Woman Veneration and Islam
Praise
be to Allah, The Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds, pray and praise be to
our Lover, Leader and example the Prophet, the messenger of the right path,
Mohammad, son of Abdullah and praise on his purified family and all his notable
companions.
First:
In order to clarify this issue, the following facts must be stated:
1.
Woman, today, is suffering from
great aggression and assault on her rights and her dignity in most contemporary
human communities.
2.
This aggressive situation on
woman's rights and her human prestige, as appeared today, is a continuation of
the approach of woman aggression and disregards across the human history, in
most of the ancient cultures and civilizations.
3.
All the reforming attempts to the
painful situation of the woman and all the proposed cultural projects on her
concern are still, in the most contemporary communities are adopting the
methodology of adaptation and surrender to the aggressive reality on woman and
its inhuman impacts, without any care or concern to the main reasons to the base
of the aggressive approach and its results and dangerous impacts on woman and
human community in general.
4.
The horrid aggression on woman
rights, and her femininity and her human prestige made some reforming concerns
in most of contemporary communities concentrate on the demand of equality
between man and woman, aiming to raise the woman to the status of the man, who
has acquired, in that communities, most of rights in life and distinguished
himself by most of the privileges on the account of woman rights, prestige and
privilege.
5.
The call for equal rights and
obligations between man and woman is unfair and aggression to the woman's
rights. It is deprivation to her privilege in the increase in rights and the
decrease in obligations, which were based on her nature particularities, her
physique and her distinguished functional mission in life.
6.
Allah, (SWT), the Creator of the
human being, He, who knows the nature of his formation , characteristics and
abilities, has made an accurate relationship between the rights and obligations
for each man and woman. He made it an integrated relation, by which each
one is complementing the other, in the mission of construction and inhabitation
of the earth and to establish a decent safe life: each one by his particular
abilities, skills and functional characteristics that suited his body building
nature; woman was characterized by certain privileges as with regard to the
increase in rights and the decrease in the obligations as an honor to woman from
His Almighty Allah, for some of her noble human mission.
Second,
before talking about the woman from Islam perspective, we must also mention in
brief, the position of the woman in the scale of ancient and modern cultures and
civilizations.
1.
Greek, Romans and India:
The situation of woman in these civilizations was
so bad, due to her sex, femininity.
Nehru was saying in his book" Discover
India" that: (The legal position of woman, as Manu said, was bad and
suspicious in Greeks and Romans.).
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The
legal rights which were recognized for men were not recognized for her. She was
discarded and disrespected.
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She
has no right to maintain her personal affairs freely. She was under continuous
guardianship from the father, the brother or husband.
2.
Medieval:
At
that time there was a doubt on the humanity of woman and her physiological
nature
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There
were some forums held to discuss the issue of her soul and had she a soul like
the man? Or her soul was like the animals?
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Some
forums in Rome, went even further by deciding that she has no soul and she will
not be resurrected with men the day after.
3.
The status of woman in the Arabs pre to Islam:
Woman
had suffered severe aggression among Arabs pre to Islam, not less than what she
had suffered from other ancient civilizations.
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They
consider her as a shame and hates to have a female baby
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Some
tend to burry her to death when borne.
4.
The French Revolution and woman:
Among
many intellectual in the world, the French revolution was considered appositive
historic turning point in human history and a leading beacon in contemporary
history. Before this admiration, let us have a look to the position of the woman
in the standards of the French revolution. One of the salient features of the
principles of the revolution is the call for freedom,(Liberty). They set the
slogan, which is sung by all French generations, in particular, and the western
in general" Man is borne free and he should not be slaved". This
principle, which came as the first item in human rights chart, under the title
"Rights of the Man", without any reference to the woman. In fact it
ignored the woman deliberately and intentionally. Some attempts were made to add
"The Woman" to be included, as the principle of freedom should include
woman beside the man, but these attempts were rejected. Those who dared to such
attempts were disregarded and some were severely punished! Not only that but
there was a cultured French woman named " Madame Du Courge" submitted
to the French legislative assembly, a proposal to consider the woman equal to
the man. The proposal was rejected and she was sentenced to death by chopping
her head! The incident was testified by Dr. George Jabour in his book"
Arabs and Human rights" page 42. As for the famous French sociologist
scholar, Ms. Gustav Lobin, he mentioned in his book" Spirit of
Sociology", replying to those who were asking the equality between man and
woman, that" Woman was never equal to man except during the deterioration
ages"
5.
