Since time immemorial, the debate over women’s empowerment has been heatedly debated, not only by the same gender, but also by counter-genders who believe that women as a gender face dishonor and humiliation. It was not only Mary Wollstonecraft or Margaret Thatcher who would call for the vindication of women’s rights after hypothesizing that a society is androcentric and chauvinistic in nature, but also many like Ibsen, who went so far as to write play after play for the liberation of women. During my research on the 19th century play (Doll’s House), I read somewhere that Noor’s door slamming awoke the entire England from its slumber, and it not only shook the society but also marked the beginning of the moment of woman liberation, “Nora’s door slamming.” Symbolically, it stands for Nora’s revolt against her husband and, by extension, a slap in the face of patriarchy.” Some critics even pointed out that “the door slam heard around the world was symbolically the beginning of the feminist movement brewing at the time.”
The vindication of women’s rights highlights the difficulties that women face on a daily basis, as well as objectifying women as a sex symbol and inferior to its counterpart. However, when we read European society by and large, we come across by happenstance many such glitches, which the likes of Mary Wollstonecraft have emphasized. But when I hear the same thing from a Muslim woman, it undoubtedly boils my blood for several reasons:
- Islam has generally emphasized female empowerment in every way possible, while taking into account all biological differences.
- Prophet Mohammad (SAW) not only taught the theory of women’s empowerment but also showed in practice how to do it for his companions.
Before the advent of the last Prophet Mohammad (SAW), the girls were buried alive; it was considered taboo to have a girl in a family. Furthermore, in Arab culture, having a girl child was considered a misfortune, but the Prophet Mohammad, peace and blessings be upon him, changed the notion, stereotype, and backwardness that Arab society was welled with. He not only elevated women’s status, but also provided them with rights that modern society has failed to provide in every way. What else has modern society done for women’s empowerment, I ask my readers, than objectify her as enticing bait for its counter-gender? Projecting her in silver on the big screen as a glamorous sex symbol?
In the case of a modern woman, this is liberation, which I would downright negate and call the darkness of their soul and essence, which doesn’t let them ponder over their transcendental purpose in life. I pity those women who think making insta-reels, walking half naked, or displaying body is their liberation. Let me openly tell them today that their counter-gender has a different notion of a girl or woman having such a bent of mind, for they consider them nothing more than disposal items. Furthermore, I would like to find as an example the women of the above description, or women who support feminism, in stable marriages or without annulments.
Our beloved Prophet Mohammad (SAW) is the only man in the entire universe who not only liberated them but also provided them with rights that will safeguard and protect them from the abyss. The woman are elevated to such a huge status by saying paradise lies under the feet of mother by Prophet Mohammad (SAW)—Daughters open the doors for her father and shall help him to enter the paradise; rather, the paradise is guaranteed to the father who has three daughters and raises them well, is good to them, and is merciful. Furthermore, she completes the other half of her husband’s “Imaan” after marriage.
Hazarat Aisha (RA), mother of Umah, says she has never been jealous of any of Prophet Mohammad’s (SAW) wives other than his first wife, Hazrat e Khadija (RA), because Prophet Mohammad would take her name after many years of her passing with such love and reverence that it would make her envious. He would not only do this but also would take care of her friends and would ask companions to visit them to see whether they have all the necessities available or not .
It is also reported by Aisha (RA), “Whenever any gift was brought to him he would immediately send it to some lady who was related to Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA). Whenever a sacrificial animal was slaughtered the prophet (SAW) would send some share to khadijah’s friends. It is also reported by Aisha (RA) that on another occasion Haalah bint Khuwaylid (Sister of Khadijah ) came upon Prophet (SAW) to meet him. He immediately recognized her voice and exclaimed with joy. “Oh my Lord it is Haalah, he would sense the presence of Khadijah through all that was associated to her, be that her friends her family members and would give due honor and regard to them.
Dealing Strife with patience and compassion
Once Prophet Mohammad (SAW) and Hazrat Aisha (RA) ended up with some minute dispute and they mutually agreed for an intercession. Who else could it had been other than her father (the beloved companion of the prophet, Abu Bakr (RA). The prophet (SAW) asked Hazrat Aisha (RA) to introduce the matter to him; to which she refused by saying “You better introduce, for you are a Prophet.” This was too hard for HAzrat Abu Bakr (RA) to hear from his daughter and it spurred a ferocious reaction. It was the Prophet (SAW) who took care of the situation and supported saying, “We had not called you for this O Abu Bakr”
On another occasion on seeing Hazrat Aisha (RA) talking casually to the Prophet (SAW), Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) reprimanded her for her seemingly audacious behavior; The Prophet (SAW) interceded and shielded her only to let Hazrat Abu Bakr (SAW) leave the place infuriated. Then he smiled and turned to ‘Aisha’ teasing her for having availed respite from her father’s ferocity.”
(Author is a regular columnist to RK. Email: [email protected])
