S
Spirit_Soul
Guest
From: Muslim [email protected]
Subject: Re: THE KORAN & WOMEN.
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The status of woman in Islam is something unique, something
novel, something that has no similarity in any other system. If we
look to the Eastern Communist world or to the democratic nations, we
find that woman is not really in a happy position. Her status is not
enviable. She has to work so hard to live, and sometimes she may be
doing the same job that a man does but her wage is less than his. She
enjoys a kind of liberty which in some cases amounts to
libertinism. To get to where she is nowadays, woman struggled hard for
decades and centuries. To gain the right of learning and the freedom
of work and earning, she had to offer painful sacrifices and give up
many of her natural rights. To establish her status as a human being
possessing a soul, she paid heavily. Yet in spite of all these costly
sacrificeqs and painful struggles, she has not acquired what Islam has
established by a Divine decree for the Muslim woman.
The rights of woman of modern times were not granted volun-
tarily or out of kindness to the female. Modern woman reached her
present position by force, and not through natural processes or mutual
consent or Divine teachings. She had to force her way, and various
circumstances came to her aid. Shortage of manpower during wars,
pressure of economic needs and requirements of industrial developments
forced woman to get out of her home - to work, to learn, to struggle
for her livelihood, to appear as an equal to man, to run her race in
the course of life side by side with him. She was forced by
circumstances and in turn she forced herself through and acquired her
new status. Whether all women were pleased with these circumstances
being on their side, and whether they are happy and satisfied with the
results of this course is a different matter. But the fact remains
that whatever rights modern woman enjoys fall short of those of her
Muslim counterpart. What Islam has established for woman is that which
suits her nature, gives her full security and protects her against
disgraceful circum- stances and uncertain channels of life. We do not
need here to elaborate on the status of modern woman and the risks she
runs to make her living or establish herself. We do not even need to
explore the miseries and setbacks that encircle her as a result of the
so-called rights of woman. Nor do we intend to manipulate the
situation of many unhappy homes which break because of the very
"freedom" and "rights" of which modern woman is proud. Most women
today exercise the right of freedom to go out independently, to work
and earn, to pretend to be equal to man, but this, sadly enough, is at
the expense of their families. This all known and obvious. What is not
known is the status of woman in Islam. An attempt will be made in the
following passages to sum up the attitude of Islam with regard to
woman.
1. Woman is recognized by Islam as a full and equal partner of man in
the procreation of humankind. He is the father; she is the mother, and
both are essential for life. Her role is not less vital than his. By
this partnership she has an equal share in every aspect; she is
entitled to equal rights; she undertakes equal responsibilities, and
in her there are as many qualities and as much humanity as there are
in her partner. To this equal partner- ship in the reproduction of
human kind God says:
O mankind! Verily We have created your from a single (pair) of
a male and a female,m and made you into nations and tribes
that you may know each other... (Qur'an, 49:13; cf. 4:1).
2. She is equal to man in bearing personal and common responsi-
bilities and in receiving rewards for her deeds. She is acknowledged
as an independent personality, in possession of human qualities and
worthy of spiritual aspirations. Her human nature is neither inferior
to nor deviant from that of man. Both are members of one another. God
says:
And their Lord has accepted (their prayers) and answered them
(saying): 'Never will I cause to be lost the work of any of
you, be he male or female; you are members, one of another...
(3:195; cf 9:71;33:35-36;66:19-21).
3. She is equal to man in the pursuit of education and knowledge.
When Islam enjoins the seeking of knowledge upon Muslims, it makes no
distinction between man and woman. Almost fourteen centuries ago,
Muhammad declared that the pursuit of knowledge is incumbent on every
Muslim male and female. This declaration was very clear and was
implemented by Muslims throughout history.