The United Nations:
Though the United Nations Convention came to
correct the miss fall of the French Revolution and the aggression and disdain it
made against the woman, and though many of its articles are containing high
human values, which made a bright and comfortable gesture to the human community
expectations, but still there are some articles which are in clash and
contradiction with some human values and its noble religious and norms. In
addition to that, there are pompous expressions which are loose in meaning and
indication, and made serious gaps. In the issue of woman, which is our concern
now, the convention did not mention her except in two places, and in
supplemented expressions which does not give any special concern eligible to its
importance and its high value. The first place was in the emblem of the
convention where the following was stated: "..and we again confirm our
belief in the basic human rights and the dignity and value of the individual,
and by the equal rights of man,
woman and nations, big or small". The second place is the article 76,
paragraph "C", where it is stated that:" Encourage to respect the
basic human rights to all without any discrimination due to gender, language or
religion, and no discrimination between men and women". The explanatory
notes to these unstable text in its wording, which talk one time, on the belief
on woman rights and at the second time, on the encouragement to respect the
woman rights. Therefore, these explanations hurt the woman and aggress her
rights and dignity. They stated the following:
A:
Equality between man and woman without consideration to any privilege or
particularity of woman in rights and obligations
B:
Put heavy burdens on woman which are not suitable to her nature and clash
with her great human mission.
C:
Stating embarrassing definitions for the family, values of its relations,
and its performance responsibilities, this will weaken the role of woman in
establishing the family and reject her noble mission in construction of stable
society.
D:
Establishing the multi forms of the family and deleting the values and
the integrated responsibility control between man and woman in establishing
stable effective family. The result of that were family troubles and uncountable
social problems. One of its most dangerous result was the creation of a
generation that lacks the sense of responsibility; where the rate of crime,
dangerous diseases that threaten the security of the human communities and
civilizational future.
F:
Liberation of sexual relations which formed severe aggression on woman
dignity and disdained her humanity, femininity and made aggressive spoliation to
her rights.
This, in brief, is a painful and dreadful
situation of the woman among various cultures and civilizations, ancient and
modern. It is, as we have seen, her humanity was not considered, has no dignity
and has no rights at all. She was like any commodity attached to the life of
men. Or she is over burdened
with obligations on the account of her great
human mission, and by
considering her a commodity tossed by the desires of men and their in human
sexual drive. Unfortunately, the woman still suffering from all this aggression
and disdain, in spite of the fact that , Islam came before more than fourteen
centuries and submitted its principles and values to treat the human case in
general and on the top of that, the aggressive and the most dangerous issue of
the woman, as we are going to explain in the following paragraphs:
Third:
Woman from Islamic Perspective
Woman from Islamic perspective can be understood
within Islam comprehensive view to wards the human being in general “Man and
Woman" which can be summarized in the following points:
1.
Within the Islamic criteria, man is the vicegerent of Allah in the
universe, performs justice and peace men and women, equally. This is stated in
the meaning of Allah’s words “... I will create a vicegerent on earth ...”
Sura 2-30
2.
The assignment of man to perform the mission to inhabit and construct the
earth and to perform justice and peace among people is veneration to the human
race. This veneration is for man and woman on equal basis, as Allah (SWT) said
in the meaning of his word : “We have honoured the sons of Adam”,
Sura 17-70
3.
