THE VOICE OF A WOMAN IN ISLAM
         BY
   Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi

Many Muslims have adopted the Judeo-Christian ethic which views women as the
source of human tragedy because of her alleged biblical role as the
temptress who seduced Adam into disobedience to his Lord. By tempting her
husband to eat the forbidden fruit, she not only defied Allah, but caused
humankind's expulsion from Paradise, thus instigating all temporal human
suffering. Those misogynists who support this Biblical assertion, dredge
from the archives of psuedo-Islamic literature such as false and weak
hadiths.

This Old Testament assertion is a widely circulated belief in the Islamic
community despite the fact that Allah in the Qur'an stresses that it was
Adam who was solely responsible for his mistake. In 20:115 it is stated: "We
had already, beforehand, taken the convenant of Adam, but he forgot; and we
found on his part no firm resolve." Verse 20:121-122 continues: "In result,
they both ate of the tree...thus did Adam disobey His Lord, and fell into
error. But his Lord chose for him (From His Grace): He turned to him, and
gave him guidance." Therefore, there is nothing in Islamic doctrine or in
the Qur'an which holds women responsible for Adam's expulsion from paradise
or the consequent misery of humankind. However, misogyny abounds in the
pronouncements of many Islamic "scholars" and "imams."

The result of such misinterpretation of hadiths and spreading negativity is
that entire societies have mistreated their female members despite the fact
that Islam has honored and empowered the woman in all spheres of life. The
woman in Islamic law is equal to her male counterpart. She is as liable for
her actions as a male is liable. Her testimony is demanded and valid in
court. Her opinions are sought and acted upon. Contrary to the pseudo
hadith: "Consult women and do the opposite," the Prophet (SAW) consulted his
wife, Um Salama on one of the most important issues to the Muslim community.
Such references to the Prophet's positive attitudes toward women disprove
the one hadith falsely attributed to Ali bin Abi Talib: "The woman is all
evil, and the greatest evil about her is that man cannot do without her."

The promotion of such negativity against women has led many "scholars" and
"imams" to make the unsubstantiated ruling about female speech. They claim
that women should lower their voice to whispers or even silence except when
she speaks to her husband, her guardian or other females. The female act of
communication has become to some a source of temptation and allurement to
the male.

The Qur'an, however, specifically mentions that those seeking information
from the Prophet's wives were to address them from behind a screen (33:53).
Since questions require an answer, the Mothers of the Believers offered
fatwas to those who asked and narrated hadiths to whomever wished to
transmit them. Furthermore, women were accustomed to question the Prophet
(SAW) while men were present. Neither were they embarassed to have their
voices heard nor did the Prophet prevent their inquires. Even in the case of
Omar when he was challenged by a woman during his khutba on the minbar, he
did not deny her. Rather, he admitted that she was right and he was wrong
and said: "Everybody is more knowledgeable than Omar."

Another Qur'anic example of a woman speaking publicly is that the daughter
of the Shaykh mentioned in the Qur'an in 28:23. Furthermore, the Qur'an
narrates the coversation between Sulayman and the Queen of Sheba as well as
between her and her subjects. All of these examples support the fatwa that
women are allowed to voice their opinion publicly for whatever has been
prescribed to those before us is prescribed to us, unless it was unanimously
rejected by Islamic doctrine.

Thus, the only prohibition is the female talking softly and flirting in a
manner meant to excite and tempt the male. This is expressed in the Qur'an
as complacent speech which Allah mentions in 33:32: "O consorts of the
Prophet! Ye are not like any of the other women: If ye do fear Allah, be not
too complaisance of speech, lest one in whose hart is a disease should be
moved with desire: but speak ye a speech that is just."

What is prohibited then is alluring speech which entices those whose
diseased hearts may be moved with desire and that is not to say that all
conversation with women is prohibited for Allah completes the verse: "...but
speak ye a speech that is just." (33:32)

Finding excuses to silence women is just one of the injustices certain
scholars and imams attempt to inflict upon women. They point to such hadiths
as narrated by Bukhari about the Prophet which says: "I have not left a
greater harm to men than women." They assume that the harm implies that
women are an evil curse to be endured just as one must endure poverty,
famine, disease, death and fear. These "scholars" ignore the fact that man
is tried more by his blessings than by his tragedies.

And Allah says: "And We test you by evil and by good way of trial." (21:35).
To support this argument Allah says in the Qur'an that two of the most
appreciated blessings of life, wealth and children, are trials. Allah says:
"And know ye that your posessions and your progeny are but a trial." (Anfal
28) A woman, despite the blessings she bestows on her relations, can also be
a trial for she may distract a man from his duty toward Allah. Thus, Allah
creates awareness how blessings can be misguided so that they become curses.
Men can use their spouses as an excuse for not performing jihad or for
eschewing sacrafice for the compiling of wealth. Allah in the Qur'an warns:
"Truly among your wives and children are enemies for you." (64:14)

The warning is the same as for the blessings of abundant welath and
offspring (63:9). In addition, the sahih hadith says: "By Allah I don't fear
for you poverty, but I fear that the world would be abundant for you as it
has been for those before you so you compete for it as they have competed
for it, so it destroys you as it has destroyed them." (Agreed upon) This
hadith does not mean that the Prophet (SAW) encouraged poverty.

