WOMEN IN ISLAM

saying that a person is ‘like a lion’ as there is in saying that ‘he is a lion’. The Prophet used a parable to explain the delicateness of women’s nature, pointing out that they should be treated in accordance with their nature. Their delicate emotional constitution should always be borne in mind. God has created them that way, and He has done so for a good reason. They should be treated kindly. If they have to be told something, it should be done tactfully, in a gentle tone. Abruptness and severity will break them, as a rib is broken by any attempt to change its shape. Once, when the Prophet was on a journey, he saw some women riding on a camel. The man leading the camel made the animal to drive on faster, forgetting that this would cause undue discomfort to his passengers. So the Prophet said to the camel driver: “You have glass cases there. Be gentle with them.” Modern research has further helped us with scientific studies on the differences between males and females. Scientific researchers almost unanimously agree that hormones help determine how people feel and act. Thus the male-female differences are entirely genetic in nature. The passivity found in women is due to the particular nature of the female hormones. Differences between male and female hormones exist from birth; they are not acquired later on, as would be the case if they had stemmed from differences in environment. Islam is a religion of nature. The principles Islam requires us to follow are in fact our own instinctive human requirements expressed in words. The teachings of Islam with respect to women are in accordance with nature. The nature of womanhood as fashioned by the Creator, for the special contribution they have to make to society, demands that their true nature be appreciated. Due to their delicate nature Islam teaches men to be gentle with women. That way they will not lose heart or become too despondent to perform their special duties in life. It is best to let them be, in their natural state. If one treats them as though they were tough metal, one would break them. o Difficulties are Ladders God has made difficulties the ladders to our success provided we give a positive response to them.