[s][/s]The burying of Muslim women

“For what sin was she buried?”

This ayah in Surah at-Takwir brings to mind images of little girls being buried under the Earth, by the very people who were meant to keep her alive. Allah and His prophet eradicated such a vile injustice towards His creation with this succinct perfect verse, damning the practice of female infanticide. We, as a people, who also know of this practice in it’s current form in some parts of the world; thank Allaah that such a practice is no longer common among us.

Or is it?

Until I attended a lecture by Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi – an Islamic scholar and author of 25 books ranging from fiqh, hadith and Arabic language – I was convinced that such a practice of burying girls alive was no longer relevant to the current atmosphere within the ever growing Muslim diaspora. But then the Sheikh made a statement that could only wake me up further to a truth, which should be the wisdom of learned men.

He said that this ayaah is still very much relevant today. Because little girls are still being buried. Though no longer was this physically enacted- their minds, their efforts, their contributions, their very souls are being buried under the rubble of misogyny, misguided fatwas, and discrimination.

[img]http://firasaah.files./2014/12/wom.png?w=300&h=226[/img]

Reading the book Muhaddithaat by Dr. Nadwi in which he collected the accounts of women scholars in Islaam- a book as a result of 15 years of research- you are shown a world that no longer exists. At all. The semblance of this world is so far from our minds ,it feels fictitious. A world where women were respected for their contribution to the most important force on Earth- the religion of Allaah. This covered a dearth of knowledge and thinking.They were not barred from teaching in the masjid- let alone barred from entering them!

Their opinions were heard, respected and accepted- even by the head of the judiciary court. Amatur ibn Abdur Rahman – she was considered one of the best muhaddithah (muhaddith refers to a specialist who profoundly knows and narrates hadeeth) of her time- once corrected the ruling of a Qadi (Judge) when he sentenced a Christian man to hand amputation though he had stolen less than one quarter of a dinar. The Qadi accepted her knowledge of hukm derived from the hadeeth and reversed his ruling.

According to Dr. Nadwi, 1/3rd of religion of Allaah was taught, preserved and passed down by the women.

Fatima bint Ibrahim (d.711 hijri) from Damascus studied the hadeeth from the best muhaddith at that time; Zabilee .He taught Sahih al-Bukhari in the Prophet’s mosque twice. Men and women travelled far and wide to attend his class. After his death, Fatima Ibn Ibrahim was asked to teach Sahih Bukhari- the most important source of legislation after the Quran. In it are rulings on personal, family matters, ascending to matters of the state. She taught men and women alike sitting opposite the burial site of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wasalaam. Its significance? She sat where her teacher once sat.

Muslim women in the current reality of the world seem forced into one of the two worlds – one dominated by the West where her identity as a Muslim is buried under the pressure of ridicule and hostility for little more than her dress. They have no desire for her to succeed, though claiming otherwise, for how could they continue with their narrative of her robed oppression. Or the other world dominated by Muslim men where her identity can be hidden behind a wall of grumbling disapproval, set off by religious unchecked edicts confining her to her face veil and her ability to achieve paradise only through pleasing others.

Both extremes are so far beyond the history of her place in Islam – one could easily believe one needs the other in order to give them respective oxygen.

But of course, these women raise generation after generation. And it would not be too far-fetched a claim to assert that this exact ‘burial’ of women has contributed heavily to our demise in our lands fueling corruption, confusion and ignorance. And no doubt is one of the tragedies of our time when we speak of being in a declined state. So I wonder, how can this same revival of Islam, also perpetuate this element of decline? Why is the culture of misogyny still passed down to our sons by those charged with telling the whole story of Islam and its glory?

According to Dr. Nadwi- this will only change once Muslim men start to change their attitude towards women and start to emulate the Prophet and the Rightly Guided Caliphs in how they gave respect and position to women. It saddens me that other men cannot see this truth also.

In my mind this requires education of men from a young age of what a woman is and what her role in this world must be. Just like a man’s role is not only confined in taking care of his wife and children- so too for a woman.

The ahadeeth on the role of a woman as a wife and mother are highlighted so often by our shuyukh that we believe there are no other roles of women. What purpose would this serve if it is not done within context of the whole picture. How many times have we heard from shuyukh the story of Umm Haram- the companion of the Prophet who asked to join the naval expedition?

Even though they were in the middle of Arabia, far away from sea, it was her insight that led her to believe that Islaam will spread and a naval army will be formed. Her desire was to join one and asked the prophet if her dream will come true. He did not question her desires, or tell her that her place is at home. Instead he made her joyous informing her that her dream will come true. She later on married who eventually became a commander of the first naval army of the Muslims and she accompanied him! Now today, if a Muslim woman desires to do anything beyond her home and household duties- she is discouraged and even shunned in some communities. She has become invisible.