Poverty is a curse from which the Prophet sought refuge from Allah. He did
not mean for his Ummah to be bereft of wealth and abundance for he said:
"The best of the good wealth is for the pious person." (narrated by ahmed
and Al-Hakam) Women are also a gift for the pious person for the Qur'an
mentions the Muslim men and women (the Muslimat), the believing men (Mumins)
and women Muminat as aids and comforts for each other here and in the
hereafter. The Prophet did not condemn the blessings Allah provided for his
Ummah. Rather the Prophet wished to guide the Muslims and his Ummah away
from the slippery slope whose bottomless pit is a mire of callousness and
desire.


A Collection of Verses Related to Women's Rights
Spiritual Equality of Women and Men
Allah has got ready forgiveness and tremendous rewards for the Muslim men
and women; the believing men and women; the devout men and women; the
truthful men and women; the patiently suffering men and women; the humble
men and women; the almsgiving men and women; the fasting men and women, the
men and women who guard their chastity; and the men and women who are
exceedingly mindful of Allah. (Al-Ahzab 33:35)

Attitudes towards women
O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor
should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower
ye have given them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on
the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take
a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and Allah brings about
through it a great deal of good. (An-Nisa 4:19)

Collaboration and consultation
The believing men and women, are associates and helpers of each other. They
(collaborate) to promote all that is beneficial and discourage all that is
evil; to establish prayers and give alms, and to obey Allah and his
Messenger. Those are the people whom Allah would grant mercy. Indeed Allah
is Mighty and Wise. (Al-Taubah 9:71)

Examples of Consensual Decision Making
If both spouses decide, by mutual consent and consultation, on weaning
[their baby], there is no blame on either. If you want to have your babies
breastfed by a foster mother you are not doing anything blame-worthy
provided you pay to the fostermother what you had agreed to offer, in
accordance with the established manner. Fear Allah and know that Allah is
aware it what you are doing". (Al-Baqarah, 2:233)

Women's Right to Attend Mosques
Narrated Ibn Umar: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Allow women to go to the
Mosques at night." (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 13, Number 22)

Narrated Ibn Umar: One of the wives of Umar (bin Al-Khattab) used to offer
the Fajr and the 'Isha' prayer in congregation in the Mosque. She was asked
why she had come out for the prayer as she knew that Umar disliked it, and
he has great ghaira (self-respect). She replied, "What prevents him from
stopping me from this act?" The other replied, "The statement of Allah's
Apostle (p.b.u.h) : 'Do not stop Allah's women-slave from going to Allah s
Mosques' prevents him." (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 13, Number 23)

Ibn 'Umar reported: Grant permission to women for going to the mosque in the
night. His son who was called Waqid said: Then they would make mischief. He
(the narrator) said: He thumped his (son's) chest and said: I am narrating
to you the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), and you
say: No! (Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 0890)

Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Do
not deprive women of their share of the mosques, when they seek permission
from you. Bilal said: By Allah, we would certainly prevent them. 'Abdullah
said: I say that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said it and
you say: We would certainly prevent them! (Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number
0891)

Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said that Atika bint Zayd ibn
Amr ibn Nufayl, the wife of Umar ibn al-Khattab, used to ask Umar ibn
al-Khattab for permission to go to the mosque. He would keep silent, so she
would say, "By Allah, I will go out, unless you forbid me," and he would not
forbid her. (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 14, Number 14.5.14)

The Common Performance of Ablutions
Narrated Ibn Umar: "It used to be that men and women would perform ablutions
together in the time of the Messenger of Allah's assembly." (Bukhari: 1: Ch.
45, Book of Ablution)

Women's Right of Proposal
Narrated Sahl: A woman came to the Prophet, and presented herself to him
(for marriage). He said, "I am not in need of women these days." Then a man
said, "O Allah's Apostle! Marry her to me." The Prophet asked him, "What
have you got?" He said, "I have got nothing." The Prophet said, "Give her
something, even an iron ring." He said, "I have got nothing." The Prophet
asked (him), "How much of the Quran do you know (by heart)?" He said, "So
much and so much." The Prophet said, "I have married her to you for what you
know of the Quran." (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 72)

Women's Right of Permission
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A matron should not be given in
marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in
marriage except after her permission." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle!
How can we know her permission?" He said, "Her silence (indicates her
permission)." (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 67)

Narrated Khansa bint Khidam Al-Ansariya that her father gave her in marriage
when she was a matron and she disliked that marriage. So she went to Allah's
Apostle and he declared that marriage invalid. (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62,
Number 69)

The Right of Women not to be Forced
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: Barira's husband was a slave called Mughith, as if I am
seeing him now, going behind Barira and weeping with his tears flowing down
his beard. The Prophet said to 'Abbas, "O 'Abbas ! are you not astonished at
the love of Mughith for Barira and the hatred of Barira for Mughith?" The
Prophet then said to Barira, "Why don't you return to him?" She said, "O
Allah's Apostle! Do you order me to do so?" He said, "No, I only intercede
for him." She said, "I am not in need of him." (Bukhari: Volume 7, Book 63,
Number 206)

