ISLAM AND WOMEN
A dispassionate study of Islam’s basic tenets would make it exceedingly clear that its sole purpose is to enable both men and women to follow the straight path, leading to peace and bliss in this world and the world to come.
To have a correct understanding of women’s status in Islam, we should first address the question—Is the idea of change and adaptation to a new environment created by the passage of time obnoxious to it?
To begin with, Islam is not opposed to change if it is in the interest of the common people inhabiting the globe. We cannot sidetrack the fact that Islam was necessitated by the momentous changes that were taking place in Arabia.
Those who insist that every word written in the Quran is to be followed irrespective of the changed circumstances are mistaken in their belief. Change is the law of Nature, and to set one’s face against the wind of change sweeping across the world is an irrational stand. It is not necessary to follow every word written in the sacred books without a frame of reference to the time when it was conceived and acted upon for the benefit of contemporary society. Those words may not be used today; therefore, to insist on their observance is not just and proper.
The Quran enjoins on us the sacred task of following only those verses that are basic to it; if anybody follows the verses that are not its foundation, he is charged with perversity. The Quran categorically lays down:
“Some of its verses are clear and precise in meaning—they are the basis of the Book—while others are allegorical. Those with deviation in their hearts pursue the allegorical, so as to create dissension by seeking to explain it” (3:7)
The condition of women in the world before the coming of Islam in the seventh century AD was appalling. By and large, women were treated as goods and chattel. Female infanticide was in vogue. The Quran and the Sunnah condemn this evil practice in the strongest possible words. The Quran says: “Kill not your children on a plea of want. We provide sustenance for you and them.” (6:151) It further states: “Verily the killing of them is a great sin.” (17:31). It was Islam that, for the first time in the history of the world, took bold steps to outlaw the cruel practice of female infanticide.
Prophet Muhammad made no distinction between men and women. His sons died young, and the children who continued to live were all daughters. He looked after them with great love and care as if to set an example for others to emulate. He said: “Whoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive, scold her or prefer his male children to her. May God bring him into paradise.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 1957) According to a hadith, the Prophet once articulated that the most significant human virtue is to do good to one’s daughter after her husband has returned her.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 17586)
It is a wrong belief that Islam had introduced polygamy. It is a fact that every civilized nation has practiced polygamy in the past. The custom of polygamous marriage still exists in many parts of the world. For example, a woman can marry several men in our neighbouring country, Tibet. Thus, polygamy and polyandry have been existing side by side.
Islam did not encourage plural marriage. On the contrary, it restricted the number of wives to four. Even this liberty to marry more than one woman was made subject to the rule that one could not take more than one wife if he was not sure of giving equal and just treatment to all of them. The Quran is obvious on this point. It lays down, “Marry women of your choice, two or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one.” (4:3)
Muslim personal laws are not entirely scriptural. Most of these laws are of recent origin. The Shariat Act, for instance, was enacted by the British legislature in 1937 and later came to be regarded as the Muslim Personal Law. Many of its provisions relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance, and custody of children are outdated and require timely alteration without touching the fundamental rules of conduct enjoined on the whole of mankind by the Quran and the Hadith.
Notwithstanding the natural differences between men and women, Islam accords them equal status. Besides conferring innumerable rights to women, Islam has enhanced their prestige in their families and communities. At the time of Prophet Muhammad, women were exhorted to act as imams and could lead congregational prayer.
The Prophet was very emphatic about respecting women. He said, “A Muslim must not hate his wife, and if he is displeased with one bad quality in her, let him be pleased with another which is good.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1469) Another tradition of the Prophet states, “Heaven lies at the feet of the mother.” (Musnad Al-Shihab, Hadith No. 119) These and other sayings of the Prophet show his mental attitude towards women in general.
After the passing away of Prophet Muhammad around 632 AD, the strong edifice of women’s rights started to crumble down.
Although the Quranic legislation sought to improve women’s status considerably, many evil practices crept into society. Triple divorce in one sitting is one such evil. The conferment of absolute right on the husband to divorce his wife at will cannot be justified. This practice is not in conformity with the true Islamic principles relating to the dissolution of marriage.
The time has come to understand and interpret Islamic laws correctly and to do away with discrimination based on sex, place of birth, colour, creed, and caste.
