Islamic perspective on women
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from August 2002.
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With the recent September 11 incidents Muslims the world over have been the victims of unrestrained discrimination and prejudice. I am a Muslim living here in the Cayman Islands and whilst I have not seen so much of that prejudice here I know that most of the charges laid at the door of Islam have no foundation. There are many areas in which we are misunderstood and criticised but I seek your indulgence in order to explain to your readers the Islamic perspective on just one of these our treatment of women.
Islam is often portrayed as a religion that oppresses women. We have all seen the pictures on television of the Taleban and their treatment of women. And of course there is the whole issue of what is referred to as the veil, I would like to briefly explain Islam's position on women.
Throughout history and in most cultures women have been regarded as inferior to men. Until very recently they were considered the property of men to be utilised as they liked and have been labelled variously as "clever contrivers of all evils," "daughter of falsehood," an "unclean thing" with some even going so far as to deny that women had a soul or that they even belonged to the human species! The custom of female infanticide was widespread in the world girl children were regarded as shameful for the family. Polygamy for men was a universal practice and was quite unrestricted. To be female was degradation in most of the known 'civilised' world. It was into this environment that Muhammad (on
whom be peace) came in 570 AD. Sixty three years later when he died Muslims were preaching and practising that women were equal to men in the eyes of God, that female infanticide was murder and that women can never be considered the property of men, that women can own property and receive inheritances, women can choose or refuse prospective husbands, women can speak up and even question their leaders, women can hold leadership positions, and the list goes on...
Women in Islam are commanded to educate themselves in the same way as the men, and if they attain knowledge, then even the men are expected to learn and benefit from their knowledge and wisdom. It is reported that after the Muhammad's (owbp) death, his disciples used to visit Ayesha, his wife, to seek knowledge from her. By the time the Prophet died there were many women scholars in Arabian society.
The Qur'an says that on the day of judgement the female infant who was buried alive (as was the custom) will be asked "For what crime wast thou murdered?" (Qur'an81:8,9) Muslims are encouraged to cherish their daughters even more than their sons. The Prophet Muhammad (owbp) said: "The most perfect of believers in faith is the best of them in morals and the best of you are those who are kindest to your wives." In his famous farewell address he again stressed the good treatment of womenfolk. He said: "O my people, you have certain rights over your wives and so have your wives over you...
They are God's trust in your hand. See that you treat them with all kindness.
It is reported that when Muhammad (owbp) was questioned by a disciple as to who should be revered most, after God and his Prophet, the Prophet said "Your mother". When questioned "Who, after the mother?" The Prophet said "Your mother." He was again asked "And, then, who after the mother?" He again replied: "Your mother." The man put the question for the fourth time and the Prophet then answered: "Your father."
As clearly illustrated here, in Islam the position of the mother should be three times higher than that of the father. Muslim men are commanded in the Qur'an to lower their gaze when women are present (Qur'an 24:30). To touch a woman with bad intent or even to glance at them with an improper motive is considered a sin in Islam and approaches adultery.
And the veil? It is called Hijab in Islam and it means the modest covering by a woman of her body when she is in the presence of men who are not of her immediate household. Muslim women are commanded by God to do this (Qur'an 24:31) but we know that it is not unlike the way all women dressed just a few short years ago. The varying stages of dress and undress that now passes for clothes is a very recent phenomenon.
Most women these days who dress in revealing clothes would admit, if they are honest, that their mothers would disapprove of they way they dress.
And if the are honest they would also admit that quite contrary to the much peddled statement that they dress the way they choose, they are actually pandering to the gaze of men. Nothing more and nothing less.
This is what Mary Walker, a BBC correspondent, had to say on the subject after she interviewed some women who were in Hijab: "Just as to us the veil represents Muslim oppression, to them miniskirts and plunging necklines represent oppression. They said that men are cheating women in the West. They let us believe we're liberated but enslave us to the male gaze. However much I insist on the right to choose what I wear, I cannot deny that the choice is often dictated by what will make my body more attractive to men. Women cannot separate their identity from their appearance..."
A Muslim woman who wears the Hijab will tell you that she is always treated with respect by men, that she is not seen as a mere sex symbol, that is she is appreciated, she is appreciated for her mind and that she is almost never subjected to unwanted sexual advances or harassment. A Roman Catholic nun who dresses in much the same way would most probably tell the same.
There are many aspects of this subject that cannot all be dealt with here. It is my sincere hope that through this letter will in some way help to clear up some of the misconceptions about the Islamic position on women.
Abu Nasim
