Islam is arguably the most discussed religion today, in both media and society, and, after terrorism, the plight of Muslim women is probably the most controversial topic of debate. I have been asked, challenged, harangued and abused about “Islam’s treatment of women” countless times in person and online. The assumption is that Muslim women need to be extricated from the religion entirely before anything close to liberation or equality can be achieved.
We have an innumerable sociological Muslim women who fight sexism from a faith-positive perspective, and only a handful of studies that investigate the theological works of some Muslim feminists. The responses to, and motivations of, these women are dealt with coincidentally, as opposed to primarily.
It seems to me that, in the argument in which Muslim women are the battlefield, the war rages on and the angry accusations zing past their heads from all sides. The main casualty is, ironically, women’s self-determination.
It is good not to be too extreme and not too modern. Family observation plays important role in creating a child into a good and a responsible adult. Children especially the teenagers require public discussions to open up their minds and clear their doubts regarding their religion. Islam is not difficult. Islam never suppresses any person whether it is a man or a woman, it is a girl or a boy or it is a child or an adult.
WOMAN is a word which defines beauty, care, innocence, love, sacrifice, understanding, obstinate, stubborn, passionate, wellness, worthy, thriving, purposeful, energetic, abundance, aligned, luminous, creativity, discovery, imagination, grace, harmonious.
It’s uncanny to know how often people try to demonstrate their concern about the alleged oppression of Muslim women by humiliating them. It’s a common story, that not just our actions but also our very identities are constantly being shaped by dual, competing discourses that surround us. We live in an era where political discourse on Islamophobia impacts the day-to-day lives of Muslims.
There’s the fundamentalist, patriarchal narrative, persistently trying to confine the social and public lives of Muslim women in line with the kind of narrow, gendered parameters that are by now so familiar.
When someone learns more about Islam, he will know that woman has every right to live comfortably and independently in every aspect. Islam never states anywhere that a woman is some way behind. It has given every right to woman in the field of education, business, administration etc., one of the resolutions one must take is to stand up and fight for one’s rights and not compromise on one’s dignity. But there are also some western feminist discourses that seek to define our identities in ways that are quite neo-colonial: backward, oppressed, with no hope of liberation other than to emulate whatever western notions of womanhood are on offer.
Most women in the society are terrified of the brute strength of men who abuse them and so they succumb to the attacks. It makes the job of the perpetrators of the crime easy. Women must realize that marital violence is a punishable offence by law. Women empowerment will remain a mere dream until and unless women raise their voice Positive transformation cannot be enduring unless we develop for it against the social evils. Learn the art of saying NO. People respect the strength, not the weakness. Be wary of double standards. Some people expect you to tolerate everything they do but they'd kick up a fuss if you did the same to them.
This wedging chimes with my experience, and it’s a problem because, as most deny Muslim women the ability — indeed the right — to define our identities for ourselves, and especially to do so within the vast possibilities of Islam. For a woman who has to juggle several roles; low self-esteem can be a stumbling block to transformation. But fear of losing a control is the biggest impediment to change. Our life is bigger than we are. Being productive is a must at all cost. Take the initiative and suggest innovations at every level of your life. Whatever our approach to change, it remains the only constant in everyone’s life. So learning to initiate it when needed, or embrace it when it happens is a prerequisite for maturity. In any case thoughts can be altered, actions adapted and relationships transformed. It’s the readiness to renew oneself that is the challenge.
“Change what can be changed; accept what cannot be changed; Have the wisdom to know the difference.”
When we read a book, we accept that an author exists. When we see a house, we accept that a builder exists. Both of these things were made with a purpose by those who made them. The design, order, and complexity of the universe as well as the world around us are evidence of the existence of a supreme intelligence, a perfect designer. If we were made by a Creator, then surely that Creator must have had a reason, a purpose, in creating us. Thus, it is important that we seek to know God’s purpose for our existence. After coming to the realization of this purpose, we can choose whether we want to live in harmony with it.
The woman’s right to seek education or learning is basic and is also guaranteed by Islamic teachings. Islam makes it incumbent on the woman to seek knowledge; the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) says, `seeking knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim," where "every Muslim" obviously involves men and women on an equal footing as a rule formalized by all authorities of jurisprudence.
The woman is also required to perform religious ordinances and forms of worship the way the man is. Praying, fasting, Zakat (the alms sanctifying tax), pilgrimage and all the other fundamental practices in Islam are required of Muslims in their capacity, both men and women, as responsible humans. Again the woman's actions are recompensed by Allah the way the man's actions are.
The woman is not excluded from the area of social activity. She has all the rights to get involved in the reformation and administration. When it comes to financial matters, as a rule, Islam acknowledges the woman's rights to all kinds of ownership, spending and channeling of her money. It gives her the rights of inheritance, selling, buying, renting, donating, lending, allocating property for religious and charitable purposes, giving alms, legal transfer and mortgage, as well as many other forms of contracts and actions.
Islam is a complete and comprehensive way of life leading to a balanced way of living. Islam brings civilization and happiness to mankind. Islamic principles and teachings can provide realistic, fair and objective solutions to the prevention of individual, familial, social and international problems which are threatening the existence of human communities throughout the world.
We can change even the most daunting circumstances into good if we draw deep on the resources we all possess but rarely are called upon to use. There are people who do not benefit when luck is being handed out but they do not let bad situations take over their lives. They find the courage, determination and tenacity of spirit to turn their lives around, see the good and make it work for others too.
Bad situations change us in many ways and teach us patience and tolerance. It also teaches FAITH. Faith in its simplest form is the knowledge that something is happening for the highest good. It may not be pleasant at the time, but it is a thought which makes us hang on to when the going gets tough. We can’t change the world but we can start making a difference.