Islam and Women: Narratives that need to be straightened

From large forums to ordinary hangouts, discussing the topic of women is endless. It is always crowded that talks about rights, freedom, body, to his decision. But strangely, in the boisterous voice that claimed to defend women, Islam is often accused of being a religion that shares, puts it on and so on.

Yet if we are willing to open a historical sheet with an open heart, we will find that women have been at the point of civilization. Even in places that today are often claimed to be the torch holder of progress and liberation. When people sue Islam on charges of oppression of women, perhaps they forget (or choose not to know) how the world treats women before the coming of revelation.

In one lesson from the book Immaniyyat genealogy, The author invites the reader to regain consciousness, and turn, to India, to Rome, even to the Arabian peninsula before Islam. There women are nothing more than objects. In some civilization, women are not worthy of inheriting, unfit to speak in public, even not worthy of life. Previously in ignorant, some tribes buried their daughters alive, because they were ashamed. Until Allah SWT captures the screams in the Qur’an:

And when mourning was asked, I was asked to be killed.

It means: “And when a baby girl who was buried alive -lived asked: because of what sin he killed?” (QS. At-Takwir: 8-9). So the meaning of this verse is defense for killers.

So Islam comes, not only to eliminate the habit, but to reverse the entire value structure that has oppressed women. And this is not just rhetoric. This is recorded in revelation, in history, and in the life of the Prophet (saw). Women in the Islamic view are not objects, not their beliefs, but trust. Even the Prophet said in his last sermon that shook Arafat:

As in a Muslim from the Hadith Jabir bin Abdullah – which is a long hadith – and in it he said ﷺ: (Fear of God in women, because you bring them with God’s salvation, and you have rotted, so they promote God’s Word)

It means: “As mentioned in the Muslim Sahih from the Hadith of Jabir bin Abdillah (this long hadith) in it the Prophet said:” Fear of God in (treats) women, because you bring them (as wives) in God’s beliefs, and you only legalize their honor (relating to God’s wife). ”

So this is one of the most strict statements from the Prophet Muhammad that the relationship between husband and wife is not merely a biological relationship, but a sacred relationship that is built in the name of Allah SWT and must be maintained with piety.

In his book, Muhammad Hassan mentioned how the Islamic appreciation did not stop at the normative role. It was created in the form of concrete, as a mother, a woman first three times before father in terms of dedication, as a wife, Islam requires men to do good, and even make wives as a priority. In one of the positions of God’s messenger (may peace on it) ever delivered:

On the contrary, a wife respects him and says: (fear God to women), and he says: (Take advantage of good women), and he says: (Women are male sister), and he said: (Your good is the best for his family, and I am the best for my family for my family for my family for my family for my family for my family for my family

It means: “And he (the Prophet) glorified a woman as a wife, so he said:” Fear God in caring for women. “And he also said:” Do good for women. “And said:” Indeed, women are male siblings. “And then he said: ….” The best for you to be the best for his family, and I am the best for my family. Again, all of this illustrates the extraordinary respect of Islam for women as a living partner.

Deeper, Islam glorifies women in the most vulnerable conditions, when he was a child, could not defend himself. In the story narrated by Aisyah Radarallahu ‘AnhaIt is said that a mother came to ask for charity with only two of her daughters. He was only given a palm of his hand by Aisha. Then the mother divides the palm of the hand into two, and gives it to her children. The Prophet saw that, then said: “Who takes care of two girls to adulthood, then he will be with me in heaven like these two fingers (while close the index and middle finger).”

Herein lies the difference between Islam. Islam does not glorify women because of physical strength, beauty, or public performance, but because of tenderness, affection, and responsibility. The glory of women in Islam is not a social product, but part of Aqeedah.

Then came this time, which is actually not much different from the time of Jahiliah. How are women treated today? In western hemisphere or anywhere (if now), women are seen as marketing tools. Used while still young and beautiful, then thrown into a nursing home. In the true story the book writer tells Immaniyyat genealogy, When visiting Hungary, he met an old grandmother who had sat playing with her dog for seven hours. When asked, he answered that he had no one. His son came only once a year. “I live only to accompany me,” he said.

Contrast with Islam that puts mothers as the door to heaven, modern culture changes the mother into a barrier to ambition. In a busy world carrying freedom, women are abandoned when they can no longer dance on the commercialization stage. And in the midst of the onslaught of globalization of this value, some of our sisters began to doubt the teachings that actually glorified them. They ask why they should veil, why do you have to limit association, why should you take care of themselves? They forget, that the rules are not always a form of restraint. Sometimes it is the most sincere form of protection.

As we store valuable jewelry in a safe place and not all eyes can see it, so that is Islam positioning women. Not to be exhibited, but to be respected. Islam does not make a sacred woman because she is perfect. But precisely because he is a human who deserves to be respected with all his nature, with his emotions, feelings, affection, even tears.

Women don’t have to be men to be respected. Islam does not demand that women become an imitation of men. But Islam emphasized: Women are male siblings. Equivalent in honor, complement each other in function, and balanced in responsibility. So today, when the world is competing to redefine the meaning of freedom, Muslim women have a choice, whether following the flow that makes it just the body, or return to the instructions that lift it as a whole person.

And closed in this book, “Nobody glorifies women when Islam glorifies it. And there is no system that really protects the honor of women as Islam cares about them.”

Also read: Women and Beauty Industry

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Author: Thoha Abil Qasim

Editor: Muh. Sutan