Gender Inequality Throughout Islamic History - Research Paper Example

Introduction: The presence of women is vital to all human being on this planet. In Islam, women are given special rights and treatments but unfortunately they are usually denied of those rights. If we take a look at the Islamic history we will find out that women have held a high status and position during the time of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Hazrat Khadijah, the first wife of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), was the first person to convert to Islam. After the death of Hazrat Khadijah, Hazrat Ayesha became Prophet’s favourite wife. She later became an influential scholar and a great source of Prophet Mohammad’s Hadiths. Many western nations criticize Islam in terms of the treatment of women. What they don’t know is that Islam and Quran have been clearly misunderstood and have now been replaced with cultural practices of that nation. As daughters, women have right to education. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said “Seeking knowledge is compulsory for every believer.” (Ibn Majah) This means that the achievement of education is mandatory for every believer whether it be a man or a woman. Women are to be treated the way God has described. They are to be given their due rights as an individual even after marriage. In Islam, it is not compulsory for women to work outside the home but if she wants to, she can choose to work and earn for the family. Women also have a right to inherit properties and money from their parents; a right which is denied to many Muslim women nowadays. Muslim women also have a right to practice their religion freely; however, there are certain rules which apply to women while fasting, performing Namaz (Prayer) and Hajj (Pilgrimage). This is due to the physiological differences of a woman from that of a man. Gender equality: In any Muslim society, both, men and women are expected to live in accordance with the codes of religion, culture and society. The Holy Quran has laid much stress on the role and rights of women in Islam. It has also laid importance on the gender equality of men and women in terms of their religious duties such as praying, fasting, charity and the performance of Hajj. Apart from that, women have also be placed under the protection of men because they are the caretakers and protectors of women. And after marriage, they are the ones who are responsible for the fulfilment of their wives financial needs. “O men! Fear your Lord Who created you from a single being and out of it created its mate; and out of the two spread many men and women. Fear Allah in Whose name you plead for rights, and heed the ties of kinship. Surely, Allah is ever watchful over you.” Surah Nisa 4:1 According to this Ayah from the Holy Quran, men and women were created from a single soul. This means that men and women were created equal but not identical. A man does not come before a woman and is not superior to them either. Women were not created for men, rather, both were created for the mutual benefit for one another. Marriage: Marriage customs of Islam are often confused with the cultural customs and traditions. In some countries, cultural customs dominate and are hence implemented under the cover of Islamic laws. According to these customs, Muslim women are not entitled to a right of choosing their partner. In Islam, the guardian’s of the woman play a very important role in choosing a husband for the girl but they are not supposed to force her to marry against her will and wishes. A woman called Khansa once came to Prophet Mohammad and said: “My father forced me to marry a cousin of mine in order to elevate his status in the eyes of the society.” The Prophet told her the she has a right to choose whoever she wants to marry and can dissolve the marriage if she wishes to. (Ahmad, Nasai and Ibn Majah) Apart from that, according to Islamic Sharia (law), marriage cannot be forced upon, both, men or women. Also, Muslim men are allowed to marry a woman who belongs to the People of the Book. This includes Jews and Christians as Jews follows the Torah and Christians follow The Bible, but a Muslim woman cannot marry outside of her religion. A reason for this could be the fact that children carry down the lineage and blood of the father and not the mother. However; this is an issue of much debate amongst the Islamic Scholars who believe that the Quran has been misinterpreted and that even Muslim men cannot marry outside of their religion. Marriage is considered as a sacred relationship and bond between a husband and wife. The love and affection between them is said to be a Sign of God. Wives are considered as mates to their other half. “And among His signs is this: that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are sign of people who give thought.” Surah Ar-Rum 30:21 Husbands are to treat their wives with love and kindness and women are to perform the same duties. Husbands should also consider the opinion of their wives by taking a family decision. Before the times of Prophet Mohammad, women were treated badly by men and were considered as slaves. Islam acknowledged the rights of women and gave it to them. Abuse of women in any way is looked upon as a wrongful deed in Islam. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said “The most perfect faith amongst believers is he who is best in manners and kindest to his wife.” (Abu Dawood) After marriage, the husband is to give his wife a marriage dowry (Mehr) so she can use it for her own personal needs. Marriage dowry is to be given to the wife even if she already is very rich. She is also allowed to keep her family name instead of changing it to her husband’s name. The wife has the right to dissolve her marriage and seek divorce from her husband; in case of a divorce, she also has a right to the custody of young children. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) himself treated his wives with love and respect. He tolerated their unreasonable behaviour and overlooked many of their mistakes with a smile on his face. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said “The best of you are the ones who are best to their wives; and I am the best to my wives.” Education: Surah Alaqwas the first revelation made to Prophet Mohammad(PBUH). “Read in the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists). Has created man from a clot. Read, And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen, Has taught man that which he knew not.  