The ManicaPost
(. . . continued from previous edition)
Modern culture teaches that, for things to be fair between the two sexes, they must be identical and “equal”. Little do the people of such “modern” culture realise that although the two are identical in the eyes of The Almighty, there is a need to acknowledge that the two are somewhat physically, biologically and emotionally different, and therefore, some life style details must be (and indeed are) different.
Special considerations for Women
Considering these natural differences, Islam gives due regard to the women in certain specific issues. Women go through monthly cylces — not by choice but by Divine will — and they should not be looked down upon for that. In fact, Islam goes the “extra mile” in order to give the woman special rights and concessions. Because of the tremendous amount of emotional stress — due to hormonal changes — that a woman goes through during this period, she is absolved from daily prayers and is excused from any compulsory fasts (that fall within this period).
Women conceive and bear children and during the period of pregnancy, once again a woman goes through various physical, psychological and emotional phases/changes. If she feels that fasting will weaken her and thereby affect the unborn foetus or will be a threat to her life, she will be excused and will make up the fasts at a later more convenient stage.
After child-birth, yet again, a woman faces many more “natural” changes and situations — bleeding, lactating, suckling the infant, etc. yet again she is given reprieve from most of the fundamental religious requirements.
Code of dress and conduct
The Holy Quran enjoins both men and women to conduct themselves modestly and to dress modestly. The teaching and practice of the Last & Final Messenger of Allah Almighty, Muhammed (peace be upon him), was to maintain loose fitting attire that does not reveal the shape of the body. Whilst the injunction is to both, the natural physical differences are taken into account and the Holy Qur’aan highlights the need for women to be more particular in covering their adornment from outsiders of the family.
For a Muslim woman, her modest dress is an expression of a universal sisterhood. An Islamic dress also liberates the Muslim woman, and she is then automatically respected for her mind instead of her body. Simply put, she retains her dignity! It is like saying, “I am a respectful woman. I am not for every man to look at, touch, or speak to. I am protected, exactly like a precious white pearl which, if touched by everyone, will become soiled and dirty”.
In dressing modestly, a women forces others to judge her by her intellect, her kindness, her integrity, and her personality, not her body and physical beauty. In other words, for her, she is no longer subject to being valued for something material, such as her beautiful looks or the shape and size of her body. Hence, the woman who takes on the noble dress code of Islam is certainly not oppressed, but rather she is liberated.
It is a confirmed fact in all communities and societies that modest dress protects womenfolk from many unnecessary and awkward situations and further protects society from adultery and other forms of illegal sexual relations that lead to the break up of families and corruption of society.
Misconceptions about the dress code
One of the major misconceptions about the Islamic dress code for women (hijab) is that young women are forced to wear it by their parents or by male family members. Truly speaking, what parents or men want has nothing to do with it. It is a stipulation by The Almighty and every sincere believing woman will submit to the Divine requirement willingly. In fact, she astounds people who ask by saying that every woman should have this form of liberation, because when a woman is covered, men cannot judge her by her appearance but are forced to evaluate her by her personality, character, and morals.
In fact, many believing women view the “hijab” not as a responsibility but a God-given right given to them by The Creator who knows us best. It’s a benefit to me, so why not? It’s something every woman should strive to get and should want.
People who are friends with you because of the way you look aren’t real friends. And people who judge you by your personality are true friends, because people can change looks but they don’t really change personalities
Some people may think that the more a woman covers, the less freedom she has. But, according to Muslim tradition, it is actually the opposite. The less she wears, the more she is degraded and the more she is put in the line of fire of male criticism. The burning question to those who claim to want “freedom” by going topless, etc. is that does that truly represent equality? People have to understand that males and females should be equal in rights, in justice, etc. but are not and cannot be equal in body image. For a woman, taking off your top will not make you equal to a man; it’ll make you lower. Why? Because the woman’s body is created differently.
Honour of a Woman’s Role in the Home
The Qur’an strongly emphasises regulations governing behaviour, conduct and human relation, for the purpose of preserving the family. The woman’s role within the family is a crucial one, because it is in the family that the next generation is raised. The woman as the mother has the crucial role as the early socialiser and educator of the children.
This role has a long lasting effect on the behaviour, character and attitudes of the future generation of the very community we live in. By divine will it is the women who give birth and so they are in touch with the life process and are the best caretakers of the life cycle by virtue of their biology.
With regards to the woman’s right to seek employment, it should be stated first that Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as the most sacred and essential one.
Neither maids nor babysitters can possibly take the mother’s place as the educator of an upright, complex-free and carefully reared child. Such a noble and vital role which largely shapes the future of nations cannot be scorned as ‘‘idleness’’. However, there is no decree in Islam which forbids women from seeking employment whenever there in a necessity for it, especially in positions which fit her nature and in that which society needs her most.
(to be continued….)
For further information on Islam please contact: Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars Publications Department P. O. Box W 93, Waterfalls, Harare Tel: 0242-614078 / 614004, Fax : 0242-614003 e-mail: [email protected]