Buried.

Until the Muslim world recognises that you can’t build a nation by keeping half of it in a state of ignorance and lethargy – we will remain in this state.

“To educate a man is to educate an individual, but to educate a woman is to educate a whole nation.” -Malcolm X –

Nada Umm Nour

Sultanah Parvin

https://firasaah./2014/12/17/the-female-infanticide/

Jazak 'allahu khairan for this wonderful article.

Rhukie:
Jazak 'allahu khairan for this wonderful article.

Wa iyyakum

Jazakallahu khayran
For this thread.

To those dead I say To God we all belong nd to him we shall return

Jazakallahu khayran
For this thread.

But King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia just died:
He ruled an oppressive Islamic nation where women are not allowed to drive, where people are flogged for criticizing Islam, which exported the Wahhabi form of Islam through its educational institutions in non Muslim nations, teaching hatred of Christians and Jews; a nation in which not one church has been or can be built. A dreadful legacy, yet he was lionized by Western leaders and royalty, including the British royals. Now the sickening tributes will pour in.

All peace and blessings upon u op , thanks for post .....

I can smell hypocrisy everywhere......

OgologoDimkpa:
But King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia just died:
He ruled an oppressive Islamic nation where women are not allowed to drive, where people are flogged for criticizing Islam, which exported the Wahhabi form of Islam through its educational institutions in non Muslim nations, teaching hatred of Christians and Jews; a nation in which not one church has been or can be built. A dreadful legacy, yet he was lionized by Western leaders and royalty, including the British royals. Now the sickening tributes will pour in.

If I can remember well saudi Arabia is an Islamic country, westernization has no place in the holy Quran, in every country there are laws if you can abide then move out simple....

This reminds me of a time in OAU, where some ill-informed brothers were clamouring that sisters should drop out of school that its of no beneficial to them. May Allah saves us & our household from adulterated aqida that is common nowadays.
Op Jazakallahu khairan.

Iqwan, woman liberation is well explained in islam by our noble prophet Muhammed which is enough for true muslim to follow.trying to islamise westen Ideology of woman liberation ,surely there will be problem.

JazakAllah khayran !!!!

femi2u:
Iqwan, woman liberation is well explained in islam by our noble prophet Muhammed which is enough for true muslim to follow.trying to islamise westen Ideology of woman liberation ,surely there will be problem.

Salam Akhi,

This is not a call to 'westernize' women or even imitate the western concepts.

Are we fulfilling the Islamic rights of women??

Allah and prophet Muhammed (salahlahu alayi wasalam) have stated it in quran n hadith which is so clear to know .for whoever is ready to do islam according to the way prophet did it

May Allah increase you in Knowledge and piety,Jazaka llahu Ayrah

Jazakallahu khayran...
Jumaat karim!

tbaba1234:


Salam Akhi,

This is not a call to 'westernize' women or even imitate the western concepts.

Are we fulfilling the Islamic rights of women??

wa alaikum salam aqi,halihadullilai I'm trying my bes according blessing of Allah on me

Jazakallahu khayrah. Please keep it up

shagaman:


If I can remember well saudi Arabia is an Islamic country, westernization has no place in the holy Quran, in every country there are laws if you can abide then move out simple....

But they can finance the building of mosque, madrasas in non-muslim countries. They can finance evil wahabi terrorist islam worldwide.

Allahu akbar.

true2god:
But they can finance the building of mosque, madrasas in non-mquslim countries. They can finance evil wahabi terrorist islam worldwide.

Allahu akbar.

a lot of countries are visa free for americans but not the other way around!..FOI criminal minded ppl wull always b criminals..

Exactly what most Muslims who can see beyond their fingers have been canvassing for.

Women are actually the one that raise generation after generation of Muslims but this primary source and the first point of education of a Muslim child in most homes is illiterate. opinions not expressed and generally lack the exposure to offer the kids the best of Moral, religious and social education because they themselves don't have these things and like the title of the thread "buried". You can't give what you don't have.

We have myriads of problems facing us in the current world like homosexualism, STDs, HIV/AIDs, adolescent pregnancy etc... but how do we educate and reinforce the belief of our children when the mother herself is shrouded and knows next to nothing.?

The majority of Muslim men in their chauvinistic nature can continue using fatwas, turning injunctions upside down so as to further their selfish purposes but the truth is we would continue in this same cycle and continuously hamper the development of future generations of Muslims until we change our ways and allow women their rightful place. The family is the basic,most fundamental and effective way of effecting change. But how do you do that when you have an absent father and a defective mother?

