My first research paper I wrote (for my English class) in 2009. *Like most of my writing, revisions have been made to the online version, especially after I wrote the original. For this specific one, references to hadith, cutting off unnecessary material, works cited page, etc.
Walking out from your home, you notice your new neighbor, a Muslim woman, getting into her car to take her daughter to school. She is dressed in a black head and face covering and a gown-like outfit reaching her feet. You heard she even worked as a teacher. You stand there puzzled. Why do Muslim women cover their head, face, and body? Are they allowed to work and make money? Does Islam permit harsh treatment of women by men? Are they really oppressed or liberated? All of these ridiculous rumors you hear in the media spread negative beliefs about the life of a Muslim woman. In reality, Islam provides a positive way of life for Muslim women regarding self, social, economic, and support aspects that should be correctly known by the public.
Most importantly, the covering of a Muslim woman’s head, face, and body is the most misunderstood part of Islam among non-Muslims and even some Muslims. The media spreads ideas that are mostly false or true only within certain cultures or families, but really has nothing to do with Islam. Another way people with little or no understanding of Islam or Muslims get the wrong impression is by judging any Muslim and assuming Islam teaches what they are viewing or hearing. According to "Baba" Ali's video, That's Not Hijab, "Society uses a double standard when it comes to women covering their hair. Comparing a nun to a hijabi, they cover practically the same body parts, yet society labels the nun as one who is practicing her religion and as pious and a hijabi as oppressed."
The head covering (hijab in Arabic) identifies women as followers of the religion Islam, who are Muslims. By wearing hijab, a Muslim woman is saying, “Judge me by my faith, not my body” (Adam). Muslim women are seen as humans and not as objects as women are in today’s society or were before Islam.
“Hijab is worn by Muslim woman as a sign of faith, modesty, and chastity…” (Adam). Hijab is not just covering up of either just the head or body, but of both. Ones behavior, manners, speech, and appearance also plays a part. Wearing hijab properly means covering of all the hair, chest, neck, and ears, wearing loose clothes as to not show the body’s shape, and not wearing or putting on attractive items such as strong smelling perfume, jewelry that makes noise or might catch unwanted attention, and clothes/headscarf that makes one stand out because of color or material.
Putting up an earring fashion show displaying all the earrings owned (with hair still covered), wearing skin tight clothes that makes it look like the clothes are painted on, and “short sleeve hijab,” which means covering of the head until you get to the arms and realize short sleeves are being worn, are some hijab “attempts” made by some older Muslim women (That’s Not Hijab).
Many people think being forced to wear hijab or to please others such as their parents or wearing it for show is what hijab is about. “Popular belief to some Muslims and non-Muslims is that hijab is worn to keep men’s desire in check. It is not worn for that. Rather for themselves [women] and to follow God’s command” (Unveiling). Only God (Allah in Arabic) knows ones intention of why one does something and for whom.
And say to the believing women that they lower their gaze and guard their modesty, and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands… (Quran 24:31).
How many times do people think of Muslim women as being uneducated because of how they appear? The idea of Muslim women being pushed away from society, which includes not getting a proper education, is something the media tries to make the public believe. In Islam, women are equal to men in the quest for knowledge. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The seeking of knowledge is compulsory upon every (male and female) Muslim” (Ibn Maja). Nothing should stop one from learning what is beneficial for them in this life and the next. "Since it is also their obligation to promote good behavior and condemn bad behavior in all spheres of life, Muslim women must acquire the appropriate education to perform this duty in accordance with their own natural talents and interests" (Anjum). Education also plays a role in parenting because of the affects that it will have on the children. The way someone is raised impacts how they will be when they get older. "A woman having children must be educated and conscientious in order to be a skillful parent" (Anjum).
It is a privilege for a Muslim woman to be a wife and a mother. People assume being a wife or mother is not an important job as being a nurse, lawyer, teacher, etc. A wife and a mother are highly respected positions for a Muslim woman. A Muslim woman's rights before looking to get married include having a choice to approve or deny a proposal. Contrary to popular belief, Islam does not teach for its women to be forced to marry someone without them knowing and approving. A Muslim woman may only marry a Muslim man. "In Islam, the husband is the head of the house, so it would be hard for a woman if she was told to do something against Islam (Watson 58). As a wife, she also receives a marital gift (mahr) from the husband, which is part of the marriage contract.
