What Islam says about feminism

• Feminism

The term feminism can be used to describe a political, cultural or economic movement aimed at establishing equal rights and legal protection for women. It involves political and sociological theories and philosophies concerned with issue of gender difference, as well as a movement that advocates gender equality for women and campaigns for women’s right and interests. It is advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes. The feminist movement has campaigned and continues to campaign for women’s rights including the right to vote, to hold public office, to work, to earn fair wages or equal pay, to own property, to have equal rights within marriage and more. Feminists have also worked to promote bodily autonomy and integrity, reproductive rights for women (including access to contraceptives and abortion).

Feminism or the women’s liberation movement was organised and became active in 1960. Betty Friedan is credited as one of the founders of modern feminism. In 1966, Friedan founded the national organization for women (NOW) to fight for equal rights for women and served as its president until 1970. At that time, the women’s movement sought to liberate women from the tedious humdrum of babies, bottles, diapers, cleaning and cooking. Women’s movement leaders sought freedom from their so called “prison at home’’. The key to freedom was equal opportunity with men, which meant equal jobs and equal pay.

As for American women, feminism means free lancing women with all the sexual freedom in the world. It is all about sex and the liberation of the bodies. Certainly, things like abortion and contraception is a part of that freedom. The Western talk of women’s librations is actually a disguised form of exploitation of her body, deprivation of her honour and degradation of her soul. The Western society that speaks of upgrading the status of women has actually reduced her status to concubine, to mistresses, to society butterflies and so on that is mere tools in the hands of sex marketers and pleasure seekers. These are disguised behind the colourful screen of art and culture.

Islam does not want that women should be pawns or commodities at the hands of men. Islam wants to protect the personality of woman and to see her as an important person. The history witnessed that whenever man implemented the law which he had made his own, the harmonious balance which Allah has created is disturbed straight away. Allah has created man and woman with the mission to implement a great scheme. Man and woman are two inseparable parts of a unified human society. These two parts are complimentary to each other. The human society cannot attain its full stature to the exclusion of any of the two.

         Allah created Aadam (AS) and after that he created Eve (Hawa AS) from his rib. Both the creations are very important and have their own roles. No one is superior or inferior to other. In the realm of creation the place and the role of women are very important. In order to meet the multifaceted needs of this strange and wonderful world the creator created two species of diverse physical and mental characteristics. That is why each of them was given the physical and mental capability as were required to full fill his \ her assigned role in the respective areas of necessities. Distinctiveness in the way of life and living has been made in order to maintain the differentiation in the physical and mental faculties of man and woman. Women account for half of humanity, while man represents the other half. In Islam both men and women are equal but not identical. Both have their own responsibilities. Allah created us and he knows best what women can handle and what man can. Men and women are biologically, psychologically and physically different and depending on the makeup almighty Allah our creator has set different roles for them. He knows best what suits for a woman and what is suits for a man.

          Woman was born from the rib of a man. Why? As Allah created Aadam (AS) from the dust He could also if he wished created Hawa (AS) from the same dust; but he did not. He created her from the rib of the man. It means woman is made to support the man in all his fields under the obedience of Almighty Allah. The rib covers (supports) main organs of body e.g., heart and lungs as both of them are under the covering of rib. If rib breaks the system is at risk. So woman is just like a rib bone for a man. We have to support our husbands, brothers, fathers and sons under Islamic Shariya, so that man can perform his duties well and women too can perform duties perfectly. In Islam both men and women are responsible for their deeds both would be questioned on the Day of Judgment.

If we accept western concept of feminism it will damage our whole system socially, politically and economically. This has been proven in the societies that embraced this filthy thought.

• Feminism; A social disaster.

The Creator has created two creations man and woman in order to make society function properly. Both have their own responsibilities according to their capabilities and together they make the peaceful life a reality. Both man and woman deserve equal respect in their respective domains. Western feminism actually denies this human reality. First of all let’s be clear that feminism and rights of women are different issues. E.g. to give education to women is not feminism but it is a right of women; to abolish the cruel ‘Sati’ practice is not feminism but it is a right of women; inheritance of property is also a right of women. A woman can hold positions of authority in work place as Hazrat Khadijah (RdA) had and can choose her own husband under Islamic law, these are also among the rights of women. Islam gave these rights and more to women 1400 years ago. Western feminism is a dangerous and irrational one. It says women should be liberated from the tedious hum-drum of babies, bottles, diapers, cleaning and cooking. It demands freedom for women from their so called prison at home. It advocates sexual freedom, liberation of their bodies and rights of abortion and contraception and much more.

