Social Rights of Women in Islam (By Dr. Zakir Naik.)
Socially Islam gives women four different status:
1. As a Daughter
2. As a Wife
3. As a Mother
4. As a Sister
1. Daughter
i. Islam prohibits infanticide or killing of female infants. This is considered a serious crime of murder.
Surah Al-Takvir Chapter 81, Verses 8 and 9 (81 : 8-9)
“When the female (infant), buried alive, is questioned, for what crime she was killed.” (17:31), (6:15)
In pre-Islamic Arabia killing of female infants was very common and very often the moment a female was born she was buried alive.
Islam not only prohibits female infanticide, but it forbids all types of infanticide, irrespective of whether the infant is a male or female. It is mentioned in Surah Al-Anam chapter 6, Verse 151 (6:151).
“Kill not your children on a plea of want. We provide sustenance for you and for them. Come not near shameful deeds, whether open or secret. Take not life which Allah has made sacred.”
A similar guidance is repeated in Surah Al-Isra Chapter 17, Verse 31 (17:31).
“Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin.”
In pre-Islamic Arabia killing of female infants was very common and very often, the moment a female was born, she was buried alive. However, after the spread of Islam in Arabia, Al hamdulillah, this evil practice has been discontinued for the last 1,400 years but unfortunately it is yet prevalent in India.
In a BBC documentary film titled “Let her die” shown in the programme “Assignments”, the statistics of female infanticide was given by Emetic Buchanan. It has to be a Britisher who came all the way from Britain to give us the statistics and make a documentary film in a country which has the maximum rate of female infanticide in the world. According to the statistics compiled by them, everyday more than 3,000 foetuses are being aborted in India on being identified that they are female. If you multiply this figure with the number of days in a year (365 days) we understand that more than one million female foetuses are aborted every year in India. It is practised maximum in the state of Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. There are big bill boards and advertisements saying “Invest Rs.500/- and save Rs.500,000, signifying that you do tests like Amino sentesis or ultra sonography which cost about Rs.500/- and on identifying the gender of the foetus if it is a girl you can always abort her and thus save Rs.5,00,000/- which is usually spent in the upbringing of a girl and giving dowry in her marriage.
According to a report of the Tamil Nadu Government Hospital, out of every 10 female children born, 4 are put to death.
Female infanticide has been present in our country for centuries. No wonder the female population of India is less than the male population.
According to the 1901 census of India, there were 972 females for every 1000 males. According to the 1981 census, there were 934 females for every 1000 males in India and the latest statistics of 1991 tell us that for every 1000 males there are 972 females in India. One can realise from these census reports that the ratio of female population is declining every year. Earlier only female infanticide was being resorted to, but now with the advancement of Science and Medicines to suit this act, there has been added another crime of aborting female fetuses. It is no wonder, therefore, that the urban areas of Bihar and Goa showed 1054 and 1091 females respectively for every 1000 males and according to 1991.tically fallen to 911.
ii. Islam not only prohibits female infanticide but also rebukes the thought of rejoicing on the news of birth of a male child and not rejoicing on the news of the birth of a female child.
Surah Al-Nahl (Chapter 16), Verses 58 and 59 (16:58-59)
“When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) a female (child), his face darkness, and he is filled with inward grief!
With shame does he hide himself from his people, because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain it on (sufferance) the choice they decide on?”
iii. In Islam the girl child is entitled to support, and upbringing and good treatment.
According to an authentic hadith related in Ahmed, Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) said, “Anyone who brings up two daughters properly they will be very close to me on the day of Judgment.”
According to another hadith whoever brings up two daughters properly and treats them kindly and justly shall enter paradise.
iv. There should be no partiality in bringing up of sons and daughters.
Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) always spoke about justice and kindness towards a child whether it be a daughter or a son. Once a person in the presence of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) kissed his son and put him on his lap and did not do the same for his daughter who was with him. The Prophet (Pbuh) objected and told the man that he was being unjust and that he should have also kissed his daughter and placed her on the other lap. The Prophet (Pbuh) not only preached about equal justice to sons and daughters but also practised it himself.
