women in islam

 

 

Medieval and primitive societies all over the world followed the customary precedents in their treatment of women folk, which placed the women in most agonizing and tormenting position. In medieval period, the women were treated as the serfs and subservient to men, there plight was worse than slaves ,the appropriation of which in any manner whatsoever was prerogative to men. Medieval India was not women’s age it is supposed to be “dark age” for women .It was during this period evils like ‘Sati’ Jauhar ,child marriage were predominant .In southern india girls were being dedicated to temples in the name of Gods & Goddesses and onwards were known as Devadasis ,servants of God. In pre-islamic Arabia too ,the evil practice of killing female infants was common and was matter of pride .Educating the women , her participation in decision making and sharing of power was out of one’s imagination.

However with intellectual transformation ,world has realized the importance of this indispensible part and from recent past Women’s empowerment has become significant topic of discussion in development and economics .But modern day social philosophers ,reformists and feminists seem to have knowingly or otherwise ,been inspired by divine dictates about women in Holy Quran. Religion Islam has glaringly taken care of the status of women, where by all means ,she is placed equal to men .Though some hold the misconception ,that Islam has subjugates women and justify their view through the concept of ‘Purdah system’ but reality is that ,it is Islam that provided life and dignity to a women. Islam made it unlawful and cautioned parents that there would be a severe punishment for this act of Killing girl infants ,on the Day of Judgment. They killed their children for three reasons and the Quran has mentioned all the three. First, they sacrificed their children at the altar of their gods to please them: “And likewise, to many of the polytheists their partners have made [to seem] pleasing the killing of their children in order to bring about their destruction and to cover them with confusion in their religion.” (Quran, 6:137)

And again, we find these words,

“Those will have lost who killed their children in foolishness without knowledge and prohibited what Allah had provided for them, inventing untruth about Allah . They have gone astray and were not [rightly] guided.”(Quran, 6:140). Second, they killed their children for fear of poverty. The Quran cautioned them against this and made it absolutely unlawful for anyone to kill his children: “…do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them.” (Quran, 6:151).

And again, in chapter 17 ‘The Night Journey,’ we find these words : “Do not kill your offspring for fear of want: for it is we Who provide for them and for you as well. Indeed their killing is a heinous excuse.”(Quran, 17:31)

As far as gender equality is concerned, In Al- Hujraat (49;13) of Quran we find that it is good deeds and awareness of Allah which make the believer ,male or female ,noble in the sight of Allah : O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

Further more , in Al- Nahl of Quran (16;97) Allah says ; Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.

Thus in the sight of Allah there is no gender discrimination so far as the deeds, responsibilities or rewards are concerned.

In addition, Holy Quran stresses ,not to consider a daughter inferior than son and cautioned not to express saddening over the birth of a daughter and says:

And when one of them is informed of [the birth of] a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief. He hides himself from the people because of the ill of which he has been informed. Should he keep it in humiliation or bury it in the ground? Unquestionably, evil is what they decide.

While encouraging the people to treat the girls with respect ,Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: ‘He, who brought up two girls properly till they grew up, he and I would come (together) (very closely) on the Day of Resurrection, and he interlaced his fingers (for explaining the point of nearness between him and that person). I

To be precise it won’t be any exaggeration to say no political system ,or philosophy of life ,has protected the rights of women as Islam has done centuries ago

….writer ; zeeshan rasool khan ( Student)

Mohdzeeshan605@gmail.com