4. She is entitled to freedom of expression as much as man is. Her
sound opinions are taken into consideration and cannot be disregarded
just because she happen to belong to the female sex. It is reported in
the Qur'an and history that woman not only expressed her opinion
freely but also argued and participated in serious discussions with
the Prophet himself as well as with other Muslim leaders (Qur'an,
58:1-4; 60:10-12). Besides there were occasions when Muslim women
expressed their views on legislative matters of public interest, and
stood in opposition to the Caliphs, who then accepted the sound
arguments of these women. A specific example took place during the
Califate of Umar Ibn al-Khattab.
5. Historical records show that women participated in public life
with the early Muslims, especially in times of emergencies. Women used
to accompany the Muslim armies engaged in battles to nurse the
wounded, prepare supplies, serve the warriors, and so on. They were
not shut behind iron bars or considered worthless creatures and
deprived of souls.
6. Islam grants woman equal rights to contract, to enterprise, to
earn and possess independently. Her life, her property, her honor are
as sacred as those of man. If she commits any offense, her penalty is
no less or more than of man's in a similar case. If she is wronged or
harmed, she gets due compensations equal to what a man in her position
would get (2:178;4:45, 92-93).
7. Islam does not state these rights in a statistical form and then
relax. It has taken all measures to safeguard them and put them into
practice as integral articles of Faith. It never tolerates those who
are inclined to prejudice against woman or discrimination between man
and woman. Time and again, the Qur'an reproaches those who used to
believe woman to be inferior to man (16:57-59, 62; 42:47-59; 43:15-19;
53:21-23).
8. Apart from recognition of woman as an independent human being
acknowledged as equally essential for the survival of humanity, Islam
has given her a share of inheritance. Before Islam, she was not only
deprived of that share but was herself considered as property to be
inherited by man. Out of that transferable property Islam made an
heir, acknowledging the inherent human qualifies in woman. Whether she
is a wife or mother, a sister or daughter, she receives a certain
share of the deceased kin's property, a share which depends on her
degree of relationship to the deceased and the number of heirs. This
share is hers, and no one can take it away or disinherit her. Even if
the deceased wishes to deprive her by making a will to other relations
or in favor of any other cause, the Law will not allow him to do
so. Any proprietor is permitted to make his will within the limit of
one-third of his property, so he may not affect the rights of his
heirs, men and women. In the case of inheritance, the question of
quality and sameness is fully applicable. In principle, both man and
woman are equally entitled to inherit the property of the deceased
relations but the portions they get may vary. In some instances man
receives two shares whereas woman gets one only. This no sign of
giving preference or supremacy to man over woman.The reasons why man
gets more in these particular instances may be classified as follows:
First man, is the person solely responsible for the complete
maintenance of his wife, his family and any other needy relations.
It is his duty by Law to assume all financial responsibilities and
maintain his dependents adequately. It is also his duty to
contribute financially to all good causes in his society. All
financial burdens are borne by him alone.
Secondly, in contrast, woman has no financial responsibilities
whatsoever except very little of her personal expenses, the high
luxurious things that she likes to have. She is financially secure and
provided for. If she is a wife, her husband is the provider; if she is
a mother, it is the son; if she is a daughter, it is the father; if
she is a sister; it is the brother, and so on. If she has no relations
on whom she can depend, then there is no question of inheritance
because there is nothing to inherit and there is no one to bequeath
anything to her. However, she will not be left to starve, maintenance
of such a woman is the responsibility of the society as a whole, the
state. She may be given aid or a job to earn her living, and whatever
money she makes will be hers. She is not responsible for the
maintenance of anybody else besides herself. If there is a man in her
position, he would still be responsible for his family and possibly
any of his relations who need his help. So, in the hardest situation
her financial responsi- bility is limited, while his is unlimited.
Thirdly, when a woman gets less than a man does, she is not
actually deprived of anything that she has worked for. The property
inherited is not the result of her earning or her endeavors. It is
something coming to them from a neutral source, something addition-
al or extra. It is something that neither man or woman struggled
for. It is a sort of aid, and any aid has to be distributed
according to the urgent needs and responsibilities especially when
the distribution is regulated by the Law of God.