Nay! Verily, man does transgress all bounds (in disbelief and evil deed, etc.). Because he considers himself self-sufficient. Surely! Unto your Lord is the return. Have you seen the one who forbids, A servant when he prays? Have you seen if he is upon guidance. Or enjoins righteousness? Have you seen if he denies and turns away - Does he not know that Allah sees? No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock - A lying, sinning forelock. Then let him call his associates; We will call the angels of Hell. No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah ].” (The Quran 96:1) According to this, the very first command given to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) , was not to pray or perform Hajj but in fact it was to READ. And hence, Islam has laid the utmost importance on the attainment of education and has made it compulsory for both, men and women. The importance of gaining knowledge can be seen through many Quranic Verses. “Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” ( The Quran 58:11) “So high [above all] is Allah , the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muhammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur'an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” ( The Quran 20:114) “He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.” ( The Quran 2:269) Before Prophet Mohammad(PBUH) came, women were ill treated but Islam is a religion that asked its followers to give rights to women and educate them. Legal Rights Of women: According to the laws of Islam, Men and women are both equal and so Islam protects the life and property of each of them. If one of them does something wrong, they will be treated with equal punishment. For example, if someone steals, whether it is a man or a woman, his or her hands should be chopped off as a punishment which would be the same for both. For people who commit fornication, Islam says “The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of Allah , if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punishment.” ( The Quran 24:2) In Islam, women are also allowed to be witnesses which wasn’t the case in many religions until the late 1970’s. Nowadays, you see men disrespecting women on a daily basis calling them names and abusing them. In Islam, if a woman takes such a man up to the court and if any of them is pleaded guilty, that person will receive 80 lashes as punishment irrespective of gender. “And those who accuse chaste women and then do not produce four witnesses - lash them with eighty lashes and do not accept from them testimony ever after. And those are the defiantly disobedient, Except for those who repent thereafter and reform, for indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (The Quran 24:4) Women and the Hijab: Women all over the world spend so much money on their face and body. This shows how much money and effort people are willing to put into such things. Companies all over the world are gaining profits for their beauty products. Humans are possessive when it comes to their looks, especially women who work really hard in making their faces and body look good. Face is the first thing a person looks at while communicating. Face is also responsible for being able to communicate the mood or character that person is in. Since so much is present on the faces of people, especially the beauty of women, Islam asks women to cover themselves up. Muslim women are supposed to hide their beauty away from strange men through a veil. The veil helps in concealing the beauty of women from the rest of the World. Before Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) era, Women were looked upon as an item of pleasure and satisfaction. They were mistreated and handled like slaves. Men looked at them with eyes which were full of lust and desires. The Quran declares: “Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (The Quran 33:35) Apart from that, the Quran also mentions in Surah Nur that “And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” (The Quran 24:31) According to this Ayah, women who believe in Allah and practice Islam should hide away their bodies and should not expose and display their beauty to the world. They can only do it in front of their husbands and close family members. Allah has clearly mentioned in the Quran that a woman’s body should be covered completely by clothes which a loosely fitted, non-transparent or see through so that the shape and structure of her entire body is not exposed. The Hijaab hides away the beauty of the face and the Abayah hides the beauty of a woman’s body and form. The face of a woman is where most of her beauty lies. Since Allah has laid so much emphasis on the hiding of a woman’s body, it is only logical to also cover the hair and the face which is the main centre of attraction for men. Allah also asked his beloved Prophet to ask his wives and daughters to do the same. “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (The Quran 33:59) If Prophet’s Wives were asked to guard themselves up and hide their bodies then it is only right for Muslim women believers to follow the same. this would be a great way for Muslim women to achieve purity of heart in the eyes of their Lord and also their husbands and the society. According to Hazrat Ayesha, “during the performance of Hajj, when males would come and walk in front of us even during the presence of Rasulallah(Prophet Mohammad PBUH), we would drop our veils from over our head on our faces.” This shows how the noble wives of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)practiced the same manner of hiding their face and bodies in front of other strange men. They truly lived an exemplary and an honourable life along with lighting the way for Muslim women and the entire Ummah. Conclusion: If we study Islam comprehensively without any biases, we will realize that Islam was the religion which liberated and freed women from those dark times 1400 years ago. The Quran has given a reason for each and every thing it has asked us to do. As stated earlier, men and women were created Equal not identical. So it would be safe to say that there can never be total equality achieved between them in terms of physique or their role in the family. But The Quran has ensured and guided both genders with regards to their individual rights. Those who took the meaning of men and women equality in the literal sense are now going through many problems. These problems are pretty evident in the Western countries where women might be equal to men but are suffering from problems like broken marriages and no family lives. These women have been degraded and reduced to the position of commodity or an item, like they used to be before the rise of Islam. They have become objects of exploitation and a source of satisfaction to men. In its true sense, these women have lost their equality and their natural place in the world and the society. Works Cited The Holy Quran. “Qur’an.” November 24, 2011 http://quran.com/ Shariah Program/Articles Library. “Women and Islamic Dressing.” November 24, 2011 http://www.shariahprogram.ca/articles/burka_and_women_in_islam.shtml Read More