Salamun alaykum,
Women counted as chattels:
1400 years ago, in Ayyamul Jaahiliyyah- the Age of Ignorance- in the pre-Islamic era, women in the Arabian Peninsula, were not afforded any rights whatsoever. They were considered as chattels to be counted by man as possessions along with animals and other belongings. They were not afforded any rights whatsoever. Even the right of life was denied. Female infanticide was the norm of the day.
Islam is wrongly accused by some that it deprives women of their basic rights. Is that true?
The social tsunami:
In fact, the announcement of the message of Islam over 1400 years ago brought about a social revolution in mankind. The teachings of the Noble Qur’an and beloved Prophet Muhammad SAWW effected a ‘social tsunami’ that set into motion a huge change in how society viewed women. They were given status of equality to men with the right to life, ownership of property, inheritance and freedom. Essentially Islam stressed women were no longer regarded as property to be owned by the male gender.
It is an undisputable fact that, it was just over a short period of time (23 years of risalah: Messengership) that women became empowered. In just this short period the Noble Prophet Muhammad SAWW was able to do more for women during his lifetime than anybody else.Interestingly the earliest instance of record of feminist leader Marie de France is in the 12th century.
Further not only has Islam liberated women from the evil practices that are still being followed in many societies of the world, but also protected and granted the basic rights to them, some of which have been adapted in recent times.
Hero of feminism:
The Noble Prophet, as the husband to Sayyida Khadija a.s. and father to Sayyida Fatima a.s. , provided most outstanding role model in recognising and respecting the rights of women in their various functions of living. The lives of Sayyida Khadija a.s., Sayyida Fatima a.s. and her two daughters Sayyida Zaynab a.s. and Sayyida Ummi Kulthum a.s. are paradigms of the empowerment of women in Islam. These noble ladies presented the legitimate female participation in all walks of life including leadership, politics, education, business and social sectors. Indeed, they are eternal role models for not only women, but men too.
The ladies of light:
During these two months of Jamaadi ul Ula and Jamaadi ul Thaani, auspicious occasions related to Sayyida Fatima Zahra a.s. and her daughter Sayyida Zaynab a.s. are being commemorated. History records that these two noble personalities along with Sayyida Khadija a.s. were the main players of the social revolution initiated by the Noble Prophet to have mankind recognise and elevate the status of women.
Points for reflection:
As we commemorate the events related to Sayyida Fatima Zahra a.s. and her daughter Sayyida Zaynab a.s. it is worthy to reflect on the following:
Does not the provision of shar’i –legitimate- opportunities for women participation equal to their male counterparts enable the women to realise their full potential?
Will not this empowerment lead to the formation of an enlightened and prosperous ummah?
Do you recognise and encourage this at all levels of society including at the home, family, community and the ummah?
How faithful is a Muslim individual, family, community to the shar’i –legitimate- empowerment of women?
Is it not sad to note that due to cultural influences some families, communities and regions (mis)use Islam to deny women their rights which have been safeguarded by the Divine message of Islam?
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.
With salaams and duas,
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat