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When Women Emerge
by Madrasah Ta'leemuddeen - Isipingo Beach
No Muslim has the slightest iota of doubt in the fact that the Qur'an is
absolutely infallible. How could it be otherwise when the Qur'an is the word
of Allah Ta'ala who is All Knowing, All Seeing and the possessor of absolute
and perfect wisdom. Every command of Allah Ta'ala is compatible with human
nature and its adherence not only earns a person rewards in the hereafter,
but is also vital to facilitate the smooth harmony of our existence on
earth. No system or mode of life can ever be superior. Allah Ta'ala, the
Creator of men and women, the Eternal Being that blessed mankind with
intellect and the One who created in human beings passions, emotions and
desires, addresses His female slaves in His Glorious Qur'an with the
following command: "And remain firmly within your homes and display not
yourselves like the display of the former times of ignorance"(Al-Ahzaab;
33). This is the command of none other than our Creator, Allah the Most
Wise. Hence by disregarding this command we will not only invite His
displeasure, but we will also have to suffer the terrible consequences of
our violation in this world. It will be similar to the case where a person
ignores the instructions of the manufacturer of a car and he fills water
into the petrol tank and fills petrol into the radiator.
ABSOLUTE NECESSITY
Likewise Rasulullah (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) has restricted the
emergence of women from the home to the situation of genuine necessity. Ibn
Umar (RA.) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam said: 'A
woman should not emerge from her home except if she is forced to do so"
(Tabrani). Also when emerging out of necessity, the woman is commanded to
adopt full Hijaab, which includes the covering of her face.
However in the present climate of women's lib and feminism which has risen
from the decadent west, even Muslims of weak Imaan have found it appropriate
to cast women out of their homes and into the outside world. Yet do we
really know what goes on out there? The situation is indeed shocking to say
the least.
WOMEN RETURNING HOME
According to the American Psychological Association sexual harassment is
extremely widespread in the work place. "It touches the lives of 40 to 60
percent of working women, and a similar proportion of female students in
colleges and universities. In Texas, for example, after having been cast out
of the home, the women finally want to return to their rightful place.
According to an article in the Texas Poll (21/2/93), one third of all Texas
women have experienced sexual harassment at work. According to the article
"more than half said the incidents contributed to them leaving their jobs or
wanting to."
Indeed the outside world has become a jungle. Here again, let the statistics
of the west speak for themselves.
Research conducted in August 1990 revealed that 1 in 4 college women have
been attacked by a rapist and 1 in 7 have been raped. This should be
considered together with the fact that only 7% of all rapes are reported to
the police and more than 50% of the victims do not tell anybody about their
ordeal . Thus these figures are only the tip of the ice-berg. (A
Criminological Study; Koss and Woodruff).
ENDANGERED SPECIES
Besides the above, due to the free intermingling of men and women in the
work place and elsewhere, it seems that legitimate children are becoming an
endangered species, especially in the U.S. as well as in other countries. In
the article titled "The Truth About Feminism," Kenneth R. Pangborn writes
that "in the United States one child in four is illegitimate (1 in 3 in
Florida)." Also in those children born out-of-wedlock, more than 50% have
birth certificates where the father is described as "unknown"!
Perhaps some readers may feel that all this is very far away in the U.S..
Hence it should not concern us. Actually we should be extremely concerned.
In South Africa SEVEN OUT OF TEN (70%) women encounter sexual abuse in the
working world (Natal on Saturday 25/3/95).
Yes, it is a reality, though in most cases the victims never mention it to
anyone. According to a survey carried out by the Student Counselling Centre
(SCC) at the University of Natal (Durban), "of these incidents (of sexual
harassment) as many as 80% are not reported." Rather, the victims would even
deny it, for fear of reprisals.
UNIVERSITIES
Similarly, "academic" institutions also paint a horrid picture. The SCC
report states that a survey at Rhodes University revealed that 63% of female
academics experienced sexual harassment. Also out of one hundred students
surveyed at Rhodes, six said that they had been 'offered higher marks for
sexual favours.' The report also states that at the University of Natal
(Durban) "one in four females reported experiencing sexual harassment
`occasionally' (which means that though it does not occur frequently, it
happens on an on going basis)."
