By Aayat Rizwan
Feminism and Islam go hand in hand, despite what many people think. Islam does not oppress, but empowers women.
What is Feminism?
Feminism is the belief that everyone, regardless of gender, should have equal rights and opportunities.
What is Equality?
Equality the state of being equal, especially in status, rights and opportunities. Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources and opportunities, regardless of their circumstances.
The Relation of Islam and Feminism
Many scholars have given their verdict that either you are a Muslim or you’re a feminist. You can’t be both. However, looking at the facts before you, it becomes quite apparent that Islam is by no means opposed to feminism as the true concept of feminism is equality.
Acquisition of Knowledge
Our Holy prophet (s.a.w.) stated that the acquisition of knowledge is compulsory for both men and women. Here Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w), who has laid down the foundation of Islam and brought it to completion, has stated that knowledge, education and learning opportunities are not something that should be reserved for men alone, but women have every right to them as well.
Example of the Wives of The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
Bibi Khadija, the first wife of our Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), was a successful merchant and business women with riches greater than all men in Makkah. In fact, she was known to be the richest person in Makkah. Some historical accounts and media reports note that at the peak of her wealth as a premier merchant of Makkah, her estate and trading network encompassed up to 80,000 camels and several thousand servants. If Islam was against a woman having her own business, or was a religion that suppressed women why would our Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) marry Bibi Khadija (R.A)? This is proof that Islam is not a religion that is against women working for themselves, if that is what they wish to do.
Bibi Ayesha (R.A) was a scholar, narrator of Hadith, translating around 2000 Ahadith and the teacher of many Sahaba. Many of these Sahaba were men and in no way were they against the idea of being taught by a woman. This is because they did not believe themselves to be better than women. In Islam a person’s greatness is never determined by their gender but by their conduct. Similarly, many other wives worked in fields that they wished without any suppression.
Islam’s Opinion on Forced Marriage
Many individuals against Islam believe that Islam forcibly marries off women. That is a very wrong way to perceive Islam because Islam gives a woman’s willingness great priority. In fact, Islam declares a marriage null if it is carried out against a woman’s desire. An example of this is when Khansa’ bint Khidam went to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) after her father married her off to someone she did not wish to marry. On hearing her plea, The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) immediately declared the marriage annulled.
Contrary to the belief Islam oppresses women, it is Islam that called women a blessing when they were being buried alive. It is Islam that gives women all rights to protect them against wrongness. It is Islam that gives them permission to work, only if they wish to, no one is to force them. And after that Islam has left it up to women whether they wish to spend money on their husbands and children. And when they do, they get double the reward. So, Islam truly empowers women and is a supporter of feminism.
