We made in pairs” (51: 49). This acknowledges men and women as distinctly separate entities, yet relates the two mutually making each the guardian of the other: “The believers, both men and women, are friends to each other; they enjoin what is good and forbid evil, they attend to their prayers and pay the alms and obey God and His Messenger.” (9: 71)
Personal development, intellectual pursuits and the acquisition of knowledge are human rights that should be conceded to males and females alike, without discrimination. Islam allows for equal opportunities to both the genders in the pursuit of knowledge. There is no derision, no underestimation anywhere. Each gender is encouraged to build up its individuality in every way. The Prophet said, “It is essential for every Muslim man and woman to acquire knowledge.”
Women’s guardians are advised not to obstruct their pursuits in education but to encourage them and provide them with opportunities. Examples exist of a number of educated women scholars during the Prophet’s time and after, who have contributed to Quranic interpretations, medicine, poetry and many other fields. The wives and daughters of magnates and sovereigns have known to patronize knowledge and give lavish endowments for the establishment of institutes of learning and social service. All such actions undertaken for the construction of society and building up righteousness will not go unrecognized. God says in the Quran: “If any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female and have faith, they will enter Heaven and not the least injustice will be done to them.” (4: 124)
Spiritual attainment is not exclusively for men. Women have as much right over spiritual purification as men. The Quran is very explicit about this. “Surely, for men and women who have surrendered to God—believing men and believing women, truthful men and truthful women, patient men and patient women, humble men and humble women, charitable men and charitable women, fasting men and fasting women, men and women who guard their chastity, men and women who are ever mindful of God—God is ready with forgiveness and an immense reward.” (33: 35)
Islam regards women in different roles: as a mother, as a daughter as a wife and as a separate human being, and gives them rights accordingly. Mothers contribute enormously to society. Their love and sacrifice for the off-spring cannot possibly be ignored. The Quran recognizes the pain and hardship the mother experiences while keeping the human race alive and evokes, “In travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in two years was his weaning” (31: 14). Keeping this noble service in view, the mother is elevated to the highest pedestal of human glory. Islam makes it compulsory for children to obey their mothers. A mother’s interest and welfare must be preferred three times more than a father’s interest and welfare. A mother deserves gratitude, respect, love, kindness and obedience.
Islam encourages marriage and prohibits any deviated forms of gratification.
As a daughter, women always belong to the paternal family. Marriage does not break this bond. The Islamic social order makes elaborate arrangements for the fair treatment of the daughter. They must receive love and best maintenance. They have as much rights as the son in educational, physical and mental upliftment. They have their share in the father’s property, which is recognized and granted at every cost. If, by chance, a woman becomes a widow or is divorced, Islamic law reverts her back to the paternal home where she may be looked after with love and affection. The Prophet said, “Should I not tell you what is the best charity; That you should show kindness to that daughter who (becoming a widow or having been divorced) has been returned to you, and who has no other maintainer or supporter.” (Ibne-e-Majah)
Islam encourages marriage and prohibits any deviated forms of gratification. Marriage helps men and women to develop along natural lines and head towards development and success through mutual co-operation. Marriage prevents immorality, licentiousness and irresponsibility. The spouses in marriage agree to share rights and responsibilities to develop a happy family. In this regard it is a contract entered upon by both participants who vow to be ruled by the established law of God. The consent of the woman is essential for the completion of the marriage. What a contrast this is to the prevalent system of marriage in our country where the women are given over in the possession of greedy people who cannot be satisfied without demanding for a handsome amount of monies as well as other items of domestic luxury together with the girl.
Islam does not have any concept of dowry or dehej. On the contrary, the woman receives the Mehr (Dower) in marriage, which is the bridemoney, an exclusive right of the bride. This Mehr may be paid at once after the solemnisation (Nikah) of marriage or at any time in life. But if it is not paid during the lifetime, it is considered a debt and like all other debts must be paid from the legacy of the deceased even before distribution of property among the legal heirs. Apart from the Mehr the wife is entitled to a share of the deceased husband’s property also.
Women's guardians are advised not to obstruct their pursuits in education but to encourage them and provide them with opportunities.
The educational system that is followed completely ignores the moral and spiritual guidance of human beings. This is the reason why society itself is ignorant about how to respect the women. Islam draws out the complete code of conduct and provides for maintaining the honour and dignity of the women through a modest dress code. All the exploitation and crimes regarding the women generally centres around their physical charms. So, to put a full stop on any such exploitation, believing women have been encouraged to follow a modest dress code and come out of their houses only when in need, not ramble aimlessly. Their safety is further ensured by making it a rule that in long distance and overnight journeys, they be accompanied by a male close relative with whom marriage is not possible.
The rights of women in Islam are really God’s blessings. In this age of violence, misogyny, subordination, exploitation and oppression, women are frantically seeking fair ways and means of deliverance. They want the assertion of their motherhood, in whole, their womanhood. They want to retain everything they own as their own, even their names. But today, more often it is the women falling prey to the male dominated society. Muslim women are not any the better. They have also remained lagging behind particularly in education, and this is one reason why they have misrepresented their religion. During the era of the Prophet and the Caliphate, Muslim women played an indispensable role in the construction of society. They took active part in opinion building and decision-making. They delivered religious discourses, ventured outside their homes for the pursuit of knowledge and carried out independent trade.
But later on, Muslims themselves started to lose their mark of identity. Stagnation set in, in their society, and with this the position of women also gradually deteriorated. Today Muslim women, are in a deplorable condition, deprived of their rights and opportunities and kept under extremely rigorous conditions.
Hence, to improve the present status of Muslim women and to give them their due share in what is their right, it is indispensable that the Muslim organisations should come forward and make efforts to improve the status of women. It is their duty to see that Muslim women are not deprived of proper education. They have to see that more and more educational institutions for girls are opened and run efficiently, for the benefit of women. A fully planned strategy must be chalked out for vocational and professional training to make them selfsufficient, so that they may stand on their own feet when any such need arises. More centres should be opened for training and guidance for girls.
The Muslim culture that we see around us is not truly the Islamic culture that the Prophet had evolved, but a sad mixture of many cultures.
It is generally thought that Muslim women are only duty bound to their husband, family and home and that they have no other activity outside their home. This is a gross mistake and against the spirit of Islam, which does not restrict women within the four walls of their houses. Whenever there is a need for their positive and constructive contribution outside the home, they are allowed to do so. In doing so, their main motive should be to obtain the pleasure of God and service to humanity.
It is a great responsibility for the educated Muslim women to speed up their movement and work amongst all sections of society, be they educated, semi-educated or uneducated and awaken them to the true knowledge of Islam, and to revolutionize their lives so that they can stand as examples before all womenfolk. Islam presents solutions to the problems of women. The need is to exert and express, to come out with the message and to spread this message of a peaceful and free existence that is in absolute conformity with the will of God.