Islam
introduced freedoms for women that we may be taking for granted today

By Safdar Razi

SPECIAL TO THE AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Saturday,
August 2, 2003

Some Muslims ignore the principles
of Islam, just as some Christians and Jews fail to follow the tenets of their
faiths. This article is to dispel many of the misconceptions about Islam and
women.

With the rise of Islam in the
seventh century, women were respected in a way they had never been. Islam
forbade the Arab practice of female infanticide.

While boys and girls were believed
to be gifts from God, Islam taught that girls conferred a greater gift and
blessing to the parents. Under Islamic law, women also acquired the rights to
own property in their own names, inherit under wills, initiate divorce and vote
in community affairs, rights which were unheard of for women at that time.

Islamic law made it clear that if a
husband mistreats his wife, he will be questioned on the Day of Judgment and
punished in the afterlife. Contrary to popular belief, cooking and cleaning are
the husband's responsibilities. If she chooses not to perform these tasks, he
must hire a servant.

The role of mother in Islam is one
of utmost dignity and respect. It was taught by the Prophet Mohammed (peace
upon him and his pure family) that a child who causes his mother displeasure
commits a greater sin in the sight of God than one who displeases the father.
The Prophet also said that Paradise lies under the feet of the mother, indicating the mother
should be treated with the highest respect to enter Heaven.

Islam also helped women achieve
dignity. Many of the practices deemed oppressive to Western sensibilities are
in fact ways to guarantee women's freedom from exploitation. For example,
Muslim women are taught to wear modest attire which provides them protection --
attire that is loose-fitting and covers the body except for the face and hands.
In some Muslim countries, such as Iran, where there are many female Muslim
scientists, doctors, and politicians, this helps prevent them from being viewed
as sexual objects. Women are valued for their intellectual abilities and
accomplishments rather than their physical attributes. Contrary to the practice
of some other countries, Muslim women can both drive and work outside the home.

Pre-Islamic cultural traditions in
some cases have been allowed to override Islamic teachings, but this should not
be held against Islam.

Islam teaches women as well as men
to seek learning and become educated. The Prophet taught that seeking knowledge
was an obligation on every Muslim, male or female. He also taught that a father
who raises his daughters up with a good education would have a barrier placed
between him and Hellfire.

The importance of women is also
illustrated by the examples, taught by the Prophet, of the four Master Women of
Islamic history. The mother who raised Prophet Moses protected him and stood
beside him during his ordeals; Mary, mother of Jesus, did the same. Khadija, wife of the Prophet Mohammed, and Fatima, his
daughter, both endured great hardship and supported him financially and
emotionally. Without the support of these women, the great religions associated
with the prophets might not exist today.

Because the prophets were men, the
highest religious leaders or authorities in Islam are men. Due to their ability
to handle the burden and responsibility of religious leadership, this task is
expected of them alone. This does not, however, prevent women from becoming
CEOs, directors or political figures. By choosing men to bear this religious burden,
Islam relieved women of the task, but did not prevent them. The same applies to
the family: Men are given the obligation to support the family. With this
obligation comes great responsibility; if men are given authority, they need to
exercise it with justice and fairness. If they abuse this power, they will be
punished in this world and in the hereafter.

Imam Safdar
Razi is the leader of the Islamic Ahlul
Bayt Association, a participant in Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, which can be reached at
386-9145.