Islam and Feminism
Feminism is the belief of people that women are equal to men at the social, political, and economic levels. It simply means that all gender (sexes) have equal rights and opportunities. It was first started in the 18th century by Mary Wollstonecraft for the betterment of women’s rights. If we compare it with saying in Islam, we may or may not have different opinions. The Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H in his last sermon said: “An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor black has superiority over white except by piety and good action.”
Islamic Feminism is also the women’s rights movement, awakening others about the equal right of Muslim men and women. It is more radical than being secular in the public sphere and compulsory in the private sphere. Treating others full of kindness is common sense and liked by the human heart, even if we don’t compare it with Islam. This isn’t an act of kindness to treat someone badly beat them, and forcefully hurt them. Although Islam empowered women in every way, Muslims were not ready to accept this concept of gender equality. The reason is the structure. The power dynamics of a leader always get challenged when speaking about such parity. As a result, many hadith were reformulated to the status of women so that they remain subordinate and obey men without reasoning. Hazrat Muhammad. S.A.W also said: “Fear Allah regarding women. Verily, you have married them with the trust of Allah and made their bodies lawful with the word of Allah. You have got rights over them, and they have got over you in their food and clothing according to your means.” Allah has always given rights and respect to women and is mentioned in all his books for living mankind. Similarly, there is a command of Allah to educate your children whether they are men or women, it is compulsory for both of them. “It is the duty of every Muslim man and every Muslim woman to acquire knowledge.” Said Prophet Muhammad PBUH. As the first words of revelation were also about reading and learning; “Read! In the name of Allah, who has created you.”
Islam has indeed given freedom to men and women in their life decisions and different situations. But we see on the other side men have a superior level than women in finance, as a male must be fully responsible for giving food and fulfilling the needs of all females in his home then where he is father or husband. Allah commands in Holy Quran: “Men have daraja (degree) over women in responsibility and authority.” The word Qawwam is used for men in Quran, which mean “to look after”. The problem arises when people don’t want males to superior to females and start a forceful march even though Allah has claimed the reason. Meanwhile, women are not forbidden to work outside the home and earn their willingness, their money can be fully used on themselves. It’s also said in Surah An-Nisa: “Men are the caretaker of women, as men have been provisioned by Allah over women and tasked with supporting them financially. And righteous women are devoutly obedient and, when alone, protective of what Allah has entrusted them.
Simple yet complex, Islam was the very first religion that empowered women when they were victimized by men. Islam rescues them from bad men. At that time, women living with dignity was an alien concept for them, but now it is considered a humankind act and respectful. The concept of feminism was the idea of the western world, but it flows around the world like fire as it holds more power than ever expected. As it blows toward Pakistan, it gets recognized more and more on a daily basis. This movement may help to attain some rights for women, but also have a negative impact as it turns into a more liberal side of asking for rights. The best example will include females asking for freedom of clothes that they want to wear whatever they want. According to Islam, females are not allowed to wear any clothes which are beyond the boundaries of Muslim women.
Feminism has its positive side prominent, the best of the best example of a model that we have is Fatima Ali Jinnah the beloved sister of Quaid-e-azam. She serves his whole life for the well-being of Pakistan and participates in every smaller to bigger scale level of work to help her county. Islamic feminism can be seen in a variety of settings. As a result, many people talk about Islamic feminism. Some, especially Islamic feminists, have contended that it has become too wide to characterize local women’s actions. This is based on its re-explained of the Quran and recognizes the idea of patriarchy as flawed to the Islamic values and belief in god. Islamic feminists are employing the concept of ijtihad to create Quranic interpretations that highlight the Quran’s gender-equality orders. These interpretations, therefore, serve as the foundation for pursuing gender equality in Islamic law in today’s Muslim governments.
Today, Islamisation of education is likely to impact the future of the women’s rights movement in Pakistan. Recently, the government introduced the Single National Curriculum (SNC), a reform of the education system that enhances Islamic Studies and wherein Urdu, the national language, is promoted in awareness and instruction. Pakistan has a long way to go when it comes to women’s rights and their conditions in society. Scholars have long been predicting the comeback of Islam, and Pakistan is not the only country dealing with an identity crisis or standing at the crossroads between modernity and tradition. Tunisia and Turkey introduced radical Islamic reforms in family law, whereas Egypt and Morocco did so with moderation; Iran and Saudi Arabia adopted more conservative. The major risk in implementing Islamic policies is knowing when to stop and where to draw a line. It is not just about how far the process goes, but instead whose Islam is chosen for the divine mission and how inclusive that Islam turns out to be.
