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In the
so-called ‘civilised world’, the roles of men and women are defined by the
concept of freedom. While this is held by many to be the only just way, the real
proof of its success can be seen in the society at large.
Society
pressures women to conform to certain roles, which by their nature destroy their
honour and dignity; yet still they believe themselves to be liberated.
‘Fashion’ dictates that they must undress themselves to be acceptably
attired. Their bodies are used like commodities to sell cars and chocolate bars.
Pornography is seen as a right, rather than exploitation. Women find themselves
competing with men, and struggling to fulfill the same roles.
The
air of sexual freedom, too has its consequences. Rape, abortion, and
prostitution are everyday occurrences in the news. Adultery, sex before marriage
and homosexuality are perfectly acceptable, while those who reject them are seen
as ‘backward.’ Hundreds of thousands of women are forced to bring up
children on their own, while at the same time worrying about how to provide for
themselves.
In
reality, the idea of ‘freedom’ is replaced by ‘irresponsibility.’ The
effects are disastrous.
Islam
does not leave men and women free to dominate or abuse each other. By their
nature, men and women are different, and they obviously have different roles to
play in life. These roles are defined by the only one capable of doing so, Allah
(swt) who created men and women.
Islam
gives women honour, dignity and protection. Muslim women never had to fight for
their rights - these are guaranteed by their belief. Nor do they have to compete
with men. Instead, the rights and duties of men and women to each other
complement them perfectly. Relationships are regulated by marriage,
responsibility and a stable family structure, where the men are the providers
and protectors.
Even
a brief study will show you how the Social System of Islam ensures that the
whole society has an atmosphere of dignity and mutual appreciation between the
sexes, where the lives of men and women are regulated in a beautiful harmony.
Recommendation
for further reading on the Social system of Islam:
Nidhamul
Ijtima'i fil Islam (The social system in Islam)
by Shaikh Taqiuddin
An-Nabhani
Available
for on-line buying at http://www.khilafah.com
Book
Review
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Shaikh Taqiuddin An-Nabhani
Recently in Sudan, governor of Khartoum banned women from working in the public
service sector in jobs where they would be in direct contact with men, such as
petrol stations, hotels and restaurants. Then, the Constitutional Court ordered
the suspension of the ban while it considered its legality. The governor,
Majzoub Khalifa, said the decree was in line with Islamic Shariah law and was
aimed at honouring women.
In other parts of the world, like Bangladesh, women are encouraged and taught
the necessary skills, by non-governmental organisations (‘NGOs’), to get
jobs and support the family, while the husband stays at home and looks after the
children, and where prostitution is legalised. The standard is the Western woman
and so we see women rulers and even national beauty pageants. These examples
show that there is confusion as to what role women should play in society, if
any. It shows the confusion over how to regulate relationships between men and
women. Above all, there is confusion over how Allah (swt) has decreed the Muslim
Ummah to live.
The
Muslim Ummah has certain distinct qualities and characteristics. She prides
herself with chastity, modesty and honour and protects them to the death. We see
in history that these qualities were upheld passionately by the Islamic society,
demanding punishment if these were ever violated. However, no one can deny that
these characteristics are fading out. Numerous people have attempted to correct
this. Thus, this situation needs study and a solution.
The
book “The Social System in Islam”, written by Taqiuddin an-Nabhani, is a
profound study of the problems arising out of the meeting (ijtema) between men
and women and an elaborate description of the Islamic solution. The solution
that Allah (swt) revealed is not one of total isolation and neither is it one of
complete freedom. Rather it is a system of regulation. Indeed, The Legislator (swt)
has allowed the woman to pursue many activities in the society, e.g. buying,
selling, acquiring knowledge, attending Jumu’a at the Masjid and so on.
However Allah (swt) gave us rules to regulate this type of separation and meet-ing.
The book explains through a detailed look at the evidences what these rules are.
It also takes the reader through the process of deriving such solutions (ijtihad)
through examining the ayat and the ahadith.
The introduction explains how it was due to the onslaught of the Western culture
- its ideas of freedom, its criteria of bennefit, its liking of undressed women
and free mixing that led to the confusion as to where to look for a solution. So
it lays, clearly, the basis of the discussion as the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
The
book also details the deep study of the actual problems related to the meeting
between men and women. It demonstrates the consequences of leaving this meeting
without regulation. This is clearly seen in the West. Indeed, they see no
problem with leaving the men and women to interact as they please, which leads
to fornication, adultery, children born out of wedlock, licentious women and so
on. If we were to follow their example in leaving the meetings unregulated by
the commands of Allah (swt), it would lead us down the same dark and miserable
hole in which they exist.
The
Islamic system necessitates that it is the norm that men are separated from
women. In addition, it also defined the circumstances that they can meet as long
as the rules of Islam are adhered to. However it also made co-operation and
mutual love the basis for this meeting, not one of battling to prove who’s
best or one of dominating the other. They co-operate in worshipping Allah (swt)
and reminding each other to fear Allah (swt). This is in contrast to the Western
woman’s perpetual quest to seek equality and superiority over her male
“competitors”. The Shariah defined the man-ner in which the married life
should be led, that the husband and wife are not partners to each other but
companions. The book gives a detailed explanation of all of these matters and
many more, which are relevant to solving the current social problems.
Most of us have only experienced kufr societies and countries that claim to
implement the Shariah but fail to do so. Thus, it is hard to imagine how Islam
will work today, how the solutions outlined in the revelation can actually work
to prevent corruption and re-establish those divine qualities. This book paints
a bright picture in dull minds, reviving the lost confidence that many have in
Islam. It is our prayer that this system will be established soon by the sincere
Khalifah, so that we can regain our rightful place as the protectors of women,
morals, chastity, honour and modesty.
Samina Asghar, Britain
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