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What is the Role of anIdeal Woman in Islām?Dilara Alam, BA, Thompson JamāàtA woman in this fast pace modernera plays several roles. At home sheis perhaps a daughter, a sister, a wife,a mother, an aunt or a grandmotheretc. In the outer spectrum, she couldbe a student, a teacher, a doctor oreven a significant political figure.Before examining a woman’s role,let us first briefly analyze the statusgiven to women is Islām. First andforemost, a woman is viewed inIslām, whether single or married,as an individual with her ownrights identical to those of a man.In fact, a woman’s status in manytimes has been placed higher thana man. For example, when a mancame to the Prophet sa and said, “Ohmessenger of Allāh, who amongyou is the most worthy of my goodcompanionship”? The Prophetsaid, “your mother.” The manasked, “then who?” The Prophetsaid, “then your mother.” The manfurther asked, “then who?” TheProphet said, “then your mother.”After three times, the Holy Prophetsaid, “your father.” (Hadīth) Thisclearly shows the onus granted tothe status of women in Islām. Inthe verse from the Holy Qur’ān thatstates, “whoso does good whethermale or female, and is a believer,shall enter Paradise and they shallnot be wronged a whit;” (Chap.4,v. 125) once again reiterates that awoman is no less than a man in thesight of Allāh.Given these facts that the statusof women in Islām is equitableto that of a man, then what rolesshould she play not only in thefamily but also in a society to bea pious individual in the sight ofAllāh? More specifically, whatresponsibilities does she bear asa Muslim woman for the smoothfunctioning of a healthy Islāmicsociety? The answer is verysimple, and yet it can be mostcontroversial and most difficultdue to the fact that over time, againa woman’s position in Islām hasbeen undermined, extenuated andchallenged by countless scholarsboth Islāmic and non-Islāmic.Nonetheless, in this short article, Iwill try to explain some of the basicattributes that a woman shouldhave in order to reflect a properrepresentation of an ideal Muslimwoman.Regardless of one’s gender, Muslimshave certain responsibilitiesentrusted to them as a result oftheir adherence to their faith.. Justbelieving in the five pillars of Islāmis not sufficient. Muslims mustabsolutely apply both practicallyand spiritually, the codes of socialand moral behaviour set out bythe Holy Qur’ān and through theteachings of the Holy Prophet sa inall their daily activities. They mustbe obedient and act as a catalystto establish peace in society. Thismeans shunning oneself completelyfrom lying, cheating, gossiping,deceiving and refraining fromany other forms of inappropriatebehaviour in all aspects of her life.When a child, particularly a Muslimgirl, develops from an infant stageto adulthood, she is faced withseveral challenges in her life. Shemay not necessarily agree withcertain restrictions imposed onher, such as wearing a head scarf.In such a situation, parents shouldnever use force, but at the sametime, the girl must keep in mindthat she is being obedient to herparents solely for the sake of Allāh.In order to explain a woman’srole as a mother requires an entireseparate entity, nonetheless, in thisarticle much emphasis is given onthe application of Islāmic teachingsto our daily lives. If a true Muslimis said to be the absolute followerof the Holy Prophet sa and thePromised Messiah as , then thisshould be reflected in a Muslimmother’s day to day actions andbehaviours with her family, friends32 What is the Role of an Ideal Woman in Islām?
and with the rest of the people insociety. As a wife, a woman may fallin situations where lying, gossipingand deception appears to be her oneand only option. However, onlythose women in this same situation,who are able to save themselvesfrom such harmful actions, andseek Allāh’s protection, are trulyMuslim. Holding on strongly tothe rope of Allāh is the only wayto achieve any goodness in life. Forexample, all prophets of Allāh haveachieved every blessing of Goddue to their complete obedienceand submission. As humans, weare always tempted by Satan toshift away from the right path. Forexample, we all know that makingfun of another individual is wrong,but how often do we stop ourselvesfrom doing it? How many timesdo we say to ourselves, I will notlaugh at him or her because itwill make Allāh unhappy? Littledo we realize that such simplepleasures may eventually lead todreadful consequences that areharmful not just for the person weare laughing at but mostly for ourown souls. In this way, we beginfailing to protect ourselves andour souls from all evils and thuswe fail to obey all the commandsof Allāh. A Muslin woman mustpractice peace and preach peaceat all times. At home or at theworkplace, she must save herselffrom any form of vindictiveness,disloyalty, dishonestly, and anyform of animosity that may causeeven the slightest form of grief toothers. Sometimes, on the surface itmay seem like a small sacrifice, butin reality shunning away from anyform of evil deeds, whether big orsmall, is like executing the biggestvictory for our own souls.In short, an ideal representationof a Muslim woman is throughher actions, deeds, behaviour, andpersonality. Through her capacityof saving herself from all types ofwrong deeds and expanding herlove not just for her family butfor all humanity, she can achievethe essence of obedience andconformity with the commands ofAllāh. In this way, just like the HolyProphet of Allāh, being his follower,a Muslim woman can also becomethe role model for all of mankind.Allāh has promised to believers, men and women,Gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide,and delightful dwelling places in Gardens of Eternity. And the pleasure ofAllāh is the greatest of all. That is the supreme triumph.- The Holy Qur’ān Chapter 9 Verse 72What is the Role of an Ideal Woman in Islām?33
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