Asserting Women's Rights
Ibn Al-Jauzi narrated the virtues and merits of Umar bin Al-Khattab (Allah
bless him) in the following words: Umar forbade the people from paying
excessive dowries and addressed them saying: "Don't fix the dowries for
women over forty ounces. If ever that is exceeded I shall deposit the excess
amount in the public treasury". As he descended from the pulpit, a
flat-nosed lady stood up from among the women audience, and said: "It is not
within your right". Umar asked: "Why should this not be of my right?" she
replied: "Because Allah has proclaimed: 'even if you had given one of them
(wives) a whole treasure for dowry take not the least bit back. Would you
take it by false claim and a manifest sin'". (Al Nisa, 20). When he heard
this, Umar said: "The woman is right and the man (Umar) is wrong. It seems
that all people have deeper insight and wisdom than Umar". Then he returned
to the pulpit and declared: "O people, I had restricted the giving of more
than four hundred dirhams in dowry. Whosoever of you wishes to give in dowry
as much as he likes and finds satisfaction in so doing may do so". quoted
in: "On the Position and Role of Women in Islam and Islamic Society"

Seeking advice and comfort
Narrated 'Aisha (the mother of the faithful believers): ... Then Allah's
Apostle returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely.
Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" They
covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything
that had happened and said, "I fear that something may happen to me."
Khadija replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep
good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute,
serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted
ones." Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad
bin 'Abdul 'Uzza ... (Bukhari Volume 1, Book 1, Number 3)

The Characteristics of a Believing Man
Narrated AbuHurayrah: Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said: a believing man should
not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he
will be pleased with another. (Muslim Book 8, Number 3469)

The Education of Women
Narrated Abu Said: A woman came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's
Apostle! Men (only) benefit by your teachings, so please devote to us from
(some of) your time, a day on which we may come to you so that you may teach
us of what Allah has taught you." Allah's Apostle said, "Gather on
such-and-such a day at such-and-such a place." They gathered and Allah's
Apostle came to them and taught them of what Allah had taught him. (Bukhari
Volume 9, Book 92, Number 413)

On the Treatment of Women
Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: I went to the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) and
asked him: "What do you say (command) about our wives?" He replied: "Give
them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe
yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them." (Sunan Abu Dawud:
Book 11, Number 2139) "The best of you is one who is best towards his family
and I am best towards the family". (At-Tirmithy). "None but a noble man
treats women in an honourable manner. And none but an ignoble treats women
disgracefully". (At-Tirmithy).

A Husband must keep the Privacy of his Wife
Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri: Allah's Messenger (peace_be_upon_him) said: The
most wicked among the people in the eye of Allah on the Day of Judgement is
the man who goes to his wife and she comes to him, and then he divulges her
secret. (Muslim Book 8, Number 3369)

A Husband's Attitude
'Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said that a man came to his house to complain
about his wife. On reaching the door of his house, he hears 'Umar's wife
shouting at him and reviling him. Seeing this, he was about to go back,
thinking that 'Umar himself was in the same position and, therefore, could
hardly suggest any solution for his problem. 'Umar (RA) saw the man turn
back, so he called him and enquired about the purpose of his visit. He said
that he had come with a complaint against his wife, but turned back on
seeing the Caliph in the same position. 'Umar (RA) told him that he
tolerated the excesses of his wife for she had certain rights against him.
He said, "Is it not true that she prepares food for me, washes clothes for
me and suckles my children, thus saving me the expense of employing a cook,
a washerman and a nurse, though she is not legally obliged in any way to do
any of these things? Besides, I enjoy peace of mind because of her and am
kept away from indecent acts on account of her. I therefore tolerate all her
excesses on account of these benefits. It is right that you should also
adopt the same attitude." quoted in Rahman, Role of Muslim Women page 149

The Prophet's Disapproval of Women Beaters
Patient behavior was the practice of the Prophet, even when his wife dared
to address him harshly. Once his mother-in-law- saw her daugher strike him
with her fist on his noble chest. When the enraged mother -in-law began to
reproach her daugher, the Prophet smilingly said, "Leave her alone; they do
worse than that." And once Abu Bakr, his father-in-law, was invited to
settle some misunderstanding between him and Aishah. The Prophet said to
her, "Will you speak, or shall I speak?" Aisha said, "You speak, but do not
say except the truth." Abu Bakr was so outraged that he immediately struck
her severely, forcing her to run and seek protection behind the back of the
Prophet. Abu Bakr said, "O you the enemy of herself! Does the Messenger of
Allah say but the truth?" The Prophet said, "O Abu Bakr, we did not invite
you for this [harsh dealing with Aishah], nor did we anticipate it." quoted
in: Mutual Rights and Obligations

May Allah protect and preserve us in Islam. May Allah guide us always and
help us to strengthen both our understanding and practice of Islam. O
Allah,grant us that which is good in this life and that which is good in
theHereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.AMIN.



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