WaLlorhi, there is a need to educate Muslim Ummah on the roles of women in Islam. Though nowadays it has mostly stopped because people have been enlightened.
JazakAllah khaeran @ Op.

onegig:
Exactly what most Muslims who can see beyond their fingers have been canvassing for.

Women are actually the one that raise generation after generation of Muslims but this primary source and the first point of education of a Muslim child in most homes is illiterate. opinions not expressed and generally lack the exposure to offer the kids the best of Moral, religious and social education because they themselves don't have these things and like the title of the thread "buried". You can't give what you don't have.

We have myriads of problems facing us in the current world like homosexualism, STDs, HIV/AIDs, adolescent pregnancy etc... but how do we educate and reinforce the belief of our children when the mother herself is shrouded and knows next to nothing.?

The majority of Muslim men in their chauvinistic nature can continue using fatwas, turning injunctions upside down so as to further their selfish purposes but the truth is we would continue in this same cycle and continuously hamper the development of future generations of Muslims until we change our ways and allow women their rightful place. The family is the basic,most fundamental and effective way of effecting change. But how do you do that when you have an absent father and a defective mother?

I could agree with you more only if you perfectly outlined "change" you craved for. I do notice 2 undefined points @bold. So far, points you raised appear too vague and broad. They can be easily misunderstood especially the later.

Empiree:
I could agree with you more only if you perfectly outlined "change" you craved for. I do notice 2 undefined points @bold. So far, points you raised appear too vague and broad. They can be easily misunderstood especially the later.

Not talking about broad changes that give "unfettered and absolute freedom". Just allowing the natural course of action flow based on the current realities of the world and not twisting injunctions which are there to protect the female folks and using it against them.

Example is the injuction that two female accounts represents one under Islamic law. We all know this was instituted to prevent muslimah from giving distorted accounts as they are fragile and cave under pressure which makes their witness account questionable and needs the verification of another lady as against the general notion that women are deficient in thinking and two ladies equals a guy that people bandy around now.

We know the Ummah needs protection but shielding them from expressing themselves and reaching their potentials just in the hope that we can "control" and "assert" ourselves over them isn't protection.

Also it's a two way street, ladies who have been given such opportunities in the past should see it is an opening to make people see why ladies deserve greater freedom and more education as regards the improved family life such exposure would bring. The fears of most men who shield their female kids or wives from exposure is stemmed from majority of ladies who see education or such exposure as making them equal to their husbands in the home front thereby causing confusion. We aren't equals neither are we in a competition. The genders just have their differing roles and each should be allowed to have all the "resources" they need to make a success of such roles.

^^Okay. I can agree with first paragraph. And last paragraph too is understandable in as much as women folks are conscious of Allah, otherwise things can spiral out of control as seen modern in times.

I know you have good intention but i am not supporting any form of feminism. It's bound to be hijacked even if it is for good course. Anyways, overall, Muslim women must be respected and there are lots of educated Muslim women out there.

Empiree:
^^Okay. I can agree with first paragraph. And last paragraph too is understandable in as much as women folks are conscious of Allah, otherwise things can spiral out of control as seen modern in times.

I know you have good intention but i am not supporting any form of feminism. It's bound to be hijacked even if it is for good course. Anyways, overall, Muslim women must be respected and there are lots of educated Muslim women out there.

You just spoilt everything by bringing up that word. So giving them what is due to them is feminism.? You should reread my earlier post. And my post is not about my personal intention. It is the unbridled fact.

onegig:


You just spoilt everything by bringing up that word. So giving them what is due to them is feminism.? You should reread my earlier post.

I understand. I looked at it from broad perspective. Reading op and your post, i knew you are sincere and have good intention. But it means something different to others anytime issue of women is on the table. That's why i asked you to define.

For instance, anytime we hear "women's right", people aren't thinking about Islamic education, understanding women position in islam etc....no. They think of it from western perspective. I knew you and op meant it differently.

Empiree:
I understand. I looked at it from broad perspective. Reading op and your post, i knew you are sincere and have good intention. But it means something different to others anytime issue of women is on the table. That's why i asked you to define.

For instance, anytime we hear "women's right", people aren't thinking about Islamic education, understanding women position in islam etc....no. They think of it from western perspective. I knew you and op meant it differently.

Apart from what women rights dictates in the western world. We all know the premise of rights in the western world is placed on individualism. I.e A person is free to do whatever he likes as long as he is within the ambit of the law whereas in the ideal Islamic Society and even African communities. The family and society trumps up first. This is a fundamental difference.

So women's right in Islam is quite different from what someone may call feminism. One tends towards the rights of an individual in a "vacuum" without considering the gender complexities of each while the other addresses women's rights as regards to what is best for the gender in particular, "family" and society at large.