Subject: Re: THE KORAN & WOMEN.
::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::
The status of woman in Islam is something unique, something
novel, something that has no similarity in any other system. If we
look to the Eastern Communist world or to the democratic nations, we
find that woman is not really in a happy position. Her status is not
enviable. She has to work so hard to live, and sometimes she may be
doing the same job that a man does but her wage is less than his. She
enjoys a kind of liberty which in some cases amounts to
libertinism. To get to where she is nowadays, woman struggled hard for
decades and centuries. To gain the right of learning and the freedom
of work and earning, she had to offer painful sacrifices and give up
many of her natural rights. To establish her status as a human being
possessing a soul, she paid heavily. Yet in spite of all these costly
sacrificeqs and painful struggles, she has not acquired what Islam has
established by a Divine decree for the Muslim woman.
The rights of woman of modern times were not granted volun-
tarily or out of kindness to the female. Modern woman reached her
present position by force, and not through natural processes or mutual
consent or Divine teachings. She had to force her way, and various
circumstances came to her aid. Shortage of manpower during wars,
pressure of economic needs and requirements of industrial developments
forced woman to get out of her home - to work, to learn, to struggle
for her livelihood, to appear as an equal to man, to run her race in
the course of life side by side with him. She was forced by
circumstances and in turn she forced herself through and acquired her
new status. Whether all women were pleased with these circumstances
being on their side, and whether they are happy and satisfied with the
results of this course is a different matter. But the fact remains
that whatever rights modern woman enjoys fall short of those of her
Muslim counterpart. What Islam has established for woman is that which
suits her nature, gives her full security and protects her against
disgraceful circum- stances and uncertain channels of life. We do not
need here to elaborate on the status of modern woman and the risks she
runs to make her living or establish herself. We do not even need to
explore the miseries and setbacks that encircle her as a result of the
so-called rights of woman. Nor do we intend to manipulate the
situation of many unhappy homes which break because of the very
"freedom" and "rights" of which modern woman is proud. Most women
today exercise the right of freedom to go out independently, to work
and earn, to pretend to be equal to man, but this, sadly enough, is at
the expense of their families. This all known and obvious. What is not
known is the status of woman in Islam. An attempt will be made in the
following passages to sum up the attitude of Islam with regard to
woman.
1. Woman is recognized by Islam as a full and equal partner of man in
the procreation of humankind. He is the father; she is the mother, and
both are essential for life. Her role is not less vital than his. By
this partnership she has an equal share in every aspect; she is
entitled to equal rights; she undertakes equal responsibilities, and
in her there are as many qualities and as much humanity as there are
in her partner. To this equal partner- ship in the reproduction of
human kind God says:
O mankind! Verily We have created your from a single (pair) of
a male and a female,m and made you into nations and tribes
that you may know each other... (Qur'an, 49:13; cf. 4:1).
2. She is equal to man in bearing personal and common responsi-
bilities and in receiving rewards for her deeds. She is acknowledged
as an independent personality, in possession of human qualities and
worthy of spiritual aspirations. Her human nature is neither inferior
to nor deviant from that of man. Both are members of one another. God
says:
And their Lord has accepted (their prayers) and answered them
(saying): 'Never will I cause to be lost the work of any of
you, be he male or female; you are members, one of another...
(3:195; cf 9:71;33:35-36;66:19-21).
3. She is equal to man in the pursuit of education and knowledge.
When Islam enjoins the seeking of knowledge upon Muslims, it makes no
distinction between man and woman. Almost fourteen centuries ago,
Muhammad declared that the pursuit of knowledge is incumbent on every
Muslim male and female. This declaration was very clear and was
implemented by Muslims throughout history.
