The issue of women in Islam, is one of the most misunderstood topics regarding the largest growing religion in the world today. Today, 1/5th of humanity is Muslim, (those who surrender to Will of Allah) and millions more are heeding it voice. For this voice speaks with irresistible appeal, of the equitable design for living for all human beings, beyond race, beyond gender: within the sheltering peace.

Let us start by defining the term Islam. Islam means the deep submission to God alone, Allah, The One, The Only. And the name of this grace-filled, all-encompassing path of balance was derived from "Salaam," the Arabic word for peace. Islam upholds free will and encourages rational thought; it recognizes only that virtue or sin which an individual earns through free action and choice. Within its parameters is a code of behavior, a complete social pattern for man and woman, that looks out to the whole of life through the harmony of a balanced scale. In this system, based on natural law and innate reason, cooperation is the standard criterion.

Muslims are brothers and sisters in the family of mankind, brethren all under Islam, in the sweet surrender of obedience and worship to Allah, Unique and One. Each Muslim, man or woman, chooses to be a Muslim. Each Muslim is ultimately accountable for his or her actions to Allah alone. Allah will call us all to account on the Day of Resurrection. How easy it becomes, then, to be truly free. For the vain idols of stone, the enslaving tyrants of greed, of lust, of ambition, of public opinion crumble into nothingness. Freedom from the tyranny of man and man-made conceits. (Griffin)

"For Islam is the religion before Allah" (Qur’an: 3:19) Islam was not a new religion, "another religion"; it is the same universal truth that God has enjoined upon humanity throughout the ages, in its final, most comprehensive exposition. 1400 years after its Revelation, it stands as pristine, and as beneficial, as it was on the day Allah first granted it: in a time of upheaval, in a world of unraveling values, in a society confused and chaotic, much like ours.

In Arabia, before the advent of Islam, the birth of a female child was regarded as a great misfortune and a shame, and cruel fathers buried them alive: "When news is brought to one 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 it on sufferance and contempt, or bury it in the dust? Ah! What an evil choice they decided on." (Qur’an: 16:58-59) Islam made this primal injustice 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." (Qur’an: 81:8-9)

Before Islam, women were considered sex objects that could be bought, sold, and inherited. From this position of inferiority and legal incapacity, Islam raised women to a position of influence, and prestige in family and society. Islam gave the oppressed section of humanity, as it did to all other classes and groups, their legitimate place in life. In a world where women were no more than an object of sexual gratification for men, and at a time when the religious circles argued over whether woman was human or not, with a soul of her own, Islam proclaimed, "O mankind! . Keep your duty to your Lord, who created you from a single soul, and from it, He created its mate ,and from them, spread a multitude of men and women." (Qur’an: 4:1) This means that they are the children of the same parents, therefore, members of one family, hence, have similar rights and duties. (Kayani)

Nowhere in the Qur’an, does it say that men and women are not equal. Everywhere, the Book of Nature and Creation tells us: equality under God is the only criterion. Under God in sincere worship, man and woman stand in equivalence. But this Book is truth; truth does not shy away from our most basic, indisputable biological differences. Male and female, quite simply, have distinct and complementary roles to fulfill, equally vital for the sustenance of life.

The teachings of Islam helped restore the rights of women, both legal and social, it restored their dignity as individuals, transfixed their right to wealth, property and inheritance, to education. The woman occupies a pivotal role in society. In some cases, she is clearly given precedence over man. Once, a man asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, "Who is most entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" the Prophet replied, "Your mother." The man asked, "Who is next?" the prophet again replied, "Your mother." And again the man asked, "Who is next?", and yet again, the Prophet replied, "Your mother." The man asked a fourth time, "Who is next?" and the Prophet replied, "Your father." In another saying of the prophet, a man once came to him, and expressed his desire to join a military expedition., the Prophet asked him if he had a mother. When the man replied that he had, the Prophet told him, "Stay with her, for verily, Paradise is at the feet of the mother."

