RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM

and religion embedded in our soil, but we try to blindly imitate the ‘developed’ countries in as much of our activities as possible. On the one hand, our women with their demure and bashful nature seem to us symbols of virtue, on the other hand we try to instigate our women to reveal as much of their bodies as possible. Then, when our women are waylaid and their modesty torn, we shed crocodile tears. The present scenario, with events of female harassment ever on the increase, is a most pathetic sight. Even our workplaces (not to talk about our homes) are not safe. Even those women holding higher bureaucratic posts are not spared. Laws against sexual harassment and rape are being moulded and remoulded but the escalation in gender related crimes keeps rising unabated. Female foeticide is on the increase. Most dowry deaths go unreported. In fact, with the present day status, who would refuse to accept that women are poised on the brink of disaster? The facts and figures showing deliberate women’s subjugation under the cover of pleasure and entertainment cannot put them to sleep. There is a wave of restlessness to be found everywhere. Many suggestions have been made to improve the situation. For instance, it is being felt at certain quarters that women need rights, not power. At other places, education is being recommended for women’s overall development. Some recommend political empowerment. Yet some say that women can only be truly emancipated by becoming economically independent. Whatever be the case, we cannot isolate the various aspects of women’s development into different channels and work for any one or the other. We have to devise a comprehensive system which, while recognizing women as respectable human beings, may at the same time lend them confidence, dignity, poise, self-respect and freedom from exploitation of all kind. Only then could the human race become stronger and of a superior breed, capable of taking up the responsibility of spreading welfare, love, friendship and goodwill to make this beautiful earth a better place to live in. Till now, a dispassionate study of the position of women in Islam has rarely been made. Orientatalists are in the habit of quoting and misquoting, even misinterpreting the Quranic injunctions and the Sunnah, which form the source of the Islamic system. The Muslim Islam considers each gender unique in its own sphere of activity and allots roles to each gender, best suited to them and according to their nature and needs.