Muslim Women - Models of Distinction

The Western mind, being diametrically opposed to the Islamic mode of thinking, cannot fathom the rights which Islam gives to women and the regulations which Islam places upon women. Islam is often mocked at and ridiculed when it comes to issues such as the hijab. Muslim women are made to believe that they are being oppressed.

However, when one turns the pages of Islamic history, one realizes that these very same "oppressed" Muslim women achieved countless amazing feats while practising upon the commands of Sharia. The veil and other Islamic responsibilities, which they fulfilled, did not prevent them from ascending the pedestal shared by the numerous male luminaries of Islam.

Women in Islamic society

Islam raised the status and honour of women at a time when they were not even equal to the sands of the Arabian Desert in which they were buried. Pre-Islamic history records their miserable plight. They were no more than chattel inherited by the son on the death of the father. A new-born female was regarded as a disgrace to the family. A man could marry as many women as he wanted, divorce any of them and when he so desired, re-marry them. Islam came and granted women rights and privileges. She could now inherit and own property. Her status as a mother, sister, wife and grandmother was duly acknowledged. Husbands were commanded to treat and live with their wives in kindness. Islam uncovered her from the sands and elevated her to a queen who had an independent personality and pivotal role to play in the structuring of a morally sound society.

Status of Women in the Quran

a. Female infanticide

In Arabia, before the advent of Islam, the birth of a female child was regarded as a great shame. Cruel fathers would bury their daughters alive. The Quran describes how fathers detested the birth of a female :

"When news is brought to any of them of (the birth) of a female (child), his face darkens, and he is filled with inner grief. With shame does he hide himself from his people, because of the bad news he has had. Shall he retain in contempt or bury her in the dust? Ah! What an evil choice they decide on." (Surah An-Nahl, verse 58-59).

The Quran forbade this custom and regarded the crime as a case for the highest court when on the Day of Judgment "the female (infant) buried alive, will be asked for what crime she was killed." (Surah At-Takwir, verse 8-9).

b. Female personalities in the Quran

The Quran refers to certain groups of women with great respect. The wives of Adam Alaihis Salaam , Ibrahim Alaihis Salaam and Pharaoh and the mothers of Moosa Alaihis Salaam and Isa Alaihis Salaam are examples of point. An entire chapter of the Quran has been named as 'An-Nisaa' - the women.

c. Respect for the mother

The Quran has taken all measures to safeguard the rights of women and put them into practice as integral articles of faith. It never tolerates those who are inclined to prejudice against woman.
Islam considered kindness to parents next to the worship of Allah.

"Your Lord has decreed that you worship none except Him, and that you be kind to your parents." (Surah Al-Isra, verse 23).

Moreover, the Quran has a special recommendation for the good treatment of mothers:

"And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness..." (Surah Luqman, verse 14) (See also Surah 46, verse 15).

d. A Quranic marriage

The Quran clearly indicates that the objective of marriage is promotion of emotional well-being, spiritual harmony, love and mercy :

"And among His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest, peace of mind in them and He ordained between you love and mercy. Herein indeed are signs for people who reflect." (Surah Ar-Rum, verse 21).

"...But live with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein Allah has placed much good." (Surah An-Nisa, verse l9).

Status of Women in the Hadith

Apart from saving a girl's life in infancy Islam requires that she be treated with kindness, justice and equality at every stage of her life. Among the sayings of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in this regard are the following:

a. Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her and does not favour his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise. (Ibn Hanbal)

b. A man once asked the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam : "Who is the most worthy of my good company?
The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied : "Your mother."
The man asked : "Who is next?"
The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, "Your mother."
Again the man asked : "Who is next?"
The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, "Your mother."
The man asked for a fourth time : "Who is next?"
The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said : "Your father." (Bukhari)

From this incident we see that Islam not only raised the status of women but in certain cases gave her precedence over men.

c. The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives. (Ibn-Hanbal)

d. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had a camel driver called Anjasha and he had a melodious voice. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said to him, "Drive slowly, O Anjashah! Do not break the glass vessels!" (Bukhari)

'Glass vessels' here refers to women. The similitude was brought due to the delicacy and fragility of glass and women.

Equality of the sexes

In Islam men and women are complementary to each other in a multi-function society rather than competitive with each other in a uni-function society. The West, on the other hand, vociferously claims and demands equality of the sexes. For this they force the woman to abandon her natural disposition and adopt the qualities of a man. This she can never achieve no matter how hard she tries. When she is, now, unnaturally forced to live like a man her role in society is compromised. Her potential for spiritual development is weakened because she can only gain closeness to the Divine by functioning within the framework that the Creator has chosen for her.