2. Wife
i.a. Islam does not consider “Woman as an instrument of the devil”,
as considered by the Bible. But rather the Qur’an calls her “Mohsana” - a fortress against Satan, because a good woman by marrying a man helps him keep a straight path in life.
b. Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) declared that there is no Monasticism in Islam. He further ordained, “Oh you young men - whoever is able to marry should marry for this will help him to lower his gaze and guard his modesty” (Al-Bukhari). c. It is narrated by Anas that the messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “when a man marries he has completed one half of his religion!”
Once during a question and answer session somebody asked me does this imply that if I marry twice I will complete my full religion? The Prophet (Pbuh) considered marriage for a Muslim as half of his religion because it shields him from promiscuity, fornication, homosexuality, etc, which add to half the evil in society.
Secondly, only after you marry do you have an opportunity to become a husband or wife, a father or a mother and thus perform your duties as either as a husband or as a wife; as a father or as a mother. Whether you marry once or twice you are yet fulfilling only half your deen.
ii. a. According to Islam marriage is a blessing and bounty on both men and women.
In Surah Al-Rum Chapter 30, Verse 21 (30:21)
“And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts)”.
b. In Surah Nisa Chapter 4, Verse 21 (4:21)
The Qur’an refers to marriage as a “Misaq” that is a sacred covenant or agreement between husband and wife.
iii. a. In Surah Nisa Chapter 4, Verse 19 (4: 19)
“Oh! You who believe, you are forbidden to inherit women against their will!”
b. Islamic law requires the consent of both the parties before marriage. In matters related to marriage a woman cannot be forced by anyone including her father. Parents can help and advise the daughter on marriage but cannot impose or force his will. There have been cases where Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) had given the choice of continuing or invalidating certain marriages where the consent of the daughter was not taken (Ibn Hambal No.2469).
c. Ibn Abbas reported that a girl came to the messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice (between accepting the marriage or invalidating it _Ibn Hanbal No.2469).
In another version, the girl said : “Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right (to force a husband on them)” (Ibn-Maja, No.1873).
iv. Woman in Islam is considered to be a home-maker and not a housewife because she is not married to the house.
v. In Islam, when a woman is married to a man it is not that she is married to a master so that she should be treated like a slave but she is married to her equal and should be treated like a partner with love and dignity.
The Prophet (Pbuh) said the most perfect believers are those that are best in character and behaviour and those that are best to their families (that is to their wives) (Ibn Hambal No.7396).
vi. a. The rights of husband and wife are equal in all respects except in the aspect of leadership in the family.
In Surah Al-Baqarah Surah 2, Verse 228 (2: 2228)
“And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable but men have a degree of advantage over them.”
Here a degree higher does not mean in superiority but refers to responsibility. The Qur’an has stated in Surah Al-Nisa Chapter 4, Verse 34 (4 :34).
“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women because Allah has given one more (strength) than the other because they support them from their means.”
The Arabic word used is “Qawwam” which many a time is mistaken for superiority but is actually derived from “Iqama” meaning to “stand up for” in the same fashion as Iqama is given before prayers that is “standing up for prayers.”
Therefore men are not one degree higher in superiority or dictatorship but one degree higher in standing up for responsibility.
b. According to the commentary of Al Tabari the word ‘Qawwam’ means a degree higher in responsibility and service and not superiority. Therefore it is the duty of the man to see that he provides security and maintenance to women and this should be carried out with mutual consent.
vii. Even if there is lack of affection or liking between husband and wife this is not a justification to be unjust and not compassionate.
In Surah Al-Nisa Chapter 4, Verse 19 (4:19)
“Live with them (wives) on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing Allah brings about through a great deal of good.”
viii. There is a system of divorce in Islam which is to be applied only in extreme cases where the problem between the husband and wife is too grave to be solved and the continuation of married life would be counterproductive. The method of divorce is clearly spelt out in the Qur’an in Surah -Al-Talaq in Chapter 65 and in Surah Al-Baqrah Verses 227 to 242.
According to Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), among the permissible things in Islam, the most hated in the sight of Allah is divorce. It is as though the heavens shatter (metaphorically).
There is a great deal of misconception and myth about the system of divorce in Islam, not only among the non-Muslims but also amongst the Muslims, who think that men have the exclusive right to give divorce.
