Women in Islam: Battered but Reclaiming their Status as Enshrined in Quran

By Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, New Age Islam 13 June 2023 Women in Islam: What the Quran & Sunnah Say Author: Abdur Raheem Kidwai Publisher: Kube Publishing Ltd, Leicestershire, U.K Pages: 180, Price: NA Year of Publication: 2020 ISBN: 9781847741400 ------- The most misunderstood aspect of Islam is the status it grants to women. Since, the time of revelation of Quran, Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and followers of the new faith and creed, i.e Muslims were subjected to numerous allegations. One of the strongest allegations at that time, was that it granted women such a vast number of rights that they had been rendered rebellious. The equality between men and women, as espoused by Islam, was opposed too. The prevalent patriarchy and misogyny was quite threatened by the gender justice advocated by Islam. However, with time the gender just teachings of Islam, were overwhelmed by patriarchy and misogyny, that seeped into the Muslim milieu and is manifested through the patriarchal and misogynistic interpretation of Islam. It is quite heartening to know that a number of Muslim scholars are questioning, criticizing and rebutting this patriarchal interpretation of Islam, and interpreting Islam according to its values of equality and justice between genders. Among such serious scholars and academics is Prof. A.R Kidwai, as his new book manifests his commitment towards gender justice. In the Preface of this work, Prof Kidwai observes, “This work provides readers with an opportunity to consider some of the references to women in authentic Islamic sources in order to shape an informed view. Specifically, Women in Islam aims to let readers appreciate the high status that women enjoy in Islam.” In Islam there is no superiority claimed or inferiority deserved on the basis of sex. The real status of an individual is based on his/her piety and God consciousness. The book is divided into different small chapters addressing and referring to women, with explanation of Quranic verses and Prophetic sayings (Hadith) forming the basis of such explanation. Women in Islam, have an elevated status as mothers, as they help in nurturing and upbringing a new generation of Muslims. Islam as every religion and ideology emphasizes on the inculcation of good values among children, that will help them develop as moral and productive citizens in future, while contributing to the progress of human society and civilization. Women have this additional responsibility of nurturing a productive, progressive and moral generation. It is for this very reason that the rights of mother are three times that of father on children. The role of women is not just confined to motherhood only, as the feminist critique of women’s agency wants us to believe. They criticize the fact, that besides motherhood, cannot women be celebrated as individuals? Islam, certainly does not demean womanhood, but celebrates women who are socially and economically engaged. Women who give charity (P-19) are elevated in the eyes of God, thus resolving the issue of women’s earning. Islam infact encourages the economic independence of women. This aspect of Islam and women’s economic independence has been least engaged by the patriarchal scholars. Islam as any other religion, debars sexual relations outside marriage. Sexual misconduct, feticide and infanticide of girl children is abhorred, while those who become sad at the birth of daughters are condemned too. Meanwhile sexual relations between legally wedded couples and spouses is encouraged, celebrated and described as an act of earning good deeds. An aspect of Islam, that provides fuel to Islamophobia is the issue of polygamy and its permissibility in Islam. However, the verses are misquoted to justify lust and portray Muslim men as driven by demonic sexual lust. But, in reality and spirit, Islam believes in monogamy, and wants Justice to prevail even in a polygamous marriage. “Marriage in Islam is a contract between two consenting adults. For a variety of reasons there is nonetheless a provision for polygamy. However, this provision is inextricably linked with justice. The Quran pointedly asks men not to be unjust to their wives, especially when they have more than one wife. Going as far as discouraging them by pointing out that if justice cannot be done then marry only one.” (P-38) The real discourse of Islam about women is rights based and for men it is duty based, but for our own ease we have reversed the same. So, men have to pay Mehr (dower money to the bride). Then the man is supposed to provide for the wife and children. One of the worst acts although allowed in the sight of God, is Divorce. If the spouses are not compatible with each other, then they should separate amicably. The wrong forms of Divorce have been condemned, so has the Triple Talaq been discouraged, although it has been abused much by twisting the verses through juristic interpretation, that prevailed over the authentic verses of Holy Quran. This is the atrocity that we have committed against Quran. Islam also focuses on the plight of widows, and orders Muslims to treat them well. There are various incidents documented in the book about how Muslim women fared in battle field, their contribution as skilled craftswomen like carpenters, attending to agricultural fields, homes, acting as protectors, slaying infidels and then as Hadith narrators and scholars. This book presents a holistic picture of Muslim women, how they should act, behave and what is expected from them. Numerous books engaging with the subject of women in Islam, have already been written, but this book has the distinction of presenting the status of women in Islam with brevity. However, the book although written for a simple reader, who intends to be acquainted with the position of women, in the light of Quran and Hadith, but a critical interpretation of how patriarchy has snatched all these rights as enshrined in the holy scriptures of Islam is missing from the analysis. There is now a movement towards revisioning and reinterpreting the message of Islam in a gender just manner, that Prof Kidwai too seems to follow as is depicted from many pages of the book. We should all congratulate Prof Kidwai for this new and unique book. ------ M.H.A. Sikander is Writer-Activist based in Srinagar, Kashmir URL: https://newageislam.com/books-documents/women-islam-battered-status-enshrined-quran/d/129981 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism