Myths & Facts about Women in Islam

Dr. Anwar Ul Haque

I had duty of being Chief Coordinator for Ministry of Health in October 8^th devastating Earthquake and use to coordinate all medical teams from within Pakistan as well as abroad. We with our dedicated colleagues are working round the clock to serve patients in twin cities as well as we used to send the teams to the Northern Areas which were badly hit by the Earthquake. One day a young man from Check republic came to my office in PIMS to donate small equipment for medical team. He was extremely hungry as he had not eaten any thing for last 18 or so hours. So I served him with Samoosas and coffee which he likes very much. He told me that he had to first go to Army Medical College with a person who brought him to my office. I asked about his experience with Army Medical College. He told us that he was shocked to see so many women becoming doctors in Pakistan. He saw a class in session. He said they were so many and then a blush came on his face and said they were so beautiful! I asked him why he was so surprised. He said that back in our country we have very strong impression that Muslim women are denied of education. I told him to visit any University and other postgraduate institutions and you will find women in significant numbers if not in majority. In my own Department of Pathology, PIMS women outnumber men among postgraduate students by a ratio of 7:3.

It is amazing that a religion which pulled out Europe from utter Darkness at time of �Dark Ages� is portrayed enemy of education! Without any shred of doubt it could be said that Muhammad (PBUH) was the most educated man of all time. His education began at the age of 4 months. He had to be separated from his mother to go to a different tribe to learn the classical and best language. His father Abdullah had died when he was in the womb of his mother. And he had no siblings. How hard it would be for his mother Aaminah to let her son go. But that was the  sacrifice born by the great mother and grandfather . The Prophet in making acquired his routine skills and manners through his interactions in the society and his deep pondering. His utmost integrity, honesty, noble manners and vision captured the heart of Khadeejah which led to formal invitation for marriage. The Prophet (PBUH) who could not read or write and hence was kept away from he influence of biased and distorted books and was about to receive the best and the most elegant book as a miracle from Allah All Mighty. As Allah was to directly teach him and guide through Wahee and through observations with constant and firm support to his heart who could else take the honor of his education, training and grooming? For Muhammad (PBUH) the barriers of times and distances were broken and he reached to a climax where science will have to take zillions of years and yet may not reach that destination. The very first word which came to Muhammad (PBUH) was �Read�. And he was guided to read although he could not �read� from a written book. He not only read the book which came gradually, slowly in interactive and problem solving manner but he also memorized without help of written material and without help of any teacher. There is no other example in the entire human history. He dictated the book for others and it was put to pen and was available for others to memorize. For Muhammad (PBUH) it was sufficient to listen to the portions of book and have book written permanently in his mind and heart.

The miraculous Quran categorically describes the objective of creation of man in the very beginning. And it also makes it crystal clear that man is the Governor on Earth and that honorable position can not be acquired without knowledge. The angles will only bow to him and follow his commands only if he is educated. And thought out the initial demonstration in Jannah or paradise Eve, wife of Adam (Peace be upon them) shared the same quality and same chastisement when both made a mistake as Satan did not agree to bow to man and promised to deviate him from the right path. Both lost their divinely given protection and required dresses to cover themselves.  So in terms of Quran in order to live according to the destined role on earth one must be educated and more the merrier. There is no discrimination between man and woman. However Quran keeps a balance between education and ethics. No matter how much you are educated you must abide by morality and ethics; in other words you must not follow the footsteps of your eternal and open enemy i.e. Satan.

In consequences of Quranic injunctions and the detailed explanations by Muhammad (PBUH) through his own words and deeds, the Muslims excelled in education, research and laid the foundations of all modern sciences may that be Chemistry, Engineering, Zoology, Astronomy, Pharmacy, Medicine, Sociology, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry etc. etc.; all bounded and controlled by very high ethical and moral values. As a result soon Muslims were at the top of the world. Muslims were the first to build hospitals, universities, laboratories, pharmacy stores, printing presses, bookshops, concrete and lighted roads etc. etc. Many Non Muslim authors including George Staton of Harvard  and Philips Haiti have recognized all these with an open heart and give due credits to Islam for European renaissance and industrial revolution. So the biggest myth that Muslim woman should not be educated as portrayed by present day terrorist acts of burning female schools etc have nothing to do with Islam at all. Those  who are committing such heinous acts are enemies of Islam, Muslims and entire humanity. These  people are the instruments in the hands of those who want to defame and discredit Islam and Muslims. These are perhaps the forces which want to continue their exploitation of common people of the world through their enormous and clever exploitation and they find Islam being the only real and credible obstruction in their onslaught against humanity.

There are many other myths against Muslim women. For example there is no divorce right for Muslim woman. In contrast to Western and other laws Muslim Woman is well protected and she has right to divorce her husband through court. The man is given a right to divorce her without going to the court, however she has to go to court. And this shows the beauty of Islam being religion of nature. Women are generally very emotional at times and if the right divorce was granted without going through court, may be 80% or more would have been divorced with severe harm to them and their families. On the other hand despite being so easy for man to divorce his wife, it is an open testimony to the biological variation which Islam respects so much that the incidence of divorces in Muslims society is far too less.

The concept of three simultaneous divorces does not exist in Islam. As a matter of fact it is a punishable crime. Quran-e-Majeed does not describe the details of the Salah but describes in detail the process of divorce and inheritance as these could be source of conflicts and fights among people. Quran keeps open the doors of reconciliation between husband and wife. Strengthening the bounds of family and society is the hall mark of Islam. Those who cut these bounds are regarded disobedient and Allah does not guide such people says Quran (Surah Al-Baqrah). Respect and honor for the wife and the family are the cardinal features of Islam. Lowering gaze and not involvement in activities which can rock the marriage and family are essential ingredients of Islam mentioned at so many places in Quran explained in details by the Prophet (PBUH).

Again committing violence i.e. hurting someone physically, mentally and socially is not allowed in Islam. Man is made the in-charge of the family but then he alone has been given the responsibility of earning bread for his family. The woman is totally exempted form this hard work and burden. And if she earns some money she can keep all to herself. Additionally whatever gift she receives from husband can not be taken back. If we compare this with Non Muslim society then one may understand that what a great relief is being provided to her. So if man receives double the amount of woman in inheritance it is understandable as in his money there are partners i.e. his wife, children, parents and may be at time his brothers and sisters while she keeps all the money herself.

There is another myth that woman ahs �Half� witness in the court. The Quran gives the reason for taking another woman i.e. so that she may consult with her. Many women will not feel comfortable in talking to strange man. She is therefore granted another support from another person of her gender so that she remains comfortable and strong in her witness.

It is very unfortunate that the crimes which are absolutely prohibited in Islam are ascribed to Islam and Muslims. We know the incidences of rapes in non Muslim societies, , wife battering in he West, the treatment of women in Shatilla Sabira camps, Gaza and harassment and torture given to such noble and brilliant ladies as Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, Rachel Corrie and the harassment given to them and their families by abducting their husbands and sons by the claimants of �Enlightened Moderation� and yet Islam and Muslims are portrayed as Anti woman. Nothing could be farthest from truth. Islam while granting privileges keeps in mind the biology, mindset, physic and psyche of persons and individuals and groups. It is no wisdom to ask a laborer to do surgery and a surgeon to construct a road. Islam by capturing the heart and minds abolished worst alcohol addiction of the entire communities and eliminated wholesale slavery and gave the most humane rules of love and war. Even in war excesses are not allowed.  

Dr. Anwar Ul Haque.

116. St. 49 F 11/3 Islamabad Pakistan. Phone 03335129849