Hijaab

The western influenced media portrays the dress of a Muslim woman to be outdated and oppressive. Hijaab is one pillar of a building. Without looking at the whole building one will never understand why any single pillar is in place. Islam, being a balanced religion, has given a woman rights and at the same time placed certain obligations upon her. She is encouraged to wear the hijab and also to fulfil the role of a mother in the home. She is discouraged from freely associating with any man of her choice. These measures in reality enhance her femininity. She no longer needs to spend a fortune on designer clothing, perfumes and beauty parlours. No social pressure to look feminine and beautiful torments her. Yet she is respected and remembered by her community for her sacrifice and invaluable contribution towards creating a healthy home and society.

The aim of the West is to dissipate sexual energy in different forms. The sexual urge is legally exploited by the capitalists by using females in advertising, films, magazines, arts, etc. In complete opposition to this, Islam aims to control sexual energy and to discipline the self to this end. Due to these differing objectives there are inevitable differences in social organization. The West allows men and women to intermingle freely without any restriction. Islam segregates the sexes and defines a unique sphere of activity for each gender.

Islam has recognized human weakness with regards to sexuality and has, thus, cut at the very root of adultery, fornication and promiscuity. Anything that encourages illicit sexual activity has been prohibited. For this reason, women and men are instructed to lower the gaze, to dress modestly, and to avoid physical and verbal contact. Females in particular are discouraged from speaking in seducing tones and from adorning perfumes in public. These are exclusively reserved for the benefit of the spouse. These measures may seem trivial to a society that is drowned in sexual anarchy, but, these are the preludes to adultery and promiscuity. These are the very elements that destroy families and eventually nations.

Not too long ago native Americans were called 'naked savages' - both derogatory words. Today the very same class of people who placed the label are dressing with less and less clothing, regarding this as a symbol of advancement. How strange!

As we proceed to analyse the accomplishments of Muslim women through the course of history, it will dawn upon the reader that a practising Muslim woman can rightfully be the only perfect role model to follow and imitate.

The role of Muslim women has been meticulously recorded in the history of Islam. Their contributions have been respected and given their rightful due. Their bravery in the face of terror, their sacrifice in the face of hardship and their firmness in the face of uncertainty will forever be admired and retold.

Islam removed female oppression

Soon after the Muslims conquered Egypt in 20 A.H a delegation of the local Christian community approached the Muslim governor, Amr ibn al-Aas Radhi Allahu Anhu, with an important matter. According to custom the river Nile demanded a human sacrifice every year. On the 12th night of June a virgin girl was dressed beautiful as a bride and thrown into the river. If this was not done the river would dry up, according to them. Amr ibn al-Aas Radhi Allahu Anhu immediately answered that Islam opposed all superstitious rituals of this nature. Months passed but the river did not flow. People began migrating away due to the lack of water. Amr ibn al-Aas Radhi Allahu Anhu wrote to the khaliph Umar Radhi Allahu Anhu seeking advice.

Umar Radhi Allahu Anhu replied : "You have done the right thing. Islam stands to destroy all rituals of ignorance. I am sending you a note. Drop it into the river." The note was addressed to the river. It read : "From the servant of Allah, Ameer-ul-Mumineen, to the Nile of Egypt. If you had been flowing due to your own accord you can stop flowing. But, if it is Allah, the Almighty, who makes you flow then we ask Him to make you flow. Amr ibn al-Aas Radhi Allahu Anhu dropped the letter into the Nile. The next morning the Nile had started flowing again at its normal level. (1)

Muslims accorded extreme respect and dignity to women. A female cry of distress never went unheard by true Muslim conquerors and generals. The khalif, Mutasim Billlah, was so grieved by the crying of a Hashemite women who had been taken captive by the Romans that he set off with his army to free her. He did not return home until she was freed. The Mogul emperor, Humayun, while being pursued by the Afghans received a bracelet from the Jodhpur Queen as a request for help. He immediately retraced his steps, came to her assistance and then resumed his march. (2)

Muslim women in the field of learning

Muslim women succeeded in reaching great heights in many areas of learning.

