Dignity, Rights, and Empowerment of Women in Islam Tarique Bin Hamid (A gist from one of the Bengali writingsof Shah Abdul Hannan) Everyday we hear different things regarding the positions and rights of women. Presently, there are many theories to establish the rights of women, and most of them are acceptable. But opportunities are there to contradict with some theories. It is essential to establish the rights of both men and women, because our society is going forward as time elapses. Hence, neither men nor women should have their rights established, but rights of people of all ages must be established. Our society has progressed much during the last fifty years. By this time, women have advanced almost as much as men, and the then society of Begum Rokeya has found its place in history now. Begum Rokeya found women extremely underprivileged, and they did not have any opportunity to educate themselves. She grabbed this chance and took initiatives to educate the women. As a result, women in this sub-continent have so far advanced much. Throughout the world, especially in our country there is a foundation of oppression on women. Definitely, the torment does not come from the sky. Torment on women by men has an ideological foundation – generally men believe that women are inferior to men, women have low quality, and they are lowly; this idea is also prevalent among women to some extent. This belief emanates from some prejudices – hence, negligence, deprivation, and torture on women are standing on that belief. If torture on women can be annihilated from our society, Islam cannot be elapsed. It is guaranteed that this issue cannot be dealt with in this 90% Muslim country without Islam. Those who rebelled against Islam here in this country could not stay on power, and they will not do so in the future as well – their consequences were severe. It is best and pragmatic to proceed in the framework of Islam. Definitely, there is an ideal framework in Islam, which can help women advance. Islam is not confined in certain timeframe. Truly, Islam has empowered and honored women. It has given rights to them. Before going to explain that let’s introduce the ideological foundation which can be the base. because body will decompose in the grave. the first thing in our ideological foundation is that humans are nothing but “Ruh”. no two humans are equal. Allah (SWT) has not mentioned only men. but every human is first class. but “Ruh” is everlasting which has been created to live forever – we can hardly conceive the timeless concept in this running timeframe. Certainly. . If there remains any inequality after this equality. That’s to say. we have differences in our body stature. and all “Ruh” are equal. We created human in the best form (95:4). From every side. Secondly. In short. humans are only one being both spiritually and humanly. So. height. their seed and made them testify as to themselves (saying): "Am I not your Lord'' They said: "Yes! We testify. there are differences among human. men naturally feel proud of their physical stature. fundamentally all human beings are equal – all of them are equal to Allah. This is the first base of equality between men and women. that is very trivial and insignificant. and so on.What is that base where equality between men and women is prevalent? Allah (SWT) has not created people with same appearance. One human is different from another in terms of weight. Four proofs are given here – Firstly. As it is narrated وإذ أخذ َ َ َ ْ َِ ْ َ ّ ُ ّ ِ ِ َ َ ِ ْ َ ْ َ ْ ُ ُ َ َ َ ْ ِ َ ََ ْ ُ َ ْ ُ ّ َ ِ َ ْ ََ ْ ِ ِ ُ َ ََ ْ ُ َ َ ْ ََ ْ ُ َ ّ ّ ُ ْ ِ ِ ُ ُ ِ َ َ َ ِ َ ِ َ ّ َ ربك من بنى ءادم من ظهورهم ذريتهم وأشهدهم على أنفسهم ألست بربكم قالوا بلى شهدنآ أن تقولوا يوم القيعمة إنععا كنععا ععن َ ِِ َ َ َ هعذا غعفلين And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam. Allah (SWT) has created all “Ruh” (human beings) in the same mould. we all have a covenant with Allah (SWT) – He (SWT) is our Sustainer and we will obey Him. physical stature is not human. and think that women are inferior to them. and so on.'' lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: "Verily. Definitely. Allah (SWT) has revealed in the Quran – لقد خلقنا النسعن فى أحسن ِ َ ْ َ ِ َ َ ِ َ ْ ََ ْ َ َ ٍ ِ َْ تقويم Verily.'' (7:172) That’s to say. But we are all first class. education. But. social status. colour. and asked only one question – all human beings replied Him with same answer unanimously. Allah (SWT) has clarified that the original human is “Ruh” – people term it as ‘soul’. we were unaware of this. Here. from their loins. Allah (SWT) has not made separate contract with men. Allah (SWT) revealed that “O mankind! Have Taqwa of your Lord. all people are equal in the eyes of laws. Allah (SWT) is asking to fear the womb. it is vividly apparent that . The verse shows us that we are all from the same family – children of Adam and Eve.So.’ Hence. Who created you from a single person. and from them both He created many men and women” (4:1). There may have differences due to trivial causes – but worldly respect and dignity are not real ones. Allah is All-Knowing. similarly all human beings are one family in the light of Islam. believers do not utter such type of foul tongue. Besides. That’s to say. According to Statute. Allah (SWT) revealed that all humans are from the same family – the family of Adam and Eve. similarly everybody is equal to Allah (SWT). A family consists of father. Hazrat Sayyid Kutub has written. Here. Allah is always watching over you (4:1)”. and revere the wombs. it is said to revere whole female nation. this is the second fundamental proof for equality between men and women – fundamental because there are some minor differences. should we consider what other people think? Allah (SWT) has narrated He (SWT) does not distinguish between men and women based on anything but Taqwa. “…and have Taqwa of Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights). this is the second stage to establish equality between men and women. Verily. ‘no such language was found in any literature before the Quran. Allah (SWT) is asking human beings to respect mothers – in a nutshell. for Allah (SWT) is displeased with it. Allah (SWT) has mentioned ‘ya bani Adam’ at least 20/30 times in the Quran. we are all from the same family. If this is the standard to Allah (SWT). mother. Allah (SWT) has revealed – “… Verily. the most honorable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa. Allah (SWT) revealed in the Quran. and our fundamental dignity to Allah (SWT) depends on Taqwa. All-Aware (49:13)”. our fundamental dignity and respect are equal. and from him He created his mate. Allah (SWT) has nowhere mentioned whether men or women are more preferable. and children. The family of whole humankind is above all other families. Men should not say women are inferior in terms of body structure. Thirdly. Therefore. Definitely. So. The only base of dignity to Allah (SWT) is Taqwa. Surely. they enjoin good. fundamental responsibilities are same for both men and women. we are His (SWT) representative. Allah (SWT) has not mentioned if He(SWT) is sending men or women. It is true that we lose our representativeness when we commit sins. and give the Zakah. Men – Women indiscriminately. So. but sent human – He(SWT) termed human as vicegerent. kill innocent people. they perform the Salah. If men become deprived any day. and dwell on indecency. So. Islam urges every man. Fourthly. All-Wise” (9:71). ‘I am appointing a vicegerent on earth’ (2:30). indulge in haram. Rather. Every man and woman should have some power to execute the responsibility of a khalifah. are supporters of one another. Allah (SWT) told human beings. Allah is All-Mighty. the poor. and they should not work outside. it is her right to do so. He (SWT) said. we have to help them empower as well.both men and women have equal fundamental social status. and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His mercy on them. Let alone women. Empowerment of women lies here in this concept of ‘Khalifah’. Surely. men and women. But we have to prioritize and think of them who are deprived now – we have to work heart and soul to empower women now. As Allah (SWT) revealed – “The believers. The same thing is applicable to men as well. whole human kind is representative of Allah (SWT). ‘you are the representatives (khalifah)’. None can execute his/her responsibility without power. Even He (SWT) did not mention about human but vicegerents to send on the earth. and forbid evil. This is one of the last verses in the Quran. All empowerment belongs to the dignity of a representative. the concept of khalifah has built-in function to empower men. every woman. we have to help them empower. oppress others. this is the fourth proof of our ideological foundation. This is the third proof of our ideological foundation. the weak and all others indiscriminately. if any woman decides to live at home. so we have to analyze the aforementioned . and every person to be empowered. If women are deprived. He (SWT) told about vicegerents (khalifa). Question arises what women should do! Should they sit at home? Ok. But Allah (SWT) has nowhere mentioned that women have to stay at home. this verse prescribes six (6) responsibilities such as: 1. for gender bias is prevalent in most of the writing. Sadly. It is crucial to say: if anybody learns Islam from somebody else leaving the Quran. According to the Quran and Hadith. But there are some tafsirs free from gender bias such as ‘The Message of the Quran’ by Mohammad Asad. there has not been any famous Muslimah tafsir writer. So. Hence. because many insert their own opinions in the translation. Pay Zakah 5. Anyway.revealed verse regarding this issue in the light of this verse. I do believe all men and women are equal in executing these 6 responsibilities. But you can definitely distinguish between junk and real if you read few tafsirs. . Today we are busy with trivial things leaving the mammoth issues behind. Follow the Prophet (pbuh) Through these. everybody should read at least few Tafsirs. But we are leaving the Quran – the Guidance far apart from our life. politics. he/she definitely will deviate. Establish Solat 4. Obey Allah (SWT) 6. and others lay under these 6. They should command and enjoin good 2. Forbid evil 3. Allah (SWT) is acknowledging women to participate in all good activities. social welfare. We depend on human written chunks of junk. Allah (SWT) has decided to bestow mercy on them who fulfill these 6 responsibilities. and Hadith behind. business.
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