The Gender Crusade

All praise is due to Allâh who has created man and women from a single soul and harmonised their co-existence on the basis of equity and interdependence. May His choicest salutations shower upon our master Muhammad, who restored the morality of mankind and guided them to the straight path.

The position of women has been the subject of intense debate throughout the corridors of time. Many of the intellectual traditions of the West were to some extent influenced by early Greek philosophers like Aristotle, and Plato. Aristotle argued that women were not full human beings; they were by nature deficient, untrustworthy and of a sub human status. His views on the nature of women formed the basis of early Christian doctrine of the Catholic Church, where women were regarded as the cause of the downfall of man and the source of all evil.

Early Feminist Movement

The West inherited this ignoble primitiveness and continued to oppress women in the name of religion and law. This eventually gave rise to the early feminist movements. In the 1800's women were not able to vote, own property, or permitted to dispose of their wealth as men did. Women were regarded as minors who neither had the independence, capacity, nor the discretion to manage their own affairs. The movement originally began with the aim of securing legal rights for women. Women demanded the right to vote and called for abolition of laws that were discriminatory and repressive.

The next stage in the development of the feminist movement came as a legitimate response to the Industrial Revolution. Women were now forced to labour for many hours in the coal - mines and industries, and would receive a miserable salary compared to men. Women were burdened with fulfilling their domestic chores as well as working laboriously in factories. They had to fight against exploitation and demanded pay equal to their male counterparts. Their ‘sub-human’ status made it extremely difficult for them to secure a dignified wage and position within a totally male dominated society.

The third stage of development occurred after World War II, wherein feminists called for the equal treatment of women not only in terms of their legal rights, but also within society. It called for greater sexual freedom and challenged the subservient role of women within the family unit. Finally different strands emerged within the movement that assumed numerous different positions, ranging from the campaign to release women from the ‘tyranny’ of marriage, to their liberation from oppressive religious dogma. It called for the abolition of gender -orientated roles, for greater sexual freedom, and for the functional equality of men and women in all spheres of life. The movement had evolved over a period of time from the first extreme where women were denied their essential humanity, to the other extreme, where they are now denied their distinct individuality and femininity. What began as a legitimate campaign against the repressive treatment of women culminated in an equally corrupt crusade against all forms of gender-based distinction. This has resulted in a general confusion of what it means to be male or female, within the context of a ‘liberated’ society.

Single Origin

The Qur'ân says: "O humanity! Verily we have created you from a single male and a single female, and have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily the most honorable of you are those who are most pious with God." [Al-Hujrât, ayâh 13]

This verse states that humans originate from a single male and a single female. The male and female in terms of their human nature are equal. Nabî Muhammad Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam said that “indeed women are the twin halves of men,” implying that there is a single humanity, made up of man and women, who share the same dignity, who have the same aim on this earth, and earn the same reward for their submission to the Law of Allâh.

Rights of Women

Rights that women sought in English common law were already granted to Muslim women in the 7th century. Women in Islâm were already emancipated from the slave like exploitation during the Industrial revolution. Islâm accorded women legal, economic, and political rights more than 1400 years ago.

The Holy Qur’ân states: "The believers, men and women, are protectors of one another, they enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, they establish prayer and give the Zakât, and obey Allâh and H Messenger…” [At-Tawba, ayâh 71]

This verse explains the social contract between men and women as individuals in the society, they both aspire to promote that which is decent and virtuous, and forbid that which is evil and obscene, they both share in the two most sublime acts of submission - prayer and charity. They both subscribe to obedience to Allâh and obedience to His Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam and likewise, they share in the reward of obtaining Allâh's mercy.

Modern Feminist Agenda

The contemporary feminist agenda which calls for the emancipation of women from religion, which calls for greater sexual freedom, and which urges women to break free from the shackles of marriage and upbringing of children is both immoral and sacrilegious. It is designed to dupe women away from religion and distracts them from their primary purpose of life.

To the feminists Islâmic Law is unjust, imperfect, and restrictive. To them, Hijâb not only covers the head, but also covers the mind; serving the family is not only degrading it is also enslaving. They sow seeds of hostility between man and women. They fester animosity and disrespect between daughter and father, between sister and brother, between husband and wife.

Respectful Roles and Responsibilities

Islâm in keeping with the inherent nature of women recognises that women are better then man in providing and taking care of their offspring. It has thus placed greater responsibilities upon women towards their children than upon men. At the same time, the obligations that children have towards their mothers are greater than the obligation they have towards their fathers. When the Prophet

Muhammad Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam was asked by one of his companions, “Whom should I befriend in this world?" The Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam replied "Your mother." The man asked a second time, and the prophet replied “Your mother,” He asked for the third time, and again he replied “Your mother,” and on the fourth time, he said "Your father."

Feminists view motherhood as a restriction of their freedom, and thrive to establish a unisex society in order to achieve equal rights.

Since Muslims regard a differentiation of sexual roles to be natural and desirable, the economic responsibilities of male and female members also differ. Men have a responsibility to support women as compensation for another responsibility, which is fulfilled by women. Likewise the different inheritance rates for males and females, which are so often sited as an example of discrimination, must be seen within the broader social framework. It is but one part of a comprehensive system in which women carry no legal responsibility to support members of the family, but in which men are bound by law to provide for all their female relatives.

Genuine Basis for Happiness

Islâm teaches us that happiness lies in being an obedient and believing daughter, a loyal and generous wife, and a pious and merciful mother. It teaches us to be subservient to Allâh and not to fear the criticism of those bereft of divine guidance.

Whoever does deeds of righteousness, be they male or female, and have faith, they will enter paradise and not the least injustice will be done to them. [An-Nisâ, ayâh 124].

May Allâh Ta’âla grant us the ability to personify the teachings of Islâm and give us the courage and humility to accord women their rightful place in society.

[Back|Home]