Following are the ways of dissolution of marriage in Islam.
a. By the unilateral will of the husband.
b. By the unilateral will of the wife (if the marriage contract so specifies).
c. By the judgment of a Muslim judge (Kazi). After a reasonable complaint lodged by a wife against her husband on grounds such as ill treatment, lack of support, etc., or any other legitimate and satisfactory reason.
d. ‘Khula’ where even if the husband is not at fault and if the wife does not like staying with the husband. She need not specify the reason for seeking a ‘Khula’. An incident of Khula had taken place during the time of Prophet (Pbuh) where he commanded the husband to give divorce.
e. Many westerners have the misconception that Polygamy is compulsory in Islam and that Islam ordains that all Muslim men should marry four wives.
The true fact is that monogamy is what is preferred in Islam. The Holy Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth which has the following phrase in its directives to men, “marry only one”.
III. Mother
1. In Islam, obedience, respect and love for parents is next to the worship of Allah. It is mentioned in several places in the Qur’an that one should to be kind to one’s parents.
In Surah Al-Isra Chapter 17, Verse 23 and 24 (17 : 23-24)
“Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, And that ye be kind to parents. When one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour (17 :23).
And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say : “My Lord! bestow on them Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood” (17 :24).
In Surah Al-Anam Chapter 6, Verse 151 (6:151)
“Be good to your parents” In Surah Al-Ankabut Chapter 29, Verse 8 (29 :8) and in Surah Al-Luqman Chapter 31, Verse 14 (31 :14) and in
Al-Ahqaf Chapter 46, Verse 15 (46 :15) It is stated, “We have enjoined on human beings kindness to their parents.”
In the last two quotations the mention of the word “mother” is specially referred to after the word “parents”.
In Surah Al-Nisa Chapter 4, Verse 1 (4:1). It is stated, “Respect the Womb that bore you.”
2. According to several authentic hadith including the one narrated in Ahmed and Ibn-e-Majah, “Paradise lies at the feet of the mother”. It does not mean literally, for example that if a mother walks on the road and steps on filth and dirt, it becomes paradise. It means if you respect your mother, obey her, love her and take good care of her, you will Insha Allah enter paradise.
3. According to another hadith narrated in Bukhari and Muslim by Abu Huraira, the Prophet was once asked who amongst all the people was the most worthy of his respect and compassion . The Prophet (Pbuh) replied “your mother”; the man wanted to know who should be next, the Prophet (Pbuh) said “your mother”. The man enquired, who next?, the Prophet (Pbuh) replied for the third time “your mother”, again the man asked who next? The Prophet (Pbuh) replied “your father”. This means that 75% of love and respect goes to the mother and 25% to the father; that the better 3/4th goes to the mother and the remaining 1/4th to the father; or to put it in another way the gold medal goes to the mother and the father gets a consolation prize.
IV. Sister
1. In Surah Al-Tambah Chapter 9, Verse 71 (9:71) “The believing men and believing women are protectors, one of other”. Here the Arabic word used is “Auliya” which does not mean friend but supporters or helpers or protectors; this means that all believing men and women are protectors of one another like brothers and sisters unless otherwise stated.
The Prophet (Pbuh) said women are “shakaat” of men. Shakaat has two meanings, sisters or halves. Therefore women are sisters of men or women are halves of men, that is society is made of two halves, one half women and the other half men.
“I recommend you to be kind to your women”
------------------------------------------
V. Educational Rights
The first guidance given to the mankind in the Qur’an was “Iqra” i.e. to read, recite or proclaim.
Surah Iqra and Surah Alaq Chapter 96, Verse 1-5.
“Read! Recite! Proclaim! in the name of thy Lord and cherisher who created - created the human, out of a congealed clot of blood (a leach-like substance). Read and thy Lord is Most Bountiful. He who taught (the use of) the Pen- taught man that which he knew not (96 : 1-5).
The first instruction in the Qur’an was, not to pray or fast or to give Zakkat, but to read. This instruction was to both male and female. Islam gives a great deal of importance to education.
According to Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) “It is obligatory for every Muslim, male or female, to acquire knowledge (Al-Bayhaqi).
The holy Prophet (Pbuh) made it a point of duty to every father and mother to make sure that the daughters were not ignorant of the teachings of Islam.
A woman has her right to religious education from her husband so that either her husband should teach her or allow her to go elsewhere to acquire it. If this matter is taken before a judge, he must compel the husband to fulfil her demands in the same way that he would in wordly matters.
