Muslim Women and American Women

Muslim Women and American Women

Muslim women are assigned their role in the society by the religion they follow i.e. Islam. Islam is a complete code of life that offers very clear instructions on role and treatment of women in the society and regardless of what anyone thinks or sees, Islam does not condone subjugation of women in any form. Islam places great emphasis on the unity of men and women and calls for extremely dignified treatment towards the womankind. Islam, being a protector of humanity has placed women on one of the highest pedestals commanding men to pay respect to women at all levels and in all forms.

Previously, this religion has been mistaken for being the religion of fundamentalists and for being a religion promoting women subjugation. This is because Islamic teachings have not been closely analyzed or even remotely studied. Following passages will reveal the role and the place of women as suggested by the lofty Islamic teachings as presented in Quran (the holy book of the Muslim Ummah).

The place of women as mothers in Islam is matchless. This religion staunchly believes in the treatment of a woman as not only a human being, breathing with an enlightened soul but they are to be looked upon as the exulting mothers and together with her husband, Islam places Muslim parents on the highest pedestal.

As is obvious in the following words: "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, Say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them. But address them in terms of honor. And out of kindness, Lower to them the wing of humility, and say: 'My Lord! bestow on them Your Mercy as they Cherished me in childhood' " (17:23-24) (Women in Islam, 1995).

In addition to the above, closely reviewing the Islamic teachings reveals the significance of women as mothers and nurses and bearers of their children. As Allah in Quran has stated and ordered his people in the following words: "And We have enjoined on man to be good to his parents: In travail upon travail did his mother bear him and in two years was his weaning. Show gratitude to Me and to your parents" (31:14) (Women in Islam, 1995).

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last of all the Muslim Prophets has also put stress on the highly dignified role of mothers in Islam in the following words:

man asked the Prophet: 'Whom should I honor most?' The Prophet replied: 'Your mother'. 'And who comes next?' asked the man. The Prophet replied: 'Your mother'. 'And who comes next?' asked the man. The Prophet replied: 'Your mother!'. 'And who comes next?' asked the man. The Prophet replied: 'Your father'" (Bukhari and Muslim) (Women in Islam, 1995). In short, Muslims mothers play the most cardinal role in the upbringing and the life of Muslim children. (Women in Islam, 1995)

Islam has bestowed women with dignity, respect and more than the basic human rights thereby spreading the message of unity and equality of men and women. As the following verses from Quran provide the conclusive evidence of the claim made above: (Abdur Rahman, Women in the Quran and the Sunnah)

They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them (2:187). Just as a garment hides our nakedness, so do husband and wife, by entering into the relationship of marriage, secure each other's chastity. The garment gives comfort to the body; so does the husband find comfort in his wife's company and she in his. The garment is the grace, the beauty, the embellishment of the body, so too are wives to their husbands as their husbands are to them.

Moreover, the significance of the social standing of womankind in Islam can be further observed by looking at the right of inheritance that this western religion gives to its female followers.

Islam strictly prohibits intentional, flirtatious exchange of glances between men and women and orders it's followers to avoid eye contact in order to prevent Satan to win by creating hurdles for it to generate and support vicious activities by making evil acts appear alluring (Abdur Rahman).

The gender equality and the prominent social standing of women is again obvious from the following quotation of the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) while he addressed Muslim husbands thereby ordering them to permit their wives to attend mosques. "Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from going to the mosque." And husbands were specifically told by him: "When your womenfolk ask you for permission to attend the mosque, do not prevent them." (Abdur Rahman, Women in Society)

Hence from the above discussion, it is evident that the role of women and their social position is of respect and dignity rather than inferiority. What we find happening in some parts of the Muslim world is not due to Islam but due to wrong interpretation of Islam. In most Muslim countries including urban areas of Pakistan, UAE, Libya, Lebanon, Iran etc., women play exceptional roles in various positions of power.

Compared to Muslim women, American women may enjoy more obvious freedom i.e. freedom to wear revealing clothes or have pre-marital sex but we cannot say that this freedom has actually put them in a better position in any sense. This is because unlike role of Muslim women that is assigned by Islam, an American woman's role is dictated and shaped by the society itself and there is little religious influence. While Christianity treats women with respect and doesn't allow for sexual exploitation of the fairer sex, the truth is that an American woman today has become more of an object than a true human beings. It is true that she can participate in all spheres of life with absolute freedom, but this freedom has also turned her into an objection of desire and cases of sexual harassment and rape against women attest to this fact. Christianity offers protection to women too like Islam does but the only difference as we mentioned above is that a Muslim women takes the role assigned by religion more seriously than an American woman would. For women in American society, religion is a secondary thing and they have worked hard to gain the freedom today that they were once denied. How this freedom has negatively affected their status is another issue but it cannot be denied that an American woman today enjoys numerous opportunities and has a better chance of rising to the very top of her chosen profession. This is because Muslim women are not as driven by professional ambitions and more satisfied with her role as a wife and mother than her American counterpart. Most American women would find it professionally dissatisfying to let motherhood and household responsibilities stop them from working outside their homes. They participation in the workforce is certainly greater when compared with Muslim women but this is more about priorities than restrictions. A Muslim woman believes that it is her commitment to her family is more important than her commitment to her profession and thus while we see most American women pursuing a career, very few Muslim women would do the same with similar passion. For Muslim women work is obviously of secondary importance and that may not be true for an American female.