• The science of hadith literature is greatly indebted to Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha, the wife of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, for her narration of over 2200 ahadith. She ranks fourth in the narration of the largest number of hadith. Over a hundred companions of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and high ranking Taabi'een such as Urwa ibn Zubair, Saeed ibn Musayyab, Abdullah ibn Aamir, Ikramah and Alqamah Rahimahumullah narrated hadith from her.

• Many other female companions of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam narrated hadith. In Isti'aab, Hafiz Ibn Abd al-Barr has recorded 398 female companions. In Tabqaat as-Sahaba 627 women have been listed. Usd-ul-Gawbah of Ibn Athir recorded the endeavours of 1022 women.
  Ibn Hajr in Tahzeeb records 322 women. In Isabah he recorded 1545 women. Ibn Sa’d in his book dedicated the entire 8th volume exclusively to women.

Indeed, Muslim women in every century have been instrumental in memorising, narrating, teaching and propagating hadith. There were many great male scholars of Islam who in their student days sat at the feet of female muhaditheen. Karima bint Ahmad was a renowned muhaditha of the 5th century. Great scholars such as Khatib Baghdadi used to attend her lessons. She was so proficient that Khatib Baghdadi completed a recitation of Sahih Bukhari in her presence in only 5 days. Further to this, the famous scholar of Hadith, Abu Zar instructed his students that after his death they should not study the Sahih Bukhari under anybody except Karima.

Muslim women of bravery

Bravery of Muslim women in the defence of Islam did not slacken even in the battlefield. Muslim women showed amazing courage during the battle of Maisaan. Mughira ibn Shuba Radhi Allahu Anhu, the commander of the Muslim army, had left the women behind and proceeded to meet the inhabitants of Maisaan on the banks of the Tigris. During the midst of combat, Ardah ibnt al-Harith decided to assist the Muslim army. She remarked: "If we reach the Muslim army we can join them." Saying this she tied her veil in the form of a banner. The other women did the same. Holding their veils above their heads they marched forward in order to join the Muslim army. The two armies were in the thick of battle when they finally reached them. When the enemy saw the banners they mistakenly thought that reinforcements had arrived to assist the Muslims. Feeling discouraged they retreated. The Muslims seized the opportunity and attacked them killing many. (3)

In the battle of Qadisiyah, Khansa, the famous poetess of Arabia accompanied her four sons into battle. She encouraged them to fight, with eloquent words resonating with bravery:

"O my sons, you accepted Islam willingly. You left your homes voluntarily. By the promise of Allah, you are all the sons of one father just like you are the sons of one mother. I have not been unfaithful to your father, nor have I brought disgrace to your paternal uncle. I have not spoilt and dishonoured your lineage. You are well aware of the abundant rewards, which Allah has prepared for those Muslims who fight the transgressors. Know this also that the everlasting abode is superior to the temporary abode. Allah says : "Oh you who believe, Be patient. Outdo all others in perseverance. Guard your territory. Fear Allah so that you may be successful." When you rise tomorrow safe and sound, by the will of Allah, then proceed to fight your enemy in a rational state of mind. Seek help in the assistance of Allah over His enemies. When you see the battle has become severe and the fire begins to rage then plunge into the furnace and fight. You will return victorious with booty and honour in the everlasting abode."

The four sons proceeded to the battlefield and fought valiantly until all were martyred. When she received the news she replied : "Praise be to Allah who has honoured me with their martyrdom. I have hope in Allah that He will unite me with them in His everlasting mercy." (4)

Asma, the mother of Abdullah ibn Zubair, was a very courageous woman. Ten days before her son was killed he came to console her saying : "In death there is comfort." She replied : "Perhaps you desire death for me. I do not wish to die until one of your two conditions come to me. Either you are killed and I will then hope for your reward in the hereafter or you will triumph over your enemy and this will make me happy." On the day he was killed he came to his mother. She advised him : "O my son, never accept from them any such condition in which you may fear disgrace for you, out of fear of death. By the Oath of Allah, one blow of a sword in honour is better than a lash of a whip in disgrace." (5)

Saiyad Ahmad Shahid, the brave Muslim general of India, was asked to take part in a local skirmish in which the honour of the Muslims was at stake. As he was young at the time he stood awaiting the permission of his mother, who was busy in her prayers at the time. His foster mother, however, began persuading him not to join in the conflict. When his mother had completed her prayers she said : "Ahmad, go ahead with the name of Allah on your lips. Do not turn your back in the fight. If you do so I will not see your face again. But if the other party sues for peace do not reject the offer." Then turning to the foster mother she said : "I know you love Ahmad but not more than I do. This was not the time to discourage him." (6)