According to Sahih Al-Bukhari, the women at the time of the Prophet (Pbuh) had become so keen to acquire more knowledge that they came to the Prophet (Pbuh) with the following proposal, “You are always surrounded by men for imparting knowledge so appoint a day for us.” The Prophet (Pbuh) promised to do so and went to them and taught them. He also sent representatives with messages to enlighten the Muslim women.
Women, who till only a few years before the advent of Islam, were looked down upon as mere chattels unfit for education, became among the most learned figures of their time and started offering guidance to others in educational matters.
Several Examples of Great Muslim Women Scholars can be given
1. Aisha Bent Abu Baks
a. The first and foremost example is that of Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, who lived long after her husband’s death and provided great guidance to the first Muslim Community, even to the renowned sahabah and the Khalifah Rashidun. Her pupil, Urwah Ibn Azzubayr, testifies, “I did not see a greater scholar than Aishah in the learning of the Qur’an, obligatory duties, lawful and unlawful matters, poetry and literature, Arab history and genealogy.”
b. She had profound knowledge of medicine. Whenever foreign delegations came to the Prophet (Pbuh) and discussed various remedies for illnesses, she used to remember them. She was so wellversed in mathematics that important Sahabah used to consult her on the problems concerning “mirath” (inheritance) and the calculation of shares.
c. Aisha even guided Sahabah who sought her advice on different matters. They included the khalif “Umar” Abdullah Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah. She was among the great huffaz (memorisers) of Ahadith. She narrated 2210 Ahadith in all.
d. Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari, himself a famous jurist and learned scholar, says “whenever we, companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), encountered any difficulty in the matter of any Hadith we referred it to Aishah and found that she had definite knowledge about it.
e. 88 great scholars learnt from her and there were a large number of others. In short she was the scholar of scholars.
2. Saffiyah, wife of the Prophet (Pbuh)
Saifyyah, the wife of the Prophet (Pbuh), was also very learned in Fiqh. Imam an Nawawi says, “She was the most intellectual among learned women”.
3. Umm Salamah :Wife of the Prophet (Pbuh)
She too was a great scholar. The scholar, Ibn Hajar has given the names of at least 32 scholars who learnt Ahadith from her.
4. Faitmah Bint Qays:
Fatimah bint Qays was also a scholarly lady in the early days of Islam. Her learning was so deep that she discussed a juristic point with Umar and Aishah for a long time and they could not change or challenge her views. Imam an Nawwawi says, “She was one of those who emigrated in the early days and possessed great intellect and excellence.”
5. Umm Salim : Mother of Anas:
Umma Salim, the mother of the famous Sahabi Anas, was herself a highly respected Sahabiyah. Hafiz Ibn Hajar praises her, saying, “Her laudable qualities are too many to mention and she was very famous. Imam an-Nawawi calls her “an excellent scholar among the sahabiyah.”
The list of learned women of the early days of Islam shows that women were not kept illiterate and ignorant, but rather were fully encouraged to participate in the process of learning and scholarship. They also knew their rights and responsibilities very well. There were instances to show that some women even challenged great scholars of their times if they said something which was against the rights granted to women by the Qur’an the Sunnah.
6. Sayyida Nafisa : Grand daughter of Hussein
She was a great scholar. A large number of pupils came to her from different places to learn from her. Imam Shafii, founder of the Shafii school of Islamic law, was one of her illustrious pupils. One of the illustrious pupils of A’ishah was Umrah bint Abdur Rahman who was described by Ahmad Ibn Hambal in the following words.
“An eminent theologian and a great scholar. She was the most learned of all pupils in the Ahadith of Aishah.”
7. Umm Ad-Darda : Wife of Abu’d -Darda:
Umm-ad-Darda, the wife of the famous Sahabi Abu-ad-Darda, was so learned in the science of Hadith that Imam Al-Bukhari, one of the compilers of the Sihah as Sittah (the six canonical collections of Hadith) referred to her as an authority in his Sahih al sukhar.
8. Aisha Bint Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqar:
She was the daughter of a great Sahabi, Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqar. She was very learned in Islamic Sciences, to such an extent that Imam Malik, the famous jurist and scholar of Hadith, was her pupil.
Wasalam
bro proud2behumble very interesting indeed