With regard to the woman’s right to seek employment, it should be stated first that Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as the most sacred and essential one. Neither maids nor baby-sitters can possibly take the mother’s place as the educator of an upright, complex-free, and carefully-reared child. Such a noble and vital role, which largely shapes the future of nations, cannot be regarded as "idleness." However, there is no decree in Islam which forbids woman from seeking employment. (Badawi, 141)

The Qur’an states, "Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him We give a new life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according the best of their actions." (Qur’an: 16:97)

The Prophet once said, "Everyone of you is a guardian and responsible for what is in his or her custody. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them; a husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for it; a wife is a guardian of her husband’s household and is responsible for it."

Islam, unlike Christianity, refuted the idea that Eve tempted Adam to disobey God, and thus, caused his downfall, i.e. original sin. The Qur’an explicitly says that they both disobeyed God’s command, and negates the idea that the woman is a source of evil.

Now, coming to the next issue, of the head covering or the hijab. The hijab is first a reminder for the soul, an inner code and standard, and only second a physical statement. Modesty of dress externalizes moderation of behavior; the inner hijab, the moral affirmation of the bounds of decency, honesty, self-respect, honor, made visible. The veil continues to offer recognition and freedom to women in many ways: it is a signal sent out which demands respect, and receives it in return. (Griffin)

"Let them wear the head-coverings over their bosoms" (Qur’an 24:31 & also 33:59). No where does it say that women HAVE to cover their faces, as depicted by the media and Hollywood. This is a minimum standard of decency. A Muslim woman is told: cover your nakedness, do not play with your femininity as a commodity. Be proud and save your intimate best for the one who stands by you through the good times and through the bad times.

The hijab is an emancipation and a liberation. The merchandising of human being profits only that ever-voracious corporate bottom-line. Hijab is a woman’s statement, of transcending the often abused power of men over their lives. It is a statement of understanding the real meaning within the Qur’an. It is intrinsic dignity, unadorned and straightforward, for all: and this is the Islamic way. (Griffin)

"Swathed in their veil, locked away": this is the most popular image given to the Muslim women, yet this is in an extreme that has absolutely No place in Islam. It is born under specific skies, in cultural imposition, solidified in misconception, perpetuated in the rigidity of the narrow-minded or the misguided. (Griffin)

The severe segregation of the sexes is NOT a Qur’anic injunction. A Muslim woman is given freedom of thought at all times. And that same intrinsic freedom of action which does not lead to disharmony, in exactly the same manner as a Muslim man. Islam does favor the inherent, the natural division of life-spheres. A woman’s familial duty is foremost, her natural environment is the home.

In a day of social anarchy, Islam reintroduced structure and the natural order. For it is the stable bond of the family unit that elevates man from beast. Allah has said in the Qur’an: 2:187, "Your wives are a garment to you, and you to them." As close as the skin to a garment, as essential as the covering layer which envelops and protects us from heat and cold, man and wife are the two halves of humanity coming together in balanced, mutual protection and care. (Griffin)

The message of Islam came to rectify rampant polygamy. The criterion, as always, balance and fairness. Islam does Not offer "second class" categories of relationships, no "one-night stands", it offers a real commitment in marriage. Islam never overlooks the greater social stability and justice. It will regulate, in its omniscience, all potential forces at work in the social spectrum. In point of fact, the lifelong and monogamous bond of marriage is the actual Muslim reality. (Griffin)

In the Qur’an:4:34, it says, "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them stronger than the other, and because they spend out of their possessions to support them." This shows us that women have the same rights as the husbands have on them. But man is the burden-carrying partner; with the weight of duty and responsibility, comes a measure of fair recognition. In some respects, you can also say that men are a "degree above" women. What does this mean? This refers to that natural difference between the sexes which entitles the weaker sex to protection. It implies NO superiority or advantage before the law. Yet, the man’s role of leadership in relationship to his family does not mean the husband’s dictatorship over his wife. Islam emphasizes the importance of taking counsel and mutual agreement in family decisions. (Badawi, 138)