When she finally does marry, she does not have to change her last name, she may keep her maiden name (Watson 56). Present and future income and properties even after marriage, are hers to keep. She also receives full financial support during marriage and the "waiting period" in case of divorce or widowhood (Malaekah). The wife also has the right to kind treatment. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "The most perfect man in his faith among the believers is the one whose behavior is most excellent; and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives'' (At-Tirmidhi).
In the news, we hear Muslim women are being abused, violated, and basically treated with disrespect mostly by their husband or by other men. Whether a man knows it or not, he is not allowed to act in any way which may cause harm to a woman. Such acts in marriage can lead to divorce. Islam allows divorce, but it is not encouraged to take place.
The Qu’ran tells us that our mothers went through hardships such as labor, feeding, and caring for us, so mothers come before fathers in importance.
A man came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said, "O messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?" Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Your mother." The man asked two more times and the answer was "your mother." When asked for the fourth time, the answer was "then your father" (Summarized Sahih Bukhari, 952).
Since both the mother and father took care of the children when they were young, they are both to be taken care of by their children when they are unable to do so by themselves.
Your Lord has commanded you that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If one of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them a word of disrespect, or scold them, but say generous words to them and act humbly to them in mercy, and say, “My Lord, have mercy on them, since they cared for me when I was small” (Qu’ran17:23-24).
In addition to rights of Muslim women, she has economic benefits. “She can work, be self supporting, and participate in handling the family duties as long as her integrity and honor are safeguarded” (Status). A Muslim woman can work outside her home if she chooses to as long as her family responsibilities are met (Anjum). This means if she can keep up with working outside her home and within her home for herself and family, no one can stop her against her will. Islam does not forbid a Muslim woman from seeking employment, especially in positions that fit her and where society needs her such as teaching children, nursing, and social and charitable work (Malaekah). With this said, the money she earns is rightfully hers. “Muslim women have the benefit to earn money. She can run her own business and no one has any claim over her earnings, including her husband” (Anjum).
Finally, a female Muslim receives overall support throughout her life by men. Men are the maintainers of women because God has made some of them to excel others and because they spend of their wealth for the support of women (Qur’an 4:34). Although males may inherit more than females, males are financially responsible for their female relatives such as their mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters. Females inherit less but get to keep their share without any legal obligation to spend any part of it even on their own needs if they choose not to (Malaekah). “As a daughter or sister, she is entitled to security and provision by the father and brother respectively” (Status).
Likewise, a husband is required to provide everything for his wife. "A husband is obligated to provide the wife with food, shelter, and clothing, despite her own personal spending. The husband is not forced to spend over his capability and the wife is not allowed to make unreasonable demands" (Anjum).
As to a Muslim woman's relationship with others, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "None of you has faith (Emaan in Arabic) until he desires for his Muslim brother (or sister) that which he desires for himself (or herself)" (Bukhari and Muslim). Similar to the saying, “treat others the way you would like to be treated,” both Muslim men and women are to act upon the Prophet's sayings. Muslim women are to communicate and keep in touch with their sisters in Islam, visit the sick, respect neighbors, care for the young and old, congratulate upon the birth of a baby, and work along the needs of her family.
With all this said, one would be mistaken to say “Muslim women are oppressed, treated like slaves of men, or has no importance in life.” Islam is a complete way of life, with answers to everything. Allah mentions in the Qur'an how the life of both Muslim men and women should be properly lived. Overall, Islam provides a positive way of life for Muslim women regarding self, social, economic, and support aspects that should be correctly known by the public.
Sources
The Veil Unveiled: The True Status of Women in Islam (part 1, 2, and 3)
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/287/viewall/
Women’s Liberation through Islam (part 1 and 2)
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/428/
Women in Islam (part 1 and 2)
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/2132/viewall/
Status of Woman in Islam
http://www.whyislam.org/services/order-literature/#
That's Not Hijab
http://ummahfilms.blogspot.com/2006/11/thats-not-hijab-ummah-films-season-2.html
The Quran (Arabic text with corresponding English meanings) by Saheeh International
Hijab - Unveiling the Mystery
http://www.whyislam.org/services/order-literature/#
Veils of Dignity by Khadija Watson
No comments:
Post a Comment