4. She is entitled to freedom of expression as much as man is. Her
sound opinions are taken into consideration and cannot be disregarded
just because she happen to belong to the female sex. It is reported in
the Qur'an and history that woman not only expressed her opinion
freely but also argued and participated in serious discussions with
the Prophet himself as well as with other Muslim leaders (Qur'an,
58:1-4; 60:10-12). Besides there were occasions when Muslim women
expressed their views on legislative matters of public interest, and
stood in opposition to the Caliphs, who then accepted the sound
arguments of these women. A specific example took place during the
Califate of Umar Ibn al-Khattab.
5. Historical records show that women participated in public life
with the early Muslims, especially in times of emergencies. Women used
to accompany the Muslim armies engaged in battles to nurse the
wounded, prepare supplies, serve the warriors, and so on. They were
not shut behind iron bars or considered worthless creatures and
deprived of souls.
6. Islam grants woman equal rights to contract, to enterprise, to
earn and possess independently. Her life, her property, her honor are
as sacred as those of man. If she commits any offense, her penalty is
no less or more than of man's in a similar case. If she is wronged or
harmed, she gets due compensations equal to what a man in her position
would get (2:178;4:45, 92-93).
7. Islam does not state these rights in a statistical form and then
relax. It has taken all measures to safeguard them and put them into
practice as integral articles of Faith. It never tolerates those who
are inclined to prejudice against woman or discrimination between man
and woman. Time and again, the Qur'an reproaches those who used to
believe woman to be inferior to man (16:57-59, 62; 42:47-59; 43:15-19;
53:21-23).
8. Apart from recognition of woman as an independent human being
acknowledged as equally essential for the survival of humanity, Islam
has given her a share of inheritance. Before Islam, she was not only
deprived of that share but was herself considered as property to be
inherited by man. Out of that transferable property Islam made an
heir, acknowledging the inherent human qualifies in woman. Whether she
is a wife or mother, a sister or daughter, she receives a certain
share of the deceased kin's property, a share which depends on her
degree of relationship to the deceased and the number of heirs. This
share is hers, and no one can take it away or disinherit her. Even if
the deceased wishes to deprive her by making a will to other relations
or in favor of any other cause, the Law will not allow him to do
so. Any proprietor is permitted to make his will within the limit of
one-third of his property, so he may not affect the rights of his
heirs, men and women. In the case of inheritance, the question of
quality and sameness is fully applicable. In principle, both man and
woman are equally entitled to inherit the property of the deceased
relations but the portions they get may vary. In some instances man
receives two shares whereas woman gets one only. This no sign of
giving preference or supremacy to man over woman.The reasons why man
gets more in these particular instances may be classified as follows:
First man, is the person solely responsible for the complete
maintenance of his wife, his family and any other needy relations.
It is his duty by Law to assume all financial responsibilities and
maintain his dependents adequately. It is also his duty to
contribute financially to all good causes in his society. All
financial burdens are borne by him alone.
Secondly, in contrast, woman has no financial responsibilities
whatsoever except very little of her personal expenses, the high
luxurious things that she likes to have. She is financially secure and
provided for. If she is a wife, her husband is the provider; if she is
a mother, it is the son; if she is a daughter, it is the father; if
she is a sister; it is the brother, and so on. If she has no relations
on whom she can depend, then there is no question of inheritance
because there is nothing to inherit and there is no one to bequeath
anything to her. However, she will not be left to starve, maintenance
of such a woman is the responsibility of the society as a whole, the
state. She may be given aid or a job to earn her living, and whatever
money she makes will be hers. She is not responsible for the
maintenance of anybody else besides herself. If there is a man in her
position, he would still be responsible for his family and possibly
any of his relations who need his help. So, in the hardest situation
her financial responsi- bility is limited, while his is unlimited.
Thirdly, when a woman gets less than a man does, she is not
actually deprived of anything that she has worked for. The property
inherited is not the result of her earning or her endeavors. It is
something coming to them from a neutral source, something addition-
al or extra. It is something that neither man or woman struggled
for. It is a sort of aid, and any aid has to be distributed
according to the urgent needs and responsibilities especially when
the distribution is regulated by the Law of God.
