REJOINDER TO AN EXCERPT FROM "BEHIND THE VEIL" BY ERGUN MEHMET CANER

“Islam is pure and simple, and it holds women in high esteem.”

And stay in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the times of Jahiliyeeyah (ignorance). ” (Qur’an 33:33)

A typical Muslim women might not have any hope to you but they are jewel of islam.Sura 4:34 – Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are obedient, and guard in the husband’s absence what Allah orders them to guard. As to those women on whose part you see [suspect] ill conduct, admonish them, and abandon them to their beds, and beat them, but if they return to obedience, do not seek a means against them.

Within the Muslim faith, women are asked to dress and behave modestly. In an environment which constantly emphasizes the physical form through various media, women are constantly faced with an unattainable standard of beauty. Although Muslim women are falsely classified as oppressed based on their modest dress, they are in fact liberated from such objectification by the society around them. This modest appearance, which includes veiling, highlights a woman’s personality and character instead of her physical figure and promotes a deeper appreciation for who she is as a person. In this regard, Muslim women identify with Mary, the mother of Jesus (pbuh), who is known for her piety and modesty.

Islam has an extensive tradition of protecting the civil liberties of women based on the guidelines set forth by God and His Prophet. Women are empowered with many rights and protections under Islamic law and are honored with a dignified stature in society.

Why should the eyes of the Muslim women be open to adultery, formication and other sort of a thing, and after marriage the self esteem of a muslim woman is solely for her husband.A woman is a mother, wife, sister and a child. She plays many roles. A woman is virtuous.

Allah (swt) mentions that Men and Women are equal in his sight. He (swt) mentions that the only difference is that of piety, of gaining reward and of obeying Him (swt). It is not physical equality. To state the obvious, Allah (swt) has made Men and Women different and in terms of roles he has made the means to gain reward different.

“Men are the protectors and maintainers [qawwamun] of women, because Allah has given the one more [strength] than the other, and because they support them from their means. . .” (Qur’an 4:34), certain commands in Islam are general and are applied on all Muslims irrespective of being male or female, certain duties fall specifically on men whilst others only apply to women.

Verily, men who surrender unto God, and women who surrender, and men who believe and women who believe, and men who obey and women who obey, and men who speak the truth and women who speak the truth…and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their modesty and women who guard (their modesty), and men who remember God much and women who remember – God hath prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward. Verse 33 of the Qur’an, ‘
A man went to the PROPHET Muhammad (S.A.W) and asked “oh you messenger of Allah who most deserve my reverence after Allah and his messanger? He replied ” your mother” then who again he said “your mother” after her who again the messenger of Allah still repeat “your mother” then who,? He the replied saying your father and nearest relative ____ book 27, Hadith 1,tirmidhi.

The Muslim community has progressed and moved forward with many modern views. The woman’s role is no longer just a mother and wife. Islam permits the women, within its culture, to voyage on the Hajj pilgrimage, to exercise the right to vote, engage in politics, to have a job and even run a business as the business owner. And women in Islam have embraced these rights by partaking in all of available platforms. Women within other cultures have also become more accepting with women becoming breadwinners within their household and have also got rid of social stigmas that have overshadowed the gender of women in general. While many spectators have focused on the women in Islam due to social stigmas and stereotypes, it’s important that outsiders also look within their own community before judging the role of women in Islam. Many of the misconceptions that we fixate on the Muslim culture are actually relevant within other mainstream cultures as well.

Another misconception is the role of education. Many people believe that Muslim women are not allowed to receive an education – which in fact couldn’t be further from the truth.

Back in the 7 th century, Muhammad (pbuh) declared that the pursuit of knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim – male and female. This declaration was very clear and was largely implemented by Muslims throughout history. One of the most influential scholars of Islam was Muhammad’s wife, Aisha. After his death, men and women would travel to learn from her because she was considered a great scholar of Islam. The recognition of female scholarship and women’s participation in academia has been encouraged and practiced throughout the majority of Islamic history.

Ex-UNIOSUN student, Lateefat Abiola, emerges best medicine graduate in Ukraine

Looking into the link her hijab does not cover her brain neither does it stop her from being best student of her time. The role of Muslim women in Islam is vital and honourable get cleared.

Nafysah @ .Knowislam.com.ng