PARLIAMENT
Let alone in other places of work, even the highest office in the country
has not escaped the sexual harassment of women. According to a Daily News
report (9/12/94) "several women MPs and parliamentary staff have complained
of sexual harassment by male MPs." The report quoted the speaker of
parliament as saying that the alleged perpetrators were "from more than one
party." It was also reported that women MPs feared going to certain parts of
the parliamentary complex.
WOEFUL DAY
When this is the situation in the highest office of the country, what can be
said of elsewhere? Yet, despite this shocking state of affairs, many Muslims
still ignore the injunctions of the Qur'an and actually propagate that women
should be working "shoulder-to-shoulder" with men. Numerous Muslim girls
have married men who are out of the fold of Islam due to the contact that
developed in high schools, universities and in the work place. All the
parents of these girls were adamant that "My daughter will never do such a
thing." That woeful day however came when they had to swallow hard on these
words and wash it down with a flood of tears - but to no avail. The apple of
their eye had become the wife of some John, Peter or Reddy.
Nonetheless, the most baffling part is that in spite of many of these
aspects being common knowledge, numerous parents continue to send their
daughters to high schools, universities, and into the working world. When
these parents are spoken to with regards to the Imaan-snatching dangers out
there, their simple response is: "My daughter will never do such a thing."
The problem however is that in the "melting pot" environments of the outside
world, only those with Imaan as firm as mountains can withstand the
onslaught. Simply no rationalizations whatsoever can sanction women being
cast into the lion's den.
DISTRIBUTION OF WORK
Allah Ta'ala has given us the beautiful formula compatible with the
differing natures of the genders. This is illustrated in the following
practice of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) had apportioned the work
that pertains to matters outside the home (which includes earning for the
family) to Sayyidina Ali {RA.) while the work pertaining to aspects inside
the home were allotted to the Queen of Jannah, Hazrath Fatima (RA.) (Zaadul
Ma'aad 2/235). Hence it is the man's duty to go out into the world and earn
a Halaal living. Thus in a truly Islamic state where women are not found
working "shoulder-to-shoulder" with men, the root cause of the illicit
liaisons which take place in the working world will be non existent.
However, when that ideal situation does not exist, the man who goes out to
work must be extra cautious to protect himself. Allah Ta'ala says: "Say to
the Believing men that they should lower their gazes (An-Noor: 30)." Also
the Hadith clearly states that 'no person should ever be in seclusion with a
strange woman. When these and other similar injunctions will be violated
then the obvious outcome will be involvement in grievous sins. The solution
is thus to eliminate the cause, not to light the fire and then attempt to
control it.
Indeed, we are living in difficult times. While numerous women venture out
into the world merely to maintain a high standard of living, some venture
out only to earn their mere daily bread. Hence if it is necessary, Islam has
not forbidden a woman from earning. However, it is incumbent that All the
laws of the Shari'ah be upheld. Among other aspects, of utmost importance is
that she may not expose herself to non-Mahram males (men to whom marriage is
permissible}. She should also have sufficient time for her domestic
activities and for the caring of her children.
INCULCATING DEEN
A woman has a great duty to discharge at home. The upbringing of her
children require her full attention. Unfortunately, "upbringing" to a great
extent has come to mean clothing, feeding and attending to the other
physical necessities of the child. This is however, the necessary but less
important part of upbringing. The more important part is the inculcating of
Deen in the life of the child and embedding the correct morals, character
and etiquette in that innocent soul. This is more than a full-time job. When
mothers fulfilled this duty (obviously with the father also playing his
role), the Imaam Razis and Ghazzalis were constantly produced. The same is
possible today - if we get our priorities in order.
May Allah Ta'ala give us the correct understanding of Deen and enable us to
practice upon ALL His injunctions, Aameen.
Al-Haadi Vol. 3 Issue No. 6
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