WOMEN IN ISLAM — An Intellectual Role

An example of a woman making a key contribution to the spread of religious learning is that of the daughter of Imam Abu Ja‘far, Tahavi (220-321 A.H) the famous Hadith traditionist whose book, Sharh Ma‘ani al-Athar, is regularly included in the syllabuses of Arabic religious schools. He dictated his book of traditions to his daughter and, as he read out the Hadith, he would explain its finer points to her and then she would write it all down. This is one of finest examples of a woman helping her family members in matters of religion. Women enjoy freedom in Islam Women enjoy complete freedom in Islam. During the life of the Prophet of Islam, a Muslim lady, Barira, wanted separation from her husband, Mughis. The case was referred to the Prophet of Islam, who counselled: “I would like you to withdraw your case and live with your husband by adjusting with him.” Barira asked the Prophet: "Is this your personal request or is it the command of God?” The Prophet replied, “It is my personal request.” Barira said, “Then, I do not need it”, and the marriage was then dissolved. Throughout the Islamic period, women were allowed to visit mosques and say their prayers either in congregation or individually. Moreover, throughout the history of Islam, women have been free to perform significant roles, not only demonstrating the vast arena that Islam affords them for the performance of noble and heroic deeds, but also the exalted position accorded to women in Islamic society. Women’s Position in Islam The Quran says that men are in charge of, that is, they are— maintainers—of women (THE QURAN 4: 34). This does not mean that men have a distinctive status over women. Their being maintainers of women has never been discriminatory. It rather concerns the practical management of the home, for which the man is held responsible. However, this does not mean that a woman is not allowed to shoulder these responsibilities. If she proves capable of bearing this burden, no objection need be raised from any quarter. When the Judaic era was drawing to a close, a woman had to be singled out who would in every way, be fit to become the mother of one so miraculous in nature as the Prophet Jesus, on whom be peace. As God had ordained that the final prophet of the Jewish people was to be born without a father, the character of his mother had, therefore, to be