Perspective: Women in Islam | Hubbatul Waheed

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God always reminds mankind that one's dignity is in covering their bodies it is amongst one of the trait which distinguishes man from animals.

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | US Desk
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By Hubbatul Waheed | March 15, 2018

Polygamy is explicitly not forbidden in the Old Testament.

Now days, It is becoming a common concept that Islam is a religion oppresses and seize women's rights. People consider Islam as a misogynistic and violent religion, that has isolated women in their houses. As a Muslim woman, I am confused and totally deny this erroneous notion. Confuse in a sense that what I have experienced as a Muslim woman about my religion is quite different from what is trending now a days tagging Islam as radicalized religion on the basis of gender segregation.

The Controversy:

1. Islam has imposed veil or hijab on Muslim women
2. Islam promotes patriarchy and that Islam permits polygamy and deprived women from this right.
3. Islam is believe to be a religion that has restricted women from their basic right of education.

Hijab in other religions

Well the answer to the first controversy is that head covering is not a concept unique to Islam but one can find these teachings in bible and even in other religious scriptures.

Bible about hijab:

In the Old Testament we read:

“ When Re-bek’ah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant, " What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us?’ And the servant had said ‘It is my master’. Therefore she took a veil and covered herself.”[Genesis: 24:64-65]

In the New Testament we read: “ But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”(1 Corinthians: 11: 5-6)

For the westerners who criticize Islam on hijab issue should consider example of Mary (PUBH), if you look at her sculpture you will see a lady who is always in hijab (covering her head and body).

Bhagavad Gita about hijab:

Describing the state of world in the latter days, which are called Kalyug [dark-age] in the Holy Bhagvada Gita Maha Rishi Vuyas, explains Women, with uncovered faces, will walk about in the bazaars like prostitutes.Even women in traditional parts of India cover their faces in their own way, This itself is a strong proof of their original beliefs.

God always reminds mankind that one's dignity is in covering their bodies it is amongst one of the trait which distinguishes man from animals. Today, many women rights activists, organizations and media are shouting out loud against women molestation but the question raises here is who is responsible for it?.Answer is media and people themselves. Media provokes this sexual erotic thoughts by using women as a sexual tools.

If we examined scientifically, covering your body and head can save you from many disease. Melanoma, another term for skin cancer.Too much exposure to the sun cause skin cancer." Melanoma Affects Women More Strongly than Men".Women aged 39 and under have a higher probability of developing melanoma.About 65 percent of melanoma cases can be attributed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

The answer to the next controversial question is that not only Islam permits polygamy but one can find evidence of polygamy in other religions also. Not only Prophet Muhammad (PUBH) had more than one wife but Prophet Moses (PUBH), Prophet David (PUBH), Prophet Solomon (PUBH), Prophet Jacob (PUBH) had multiple wives.

Polygamy in other religions

Polygamy is explicitly not forbidden in the Old Testament. The Torah includes a few specific regulations on the practice of polygamy Exodus 21:10: “If he take another wife for himself; her food, her clothing, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish”. Deut 21:15-17 states that “a man must award the inheritance due to a first-born son to the son who was actually born first, even if he hates that son's mother and likes another wife more”.

The Baudhayana Dharmashastra, a Hindu law book, prescribes the following rules regarding the number of wives.There are four castes (varna) Brâhmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sûdras. Males belonging to them may take wives according to the order of the castes, a Brâhmana four, a Kshatriya three, a Vaisya two and a Sûdra one.When you read various holy books of Hindu religion, you find stories of many kings and lords having more than one wife. For example, king Dasratha (father of lord Rama) has had three wives. The lord Krishna was believed to have about 16000 Gopiyan (beloved wives).So not only Islam permits polygamy but other religions too allow polygamy.

Now let's discuss the third issue raised against Islam that Islam restricts women from getting education. For the critics who attack Islam on the basis of activities carried out by the extremists and fundamentalist groups against women. I want to give example of Hadhrat Aisha (ra), wife of Prophet Muhammad (PUBH) Hadhrat Aishah Siddiqah(ra) holds a central position in the annals of Islam. Most of the recorded history of Islam can be obtained through her accounts, thus the Holy Prophet (saw) declared that “one could learn half the faith from her". She is considered as the prominent scholars of Islam.If we look at the history of Islam we will find many Muslim women who were great scholars of their time.

The worldwide head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (a.b.a) said: “Women are endowed with intellect and a voice. We have the example of Hadhrat Ayesha (ra) before us. Who was an educator to both men and women”.

Holy Prophet (PUBH) emphasized on the importance of women education.The Prophet of ALLAH (PUBH) said, “Acquiring of knowledge is obligatory to every Muslim male and female”.

I will end up my topic with the quote of Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) the worldwide head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He said “Let it be crystal clear that in no respect is a woman's status less than that of man”.God has created mankind to live peace fully, spread love for humanity and strengthen universal brotherhood instead of becoming biased and hate mongers and kindle fire of hatred-ism. I Hope this will clear some misconceptions about Islam.


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