This concept of feminism invites disaster; let’s ponder if every woman demands such nonsense what will happen. If women are free to express her bodily autonomy, it will destroy us completely. When a woman denies playing her unique role, it results the breakdown of the family. When a woman forgets her responsibilities towards her husband, children and home, the family gets destroyed and so the society. The slogan of feminism only contributes the lewdness to a society.

Family is the structural unit of society and all members of a family are essential for its well being. A family without any member is not a family and it is so important for family to remember that they need each other. Patriarchy and family is the base line that holds up civilizations. There is no major civilization that has existed in the world that was not a patriarchy. As feminism erodes the patriarchy, it is also eroding the fundamentals of a society that keep its member productive and safe. Before the concept of feminism took over, it so happened that usually man worked, woman took care of the family. This gave her enough time to do hobbies, charity work, read and anything else she wants. In this case kids are able to grow in healthy environment that contribute to society in a better way. Feminism deprived children the all important environment when both parents are working and children are not attended properly. Anyone can put any filthy idea into their mind as parents are too exhausted to focus on it. Physical and mental health is also going down because nobody has time to cook proper meals and take time to relax, so important for well being.

John Dewey is the founder of ‘Pragmatism’ which means individual freedom of build i.e. right to live in his / her own accord. This slogan weakens the family posture of society. That is why when a girl turns 18 years, she moves out of her house and starts living with her boy friend without caring about anything and this temporary association destroys a family. Parents lose the authority, they don’t have the right to interfere. Are parents just for nurturing their kids and finally expecting nothing out of them? These things will only lead, and in fact have led to increase in exploitation of women and the number of crimes. Today nearly half of American teenagers have lost their virginity by the age of 17. And each year 3 million teens are infected because of sexually transmitted diseases.

Let’s discuss about their next slogan, ‘my body - my choice’. Under this slogan, they can live with any man under one roof without marriage. It is known as live-in relationship. Every individual is free to being involved in a live-in relationship. The concept of live-in relation emerged when women started crying for freedom. In 1994, there were 3.7 million cohabiting couples in the United States, a major increase from a few decades ago.

Another slogan is ‘rights of contraception and abortion’. As abortions and artificial contraception became more prevalent, promiscuity became more common and accepted because a woman felt safe in whatever she did. Abortion and contraception also made it more convenient for men to use women in filthy relationships. The gift of sexuality has been cheapened, leaving many people in unfulfilling and temporary relationships. The suppression of fertility through artificial contraception and the legalization of abortion are often touted as ‘victories’ for women; however in reality it oppresses women physically and emotionally. Studies have shown that both contraception and abortion significantly increase the risk of breast cancer in women. Over 60% of women who have had abortions experience post-traumatic stress disorders, depression and even thought of committing suicide grows in them.

Western society claims to uplift the woman when it speaks about woman’s liberation. It is nothing but deception. They claim that Muslims subjugate their women, but actually they are the biggest subjugators and women folk easily get subjugated in their hands. As men wish to subjugate them, they get subjugated. They agreed with men on every step. Men made them either goddesses or devil; they agreed. They actually misuse them in the name of freedom. Theories can be projected as fancied, however it is ultimately fact that matter. USA has one of the highest rates of rape in the world. According to FBI report, in the year 1990, every day on an average 1756 cases of rape were committed in USA alone. Later another report said that on an average, everyday 1900 cases of rapes are committed in USA. Every 32 seconds one rape is taking place in America. (Misconceptions about Islam; by Zakir Naik). This is the rape that is reported and not the consensual surrender of women to this filthy thought.

Facts speak louder; the societies with these filthy thoughts have degraded women. Divorce has been made a glamour mark for women with men paying heavily for the same. It is a fact that majority of divorce cases are instigated by women. In Britain, the data from the office for National Statistics shows that there were 118140 divorces in 2012, 65% of which were granted to women. Thus marriage is becoming tough to sustain and most people prefer to stay in live-in relationships that never gives you a family. It degrades women and leaves them destroyed forever.

Last word: We need to see the destruction of women in western society and then see how we have been taken care of by the divine principles that grant women the best ever status imagined. We should go back to our Holy Book Al-Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This has given us respect in the past and will ensure the same in the future as well.

• Feminism : Politically a Disaster

Islam gave all rights to women; be it social, economical, legal, spiritual and to some extent political as well. It is permissible for a woman to be an authority and leader in many areas which she can handle easily; however some positions are specific only to men such as a country leader or supreme commander of the armed forces etc. Islam does not allow woman to be a leader of a country and there is logic.

Abu Bakr (RdA) said that when the Prophet (ﷺ) heard that the Persians appointed the daughter of Choesroes as their leader, He said no people who appoint a woman as their leader will ever prosper, (Bukhari). Some scholars misunderstood this and didn’t allow women to take any position of authority. But in Islam women have permission to take authority or leadership in many areas. Umar bin Khattab (RdA) appointed Samrah bint Nuhaik as over-seer of the market. Hazrat Aisha (RdA), Umm Atiyyah (RdA), Hafsa bint Siren (RdA) and many other women were among some of the most respected religious scholars as well.

Muslim women have the right to intervene at the highest level of authority. Once Hazrat Umar (RdA) was considering putting an upper limit on the Mehar. A lady objected and said when the Quran does not put upper limit, who is Umar (RdA) to put a limit. Hazrat Umar (RdA) admitted the mistake and said the lady is right. Muslim women in early Islamic days used to participate in military expeditions, bringing water, treating the wounded and sometimes engaging in active warfare.

Actually a leader must be mentally and physically legitimate to lead or rule. Allah is our creator and He knows best what men and women can handle.  Men and women are biologically, psychologically and physically different. Women are weaker than men in many ways. Women are not able to do many things that men do. By nature a woman is more emotional and easily overrun by the sentiments. She faces natural events that happen repeatedly over the months and years that may weaken her strength and resolve in forming opinions and adhering to them and in fighting for them. Havelock Ellis, the famous sexologist has remarked that a woman during menstruation is more impressionable, suggestive and has less control over her system. Many women suffer from fits of ill temper or depression; they become impulsive, with the result their judgement is marred.

A woman goes through Menopause between the age of 45 and 55. There are certain biological changes that results in certain mental and emotional disturbances. During this period, it is difficult for a woman to tackle sensitive issues or take important decisions. If she is involved at a higher level, it may affect lives of millions of people. A woman has to go through pregnancy and then there is feeding period that is where it becomes almost impossible to attend the tiring issues during this period. A leader, in order to ensure the welfare of his subjects, has to follow a tiring schedule, leave his home daily, meet and consult with people and travel to various parts of his country and sometimes to other countries as well. If it happens to be a woman, she can do justice neither with the position nor with herself and the family she belongs to.

A ruler has to be level headed and balanced at all times; his judgement should not be conditioned by the physical or emotional problems that he or she may be facing at a given time. Thus a woman can’t be a better leader with such physical and emotional changes as discussed and if assigned the job it will disturb the whole system. Woman is born for a different purpose; there is child bearing responsibility and human existence depends up on it. Prophet (saw) says ‘a woman is the guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it’. You neglect it, the family is destroyed and that will destroy the society or nation as well.

Islam places responsibility on the shoulders of parents. Mothers are responsible for providing their children noble upbringing and sound Islamic education. Prophet (saw) says a woman is the shepherd of her husband’s house and is responsible for her flock’.  A balance has been worked out as Allah says “And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them (Al-Bakarah)”. Obedience to her husband becomes the prime responsibility for a woman. The prophet (SAW) says ‘A woman is responsible for her husband’s home and she will be asked about it (Bukhari)’.

Already loaded with responsibilities, a woman should not be burdened with more. Allah says ‘No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear (Al-Bakarah)’. A political chapter will open the gates of burden that will torture her. Prophet (SAW) says ‘when the affairs of the state are entrusted to women, then the inside of the earth is better for u than its surface (Tirmidhi). This does not degrade a woman; it actually reminds men about their responsibilities. Women already have so many responsibilities towards their children, husband and homes. It is injustice to overburden her with tough assignments. They are sensitive creature so treat them kindly in every matter. When men folk despite knowing these responsibilities of a women, put burden of leadership over their shoulders, it means they are very much intrusive and when  they become intrusive then inside earth is better for them than its surface.

Last words: A woman should not be labelled as below edge. She is the life giver of this lively world; the maker of dreams.