Islam states that Allah has created man and woman and assigned them
equally the responsibility to propagate the human race, make them know each
other, cooperate among themselves and establish the family, which is considered
the nucleus and the basis of the human communities without any discrepancy based
on gender, color or race. At the same time, emphasizing that the good deeds and
realization of virtues to people is the goal of competition among them, and the
criteria by which they have the advantage before their Lord and their Creator,
“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female. And
made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may
despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you. In the sight of Allah is
(he who is) the most righteous of you! Sura 49-13. It is also as stated
“All created beings are Allah’s dependents. The most favored to Allah is the
one who is the best for his dependents”.
4.
Islam decides that the life responsibility, monitoring of its affairs and
catering for people's interests is on the shoulders of men and women equally.
Each one of them has specific obligations, as Allah has mentioned “The
Believers, men and women are protectors one of another; they enjoin what is just
and forbid what is evil. They observe regular prayers practice regular charity
and obey Allah and his Messenger. On them, will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah
is exalted in power, wise.” Sura 9-71. It is exactly what prophet has
said:
"All of you are guardians and all of you are
responsible for his subjects, the leader is a guardian and he is responsible for
his subjects, the man is a guardian and he is responsible for his subjects. The
woman is a guardian and she is responsible for her subjects. The servant is a
guardian and he is responsible for his subjects and all of you are guardians and
you are all responsible for your subjects.”
5.
Islam decides that woman is equivalent to man. Their works are
complementary in the mission of inhabitation and construction of earth and
performance of a decent life on it., as Allah (SWT) has mentioned “If any
do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female and have faith, they will
enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them” Sura
4-124. Rightly as the Prophet mentioned “Women are sisters of men”.
6.
Islam decides that consultation, discussion and advice are mutual
responsibility between men and women. They should equally hold its burdens and
obligations as Allah has mentioned, “Those who harkens to their Lord and
establish regular prayers; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation,
who spend out of what we bestow on them for sustenance”, Sura 42-38. The
biography of the Prophet tells us about one of the most critical moments at the
beginning of the Islam history “the Day of (Hudaybeyyah Peace Treaty). At that
critical moment, the Moslems have overcome by the wisdom and advice of a woman,
who was the mother of the believers “Um-Salamah, Allah be pleased on
her".
7.
Islam gave advantage to the woman over man to honour her in compensation
for the two major responsibilities that she is shouldering. They are :
a. The
responsibility of preparing herself to be a legal, spiritual and sensual home
for her husband, to retire to here and clear, in the shadows of her femininity
and her soul, merciful emotion and love, clear his worries, struggle and
endeavors of his obligations which were not assigned to the woman, as Allah
mentioned “And among his signs is this that He created for you mates from
among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them. And He has put
love and mercy between your (hearts) verily in that are signs for those who
reflect”, Sura 30-21.
b. For
her taking the burden of pregnancy and risks and suffering of giving birth, the
responsibility of maternity and brining up the children and following up their
education and preparing them to bear the life responsibilities. It is a
responsibility which any other responsibility appears small in comparison.
c. Against
those two great missions, Islam has characterized the woman by some advantages
over man by reducing some of her obligations, without depriving her rights or to
her husband's rights. Some of them are :
i.
Islam has exempted the woman from the burden of higher leadership and its
responsibilities in monitoring the affairs of life. It raised that
responsibility on the shoulder of man who has the right to get help from woman,
if she can voluntarily, and within her consent, and without any hardship or a
burden beyond her capability. “Men are the protectors and maintainers of
women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other”,
Sura 4-345.
ii.
Islam has exempted the woman from the obligations of war and fight and
made that obligations confined to men. It did not deprive the woman from the
desire of participation, if she so wishes, but without any responsibility, if
she could not fulfill the missions or any short comings or failure, because her
work is voluntary and not obligatory.
iii.
Islam reduced the burden of woman on the responsibility of testimony
before justice. It made her responsibility in testimony equal to half
responsibility of man, if she did not testify or she forgot. While the man is
holding full responsibility in that. As Allah has mentioned in the meaning of
his words!
