Articles/Submissions > Women in the Eyes of Islam

Women in the Eyes of Islam
Submitted by Farheen D.

I see commotion around me... Protests, questions, demands... From people all over the globe, about the status of women in society and demand for equal rights and debates raging about human rights. The most surprising part is that Muslim women themselves protest against the Hijab and also say that it has been forced upon them... it is indeed sad to see that they have not realized what a precious gift they have! I am not trying to get emotionally carried away by saying this, but I myself have realized it after practicing Hijab for 9 years. Being questionable is not wrong but protesting against it without the full knowledge is dangerous.. not only to them, but also to the whole society!

In fact Islam encourages the freedom of thought, wondering about the creator of the universe, why we should act upon the rules of a religion and most importantly connect it to the problems we are facing in society in present day. The knowledge then acquired by this type of inquisitiveness will benefit beyond imagination as it will not only affect the mind, but also the heart and soul.

So the question to ponder upon now is, why has Islam asked women to observe Hijab? Is it because it wants its women to stay backward?? As is the common notion of today’s world! Certainly not!
Even before the Islamic days, there was a pious and a pure lady who even though had a child while she was unwed, came to be known as The Virgin Mary. Why? She was always careful that no man should see her even without her head covered. She used to observe Hijab even though there had been no order of this. God liked this act so much that Mary was blessed with a holy child and attained the status of the Virgin. God himself gave her so much respect! And so did the whole world!

Now, let us talk about how Hijab was incorporated in Islam. Islam, from the very beginning gave respect to women in all ways possible. The starting of Hijab was marked as such- One day some Arab women came to our holy Prophet (saw) complaining of the eve teasing they had to face by men when they step out of their houses. I think this was the first ever demand for women's rights. A holy revelation then came from God asking all women to cover their heads, ears, neck and the ornaments, which appear thereof. After observing this dress code, there were no more complaints. This was actually freedom granted to women all over the world till today and days to come! This freedom was called Hijab under the protection of which they could grow and nurture. I see so many women benefiting from this freedom even today. They are the ones who have understood the meaning and importance of Hijab in the true sense and are flourishing in all sections of life: education, career, family... they are not what I would call backward as what they are referred to in today’s world.

Also, the Prophet was preaching Islam in such a backward society that they used to bury their new born daughters alive? At such an ignorant time, god blessed the prophet with a baby girl who grew up to be a replica of the Prophet in terms of his etiquettes, manners, behavior, knowledge and devotion to god. She became the most respectable woman in the Arab Islamic world and also elsewhere. Such was the upbringing given to her. Moreover, Islam also started the right of inheritance to daughters and encouraged widow remarriage.

With so much protection and freedom being granted to women by Islam, how can one say that the veil shows weakness of a woman when actually it is her strength, her asset..

In my 9 years of practicing Hijab, I witnessed something I wouldn't have been able to without this gift: Respect. I realized the true meaning of respect when someone told me that he stops himself from doing anything wrong in front of me, for instance abusing or even using harsh tone and language!! What is that if not respect? I cannot thank God enough for giving me this precious gift of Hijab and along with it, one of the most desirous things in this world: Respect and honor.

I just wish that people would stop calling Islam backward and blaming it for keeping its women tied up. If only they could ponder over it and see the right point of view...A point of view from my eyes, from Islam's eyes.