This clearly goes against the FALSE belief associated with Islam, that women should be abused. This a absolutely untrue! Rather, the Qur’an tells us, "…but consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein God has placed much good.." (Qur’an: 4:19). The Prophet once said, "The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and the best of you are those who are best to their wives." (Badawi, 139)

It is impossible for anyone to justify any mistreatment of woman by any decree of rule embodied in the Islamic Law, nor could anyone dare to cancel, reduce or distort the clear-cut legal rights of women given in Islamic Law. (Badawi, 144)

Allah has said in the Qur’an, "And among his signs is this: 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. Lo, herein indeed are signs for people who reflect." (Qur’an: 30:21)

Now, to those who cry "Sexism," a word of reminder, and some facts. A woman will know different spans in one single month; medical science has only now begun to concede the often drastic influence of very hormonal fluctuations in a woman’s body. The connection of hormones and emotions is no sexist myth, it is fact.

Also, against popular belief, Islam is NOT opposed to the education of women. Rather, Knowledge, which is the basis of all progress and advancement has been made compulsory on all Muslim men and women.

Islam gave the women the right of independent ownership. According to Islamic Law, a woman’s right to her money, real estate, or other properties is fully acknowledged. This right undergoes no change whether she is single or married. She retains her full right to buy, sell, mortgage or lease any or all of her properties. It is nowhere suggested in the Law that a woman is a minor simply because she is a female. It is also noteworthy that such right applies to her properties before marriage as well as to whatever she acquires thereafter. (Badawi, 141)

Where the parade of enticement and seduction prevails, Islam upholds the standard of straight forward human dealings. Sex and beauty stay at home; neither commodity nor potential incentive in wider social relations, their power is curtailed to strangers, enhanced to the bonded partner. Where promiscuity runs rampant, Islam builds a society where children know their fathers, and fathers are responsible for their wives and children. By severing the loose ties of lust, Islam restores the lasting ties of partnership. Where the sexual society objectifies, Islam humanizes.

This is the religion of reason, the religion of balance, the religion of fairness, the religion of peace. This is Islam. Imagine a world where women are the cover of men, their garment and covering. Imagine a world where merit and strength of character replace the transient, the doomed race after fading beauty; where the good become beautiful and beautiful, good. The Prophet once said, "God does not judge according to your bodies and appearances but scans your hearts and looks into your deeds." "And one of Allah’s sign’s is that He created mates for you from yourselves, that you may find rest in them, and between you He put love and compassion." (Qur’an 30:21)

If this indicates anything, it would demonstrate the divine origin of the Qur’an and the truthfulness of the message of Islam, which, unlike human philosophies and ideologies, was far from proceeding from its human environment, a message which established such humane principles as neither grew obsolete during the course of time and after these many centuries, nor can become obsolete in the future. After all, this is the message of the All-Wise and All-Knowing God whose wisdom and knowledge are far beyond the ultimate in human thought and progress. (Badawi, 144)

I hope that I have done this topic justice, in trying to clarify the misconceptions that are rampant regarding the religion of Islam. I will end by saying that all material throughout this report that is fact, is from Allah, and all the material that is false, is due to my own shortcomings.

Bibliography

Badawi, Gamal A. "Women in Islam." Islam: Its Meaning and Message. The Islamic Foundation. London, 1975.

Griffin, Tasleem K. Within The Sheltering Peace: Islam and Woman. Islamic Circle of North America.

Kayani, Saleem. Status of Women in Islam. The Islamic Circle of North America.

The last two titles above were pamphlets that I got from the Islamic Circle of North America. I.C.N.A Headquarters 166-26, 89th Ave. Jamaica, NY 11432 1-800-662-ISLAM