Tahsin Noor Salim, Lecturer and Academic Guidance Supervisor at London Collge of Legal Studies(South):
It is unfortunate that Islam is extensively misunderstood of being a regressive religion and that it does not promote gender equality. In fact the Quran and the teachings of our Prophet (PBUH) advocate for a woman’s right to vote, right to inherit , right to chose their spouse, right to education and to be treated fairly.
Regression often stems from economic, social and political context, while religion often bears the brunt of it. We need to understand that such outlook arises out of a patriarchal social structure.
As I read the story of Ershad Ali, a helper at a grocery store at Nilphamari, I was delighted. Ershad had set an example in his locality by his noble act of eradicating an abhorrent practice. Inspired by a khutbah ( Islamic sermon) before Friday prayers, at a local mosque, that condemned the practice of paying dowry- he decided to pay back his mother-in-law, the money he had taken as dowry( “An Unheard tale of dowry”, Daily Star,09,March,2018).
While it is not uncommon for us to hear of fatwas that are wrongly issued to put shackles on a woman’s freedom; Ershad’s story is an example of how if the true message of Islam is spread; women would be liberated and not bound by shackles.
It is in this backdrop that we take a look at the illustrious and empowered women who have taken leadership roles, the correct interpretations of Our Scripture and the teachings of our Prophet (PBUH) to clear the misconception of misogyny in Islam.
Can women take up leadership roles?
The Qur’an endows women with the rights to participate in the state, society, and all social and political activities. These activities also include, but not limited to, the participation in the making of laws and regulations and the supervision of public affairs.
For Instance, Um Al-Shifaa’ bint Abdullah was assigned the role of a market supervisor – a position that is equivalent in our times to a Director of the consumer protection department- by Omar, the second Caliph . The Queen of Sheba, Bilqis has also been given an honourable mention in the Qur’an (27:44)
It is pertinent that we realize that misinterpretations of our scriptures can lead to misogynistic practices and gender inequity which is not advocated by Islam. For Instance, ‘The Verse of the Barrier’ (And when you ask of them (the wives of the Prophet) anything, ask it of them from behind a curtain/barrier. That is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. Al-Ahzab 33:53]) was revealed after the Prophet’s companion informed that some of his visitors were not courteous with his wives. The verse was revealed in order to eradicate the practice among Arabs whereby they would enter each other’s house abruptly. It was also to reform the practice of Arabs who engaged in endless gossip much to the inconvenience of the people of the house and prolonged the stay.
Yet, based on this interpretation, which has no basis from the Qur’an or Hadith, muslim women, were prevented from leaving their homes, or even narrating Hadith.
Can women pray in Mosques?
Our Prophet (PBUH) led the prayer for both men and women in his own mosque, which substantiates the fact that there is no restriction in women praying in mosques.
Not only that, Fatima bint Ibrahim b. Jowhar , was one such female scholar who even taught in mosques. She was so well-reknowned that students of Hadith would request her to teach them and it is under her that Imams have studied the whole of Sahih Bukhari.
Is a woman not a credible witness?
There is a common misconception that the worth of a female witness is only half of that of a man. Nonetheless, most references to testimony in the Qur’an do not mention the gender, while some references equate the testimony of males and females.
The specific verse with a variation in the number of male and female witnesses relates to the testimony on financial transactions which are often multifaceted and overloaded with business jargons. Since it was more likely for men to be exposed to trade, it is more likely for them to be familiar with the business transactions and terminology.(2:282). However, this in no way suggests that the testimony of a man is superior. This idea can be reinforced by the role of Aishah (R.A),the youngest wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who is credited with narrating more than two thousand Hadith and even taught well-known scholars. If a woman’s testimony was considered inferior, she would not have been allowed to play such an exemplary role in Islam, wielding such influence over men and women alike.
To recapitulate, Muslims may be unjust but Islam is not. Islam symbolises equity when comes to the rights of men and women.
Tahsin Noor Salim is a Lecturer and Academic Guidance Supervisor at London Collge of Legal Studies(South).