“And get two witnesses; out of your own
men, and if they are not two men, then a man and two women, such as ye choose
for witnesses. So that if one of them errs, the other can remind her”–
Sura 11-282. As for special cases that touch her responsibility, for example to
identify the father of whom her child belongs, then her responsibility as a
witness is a full responsibility without any participation from any one, man or
woman, to determine this great matter, which the inheritance and ancestry is
based upon. It is s a great confidence in woman which was not given to men. It
is a great privilege which is added to the woman privileges in Islamic doctrine.
4.
Islam exempted woman from the responsibility of expenditure in marital
life and made the whole of this burden as a responsibility of the husband;
starting from the dowry and cost of marriage to the house expenditure and the
needs of the wife and children, without touching the wife wealth or belongings.
These belongings are reserved only to her and to her personal belongings. The
husband has no right to ask for any thing, if he does that, then it will be
aggression and assault. Thus, Islam has given an extraordinary financial
privilege to woman over man.
5.
As it has distinguished woman by many advantages to compensate and honor
her for the major basic tasks assigned to her, Islam also distinguishes man, in
case of inheritance and compensate him on the obligations assigned to him, in
taking the responsibility of expenditure for wife and others, such as father,
mother, sisters and other relatives.
6.
Thus, we find that Islam has established an integrated relation between
rights and obligations of man and woman with special privileges to woman in
recognition to her human noble mission.
7.
Therefore, Islam values and principles regarding man and woman are
distinguished from other human values and principles, by its sacredness, as
Islam has given it a worshipping value. For, in addition to the fact that they
are organizational life norms, which realized the community interests, they are
also worshipping, spiritual practices, for listen to, and obey them, are a
respond to Allah’s command to obey and worship Him. More than that, Allah
linked obedience and devotion to parents to His obedience and piety. He said in
the meaning of his works: “Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but
Him and that ye be kind to parents.” Sura 17-23. He distinguished woman as
a mother by high levels of distinguished divinity
recognizing and honoring her great human mission in maternity and child
upbringing, as the Prophet (prayers and peace be upon him) has said (Heavens is
at mothers' feet). When someone asked him by saying! Oh messenger of Allah, who
is the most righteous of my good companionship? He (Prayers and peace be upon
him) said: Your mother. And the man
said” and then whom? The prophet said your mother. And the man said” and
then whom? The prophet said your mother. And the man said” and then whom? The
prophet said your father.
The
Prophet (prayers and peace be upon him) is confirming the devotion to mother by
saying: Allah is directing you to care for your mothers and then your mothers
and then the most related to you.
Finally, I am surprised to the position of humanity today and how they
exchange the better by the worse! How they exchange the human doctrines which
are subject to test and trials and possibility of failure by the divine
doctrines which no falsehood can approach it from before or behind. They were
issued by the most knowledgeable and have the power over all things and
prescribed by the most full of kindness. Most merciful; He who never likes to
his worshippers but the virtue and success in life and hereafter.
Therefore, I appeal to this great historic conference to examine
thoughtfully the values and principles of Islam and to look at them rationally
and seriously and deal with them on the basis of their scientific and social
objectivity, not on the basis that they are life methods and procedures which
suit the human being and his functions, formation and interests, not only on
their religious dimension, as it is a voluntary faith., which is subject to a
personal choice, without coercion or commitment. The divine rule in this is
stating that “No coercion in faith”, for Islam is (faith and Method).
If faith is to determine religion characteristics, then method is for
determination of people's interests without any discrimination of gender, race,
color or religion.
Therefore,
we in this forum, on the occasion of this great conference, are repeating our
invitation to look to the Islam system and benefit from it in a way to correct
and to complete the UN convention, in order to be as expected; a convention
which realizes justice, security peace and welfare of all the people on earth,
irrespective of their races, gender or faith.
Finally our last prayer is “Praise to Allah Lord of the worlds”.
Thanks to you all.
By