Testimony of non-Muslims

• Will Durant in The Age of Faith, New York, 1950, pp. 180-183 :

  “In like manner He (Muhammad) improved the position of women… He allowed women to come to the mosque, but believed that ‘their homes are better for them’; yet when they came to his services he treated them kindly even if they brought suckling babes: if, says an amiable tradition, he heard a child cry, he would shorten his sermon lest the mother be inconvenienced. He put an end to the Arab practice of (feminine) infanticide (xvii, 31). He placed woman on the same footing with man in legal processes and in financial independence; she might follow any legitimate profession, keep her earnings, inherit property, and dispose of her belongings, at will (iv, 4, 32). He abolished the Arab custom of transmitting women as property from father to son. Women were to inherit half as much as the male heirs, and were not to be disposed of against their will…

• H.A.R. Gibb in Mohammedanism, London, 1953, p. 33 :

  "That his (Muhammad’s) reforms enhanced the status of women in general is universally admitted.’’

• Annie Besant in The Life and Teachings of Muhammad, Madras, 1932, pp. 25-26 :

  "…the law of Islam in relation to women was until lately, when parts of it have been imitated in England, the most just law, as far as women are concerned, to be found in the world.’’

  "I often think that woman is more free in Islam than in Christianity. Woman is more protected by Islam than by the faith which preaches monogamy. In Al-Qu'ran the about woman is more just and liberal. It is only in the last twenty years that Christian England has recognized the right of woman to property, while Islam has allowed this right from all times.’’

Women in Western society

In the sophisticated society of today, the liberal career woman of the Western world is portrayed as the ideal role model for the female gender. Her typical profile would include having the freedom to follow the profession of her choice, to travel where and whenever she chooses, to dress according to her desires and to communicate or associate with the opposite gender at will. No barriers or limitations should encroach upon her freedom of choice. A woman fitting this description is regarded as 'progressive' and 'modern'.

However, the story does not end here. These 'progressive' women have a flip side that is rarely depicted in the media. Women in Western society are engulfed in a vast array of problems. Rape, prostitution, divorce, wife battering, abortion, pornography and a host of mental disorders like depression and bulimia complicate their lives. Having left her role as the queen and mother of the home she has caused the very core of society to crumble. By exercising her right to annul her pregnancy she has reintroduced the modern equivalent of infanticide - abortion. By associating with any and every man of her choice she has brought diseases like AIDS into her very own home. Her intermingling with strange men has robbed her of her dignity and introduced deceit and tension within her family unit. By exposing her body she has invited rape upon herself. By allowing her figure to be placed on magazine covers to sell anything from truck tyres to soft-drinks she has lost her natural sense of honour. In simple words, she has become a worthless commodity : her physical charms and beauties are sold in the market place in exchange for a few coppers in order to satisfy the dirty lusts of men.

She is no longer respected as an individual with a valuable contribution to the human race. Her body belongs, not to herself, but to society. From a young age she desperately tries to match and imitate the beauty of the 'touched up' actresses and models she admires in the media. In this quest she induces damage to her natural body by undergoing surgery and following weight loss diets. After loosing her appeal and looks she is cast aside like a dirty rag having fulfilled her role of cheap entertainment. She sinks into an abyss of depression and anxiety. In short, the woman who at the outset seemed so perfect and glamorous has led herself as well as humanity to sink into the gloomiest depths of confusion and darkness. She is incapable of being a trend-setter.

The success of Islam

Despite the efforts of the Western world, Islam is spreading at an amazing rate particularly amongst English and American women. The profile that Islam has outlined for the fairer sex continues to attract and appeal to many a Western woman who had tasted the nauseating life style of the West, spewed it out and finally found contentment in Islam.

Having learnt from their own experience, the West has realised the immense problems that arise when children do not receive the care and attention of a loving mother. Their civilization is failing due to problems such as juvenile delinquency and child abuse. They have, at the same time, realised the success of pure Islamic families where the mother remains the core of the home. In an attempt to destroy this Islamic fortress they aim to lure Muslim females out of their homes. As a western writer quite aptly remarked : “The aim is to push the Quran inside and get the women outside.” In this quest, Western scholarship and media by means of shrewd engineering and manoeuvring is aimed at destroying the Muslim home. Once the home collapses so will the society. For the survival of the family unit and the human race one hopes that they will not succeed.